E Weds

I'm alive. I've risen from the rubble (or at least am beginning to).

Incidentally, due to all the photos I've taken over the last two months of not blogging I have a lot of catching up to do. I might lose friends if I don't start posting the photos I've taken from different life events.

Warning: the coming blog posts will inevitably be out of order. I apologize.

These are from one of my very best friend, Erika's wedding. This was a BEAUTIFUL day! I literally kept looking around thinking, "this is how I would do it, just like this." The details were perfect and personal. The party was fun, and Erika and Kyle enjoyed the people they love...perfect!

I only took pre-wedding photos that day. You'll have to check out Erika's awesome wedding photographer's blog for pics of the wedding. 

Mostly these showcase the awesome job hair and makeup artist, Erica Bargell did. If you need somebody, she's your girl. The morning of the wedding was super laid-back and restful...just like Erika! We laughed a whole lot!!

Hott bride! No really...she is GORGEOUS (and her hair is not finished in this one)!

E, it was so much fun to be with you on March 26. I'm so thankful an honored to have stood with you as you began your MARRIAGE!! Crazy! Love you, friend.

Age

I just took a quiz that told me how "Millennial" I am. My "Baby Boomer" boss sent it to me so we could compare scores. It was laughable how far our scores were from one another. Incidentally, I score fairly high for my age...which probably actually means I'm super immature.

I can't argue with that. I'm not exactly a poster-child for maturity. I have watched over an hour of television in the last 24 hours. I've played video games (if words with friends counts) and sent over 50 text messages  in the last day too. Being successful in a high-paying career or profession actually isn't that important to me (and not because I'm real honorable either).

So maybe I could use some growing up....

maybe...

later.

In any case, after spending time with a few aged folks a couple weeks ago, I've decided I want to know more folks from the "Silent" generation.

My sweet church spends every fifth Sunday of the month serving our city instead of holding Sunday services. Last month my Village put together bags for panhandlers...you know the one you whose signs you strain to read while you're waiting at a stop light.

It was a pretty incredible tool for me. I usually just role my eyes when I see those folks.

No longer...now I've got brown paper bags full of goodies to give them, which often starts a conversation that lasts at least until the light changes to green #stretchingme

I digress...

So for some of the bags we solicited help from the incredible folks at Westminster Manor. It was awesome.

I don't think I was exposed to old people enough as a kid. Generally I get pretty uncomfortable. Usually because I fail at making conversation or I don't talk loud enough, or I talk too loud.

Being stretched this much in one day was a little uncomfortable, but oh so worth it in the long run. I'm going back soon.

Here's some shots from the day.

Assembling bags for the homeless, complete with notes and scripture. It was real neat to pray over each one.

On to Westminster...so much fun!

This woman got a kick out of (read didn't know how to feel about) Pete.

She thought she was sneaky...nope. I caught old lady blue stealing crackers from the homeless.

I'm pretty sure some critical judgments are being made here.

Burton is my new friend I can't wait to get to know better soon. He's 92...and a photographer. AWESOME!

I can't wait to see him with his little girl. He's gonna be a spectacular daddy to my niece.

I really do hope we go back soon. I kind of want one of my new friends to take my millennial test.

AJ - aunt jess

In my New Year's post, I mentioned that one of my very favorite moments of 2010 was a secret.

Well, the word is out now, so I can officially share with you, internet, that my secret favorite moment of 2010 was in October, when my sister and brother-in-law told me I'm going to be an AUNT!!!  I wish it were possible for me to articulate how exciting the news was for me.

Of course I am excited to be an aunt....but I think one of the things I'm most excited about is watching Rachel and Charlie be parents. I am just so confident they're going to be the best mom and dad ever. And that day I wept at the thought of getting to be so close and see the whole process unfold.

The following couple months were super tough. Staying secretive about such exciting news isn't easy for me.

So Tuesday when they found out the gender of their sweet baby and invited a few friends and family over to reveal, I was BESIDE MYSELF! I'd seen parties like this before, but never had I been so invested. The day felt extra long for me.

So here's some documentation for you about the second of many SPECTACULAR moments for me in the life of this sweet baby:

Dad and Mom!!

We were greeted by these beautiful treats upon arrival.


Guests waited patiently giddy, cupcakes in hand, for the signal to take a huge bite...






Hayley and Michelle dressed for the occasion.




When all lights were go...we took a bite and discovered that...

IT's a GIRL!

Everyone celebrated.


...then they ate their pink-filled cupcakes.


When all was said and done, friends enjoyed looking at some of the first photos of my favorite niece. Trust me, there will be MANY more!

I don't know how I'm gonna contain myself for four more months, baby girl. I never knew how much I could love somebody that I haven't even met yet.

laughter - it's what's for dinner.

A few weeks ago we celebrated my sweet friend's final days as a bachelorette in a cozy cabin out in Burnet. I love living in the hill country, where there are BEAUTIFUL places to retreat within an hour's drive.

The weekend was fabulous. Getting to know Erika's college friends was great. These girls know how to have fun...and be fun. 

When I replay the activity, all I remember is laughter. Turns out, that's all I documented as well...LAUGHTER! 

Enjoy!

Teachers bein' teachers:

#ACLFest2010

 

You know the term, "a day late and a dollar short?" 

Well I'm almost 3 months late and some Benjamins short. It's three days before Christmas.

I love my city, and my tardiness in posting these photos should not represent otherwise. Austin City Limits Festival 2010 was faithful to its record = awesome!

As per the usual I brought my camera only one of the three days so this photo montage represents Saturday, October 9, 2010...when we heard Matt & Kim, Muse and more.

In contrast to last year's post, I took far more photos of folks than I did bands this year because, lets face it, that's what I really care about.

 

 

As always, a grandiose thanks to the family Rubey for VIP passes and the astute pleasure of their company. I'm telling ya'll...my people are the BEST ever!!!

Corby and Megan - ENGAGED!

A few weeks ago I got the awesome opportunity to shoot one of the most exciting days of Megan's life.

Though she thought she and Corby, her boyfriend of over a year, were merely meeting their parents for dinner downtown that night, she was very pleasantly surprised to find out her life was about to change.

As she hurried down the stairs to get out the door that night, Megan found Corby in what she thought was an accidental fall at the bottom. At first she asked if he was alright...then she noticed.

Corby hadn't fallen down. He had intentionally knelt on one knee to ask her a very important question.

After recovering from her surprise, Megan and Corby hurried to the Four Seasons to show off her new bling. :)

The rest of their evening celebrating with friends and family can be seen here:

Thanks so much Megan and Corby, for letting me be a part of such a BIG DAY!

Congratulations. The next year will FLY by and you'll be husband and wife before you know it!