Our new baby Ali

Oh my goodness....she is so adorable. We just love our new little Puggle (mix between a Pug & a Beagle). She came to us so quickly, that I don't even believe that she is real!
A few days ago a friend of ours posted on Facebook that one of her clients had 6 week old Puggles that were almost ready to find homes. I instantly wrote her asking for specifics, as I've been wanting to get Cierra a dog for quite some time. There was just one more girl available, and so I thought that by the time I asked Kenny she may be spoken for.
Kenny actually agreed and so I asked our friend to let her client know we were interested. I didn't hear for a few days so I was sad, under the assumption that she had a new home already.
Yesterday afternoon I got a call from her saying that she was available and ready to go home!!! I made up a story to tell Cierra about me meeting someone who had Puggles and wanted some photographs taken of them. She immediately started asking me if she could get a Puggle someday....unbeknownst to her that she was about to meet her new little lady!!!! I snuck with the puppy around the truck and opened Cierra's door and said, "Cierra, meet your new puppy."

Now the moment that happened after this, I will never ever forget. The look on her face, the huge smile, the tears in her eyes. All she could say was, "What? Really?" Then a few minutes later she started crying and said, "Oh mama, I love you." Quite possibly one of my favorite moments ever.

Our first night with her, was like having a newborn in the house. Slept 3 hours, up for 1. Seems to be her routine. We'll get used to it, she is worth it!

Ocean Shores

I love this place! With prices so cheap cheap here, we really see ourselves getting a little cabin here someday. We went for a last minute trip to Ocean Shores for the day (2 weeks ago now) for our 13th wedding anniversary. 13 years! Woooozers, I can't believe how time has flown. It was a wonderful day, weather was so mild even the waves took a break from forming!
Here are my two loves!!

Wow time really does go by fast....when you're having a BLAST!

July is a BIG birthday month in my family, so that means a whole lotta celebrating! Cierra turned 10, & I turned 35 this month. Big big milestones.......so many pictures taken......I'll have to divide up the posts:)

Cierra's Birthday!

After her "park" birthday party last year, Cierra let me know (literally as we were packing up from the park) that that would be her last birthday at the park. It went a little something like this,
"Mama?"
"Yes honey?"
"This will be my last birthday at the park."
"Why? what do you mean?"
"I'm a little too old don't you think?"

Well that pretty much sums it up. She is too old for my little park birthdays.....too old for the little goody bags with the cheap plastic slinky and sunglasses.............too old for the princess cake.....
So we made a plan that day. Her birthday for her 10th, would be at Great Wolf Lodge. She could invite 2 friends and we would stay for 2 days:)

Fast forward one year later and we did it! Great Wolf Lodge was amazing!! Not only did Cierra have a blast, but Kenny & I had some of the best laughs we've ever had together!! Going down the Tornado was quite an experience. I thought we were going to flip......I still do not know how we didn't. The girls got to get chocolate facials and hand massages.....all in all it was a wonderful birthday party. One that we will never forget!
Here are some of the highlights!!

Maple Valley Days!!

I'm super tired from this weekend, but it was well worth it! I met so many people, both potential clients and networking buddies! I love owning a small business, it is so rewarding in so many ways. I have become part of this little club of people who are not only very driven, but have so much fun EVERY day with what they love. I was sitting in my booth at one point this weekend thinking how lucky I was, and how I can't imagine doing anything other than what I was doing at that moment. Cierra and Kenny spent a lot of time with me as well down in the park. They acted like they were bored at times, but sure enough they would keep on showing up wanting to hang out with me.
I am also surrounded by the best friends in the world. They came down to see my booth & me, and it felt so great to know I have their support. I want to thank them all, because without them I wouldn't be able to do this. Adam came down to help set up with Kenny. I haven't seen Adam in 13 years.....what a great friend he is. It felt just like old times, listening to those two argue about how to set up the tent.
I sold prints/made High School Senior Appointments/possible weddings for 2011/got my Senior Reps in line for the Fall....so all in all it was a successful weekend! I have a lot of inventory still that I want to get rid of, so I'm going to spend the next 3 days posting great deals on Etsy. So pass it on.......Father's Day Gifts?
Here is a picture of my booth!

new fun histamatic pictures of Cierra in the pool!!

She was a little poser at the pool today:) Go to my Flickr to check them out!!!

Maple Valley Days

It is Tuesday morning. Maple Valley Days begins in 3 days. I am not ready. Everything will start trickling in from the lab....from ARP.....from Rice Studio.....today. I can't wait to get my hands on all the photographs ordered (500 photo cards & 200 large prints) It will be fun framing them and putting some in mats & folders. My friends Heather & Ericka are coming over on Thursday to help me put the photo cards together.
I am so anxious about this whole experience. In a good way though. I am going to be living out one of my ultimate goals as a photographer. To have a place to sell my work, to meet new people, and to be outside in the fresh air while doing so! It is supposed to be in the mid 70s this weekend, so that will make this whole experience ever more sweet!!

JoDee Sue's Wedding

After much planning on their part....JoDee & Micah are now officially married! It was an honor to be a part of the wedding....I didn't even take my camera out of the truck! Everyone kept on asking me if I was having a hard time not taking photographs, and even though I thought I would...it was awesome! I was totally relaxed, no pressure, just got to eat and be merry! My friend Lindsey took the photographs, and she did a great job. She has posted a few, and I cannot wait to see more of them:)
Here is the back of my head...and me curling Cierra's hair!