Family Love

Those of you who know this family know how much of a real, caring, loving, strong and fun family that they are. This photo session was kind of a surreal one for me because I grew up in the youth group with Dave and Roxie as my youth pastors!! I'm pretty sure I even said aloud while taking their picture "Okay, this is crazy. I'm taking family photos of my old youth pastors!" :) I remember back to the day that 'the twins' (aka The Beach Boys) were born and going the the hospital a couple days before, with a friend, to pamper Roxie and give her a pedicure. SO many of my favorite memories are ones from our youth camping days, the annual Six Flags trips, the many mission trips we went on & one of the greatest things that came from being in their youth group was meeting my husband!! 

I'm confident that I'm not alone in thinking that this family has touched so many people's lives by their example as well as by their actions. They all serve in Tempe at Dave & Roxie's church-plant and they give so much to those in need. Life has brought them many trials and sad times that are more than I can even imagine facing- but their love for God and strength as a family never changed. And even now, as the ornery-ist of them all, Grandpa Ernie, awaits an open heart surgery they all still have so much joy and trust in The Lord. These family photos were nothing short of them all just having a good ole' time together and picking on each other. It was supposed to be 'work' for me but really it was an hour and a half of entertainment and laughing! I love this family and am privileged to have gotten to take part in this special family moment for them.

Cole + Candace Tie The Knot In A Spring Backyard Wedding!!!

I met the new Mr. & Mrs. Eastman one year ago for their engagement session and just a few days later they hired me to be their wedding photographer!! Their wedding was my FIRST wedding that I had ever booked and I remember being so exciting and thinking it was going to be a blast working with them. This past Saturday was just as much fun as I always knew it would be with the two of them! Candace looked like a bride off the front of a bridal magazine... from her long blonde curly hair, to her GORGEOUS dress, to her super blingin' shoes & of course her beautiful ring-- she had it all together!! And of course I can't leave out the other two stars of the day-- Cole and his handsome son Caleb. It was so sweet how focused Cole was on his new bride every second of the day and kids sure do learn from their parents because Caleb was just super excited to be with 'his Candace' after she and his dad said their "I DO's"! I genuinely had a great time with them as well as their friends and family who were there to celebrate the big day. 

CONGRATULATIONS to Cole & Candace! Your wedding day was PERFECT!!

Candace with her sweet sister & her maid of honor!

A Look At 3 Hardcore Runners Of The Tough Mudder Race!!

Whether it's for work or just for fun I always love getting to be behind the camera, but taking pictures on Saturday was especially fun for me!! For the longest time it has been a goal of my husband to run and compete in different races and so far this year has been the beginning to an awesome thing for him... or by the looks of him today more of a sore and torturing thing for him ;) He started training at the start of the year and ran in the 4.7 mile Spartan race where he finished in 2 hours and completed all but one obstacle. And just this past weekend Jon competed in the Tough Mudder with his two teammates Jeremy & Jordan. Jeremy is now a 2-time Tough Mudder racer and is responsible for dragging Jon and Jordan through a day of blood, sweat and tears (there weren't actual tears but you know what I mean!) The three of them ran and finished the wet & muddy 12 mile obstacle race in just 3 hours! It was an exciting day watching the race and I'm a very proud wife of Jon and how well he has done in just the 2 races he has done.