Bonesteele family shoot

The Bonesteele Family - sneak.peak

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of photographing our friends, the Bonesteele's.  They have the most adorable and well-behaved children.  Beyond the cuteness of this family, they exhibit everything I want to one day have with my own family.  They not only share a strong bond as a family unit, but more importantly they also share a special relationship with our Lord.  From the moment you meet this wonderful family, you can tell that they love our Lord, and it is just so touching, refreshing, and inspiring.

more to come...

Sisters..Best Friends

Today I had lunch with a bunch of my former co-workers, including my sister-in-law.  All of these people are amazing friends whom I have fostered a deep love and friendship with.  

While at lunch, I didn't really get a chance to talk much with my sister-in-law, Kristy, and it made me a bit sad.  Let me explain myself, the reason it made me sad, was because for 2 1/2 years we have worked together, quite closely in the same office.  Since I quit my job to pursue other goals in my life, we don't get to spend nearly as much time together.  

You see, Kristy and I have known each other since she was 11 years old.  Before I even married her older brother, Roland, we considered ourselves sisters.  We've pretty much been inseparable since we met and share A LOT together.  I was the first to know about her first pregnancy and the second, she allowed me to be present to watch my nephew's birth, I was her matron-of-honor, she was in my wedding, the list goes on and on.  Kristy and I have and always will rely heavily upon each other to play an integral part in each others lives. 

Her and I have big plans for the future, more than just being wives and moms (eventually for me, a mother that is).  Down the road, hopefully soon, we are going to start our own business full of amazing stuff.  Today was sort of a wake up call for me, that I/we need to focus on one of the goals we set with each other.  More so it is for me to do some legwork to get our idea rolling and running.  

My amazing sister and friend, I love you so much and miss you to pieces!  I know one day soon we will be back at work together, creating sensational things for our business.  Just wanted you to know you weighed heavy on my heart, in a good way, and I haven't forgotten about our big plans :)

Love you sis!

Our best friends - The Tran family

The last day of our trip in Arizona, I did a family portrait session with our amazing friends Claudia, Peter aka Tran, Ethan, Ellie, and Avery.  Besides just wanting to take some lovely pictures of the family, I wanted to show them my appreciation for their hospitality for the past week and a half.  

Here are some - well okay a lot of my photo favorites from our session.  I may be a bit biased, but I think they make the most beautiful children hands down! 

Thank you for an amazing week and a half full of fun, love, and memories! xoxo :)

A person, a friend

In life we come in contact with so many different kinds of people both good, indifferent, and bad.  It's up to us to make decisions on whether or not each person is worth pursuing more as a friend or keeping them a simple acquaintance.  However, you just know when that person is going to be a friend for life.

Case in point, my dear friend Heather.  We met at work and from the moment we met we hit it off.  Heather and I were an amazing team and we were able to accomplish so much together.  Honestly, it was our strong bond and incredible work ethic that got us so far-we were literally unstoppable!

We've only known each other about a year and half, however I feel like we've known each other a lifetime.  In so many ways we've already been through thick and thin together, enjoying the good times and helping each other through the bad.  No matter how much we struggle in life, there will always be jokes and laughter among us...as well as Heather's snorting and infectious laugh that makes my cheeks hurt!  :)

All joking aside, Heather is tenacious, kind, selfless, caring, a devoted mother and friend, and has an unbelievable spirit.  From time to time I don't think she realizes this about herself.  That she is all the things I stated and more! :)  Beyond the beauty she has on the outside, the beauty inside of her, in her heart, makes her so unique and remarkable.  

Please don't ever forget this about yourself, because you have so much to offer and don't let anyone ever tell you differently.  Heather, you are so special and near and dear to my heart. I love you! mwah :)  

Friends

D, Me, Jess, Kristy, & Desi

Since I've been away on vacation in Arizona, I've realized how much I miss my amazing girls.

No matter what happens in life, I know these girls will be there with me until the end.  They will always be ready to pick me up when life throws me curve balls, will constantly be there for a fun night out on the town, have my back whenever and wherever, but most importantly will make me laugh.  See the thing about these ladies, is that they all have quirky and delightful senses of humor that can make me laugh for hours on end.  We all feed off each others energy and humor and makes for quite an entertaining time.  ;)  Plus, you put a little alcohol in us all and we are a hot mess, in a good way of course!  Sure we can all be serious, but with the madness of life, it is always great to have friends you can laugh with to your hearts content.

I will always be the first to say that all my girl friends in my life, not just the ones mentioned above are the most quick-witted, inspiring, chic, and most trusting ladies ever. There is a reason they have chosen me to be their friend and I have chosen them to be mine.  

I can't wait to get back to California this week, so that we can all get together!  Ladies you definitely complete me!

Friends...and a taste of motherhood

This past week my husband I have been in Arizona with our good friends, the Tran family.  Ro and Tran have been friends since MOS school in the Marine Corps. and have been best buds ever since.  I've noticed this week they act more like an old married couple. :)  

Tran & Claudia have 3 adorable children, Ethan (4) and Ellie & Avery (20 months).  I love them to pieces the whole family, but especially their kids.  I love seeing them and hearing Ethan say, "Hi Auntie Natalie!  I love you Auntie Natalie" It just makes my day.  The girls have the most precious personalities and such amazing smiles it melts my heart.

Since we've been here, it has given me a sense of what motherhood will be like.  There will be good days and bad days, but the end result is that it is all worth it!  Below is an example of what I mean.  Overall today has been a good day with the kids. However, trying to get the girls to go down for a nap has been a feat in an of itself.  Claudia and I put them down at 12:30pm and they literally just fell asleep at 3pm.  No joke they've been playing, crying, laughing, even jumping on each other and getting stuck in their crib-I guess that is how babies fight going to sleep ;)

Ellie is on the left, Avery on the right.  Ellie climbed into Avery's bed and finally they are asleep! :)

Happy 4th of July!

I love this picture!  I took it while in Santa Barbara last year.  The picture evokes so many wonderful childhood memories as I reminisce about 4th of Julys past.  Going down to the beach, playing in the sand and the waves, eating delicious food, then waiting for the spectacular fireworks show to start.  

Those were the days...when life was so carefree and simple!  Its holidays like today that make me appreciate everything life has to offer!

Bigani cousins

Getting a group together with such a wide age range was rather difficult, but so worth the work!  The little ones were a bit more challenging, than the older ones - for obvious reasons of course. :) The little ones just want to wiggle around...but it was so cute to capture each and every moment.

The Bigani Girls

My good friend Jessica has been asking me to take some pictures of her beautiful girls for the past few weeks and finally that day arrived yesterday.  Kaila and Charlie are the sweetest girls in the world and are so photogenic its ridiculous. :)  They without a doubt made yesterday's shoot effortless.

Kaila & Charlie you both are absolutely lovely!

Soon to follow this post...a shoot I did with all of the Bigani cousins!