Hilary {senior}

And the most courageous award goes too....Hilary!

Because she was the brave soul who was around me the day I got out of Urgent Care...I am feeling super oober better now BTW! Thank God for antibiotics!!! Why would we be crazy enough to do this session you say??? Well, because Hilary was planning to leave town that Saturday and we just couldn't reschedule b/c well...she was moving and I was booked the rest of the week. Everything worked out. I offered to wear my Michael Jackson mask around her and her mom and they were totally sweet to me letting me go at a slower pace that day. I just hope I didn't give them the gift that keeps on giving...

Actually...Dave, was supposed to do the session since I was sick. I was SUPPOSED to stay in the car and just tell him what I kind of wanted to see...but if you know me at all, I'm kind of a little bit of a crazy person when it comes to work and while checkin' out what Dave was getting on the LCD I kind of crept into the shooter's position. Taking over from that point on...Sorry Dave! You're such a sweetie for starting it out :) We did end up getting the second camera and he shot with me the remainder of the session.

So anyhoo, I'm really sad that Hilary left because I JUST got to meet her! She is a fun-lovin', silly girl who has a little bit of a crush on Spider Man :) I'm really glad I went ahead with the shoot because I felt a bit better after hangin' out with them for a couple hours. Laughter does good like medicine ya know???

So thanks Hilary! For the natural medicine of a smile! Yours rocks and maybe when you come visit we can hang...without the strep ;)

I triple heart the B&W...oooh la la!

Karissa {senior}

This girl has put up with so much for her senior pictures!!! I hereby give her the most patient and understanding award :) First, we had to reschedule her session because Montana decided to be...well...Montana and throw us crazy rain weather. Then, the beautiful day of her reschedule date, the weather started acting funny...again! We agreed we should just go for it. Apart from the freakish winds, it was great because I could use some locations that otherwise I couldn't if the sun were out. THEN...I hadn't got her sneak peeks on here because I have been battling strep throat the past four days.

I was trying to brush the sore throat off because you know, I don't have time to be sick. After two days of NO rest due to cold sweats at night, body aches and the last straw, puking blood night before last (Gross right?), I finally went into Immediate Care. I had a fever of 104.4 and they were kinda concerned. They had to give me one of those more embarrassing than painful butt shots to help with the fever, nausea, wanting to die ect. ect.

SO...since I'm feeling a teeny bit better today...thank God the fever's gone...I am finally getting to Miss Karissa. She was so much fun to shoot and such a trooper for putting up with the cancellation, wind, and me being sick.

I propose a toast:

To Dr.'s and butt shots...whom without both I might be near dead right now...

...and...

To sweet Karissa...for putting up with the weather and being so understanding of the situation...You're awesome girl! Go on with yer bad self!!!

The ever sacred senior steps...I was a wee bit scared for stepping on them...fearing I might get hazed by another senior...

See??? She totally worked the wind!

One of my faves...

Zech {senior}

I have know Zech since...well, since my husband and I were youth leaders at Victory almost 7 years ago. He was just coming into youth group. I can't believe how time flies! Now, Zech is taller than me, has muscles and is finishing his last year in High School. It's so cool to see how folks change. I was so excited that Zech wanted me to do his pictures. I probably talked his ear off the WHOLE time ;) He was so sweet and put up with my ramblings...

He filled me in on what the "Ironman" meant on the back of his shirt. It means he didn't miss a single practice last year. This guy is one dedicated athlete! I felt pretty safe rompin' around my less that attractive locations knowing that he could probably beat up anybody who tried to abduct me :) I am just tickled that I was able to have a small part in his life back in the youthy days and now taking his senior pictures...

Chloe {senior}

This girl cracks me up! Between the hilarious one liners and outfit changes, she rocked this session.

You did your thang gurl....you did it GOOD :)

Found some awesome new locations and had a few adventures including a not so happy puppy. This session was SO refreshing...Chloe has the most fabulous outgoing personality. She's a black and white person. I just fell in love with her the first time we met. When the wind was crazy and blowin' her hair every which-a-way, I loved that she was like, "It's OK. My hair's not me." You have such a great spunky energy that just busts out of your smile! It totally inspired me and got some new creative juices flowing...Thanks Chloe for the amazing time.

John & Joanna {LoVe}

When Joanna contacted me to do some fun pictures for her and John's 2 year anniversary I was ecstatic! Her and John are so wonderful for each other. When I came over to her house for our pre-session consult I saw the proposal letter that John wrote...it hangs neatly framed on the wall. Yea, I was a mess after reading it. As I looked around their home, I noticed all these sweet messages they had written back and forth to each other. Their home oozes with the love they have for each other and more importantly the love they have for the Lord. These two stole a piece of my heart I think. I'm so thankful that our paths crossed. I wanted to try some stuff out that had been rolling around in my head. These two were like, "bring it on!" We had an amazing time and I am super stoked about their images. I have to say that John was such a sweetheart and flowed with anything and everything Joanna and I threw at him :)

Happy 2 years ya'll!

Joanna said this shot reminded her of "boy likes girl"...in kindergarten :)

Joe & Amber {i do}

The avocado seed plopped out of the ripe meat. She carefully sprinkled her Hawaiian salt over the perfect green snack. This was her day...and even though she expressed that she had jitters, she was so peaceful and calm. The day was fabulous! I was especially excited about this wedding because Joe and Amber opted to see each other for a "First Look." It was wonderful! Amber really wanted her dad to be apart of this special moment. He walked her up the stairs, his arm around hers and presented his beautiful daughter to her soon to be husband.

The weather had me a little nervous and some last minute changes were made, but as always, everything worked out perfect...well, except that I completely lost my shoe in a mud hole and preceded to step into another crater of mud with my bare foot. It was like quicksand, I didn't even know it was there. Oh well. It made us all laugh and I went on as usual...minus a shoe.

While I watched Joe and Amber's slideshow, I was able to peek into the journey of their lives. Together. Through each image I witnessed a joy and love that totally confirmed they were soul mates. It was such a sweet wedding and everyone was so generous and kind.

Thank you Joe and Amber.

For the laughs. For your trust. For your friendship...

Joe LOVES his sunglasses...I could barely get him to take them off the whole day ;)

Yes...I played with some blocks for a little bit...

You girls were so much fun!!!

Joe right before the first look...

Dave's angle

Mine...

I LOVE this image of Amber!!!

So the silly groomsmen were sure that they could hold Joe while he held Amber :)

That ring looks good on ya Joe!

Cotton candy + Dryer Lint = Bad mix up

I guess I've had the fair on my brain the last few days. I had an amazing time going with my best friend, her hubby and my family. I really felt like the kids truly enjoyed themselves...this time. The last time I had them at the fair was when Thirty9 was hotter than a fudge bar and we played at the 3rivers stage. My kiddos were mere babies and they cried and fussed with my friends a.k.a. "the sitters," while I rocked it on stage. Though Thirty9 is no more, I thought maybe I would try taking them again...We had a blast! I easily spent too much money on vikings, funnel cakes, rides that made me about pass out ect. ect. AND Cotton Candy. I LOVE cotton candy. I don't know what it is, but when I put the sugary cloud in my mouth and it starts to dissipate, happy feelings emerge. Maybe it's the coming sugar coma that I'm thrilled about??? I dunno. But I think I have a thing for cotton candy. So much so...that I, slick Ali, about stuck a nice wad of dryer lint in my mouth yesterday. I caught it right as it touched my lips. Whew...I don't know why but it happened. C'mon ya'll have probably done something like that too....whatever. Anyhoo, so lesson learned. Don't reminisce about the fun happenings at the fair while folding laundry.

Something else sugary sweet coming up....stay tuned :)