Jovi & Bob {Engagement}

I have known who this woman was for years, 4 to be exact. She was quiet and for what ever reason, even though our children have been in school together, in the same class, we had never talked until this last school year. I LOVE HER! I've missed out!

Their family have become one of our favorite families to be with. Two of her children were in both of my kids classes this last year, and we were able to help carpool, talk about the "normal" things that drive us crazy with our kids, and just enjoy each other.

She has been dating Bob for a few years now, and finally this last spring, SHE asked him to marry her. I'm so happy for them. Bob, is one of these guys that should be sold on the shelves. He's a Mr. Fix-it, can build anything, loves to hunt & fish, and do manly things, he's sweet, great with the kids, and LOVES to hang with the whole family. They have both been married before and have a whole brood of kids. 5 in all, minus the 8 year old, they are ALL teen-agers. Plus, it's not uncommon for them to have a few extra kids hanging out there, they always have a houseful, but I think they like it that way too.

The wedding is scheduled for September. I can't wait to celebrate with them. Congratulations Bob and Jovi ( pronounced Hovi)

Thanks for being great sports. Bob thought were going in the back yard to shoot a picture or two. Little did he know, I was taking the pictures, and this was going to be a major production!

Jimmy and Jessi {Personal}

I do believe I just attended my very first wedding, since the beginning of my photography career, that I was not photographing. I felt lost. I wandered around, still having a good time, but wishing i had the security of my camera in hand. This was the main reason for my not shooting this particular wedding. Jessi knows me well enough to know I tend to blend in and observe when I have said camera. She wanted me to live, and enjoy her moment. I did have a great time. They hired a fabulous photographer from Portland, who I know captured every moment perfectly...I watched. There was an AMAZING band, and a room full of wonderful people who all love this couple with all their hearts.

My contribution to the wedding was an engagement session that I photographed with my great friend and occasional business partner, Mrs. Sphie Paez. "Together we make magic", this is our tag line, or at least what we tell people when we get the typical rave of our work together, and from ALL the raves at the wedding from the session, turned guest book, we did it again. If I do say so myself, it was amazing. I, of course forgot to photograph the book before giving it to them.

Unfortunately, in order for me no actually not consume myself with every moment of the wedding, I did have to leave the camera at home, so I have no photos of the beautiful couple from that day. I had to rely on the "hired" photographers to hopefully catch my good side, and all the snap shots from our drunken friends camera, which are now scattered across Facebook. As terrible as it is, this is so far, the only photo of proof I was there.

Congratulations Jimmy and Jessi, you are an amazing couple and will be an incredible family in the years to come. You have shown my family so much love and friendship over the years, Thank you! I am excited to continue to grow with you, and our little "family" we have created for ourselves here in Bend, and look forrward to hopefully taking some maternity shots of you real soon.

Hood Canal {Personal}

My best-est friend from High School flew out from Mesa, AZ last week with her kiddos. She arrived on Monday morning, and Sunday night....the evil flu hit our home. One right after the other we dropped like flies to our refuge of the bathroom floor. I barely gathered myself to pick her up from the airport, and continued my lazy day of caching up with her from the couch. We had plans to take our first road trip with all four kids to her grandparents cain on the Puget Sound, a 6 hour drive from Bend. The plan was to leave Tuesday morning. We prayed and hoped that things would not have to be canceled. To all of our surprise, we all woke up Tuesday morning feeling GREAT!

The car was packed with tons of snacks, water, and too much luggage, and we were on our way. It stated out uneventful, until we had a puker. I'm still not sure if it was car sickness, or a tinge of the flu remnants, but we gave her a bag and she was good to go.

We played every car game known to man, our favorite (or at least mine and Dawnika's) was the "quiet game". the kids piled more snacks into those little bodies than I thought they had room for, and in 6 hours we made it, and still in one piece.

As soon as the kids stepped their feet on the sand they were in the water. It was much too cold, but none of them really seemed to mind to much. There was BBQing and sparklers. Brownies and old photos.

The next morning was more of the same. Kids in the water, way too cold for anyone over the age of 15, and LOTs of sea creature finding; starfish, crabs, muscles, sea snails, and clams.

We caught our lunch of clams. I think that's the first time I've ever been really full on clams. We had more than all 8 of us could stuff in. It was wonderful.

Dawnika and I chatted most of the day and watched our kids have a great time. Around 4pm, we had to take off for part 2 of the big adventure...Off to Dawnika's dads house in Lake Oswego. This luckily was only a 3 hour drive, two of which ALL 4 kids slept and were quiet. Thank you Bob and Lois for a great night at the cabin! Your hospitality was amazing! We were a large bunch of energy and they dealt with it with grace and plenty of love for us all.

It seemed to fly by, and before we knew it we were off heading home, back to Bend. It's always sad to see them go, but nice to get back to our every day routines. We've had a busy and eventful summer so far, and the times is flying by incredibly fast.

Thanks D and kids for a fun trip. We will always remember our first road trip with you!