Remembering the Fair~ {Random...October 2013}

A couple days ago, Junior came home and made an announcement.   "I hereby proclaim!...... That tomorrow be an official video day!"  I of course agreed, since I already knew I was slacking in that department with life being so busy lately.  We agreed to video breakfast, playtime, baths, outings, you name it.  Later Reagan told me he had been watching old videos of her on his iPad, and hearing her little voice, the way she moved, everything... was so different now.   Sadly, it really made today seem not so permanent.   I had so much fun slowing down and capturing all their favorite things on video~ I even sat the girls down for an interview.  Which they LOVED. I asked them simple stuff, what they love to eat, favorite things to do, places they love to go.   And in this, got they're jabbering little selves, relaxed and in the moment.   So we will never forget the present. When I asked Reagan what was her best day ever in her whole life, she said "First would be the day I was born, even though I don't really remeeeeember it, and then most definitely, going to the fair with Madeline!" Since this poor blog needed some love, I decided to post that very night with her bestie.  

So.  Here's Reagan's BEST DAY EVER!

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My sister's Wedding Day {May 10, 2014}

My baby sister is now a married woman.  Wow. 
I'm so grateful she found someone that makes her smile and loves her completely.



On the day of the wedding, we all met at my house for hair and makeup.  She just happened to have talented hairdressers as both of her other bridesmaids (and both named Heather!)  That was the first time since my wedding 14 years ago I have had my hair 'done' - crazy.  Believe it or not, I actually did plan on putting on makeup (for the first time since then too) but was too busy.  I think my favorite part of the day was getting ready.  Meeting at my house wasn't the original plan, so it was a nice surprise to get to spend it with my girls, comfortable and relaxed at home.  Scarlett was so sweet, running around giggly and watching everyone put on their makeup.  She sat so still studying them, with her hands folded in her lap.  Reagan felt like royalty having a real hair dresser make her beautiful like in a salon. ; )  







We got to the park and I started shooting the beautiful couple first.  Ashton was absolutely stunning, very calm, and excited to start the day with her groom and all their kids.  All three of Ashton's four legged furry babies attended the ceremony and Donovan's son Jack.  I have a new nephew now!  We had perfect weather for some beautiful family pictures, and I had to get adjusted to being on the other side of the lens, thank you Aunt TT and Heather!  It's hard for me to switch modes when I'm shooting, I actually worked in t-shirt and shorts until someone brought my dress out to the field and I changed right there, slapped on some lipstick and hopped in the pictures.  I do kiiiinda wish I didn't have all the juggling, and obviously I couldn't give 100% to all my roles, but I would have been miserable if someone else shot this wedding.  It is so rewarding for me to have happy brides and be able to create memories for them, and things just multiplied by ten since it was my baby sister : )










Ashton and Donovan had a sweet ceremony, and I was actually able to keep myself composed for the most part.  When she came down the isle, Reagan was so excited and said "Oh mommy!  She looks positively radiant!"  THAT made me a little teary I must say : )   I'm such a mush, but knowing the whole ceremony by heart gave me a leg up.  Mom and Dad sat next to each other in the front row, both red eyed, and Ashton's best friend Heather stood in front of me with the occasional shoulder bob.  The whole thing couldn't have been more perfect.  Scarlett even did great, though she didn't drop her petals.  She froze at the beginning of the isle, scanned the crowd til she saw me, and did her little bouncy run up to the front : )










The wedding was beautiful, and I so enjoyed the months of planning beforehand, also for selfish reasons... because I got to spend time with her!  She was coming around so much she almost stole my brothers nickname Aba because Scarlett couldn't pronounce Aunt Abash.  She turned it into Abby though, whew!   I loved having her over to print programs til 2am, and helping piece things together in every aspect of the big event.  Appointments with the caterer, florist, baker, park director, invitations, tons of craft store trips, bridal portraits, booking the honeymoon, writing the ceremony... you get the point.  It's crazy how much goes into a wedding! ; )  I wore quite a few hats, but I'll never forget our final meeting with the caterer.  He was asking her something, and she just paused and said, "you're asking the wrong person! She's the one you need to be talking to!"  Haha!  I loved every exhausting minute, love her~











The reception was wonderful, food was incredible, and the music even got me on the dance floor a couple times (sorry for those who had to witness that.)  I'm so thankful for how everything turned out, and hiring the right people to help you achieve your vision is definitely key.  I'm the type of person who doesn't like to ask for help with many things (sorry! I'm finicky!)  But boy was I above and beyond pleased with our Florist Debbie Ruffner and Caterer Cal Berry and his team.  They made the event superb.  I cannot say enough great things about them, and almost makes me want to marry my husband all over again to have a wedding the right way!  Debbie incorporated all the things we brought in all her decorations and organized things perfectly.  The flowers were EXACTLY what I envisioned Ashton envisioned ; )  Cal and his guys are so professional and militant with their mission.  Perfect.  I have to say, all his food is great, but I've NEVER eaten roast beef like his.  Seriously.  No one will ever top it.  Lucky for me, the leftovers are now perfectly packed in my freezer...  yessss.  Oh, best pound cake I've ever eaten is from Susan at the BBQ Barn.  Hands down.  I literally popped my mom's cheek at the reception and blamed the cake.  Get it... made me slap my momma.  I must be tired.  Enough blogging for the night~











Venue- Living History Park
Caterer-  Berry's Catering and Floral
Florist- Debbie Ruffner
Wedding Cake - BBQ Barn
Photographer- Yours truly ; ) haha!

Click over for her full wedding gallery... 
Client galleries > password: thompson510

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Magic.

Best night EVER.

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Spring {April 2014}

 

We love our Harkins : )

 



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