Here are a couple shots of the big day..
It was an interesting challenge to be the big sister AND the photographer. I think we found a balance....I just loved being around for every moment. Grant and I loved all of the time we got to have with just the two of you on such a memorable day. One of the best parts was de-thawing ourselves in the car on the way to the dinner. You two were champs in the cold.
More wedding story to come. xo.
How was everyone's Christmas? Ours was eventful with all of the family together and then Kate's wedding on the 26th. Busy, busy.
As part Christmas gift and part wedding gift to my sisters I had these bracelets made for us. Since Anna had to miss the wedding since she is in the MTC we wanted to have something we could all wear on the wedding day to connect us. Mine read "1 of 3", Kate's, "2 of 3" and Ann's, "3 of 3". I love them SO much (my sisters and the bracelets).
I found the amazing Wire Lady on Etsy. Go here to order your own custom wire twisted jewelry!
I was involved in a project for my church that involved photographing a modern day take on the nativity. Click on the images to view them larger and hopefully large enough to be able to read the beautiful words inspired by the night of the Saviors birth.
Emily did a great job pulling the whole thing off and J. Arthur Purrington created the layout and design of the booklet. Thanks for both of them for making my job so easy.
So my dear bloggers this is my Christmas gift to you until the 28th. I take off to Texas today to be with my family and watch my sister be married on the 26th. For Christmas this year I am gaining a brother in law.
What an amazing year it's been. My business has blessed me in so many ways this year as well as the decision to live with a boy....permanently.
So now it's time to snuggle, sip hot cocoa and watch "It's a Wonderful Life"...we need to enjoy it while we can. The holiday hang over starts on Jan 2. xo.
I love all the parties people have in their homes during the holidays. It feels so much more intimate than just meeting at a restaurant (although the clean up is easier that way).
I photographed a simply amazing Christmas gathering and dinner at a home right on the Strand in Manhattan Beach. They invited a small gathering of friends for a formal dinner in honor of the season. The home was decked with all forms of merriment and the family was delightful.
Maybe when I get a house large enough to hold a table I will host my own formal party complete with Santa flying overhead.
Have a great weekend loves. What are your weekend before Christmas plans? I have a fun 60's photo shoot this morning and maybe going to Disneyland tonight. Early family Christmas party on Saturday and then teaching a lesson on Sunday on the TRUE reason we celebrate Christmas....then maybe a Sunday afternoon nap? xo.
The north shore of Kauai is my location of choice, preferably in the Princeville community. I have stayed in many different condos/apartments/villas within the community but my favorite development by far as been the Villas of Kamalii. The one I found for Grant and I was my favorite unit within the villas. It Is unit #51 which the owners lovingly call "The Rainbow Connection" and once you check out the views from the lanai, you'll know why.
Coming from our humble 520 square feet abode, it really felt gigantic. The kitchen was beautiful and clean and equipped with a vita mix blender! There were two huge flat screen TV's, 30 second walk to the pool, hot tub and grill and the most amazing viewing from the lanai. Seriously we just sat out there and stared.
I am totally plugging this place, because if you ever need a place to stay on the north shore Adria and Louanne were great to work with and their villa beautiful.
You can find more information on renting this unit here.
2. Jump off sand cliffs
3. Watch the sunset at Ke'e beach, rain or shine.
4. Go kayaking and see what the humidity can do to your hair.
5. Gnaw on your lovers shoulder till he says ouch.
6. Stop off for another round of Banana Joe's.
7. Take photos of sun rays or rainbows from the Hanalei look out.
8. Take a horseback ride where you end at a swimming hole and waterfall and eat a picnic lunch with a rooster.
9. Go watch the sunset or look at the view of the Napalei coastline from the deck of the old Princeville Hotel (now St. Regis). (If you are already sick of sunset photos cover your eyes).
10. Leave your beloved north shore and spend your last few days at the Hyatt in Poipu. Swim in the pools, order drinks poolside and get your own private cabana with an ocean view. Act like the royalty you are.
11. Kick and scream as they drag you on your red eye flight home. Be a little bit mad at Kauai for being so perfect. Make up the next time you are reunited.
The End.
Our little sand covered wedding day toesies were published in December's issue of PDN.
Congratulations to Jon Canlas and his amazing image. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy so I can read Jon's interview. It's sure to inspire.
I know I haven't been posting about the holidays much. I feel bad about that. I've just been playing catch up with the blog BUT I have been enjoying the month of December and wanted to prove it...
Last night we had some friends over for a holiday feast and white elephant exchange.
For Bunker's white elephant he gave a book with his photo on the cover. It was amazing...and so was the two tampons in the toothbrush holder and the wanted photo of Tiffany. Really good stuff.
Jared' gift was a portrait drawing on the spot. Ronin won and posed on the bed.
Everyone was fascinated by the lone baby at the mostly "singles" party and we all gathered in our room to watch Ronin and Jared in action. Our room is super tiny, but when 15+ people file in for some reason is seemed a bit more spacious.
I have to apologize for the lame/non existent photos of the party. I was busy being host and have to admit was enjoying catching up with friends too much to worry about my camera.
Thanks to everyone for coming and pitching in delicious food. Our friends are the coolest and the best looking.
Every morning we ate a papaya (sometimes 2) with lime and apple bananas.
Lau lau is my favorite Hawaiian dish. Usually consists of fish or pork wrapped in taro leaves and steamed. Sadly I usually have a hard time finding this and when I do it is in short supply. I should move there and sell lau lau out of a truck.
Banana Joe's. My guilty pleasure. But not so guilty really.
They have what they call "frosties".
The only two ingredients in this magical treat are frozen pineapple and frozen banana.
Blend the two together and out comes a delicious, creamy, all natural delicacy.
I think we came here 4 or 5 times. I hear I can make this exact same thing in my blendtec blender. I must try.
We found amazing chocolate haupia pie at a bakery Hanalei.
This place was a new find for me. Pat's Taqueria. A taco truck parked in the parking lot by the Hanalei pier. It was out of this world. We tried the carne asada and fish tacos and both were excellent. Full of flavor and spice. Pat Grenz, who once cooked at Bar Acuda, opened this joint because he wanted to run a place that serves the food he loves....and for that I love him.
...and there were gold fish. Parmesan gold fish to be exact. A girl should never go kayaking without them.Want to eat this stuff too? You should:
Lau lau- Pono Market
Banana Joe's
Haupia Pie- Village Snack and Bakery
Pat's Taqueria
Congratulations you two! How fun to get married right before the holidays and get to celebrate Christmas and New Year's as newly weds..and then start the new year with so much excitement and newness. I am so happy for you.
Ceremony- Newport Beach Temple
Reception- Sea Cliff Country Club, Huntington Beach
Flowers- Aubrey Messick
Yesterday while I was editing these, I started watching "Biggest Loser" on Hulu. I'm not sure if it was the show, or the fact that these photos are of my favorite place or how adorable and in love these two are....OR that I'm female and sometimes get hormonal..but I cried on and off the whole time. Serious. I would see someone on Biggest Loser climb a mountain and then simultaneously open up an image of Tony kissing Nicole's forehead in a taro field, and it was really too much. I was overcome with positive endorphins.
I wish I could just post every image I took at this photo shoot, so you could see how fun and awesome and beautiful the day and this couple were.
I am leaving my calendar indefinitely open for Hanalei engagement shoots or wedding shoots, or any type of shoot! Just watch out for tears while I edit.
(I hope it was an example of the good and not the bad)
Baby Ronin, playing baby Jesus. I believe it.
(He offered his modeling skills for a church Christmas project and I was ever so grateful especially since he was so pro. Love that little man).
Baby Ronin Copyright of J&J.
Letterpressed wood invitations?! Yes please. 
This wedding was in mid November, but doesn't it look like an October wedding? I was happy there was still orange leaves on the trees.
I have shot my fair share of weddings at the Salt Lake Temple, and I love challenging myself to take a new couple and try and give them something unique but still classic in a VERY traditional location. I love shooting images I have never shot before. I love seeing something old, in a new way. It's not easy to do and I'm not saying I nailed it....but when I look at Kevin and Emily in these photos I see newness and something fresh...and that makes me happy.
Happy marriage you two! I loved being able to be a part of your day. There isn't another wedding I would have felt as comfortable falling on my back in front of. WOWZAS. You should have seen my bruise! I love war wounds.
All my love and positive energy for a most happy and successful life together. xo.
(Photos borrowed off of Amara Bliss's site)
We are looking to frame a new print in our house and are deciding out of these four.
What's your vote?
PS. If you need more dets to make the decision, it will be printed 12x12 and matted and framed in a white 21.5in frame.
Nothing I love more than food and family.
The meal was delicious. HUGE thanks to Nancy and Hugh for doing 99% of the work. We appreciate all the service and love you give to us and the whole family and only hope we can repay you someday.
I made a couple pumpkin pies and a chocolate haupia cake (in honor of Kauai). I didn't get any great photos of the results. All in all my baking was tasty, but I sure do struggle getting a flaky crust on my pies.
Tribe and Tani have always made me stare, but look at my niece and nephew! I was drooling all over them.
Until next year homemade rolls...I will miss you.
(photos featuring me, taken by my bro in law Darren. Thanks for proving I exist!)
In celebration of it being Monday, I wanted to share with you my favorite discovery....instant oatmeal on airplanes!
It doesn't matter if I just ate a huge meal, I step onto an airplane and am hungry. Sometimes I get fancy and make food and bring it, but other times I fall prey to airport food or WORSE airplane food. Then it came to me. Instant oatmeal. Healthy, filling, add water and presto! Now I keep a couple bags in every carry on (and a plastic spoon, or you will be sipping it). My instant oatmeal of choice is the organic kind from Costco.
Bon appetite.