L is for Love: Sneak Peek

Walking on egg shells is infamously linked to a cranky boss, a naggy wife, or a hormonal pregnant woman.  Who wants to walk on eggshells with anybody?  Not me.  But now, I've finally come across a situation where I felt like walking on eggshells was a precious expression stemming only from love.  

As I walked into the Funai house last Sunday, I walked on eggshells.  No, the Funai's are not those kind of people!  I walked on eggshells because little L was sleeping.  I walked on eggshells out of love for this little girl.  She held my heart before I even met her, and I wanted to walk on eggshells for her.

The last time I was at the Funai's house was for the maternity shoot a month or two ago.  Their house is BEEE-YOU-TEE-FUL!!  Not just wow, but whh-how.  This time, the house was still gorge, but it was sprinkled with remnants of a new inhabitant.  A swing in this corner.  A bassinet in that corner.  A pacifier on one end of the counter, and a few bottles ready to be washed on the other end.  Along with the sprinkling of baby gear came a dash of warmth and a sprig of love.  The atmosphere was unrecognizable in comparison to just a few weeks before.

Our day circled around little L, as every day does in the Funai house.  Here are a few good ones, but of course, the best will be on the slideshow in a few days.

Funai Family:  I had a great time capturing this special moment in your lives.  I call it a moment because it goes by so quickly. I know that you hear from everyone... treasure this time, it goes by so quickly... but it really is true.  Soak up every sound, and kiss every inch of that teeny baby.

Ali Paige: Just for Fun

She needs no introduction. She needs no story.


She is stunning. She is fun. She is sweet. She is compassionate. She is smart. She is my heart. She is a best friend. She is more than my niece. She is everything I ever hoped I would be.



Keep rockin' it Ali.... you make my work easy, and you make my website look good!! Love you!!

Pua's Belly: Sneak Peak

The first time I met Pua she was already a good mom.  This was maybe 3 years ago....wayyyyy.... before this little sweetheart was in her mama's belly (unless this has been an outrageously long gestation period!!)  Anyway, back to the first time I met Pua.

We were at our friends' 25th birthday party, and I was... um... highly self-medicated.  There were several people there, and tons of fun to be had. Trust me, the fun was had by all.  At one point during the evening (maybe the moment that my husband and I found ourselves eating birthday cake with our fingers?? ha ha ha!  That's right, I'm classy!) I looked up and saw Pua wiping the kitchen counter down.  Not just wiping up a spill, but seriously throwing some elbow grease into it.  Now, keep in mind that this was at a rented villa, and caterers had been hired to cook dinner, so no cleaning was necessary!!  But sweet Pua was totally taking care of all the people who had taken the self medication to the next level.  She was so much fun that night, but she also kept everything running smoothly... that's the definition of a perfect mom!!  I told my friend the very next day that Pua is going to be a FABULOUS mother.  Who would have known that this day would come so soon!  I am more than excited for Roy and Pua to finally welcome their little Rua into the world.

My little guy was running around during the shoot, causing chaos and gray hairs to begin sprouting from my twenty-something year old head.  This crazy behavior ceased to exist when Roy started to play with him.  He entertained him for hours, and still had the energy to help me clean up at the end... and that is the definition of a perfect dad!  I can not wait to see their love struck faces when little Rua makes her way into the world.
I had a blast today guys! I hope that you enjoy this sneak peak, but remember, I always save the best for the slideshow!!  See you guys soon!!

Better Than Cadbury Eggs

I love Easter.  It has always been one of my favorite holidays.  It is the kick off holiday to the Spring season just the same as Halloween is to the winter holidays.  My favorite thing about Easter used to be the freakin delicious Cadbury chocolate eggs.  The little ones that have the candy coating.  None of that oozy stuff in the middle, no peanut butter, just chocolate and taste bud heaven.  But nooooooowww..... my taste bud heaven has been replaced with 'little-boys-in-ties' heaven.

Sorry Cadbury.  You've got some competition.... and you're losing!!

Sneak Peek: A.L.P

We grew up together.  Not like 'we-saw-each-other-every-once-in-a-while' grew up together, but we really grew up together.  I saw my cousin, Cory, almost every day.  I remember playing outside on the trampoline on warm summer evenings, or playing hide and go seek; all while listening to the cackle of our mothers' laughs coming from inside the house.  Those are some of my best memories.

Our lives paralleled each other.  We started school together; had the same friends; played sports; and graduated high school together.  We went to the same college for our first year; got married within a year of each other; and then had our first child one year to the day apart from each other.  It feels like calling him my cousin isn't description enough to explain how involved we are in each others' lives.  We are only 6 months apart in age, so maybe I should call him my twin-cousin??  ha ha ha! 

While I was in New Mexico for Easter, I FINALLY got to meet my newest little crush.  Yes, I have a crush on her.  She's adorable.... how could I not have a crush??  I'm so happy that I got to take her first set of pictures!  And I'm proud to show her off as the newest member to my family. 

One more thought... a note to this little sweetheart's mama... Tiffany, I couldn't have imagined a better match for Cory.  He has teased me, picked on me, and poked at me since we were toddlers.  This is also how I saw him tease any other girl that has been in his life, so naturally I thought that this is how he would treat his wife.  I was dead wrong.  The sweetness that I see in his eyes when he looks at you, and the softness to his touch when he reaches for you is heartwarming.  You are the perfect piece to his puzzle.  I mean this both figuratively and literally, as those who have seen your height difference know that you snuggle under his arm just perfectly!! ;o)  I'm honored to call you my twin-cousin-in-law!  You are a fabulous mother to this little angel.  :o)

Bradley S. Shaw: Sneak Peek

As you wander along life's paths you never really think about how the path you take will lead you back to wonderful people.  When I started doing photography I never dreamed that this path would lead me back onto the same path as my cousin, Brad. When my Aunt Sara asked me to do Brad's senior photos, simply put, I was thrilled!  I can not imagine a better way to be a part of this huge moment.  I even threw in a shout out to UNLV during our shoot... maybe I can get Brad to become a Rebel??  :o)

I remember when Brad was born, and I remember him walking around in diapers at my Grandma's house with the biggest blue eyes.  He was adorable.  While the adorable-ness (yes, adorable-ness is a word in my blog world!!) still lies underneath the surface, Brad has grown into a 'strapping young lad'... ha ha ha....  no, really... he is fabulous, and I could have never dreamed of having a cooler younger cousin.  He has a calmness about him that exudes to those around him.  He is the epitome of laid-back, and when you yank it out of him...  he has a gorgeous smile!!

Brad, I feel honored to have been able to document this time in your life.  I am also elated to know that your parents will have these photos to hang in their home to remind them of such a special time in their lives as well.

I hope these knock your socks off, but save some of the excitement for the slideshow, because we all know that I'll never give away the cream of the crop on the blog.  :o)

Rock on, Brad.  Rock on.  I L.O.V.E. this photo.