New Beginnings, Memories of 2011.....

Not only do I want to showcase a lot of my work, I also want to be 'real' and showcase my life! For many years I have always looked back on my birthday (which just happens to fall right before New Year's) and just cry because I always feel like I haven't done enough with my life that year. I know, crazy - but still, that's how it's been!! Kenny always comforts me and tells me that we have done so much but I still can't see it! So THIS year I did something different- on my calendar I wrote EXACTLY what we did so as I looked through the months I SAW how much I worked, vacationed, hung out with friends, and exciting adventures along the way! Here's a FUN list of 11 things that I LOVED about 2011!

1) BABY FEET -
Here's a recent picture of our weekly posts that showcase my ever growing baby belly! We are so blessed to be receiving a wonderful gift and even though we know we won't EVER sleep the same again, what a blessing God has given us! We found out early July about our little bundle of joy and now less than 2 months away (GULP) - we are excited, nervous, scared, and thankful!

2) Cruising with best buds!
This year we took the PLUNGE and booked a 7 day cruise with our best friends - traveling to Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and back to Mexico we had a blast. My ONLY tip would be to not travel while pregnant...things hit you MUCH different when you are! Here's a shot from our deck cruising into Cozumel:

3) 12 YEARS together - Kenny and I celebrated our 12th year together this December and I cannot tell you how thankful I am to have such a wonderful man to call my husband- we met WAY back in high school and although MANY did not ever think we'd come this far, we did - and our marriage is SO strong. In a world full of infidelity and marital strife I must say that I never worry....our love runs DEEP! I love you so much! (at an LSU vs. Louisiana Tech (our Alma Mater) in 2007)


4) Find a passion that I LOVE and being able to do it all the time - I cannot BELIEVE that after so many years of looking for that one thing that makes my heart beat (besides my hubby of course), photography literally just FELL into my lap. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of the people who have allowed me to capture their memories that they will love forever! I SO look forward to pursuing this mission FULL TIME this year and adding it to my accomplishments! (Photo taken by my wonderful friend, Harper who is also a wonderful photographer!!)

5) Spending time with loved ones - I must say that although it feels as though we don't see them enough, we do get to spend quality time with loved ones and friends - we are so grateful for the people in our lives and we DEFINITELY don't say that enough! (With Kenny's grandparents at our gender reveal!)
6) Reconnecting with those that I've lost contact with! Wow, thank GOODNESS for Facebook...I've reconnected with SO many friends that I haven't seen in SO long! In addition, I've been able to capture (AND MEET) their families! Here's a gorgeous family of a friend from high school (YES, 10 YEARS ago!)

7) January 1, 2011 was spent in a camper with our amazing friends Alan and Angela (also who we cruised with!) - here's their son and our {furry} sons enjoying the new year together! (Do you see how thrilled our boys are??!! HA!)

8) Speaking of OLD friends, we traveled to Colorado this year to visit one of our BEST FRIENDS to see her & her gorgeous school before she traveled back to Virginia! Rhonna, our weekend in Colorado with you was the BEST ever! Here we are at the Budweiser tour...in the pouring rain!!

9) 2011 allowed me the chance to be taught by some amazing mentors (even if they don't know who I am!) - I am very thankful for the practical advice and the encouragement through my new business growth! Here are some of the links and although I won't be going to WPPI - the BIGGEST wedding photographer convention due to being ohhh...9 months pregnant(!) - I would love to give a shout out to Jasmine Star, Melissa Jill, and Katelyn James for being my guiding light through the year! Also, as far as practial business and life coaching, Allison LaMarr has been such an inspiration as well!

10) Our HALLOWEEN PARTY!!!! If you know us personally, you know how much we LOVE LOVE LOVE Halloween! This year we threw another party (this LAST of our kidless parties, CRAZY!) - and had a blast! We cannot WAIT for the next one!
(P.S. if you don't know who we are, we are Jack and Sally Skellington from the Nightmare before Christmas!)

and the LAST exciting memory of the year....

11) Our GENDER REVEAL PARTY - graciously hosted by our wonderful friends, we happily revealed to our friends and family the gender of Little Boo at Kenny's parents brand new home. We had SO much fun...and were SHOCKED that Little Boo is a girl (Kenny comes from a family of MANY boys) - but we couldn't be HAPPIER! (cue the Wicked soundtrack!) Here's our gorgeous cake that revealed the secret! And, although we had the information in an envelope MANY weeks before the actual party, we didn't PEEK! What was super fun was my Dad on skype witnessing the BIG reveal!



Wow - we cannot WAIT to see what 2012 holds...we ALREADY know some exciting occurrences! Wishing you the BEST year ever - we are claiming an amazing one!!!

Love always,
Lida