I’m back from vacation and back to work! I have quite a bit of editing to do right now, but I can’t wait to share all the pretty things I’ve bee photographing lately… Starting with this engagement session! Allie and Alex were SO much fun to hang out with for the evening. Plus they brought along their sweet pup Ruby Sue wearing an AH-dorable little bow tie, what’s not to love about that?! We might have gotten dive bombed by an angry humming bird and swarmed by incessant mosquitoes, but I still enjoyed every second of this stunning session! And I can’t WAIT for their wedding next month :) Allie and Alex, thanks for putting up with all the bugs and rough terrain! Hope you guys love these photos as much as I do :)
Well, I promised a life update, soooo here it is!
Remember how I blogged that we would be moving, like, right now? Slight change… We have moved, we just haven’t left!! Jake’s date to report to work in Houston changed to the end of September. I won’t bore you with the behind the scenes details of it, but it is actually a huge blessing! The house that we are building won’t be done until the end of September, so had his date not been changed, we would have most likely had to be apart for these months while he lived somewhere short term in Houston and I stayed at home with the dogs and Natalie until our house was finished. Yeah, not ideal!! So we are very, very happy the timing is going to work out just about perfectly now :) He will still probably head down a week or two early to start work and close on our home while I finish the last of my Utah weddings this year (the last one I will be shooting is the first weekend in October). Then Natalie and I will fly out to join him!
So, now you might be wondering why I say we’ve moved… We actually spent the entire month of July packing up our home and moving out because we are going to be renting our house! You guys, I knew packing was going to be daunting. I didn’t realize that it was going to CONSUME MY LIFE. Aaaaand that I would have been in big trouble without my mom to help pack!!! Seriously, I will readily admit that our house would not have gotten packed in time had my mom not spent countless hours helping me sort and fill and tape box after box after box. (Love you Mom!!) I had this schedule all written out for what needed to be packed when in order to stay on top of things and be packed in time. Turns out it didn’t work that well. Ha. Fortunately, as of Wednesday this week we are officially out of the house!!! THANK GOODNESS.
Now that we are out of our house, we will be living with Jake’s parents for half the time and then with my parents the other half before we move. You might think we’re crazy, but we’re super blessed to have close relationships with both our families, and we are very grateful they’re willing to put up with us for a few weeks before we go! Plus it will be special time for Natalie to spend with her grandparents before the move, too :) Although I’d be lying if I told you I was looking forward to living out of suitcases for a month and a half… Haha.
I think that sums up almost everything for now! July was a whirlwind of packing and I am SO glad it’s over lol. But now I will be here until October, so feel free to fill up my schedule with shoots! ;) And I will still be posting updates on here and on Facebook for times when I will be coming back and available for booking sessions after we move, so be sure to check back for that :)
Just one more thing… On Sunday we are heading out on a cruise with my family!! That was the one motivating factor for me through all the packing. (I just had to tell myself to get through the month and we’d be on a cruise. Too bad that can’t be the reward for everyone who has to move. Haha.) I don’t want to sound vain, but MAN am I ready for this vacation! We’ve been looking forward to it all year. And now it’s finally here!! One last hurrah with my family before we move miles away. I’m going to soak up every moment of it.
And hopefully this little peanut will too! She’s got her swimsuits, her water diapers, and mom’s shades. I’d say she’s ready to go ;)
See you guys next week! HAPPY AUGUST!
Recently I had the privilege of documenting something a little different than usual… A baby baptism! I was contacted by Emily because she is friends with Christine and Ricky, and had seen their wedding photos. She was planning an incredible celebration for her sweet baby girl Ana’s christening, and I was so honored that she asked me to capture the festivities!!
The ceremony was remarkably beautiful, something I’d never really seen before. I loved the tradition and sacredness of it. And the reception afterwards was breathtaking! From the florals to the plentiful sweets to the overall atmosphere of the country club, everything about the princess themed party was simply perfect. I hope you all enjoy this peek into lovely little Ana’s baptism and celebration! And thank you again, Emily, to you and your wonderful family for being so kind and welcoming!! It was such a pleasure to share this experience with you guys. And thank you for allowing me to share the photos :)
Ceremony: Holy Trinity Cathedral Greek Orthodox Church / Reception: Salt Lake City Country Club / Florals: Catherine Wolfgramm / Cake and cupcakes: Salt Cake City / Photo Sugar Cookies: Sweet Shop Natalie / Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Hatch Family Chocolates / Caramels: Firefly Confections / French Macaroon Party Favors: Grand America La Bonne Vie / DJ: Gregory Anastasopoulos
Oh what? Carissa is blogging?! And a Music Monday post at that?!? I know guys, I know. I’m still here, I promise! Life has just been… Non stop, to say the least. But who’s life isn’t these days, right? I’ll spare you the woe-is-me-there-aren’t-enough-hours-in-the-day speech because we’re all there. I know you guys feel me. Plus I figured continuous blog posts about how some days feel so full yet when I look back at the end of the day I feel like I haven’t actually accomplished anything don’t make for great reading material. Ha. I will simply assure you that I’m truly working on getting my act together and jumping back on the scheduled blogging train! I have some amazing weddings and shoots to share, and I suppose a life update is due pretty soon too. So yeah. More blog posts comin’ atcha soon!
For now, how about a sweet and sappy song to start your week? Because I’m working away on some weddings right now and that always gets me feeling all lovey-dovey. #problemsofahopelessromantic (Don’t hate me for putting another hashtag on my blog…) ALSO, it’s only 99 cents on iTunes. Score for finding good songs that aren’t $1.29!! Can I get an amen? Enjoy Never Stop by Safetysuit.
And because every post is better with a picture, here’s one of my brother and new sister-in-law!! So excited to show you more from their wedding :)
Happy Monday!
Dear Jake,
Yesterday marked 4 years of marriage. Crazy that it’s been 4 years already. It doesn’t really feel like it, does it? I could go on about how you’ve loved and supported me every second of those 4 years. Or how you work so hard to provide for our family without expecting anything in return. Or how you and Natalie already share such a special bond that makes me smile so ridiculously because I can’t imagine a better father for her. I could go on about a lot of things. But sometimes, someone else says it better than I can.
“And I am lost for words
You’re more than I deserve
And when I cannot stand
You are where I land.”
–Where I Land by J.J. Heller
I love you with all my heart. Happy Anniversary Roo.
Please send me that cutest little peanut! Miss her. Happy Anniversary!!
Best laid plans of mice and men!! Have a wonderful time on your cruise. Knowing your family, I’m sure you will. Love to you all!
My heart goes out to your precious mom and dad! I am also very excited for you, Jake and Natalie and your next adventure as a family! Moving away has it’s ups and it’s downs but you get to determine how you ride them! Sending you lots of love, prayers and strength! ❤️kara