My sister and her boyfriend Xavier have been dating two years – he proposed a few weekends ago!

She has a gorgeous sapphire ring to go with it!

They wanted a fall wedding but the dates are slim with my weddings already scheduled – so they picked September 12th of this year – which isn’t too far away!

Yesterday we went shopping with our mom and cousin Vanessa to find ideas for a dress. Samm was sure that there wouldn’t be any buying yesterday but left with her dress in hand!

I have pictures of her dress – but it will remain a secret!

The first dress she tried on was the one she ended up buying – I’ll show you the ones that didn’t make the cut!

This was the 2nd dress – we liked it – but it is a little too fancy!

3rd dress – this one didn’t make much of a list at all …

4th – this was Samm’s second choice – so pretty and simple!

5th dress – again – too fancy!

I loved that dress I have on – but I don’t have enough support for it! If it were an indoor wedding – it would have been the one – but since it is outdoor – I needed something a little more free. Vanessa will be in the truffle color that I have on.

6th dress – fanciness!

last dress – my 2nd favorite! It reminds me of The Princess Bride!

The truffle and pool are the dress colors – the orange will be the accents in the flowers and decorations!

They are GREAT fall colors!

Vanessa and I in pool!

The back of that truffle dress that I loved!

These are THE dresses! Vanessa will be in the truffle that I had on earlier and I will be in pool – we wanted it the other way around but the junior dresses don’t come in pool.

LOVE IT!

This is just a beautiful dress I saw and loved! I saw a girl trying it on and had to ask if it was her dress – then had to ask if she had a photographer! She did.

It was a LONG day – but FUN!

I think I might look into working at David’s Bridal part-time! It would be so much fun!

I JUST LOVE WEDDINGS!

We went to my parents this weekend – I had a birthday party and four year pictures planned but the party ended up being a problem with photos and releases so we postponed the four year shoot for a few weeks.

Instead – I had a meeting with a wedding client – referred by the one and only Jenna V – who keeps me in business!

I booked the *T* wedding for 12.19.2009! Thanks again!

Jenna also won ANOTHER free photo session for a referral that booked!

I stopped at Peebles and got a few cute tops for weddings for the summer – Peebles is way too expensive but I love the clearance!

Jared finished The Shack and I started it – he loved it and I am still on the fence.

Schrute hung out with Jared and my parents on Saturday while I was meeting and shopping. I snapped these once I got home …

He is such a handsome boy!

I spent most of the weekend crying – I needed to be with my parents and talk to them about what has happened in our lives and why – of course there are no answers – but it was nice to be with them.

We went wedding dress shopping for my sister – she is getting married 9.12.2009 – mostly because it is the only fall date I have open other than Labor Day – but I will post those in a separate entry …

*C* turned a year old on the 14th …

*C* is Johna and Matt’s great nephew – I think – and he has stolen a small part of my heart for sure …

Thanks again *A* for allowing me to capture this moment of your lives!

My friend Johna is on a mission.

My friend Mara is urging the Reckless Abandon Youth to live the mission.

We found a common ground in the Great American Bake Sale.

On May 9th from 9 AM to 2 PM we are holding a bake sale with 100% of the proceeds to benefit hungry children – locally.

We will be having tables with baked goods in front of the businesses on Main Street in Mansfield.

We are asking local businesses to donate baked goods, baking items, raffle items.

We are also asking any people that would like to donate baked goods for the sale to drop them off at Phoenix Rehab @ 127 North Main in Mansfield on Thursday the May 7th and Friday May 8th between 8 AM and 5 PM.

We wanted to give you all a heads up about the raffle items …

May 9th is Mother’s Day weekend – so we wanted to focus on gifts for mom …

Mansfield Embroidery – $20 Gift Certificate

Phoenix Rehab – 1/2 hour massage Gift Certificate

To Dye For! – Free Manicure

Magic Touch – Free Pedicure

Barden Photography – Free One Hour Photo Session

Night & Day Coffee Cafe – $10 Gift Certificate

Studio Six – Free Manicure

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Yesterday I had a table at Career Day for MHS. While I was still at Phoenix – Amy rc’vd a letter asking for her participation – and since I shamelessly plug myself – I called to see if they needed a photographer. THEY DID!

We got there at 8 and set up – Amy had a table kiddy-corner to mine.

We met kids from the 10th grade class at MHS, Liberty, and North Penn – about 150 students.

I was raffling off a FREE senior portrait session for next summer!

CONGRATS TO KELSEY on winning the raffle!

It was a great way to introduce my business to my prime target audience for senior pictures – thanks again STSD for having me!

I also met a few of the vendors who wanted my business card!

This is my new business card for weddings – thanks again Julie and Tyler for being a beautiful couple and my spokespeople!

I have another one for the seniors – Kelsey – the senior on the card – was so excited to see her face on the business card floating throughout the school!

Thank you to everyone who made the day a success!

Allison was GREAT – as always!

Kris was AMAZING!

I love the song that Anoop sang – always have – always will – I don’t like Anoop usually – but last night – he was in my top three!

I’m not a big fan of Danny – but I don’t dislike him either – I thought he did his usual par performance.

Adam – I still really really cannot stand Adam – his performance was ridiculous – after his first few minutes – I thought Rocky Horror – so glad Simon said it!

(and I’ve only ever seen Rocky Horror on POP UP VIDEO – which should be brought back BTW)

Matt is my wild card tonight – I LOVE the song he sang – LOVE LOVE LOVE – and I did not love his rendition – but I would still buy his work!

Lil – the judges have played you to leave – for a while now – they told you over and over and over – sing a black artisit – then you sing Tina Turner and they tear you apart for it! C’mon judges  …

Lil is going home tonight – but not because she deserves too …

This past weekend we went to Toronto for a Hindu wedding ceremony!

Jared and Nirosh – the groom – work together – and he invited us to go!

We were so excited!

We got to Canada about 2 PM and found the banquet hall and our hotel.

We unpacked and tried to find lunch – Good Friday is a Holiday in Canada (the way it should be here in the US) – so we had few options to choose from.

We got pizza and wings – disgusting wings that we couldn’t finish – and Jared took a nap – his favorite thing to do!

The ceremony started at 7 PM – Nirosh had given us a table right at the front of the room!

The invitations were beautiful …

Nirosh walked in after a blessing – I think – from his family. He sat with his attendant and the priest for a while – praying and going through the traditions – I think …

Women dressed in blue sari’s came out before the bride to form an aisle among the elephant statues.

The women waiting for the arrival of the bride …

She was guided on each side by Nirosh’s sister and sister-in-law – followed with her maidens …

I love this shot – the smile – the color – she was so breathtaking!

This one is another favorite …

Nirosh – the one seated – waiting for his bride …

The ceremony continued with the family involved much more than a Christian wedding.

Halfway through the ceremony the women in blue sari’s brought out a portion of the meal.

Mathy leaves to put on her wedding dress …

Nirosh is hooking the necklace that seals their marriage …

This is the image I posted earlier – GORGEOUS!

They eat and change once more – then cut their cake!

We got a picture with the married couple – and left the wedding at about 11:30!

It was a great experience and we are so thankful to have been able to go!

My cousin Vanessa was born when I was 16 – I remember it all to well – there is no way that she will be 13 this year!

We spent the night in Toronto last night attending Nirosh & Mathy’s wedding!

Nirosh went to MU while Jared and I were going there and they now work together!

Nirosh is Sri Lankan and had a Hindu ceremony –

This is his new wife Mathy – GORGEOUS!

I will post more photos later and tell all about our weekend!

Congrats to Nirosh & Mathy – thanks for inviting us to share your day with you!