Ah yes, thanks to Brian I have documentation for my first ticket EVER. It's wonderful how handy that fish eye is. First I would like to point out how wonderfully long my hair is getting (that comment is for you Melody). I was not speeding, I did not cut someone off, I did not in any way place anyone in any danger, but they felt the need to give me a ticket. I got in a right hand turning lane and decided that I wanted to go straight, then I LOOKED and saw no traffic coming and went straight from the turning lane. Immediately I hear a siren from the police car that is sitting at the light across from us. Not good. I knew it was for me cause the timing was just too right.

So I pulled over into a parking lot and the first thing the guy says is, "Do you speak English?" NO (I said it very nicely). His English was fine, and he proceeded to explain why I was pulled over and that they were giving me a ticket for 6,000¥. That's fine. Whatever. I broke the law apparently, but it was the SAFEST law breaking thing that I have done here. So on Monday, Brian went and paid both our tickets at the post office. Wait, what? Both? That's right, Brian also got a ticket :) He got a ticket for driving through a round about thing at a train stop that was for "taxi's only". So, yeah, been here for over 1 1/2 years and we are almost leaving and we both get a ticket in the same week. Why.

Janelle

This little sleeper is Janelle. Fantastic, content, little sleeping baby :) Despite all our efforts to wake her she slept through pretty much the whole shoot. Sleeping babies are pretty darn cute though so it was cool with me :) This is Angela and Jeremiah's first baby and they are just beaming with excitement! Such a cute wonderful family. I am very happy to have had the opportunity to photograph them and capture this special time in their lives.

I mean, really, how stinkin' sweet is that?

Auburn

Shugo is now in Auburn. Since we are moving in August we thought it would be better to move Shugo now before it gets really hot so we don't have to worry about them not letting him fly out when we leave. Last May when Shugo got here it had been a rough trip for him. He was feeling very sick and was not happy. He didn't even feel good enough to wag his tail when he saw me. So, leaving on Friday, I was a little nervous about the trip. I didn't want to put him on the plane, but it had to be done and when I got him at our layover in Seattle he was AWESOME! Happy, healthy and clean! He even got back in his crate for the remainder of the trip with no problems :) Things could not have gone any better. He seemed a little bit sleepy on the ride home from San Francisco airport, but it was a long trip since we hit Friday afternoon traffic...

I have not seen any of my family since October 2008 and let me just say that I am pretty sure I will never do that again. That is just way too long to not visit my family. I was only there for a quick two days, but it was really great to be able to visit with everyone. Below is a picture of me with my parent's St. Bernard, Gunther. He is a BEAR! SO HUGE! He makes Shugo look tiny!


I had a St. Bernard, Sandy, who died early in 2009. Gunther was sad, and he has since lost his mind. Seriously. On that table is my nephew Joel's lizard, and Gunther is apparently in love with him. He sat there staring at him for hours. The other dogs came and went, but he stayed just like that. He sleeps in front of the lizard's cage on the deck too! ALL DAY LONG. Something is seriously wrong with this dog. I love him to death, but he is now officially cookoo.

My sister's kids are below. They have gotten SO big! They are a lot of fun, and I can't wait to be back in August to spend more time with them :) It was a great trip, and I am glad we are moving back soon cause it made me realize how much I miss my family and the countryside!

Monique and Derrick

I had the pleasure of photographing Derrick and Monique's wedding this past Saturday. I was a bit worried on Friday because the forecast for Saturday had rain, but we lucked out! Everything went very smoothly and they looked wonderful! I LOVE Monique's dress. Very beautiful and unique. The shot above is one of my favorites just because of Derrick's face. It makes me smile every time. I promise photo shoots with me are not as painful as that face makes it seem :)



Monique is absolutely stunning here, despite the fact that she was pretty cold. It was sprinkling a bit, but we were safe under the trees. We finished just in time for it to start raining a little harder.












The happy couple :) I am so glad I was able to document their wedding for them!