Ted Craig Regional Park California- Reception

David and Valerie's Pre-Wedding Fiesta!

Such a beautiful day At Ted Craig Regional Park in California. Brandon and i pulled into the park and without even seeing someone i recognized, i saw the decorations and knew immediately where David and Valerie's Pre Wedding Fiesta was! it was so gorgeous, colorful, and full of the most delicious snacks i couldn't stop photographing (and then eating...) 

i had the opportunity to photograph David and Valerie's engagement photos last summer, click HERE to check them out again! I can't say enough wonderful things about these two as a couple, and now that I've met their family how great they are too! 

There was not a detail that went unnoticed. Two beautiful (and seriously tasty raspberry mousse) cakes, candies, treats, decor and AMAZING food. Their families came together and really made this event absolutely perfect. They started at 8 am to get it all set up! 

these two gorgeous were in just a FEW photos! and i wish i could show them all! there are so many fabulous moments! 

mustache chocolates were a HUGE hit! i think i photographed almost everyone who picked up these yummy treats! so much fun! 

it was such a beautiful day, full of laughter, friends and family. I immediately felt like family as soon as i arrived, and am so thankful i was able to be there to celebrate this day! I only wish i could fit in that suitcase and go to Columbia to see your perfect wedding day! Congratulations you two, i will be praying for your wonderful marriage. 

Family Holiday san diego trip

over thanksgiving, Brandon and i got to travel to san diego (with my mom and her husband!) it was such a wonderful trip. there are tons of photos of the puppies, but i'll save those for instagram. 

i wanted to share a few from our trip and then some of our Christmas photos, which i'm so excited about, i just ordered the Christmas cards today too, which turned out pretty cute! 

This thanksgiving, i was so thankful to be able to spend some extra time with my husband and our ridiculous puppies. My mom got to meet them for the first time finally and loved them! :) so thankful to see my mom and her husband and take a trip to a truly beautiful area of California. Also for cheaper hotels with free breakfast and allow pets with no extra charge. 

more photos to come of course! 

i hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving and spent time with family. 

Happy New Year!

Here we go the start of 2012, and im looking forward to what God has in store for this year! i'm not one to make resolutions for the new year, i usually make them a month or two before and start them so it seems like a life change rather than something that will stop after a month. Last year i started to eat a little better.. and i still snack of course! but it's a slow process to move away from unhealthy food. so far we've been slightly better eating organic food, snacks, and rice dream for milk. in november i started working out again. man my motivation just hasn't been there! but we bought Kinect and zumba and dance central 2 and sports... so i want YOUR opinion. have you played the kinect!? and what have you thought about it? ill let you know what i think in a few months! my first weight goal is 5 lbs lighter by january 15th. slow process, so encouragement is appreciated! 

anyway, last year at this time was our (late) honeymoon to San Diego! and since those photos seem like they were taken so long ago, i thought i'd share our most recent trip to santa barbara instead. we went in november when brandon had some time off, this was a more relaxed trip, and well.. we felt pretty old since santa barbara is a lot of older people, but it was perfect and exactly what we needed. The ocean was a block from our motel, and it was a perfect getaway for my family. 

We didn't have the puppies til last may, and since this is their birthday month, murphy turns 1! then i thought i'd show them off a bit more. There WILL be a Murphy and Conner birthday celebration photoshoot. later to come of course! 

(click on photos to see some detail!)

before we even left for Cali, i had an image in my head that i wanted. it came true! at the motel, they had these old bikes to ride around the town, and i wanted them in the basket. i can finally erase that image from my iphone things i need to try! it's going above the couch. HUGE of course.  

we were trying to find things to do, and we gound some gardens that the pups could go to! time for enjoying beautiful trees, and walks, and good conversation with brandon. it was a perfect time. 

HOLY COW. we found a sail boat ride at sunset. i took TONS of photos, but ended up just relaxing and enjoying the ride. though i've never gotten sea sick... i might have gotten a little bit this time.. oops! Terrible but we don't remember how much it was... $50 at most. and so worth it! there was only one other couple up front, and it was romantic. 
had to hit up the beach ONE more time before we left back to the desert. Can't complain though i guess, i'm one blessed girl! 

do you have any suggestions on vacations in Cali!? we're thinking San Francisco at some point, and all things Disney too. maybe sometime this year, but our next trip will be hiking somewhere again! 

my encouragement for the new year for you is to go on some adventures with your loved one or friends! it doesn't have to be terribly far, or even expensive! but spend some time with them, find new places, try new food! and have a wonderful start to your new year!