It's my Party...

We celebrated my twin sister Diane's and my birthday this weekend at my youngest sister Darci's home. Her husband Don and her were gracious enough to throw a Western themed party for us and I think everyone had a super time. The image above is of my sisters and I before the party began.

This is my sister Darci in purple and her husband Don on her right. The sheriff (we were in Lakeside!) showed up and threatened a citizen's arrest if they had to come back but luckily we didn't have to bail anyone out.
This is Debbie and Anna who we frequently go to country concerts with. Anna is getting married in August and I can't wait to photograph her wedding!
My nephew and his delightful girlfriend Aisha.
My twin sister Diane and her husband Johnny Cash (Brian)

I have no clue what song they are dancing to...

That would be my niece Amanda in the middle. I love this picture!
My nephew Steven and his friend (my coworker too!) Sam...
Anna on the mic...

We all had such a great time and anyone who is reading this who was there...thank you for sharing this night with us...we are blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives. Many of the people there we have known since high school and beyond and we have shared our lives together. Thank you for being the amazing people you are!!

Thank you also Darci, Don, Diane, and Brian for making this birthday special for me. You are the best!!!

On to something else...

I shared this website (Paperbackswap.com) a while back (June 11th) because I had just found the site and thought it might be something I would use. I have continually used this site over and over again. You post books you have in your home and when someone would like that book...you package it up and mail to them. Once they receive the book, you receive a credit to order another book from any other member.

This site is amazing and I have ordered books for myself, Cassi, my family and not once has the book been sent to me in bad condition. They track every thing and I found the statistics regarding how much I use this site amazing...

Here is my account as of tonight...

There are

1,749,986 books posted that you can swap

I have

sent

54 books

received

37 books

have 22 credits to order books

The books I have sent have:

gone to 27 different states

the shortest distance 12 miles

the longest distance 2,714 miles

the average distance has been 1,753 miles

for a total distance of 150,761 miles

How is that for statistics??

If you are interested in the site...Paperbackswap.com they have a referral program and you can put my name in...Cassiandme...and I think I get credit...I think you also get three credits once you post a few books of your own, at least that is what it was when I started.

They even tell you how much shipping to put on each book and you print the labels right form their site.

Cassi and I put up our tree tonight and inspired by the Baxter's blog ( http://sdohana.blogspot.com/ check out their site...they are local photographers that inspire me with the work they do and I find their blog hilarious to read!!!) I photographed some of my favorite ornaments to share with you. I haven't downloaded them yet but will soon.

So for now...

Enjoy!

Christmas in July

This is going to be a quick post for a couple of reasons:

1. Cassi would not get off the computer tonight because she had important Barbie business to take care of.

2. It's 12:20am

3. I had a busy day at the park photographing and I am tired tonight...

With that being said....

The above photo is my Christmas Card from last year. I figured since it has been 7 months today since Christmas it was time to share it with my friends. Last year was a really hard year for me around Christmas and I guess I wasn't up to my jolly old self because the Christmas card you see I created on December 24th (actually Christmas day if you get technical about it). It was 1:30 in the morning and I usually at least have a card for my family. So I quickly created this card...printed it on my home printer and made enough copies for my family. I never got around to sending it to my friends because I never made any more copies.

However, I brought one to work after the New Year and Renee has it posted on a wall by her desk with all kinds of staff pictures from throughout the years. It has been hanging there for 6 months at least.

This week, (coincidence????) three of my best friends have commented to me that they never received a Christmas Card from me. And now I feel bad. All three of them sent out their cards like they do every year with gorgeous family/children's pictures on it and I didn't send them one. And now I realize they see the one hung in the studio so they know that 1. I did take the time to make a Christmas card 2. I gave one to the studio and 3. I didn't send them one.

I feel bad. I know all of them are teasing but what if they secretly have a Christmas Card stash of all the Christmas cards I have sent them since Cassi was born? Now there stash is missing the year 2006. Shame on me!!!

So...my three friends (and you know who you are...) look for one in the mail soon and I promise never ever ever to skip the annual card again. Promise!!

On another note:

My oldest sister Debbie celebrated her 20th wedding anniversary today. WOW!!! If you know my family history you realize what a big WOW!!! that actually is. I want to congratulate them on those twenty years and let them know that I think they are wonderful people and great parents and wish them another 20 years of happiness. That's a long time nowadays to stick with my sister...bless you Art!!!!! My brother in law has officially lived with my sister longer than she did with us growing up. He's a saint!!! Seriously Debbie...Congratulations and I love ya both!!!!

Anyways...Merry Christmas to everyone else I missed!!! Only 5 months before the next one!!

Enjoy!