A few months ago, while drinking a bottle of wine with some good friends, Sonoma came to mind.  And it became absolutely essential that we go to there.  Soon.  I have been looking forward to this trip for months.  I was so excited I couldn’t sleep.  Insane excited.  Four couples, an AHHHMazing house in Healdsburg and fabulous wineries with food pairings.

It surpassed every single expectation.  We had an amazing time and I’m thisclose to making plans for the next one.  We attended Wine Road, all of the wineries participate with lots of tasting and food pairings… paella & chili & cookies.  Yum.  We spent evenings drinking wine, eating food & playing Catchphrase.  It poured for the most part, but really, when you’ve got wine & food in your belly, it’s not so bad.

One of my goals for the year was to take lots of personal pictures.  And we took tons!  Well, while I was busy sampling every single red wine offered to me, Chris was very busy taking pictures.  Thank you babycakes.

 
This is the view from our house over the vineyard.  Chris & I woke up early early Saturday morning and watched the sun rise through the fog.  But, because of the fog, it didn’t really rise, but just got incrementally lighter.  Still pretty.

We went to eight wineries a day.  Picked mostly for the quality of food offered

Didn’t expect a details collage did you?  This is Bella Vineyard & Wine Cave.  Decorated IMPECCABLE.  I would like to have another wedding, right here, just like this.  The wood paneling on the tent, the fur throws & pillows, the AHHHMAZING chandelier… to.die.for.

Don’t I look sexy in my polarizing fish glasses?!

Today has been one of those days.  The days that we knew would happen, but vowed to love each other through.  For better or for worse.  One of those days where nothing happens the way it should, when systems fail & collapsing on the couch with a bucket of ice cream seems to be the most reasonable thing you could do.

On days like today, I feel so incredibly blessed to be married to my husband.  When my world is falling apart, he stops in for lunch and picks it all up, fixes it with a good hug & is back to the office.  For better or for worse.

Two years ago today I stood on the alter and vowed to love him more every single day.  While I may still be working on all the wifely stuff (cooking & I aren’t quite on the best terms) I’m pretty good at waking up more in love than I went to sleep. 

Chris - Thank you for loving me, for taking care of me & for always making sure that my wine glass is, at minimum, half full.  You make me a better person and I am beyond blessed that my life is happening with you.  To the next 42 years.

Photo Credit: Rob Holley

I’m on my way to Sonoma for the first time ever with seven of my very favorite people!  It’ll be one part anniversary celebration, one part ridiculous/crazy fun with my friends & one part utter relaxation!  I’m so insanely excited I haven’t slept in three days.

I’ll be back, relaxed & ready to work on Tuesday.  Enjoy the long weekend kids!

EEEK!

I am a very large proponent of goals.  Knowing where I want to go.  And when you get there, it’s such an amazing feeling!  So, the goal for 2010 was to get published.  And I was absolutely blown away to hear that it was going to happen in the very first few weeks of 2010.  Giddy thrilled ecstatic, etc.

WHEEEE!

Karri & Doug - Thank you for being so absolutely fabulous

So, I guess I’ll need to come up with a new goal… would be crazy to go an entire year goal-less!

Do you know those people who are just so incredibly adorable that you can’t help but giggle with them at, well, everything that happens?  Charise is that person.  She’s got to be one of the most adorable people I’ve ever met.  She’s fun and makes me laugh hysterically.   And Derrek just seems to be overjoyed to be with her. 

They take such incredible care of each other.  He holds her hand and helps her with her shoes.  He brushed her off when I asked them to sit and he carried her shoes when they started to hurt her feet.  They’re really a fantastic couple and I am thrilled to kick off 2010 with them!

We shot around Derrek’s house in Dove Canyon and were incredibly blessed with an absolutely GORGEOUS day.  The light was perfect, the weather was amazing and they sent me home with Sprinkles cupcakes.  Really, a perfect day.

Charise & Derrek - Thank you so much for an incredible day!   You are the epitome of a fantastic client couple!  I had so much fun and am now CRAZY looking forward to your wedding.  The cupcakes were absolute deliciousness and I ate them instead of a proper dinner.  Thank you!

One of my favorite parts of a wedding is always the photobooth.  Because it’s hilarious.  And fun.  And a flipping blast.

And Heather & Ben’s photobooth was fantastic.  Check it out for yourself!

Heather is quite possibly the most adorable person you’ve ever met.  She’s kind & hilarious & beautiful.  She’s so incredibly sweet you just want to pinch her!  I can see why Ben loves her so much.  And I can see why they work so well together.  He’s as kind & hilarious & handsome as his new wife.  They’re the kind of people that make you laugh.  The kind of people that make you happy.

And on New Year’s Eve, they tied the knot!  It was a perfectly personal affair at The Cabrillo Marina with tons of family & friends.  The weather was perfect for the outdoor ceremony & the excitement of the blue moon fitting for an incredible evening.  The entire event was dotted with touches that really represent Heather & Ben, sophisticated, unique & super chill.  It was a fabulous way to ring in the new year!  And, the most amazing cherry on top, I FINALLY got to work with Isabel Gonzalez!

Heather & Ben - thank you so much for having us!  You’re an absolutely fabulous couple and we are completely honored to have captured the emotion between you.  Congratulations!

Heather’s AUNT handled all of the florals!  They were to.die.for gorgeous!  The bridesmaid carried purses with cascading florals… something I’d never seen before.

The sun set just before their first look.  And I’m in love with the beautiful blue sky.

I was obsessed with her dress.  I think because it reminded me so much of my own wedding gown.  It was absolutely perfect for her!

Heather & Ben lit the unity candle, then passed it through the guests.  Everyone was glowing in gorgeous candlelight.

April Whitney Events coordinated all of the details and did a fantastic job!

A post-cake cutting high-five.  And the reason I love Heather & Ben.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So, over Christmas we decided it was time to become parents.  Puppy Parents!

I’ve never had a dog before in my entire life.  I wanted one as a kid (as we all do) but I travelled a lot.  Then I went to college and I lived in a dorm.  And that didn’t seem right.  Then I lived in an apartment and that didn’t seem right either.  Then I moved to Los Angeles and I was apartment bound again.  In a studio.  Again, not right.  Then we were in a condo.  Not yet.  Then we bought a house with a yard and it seemed right.  But Chris didn’t want a dog.  (I think he thought a puppy would make me want babies!) 

So, then one day, he switched.  And he decided a dog would be a good idea.  Then I freaked out.  Literally, lost it.  I thought a dog was the worst idea on the planet.  Crazy bad idea.  Who did we think we were that we could have a dog?!  What would we do with it?!  Would the cats freak out?

I went back & forth for months.  Good idea? Bad idea? Worst idea on the planet?  How could we live without a dog!?

And then, on Christmas Eve, it felt right. Good. So, the day after Christmas we headed to the East Valley Animal Shelter.  Wondering through we laid eyes on the most perfect dog we’ve ever seen.  Basil Roosevelt Hazel is a Basset Hound and the most amazing dog. Ever.

The first few days were some of the hardest ever.  He was good, but I was a mess.  A hot mess.  Anxious & nauseous & crazy. I cried for three days straight… whenever Chris said anything to me.  Or when Basil looked at me with those eyes.   All the new dog stuff was COMPLETELY brand new to me and well, I’m glad that we’re just getting comfortable with each other.  He’s such an incredibly good boy and I’m so happy to have him in the family!  Although, I am less than thrilled about the hound voice Chris does every time he talks to Basil, or about Basil, or about something Basil might be interested in.  It’s incredibly annoying, and I’m sure, if you ever come into contact with Chris, he will do it for you.  And everyone you know.

2009 was one of the most amazing of my life, both personally & professionally.  It was my first season as a full-time photographer and I saw my business go from a glimmer of hope to a full blown dream.  It’s been so incredible and I owe it all to the people in the photos below.  My clients have been amazingly gracious and kind to me, trusting me to document their lives.  Thank you thank you thank you for encouraging me to chase my dreams! 

So, this is a bit of a year in review.  While I tend to focus on the present & future, it’s nice to take a bit of a stroll through the past.  Enjoy!

Rosie & Matt at Rancho Capistrano.

Dan & Rob at The Fairmont Orchid.

Sabra & David at a private estate.

Stephanie & Guy at a private estate.

Tim & Elda at The Bungalow Club.

Crystina & Mark at The Villa Del Sol.

Karri & Doug at The Villa Del Sol D’Oro.

Danielle & Jerry at The Greenside Cafe.

Danielle & Ben at The Figueroa Hotel.

Ikela & Peter at The Coco Palm.

Jessica & Josh at The Bungalow Club.

Jennifer & Todd at The Yorba Park.

Megan & Brodie at Marvimon House.

Agatha & John at The SmogShoppe.

Ikela & Peter at Los Serranos Country Club.

Karina & Wassim at Arts & Letters Cafe.

Kristin & Dave at The Four Seasons.

Katie & Eric on Electra Cruises.

Jennifer & Damon at La Venta.

Haleh & Itai at Calamigos Equestrian.

Lindsay & Ryan at Marvimon House.

Melanie & Jose at a private estate.

And a brand new, yet to be blogged New Year’s Eve wedding… Heather & Ben at The Cabrillo Marina.

Happy Holidays!   Well, they’re nearly over, but I get too caught up in the holiday hoopla but my blog definitely takes a backseat.  I don’t think the last week could have been anymore perfect.  It was our first year in the house and it felt good.  Felt like home.   There was lots of family & friends & love.  And it felt good.  I love that about the holidays.  You feel close to people. You feel happy.  Every place feels welcoming.  Like home.

We didn’t go home to North Carolina this year.  We haven’t been home in the past five years actually.  First it was work, then our wedding, then we were travelling… it just never seems to work out.  So, we’re started making our own traditions here on the west coast.  This year, we hosted a Christmas Eve brunch with fifteen of our closest friends.  Our first party in the house after a good fifteen months here! It was so.much.fun. and will most definitely be a new tradition. 

So, Christmas Eve night, exhausted, Moira, Chris & I lounged on the couch in a food coma, drinking champagne and trying to convince Chris that we should open presents now.  And then we heard Christmas music.  Getting louder & louder.  And I looked out the window and saw an ENORMOUS tractor trailer full of carolers driving down the street.  It was likely the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in.my.life.  Tons of people were following the truck, parade style. 

It made me feel like it was truly Christmas!  Such camaraderie and joy and happiness.  Neighbors crowded the street.  We met their families and exchanged gifts.  New neighbors introduced themselves.  Felt like home.

Chris shot the video with our super awesome new D300S.  Love love love it.