phancy photos.

As many of you know, my super cool dude bought me a DSLR for Christmas three years ago and I've been in love ever since. Even though I have still never made it to a real class (which I'm dying to do), I have a few different lenses and pretty much mess around until I do some stuff I like [read: NOT a professional]. So when Christian's cousin asked me to take the photos at her wedding, I was like, "Whaa?!....Ummm.....errrr....I guess so!" I mean...tons of pressure to get it right - it's not like most people intend to repeat their wedding day; however, I suppose my secret fantasy of being a crazy paparazzi lady all day long with the permission of the people I'm photographing sounded kind of fun! Plus, I wouldn't be a very awesome cousin-in-law if I didn't rise to the occasion. So after we discussed some...real expectations for my photos (as in no expectations, let's hope the camera did fancy work without me knowing it), I told her I'd do it. Bottom line: Kaity and Blake, you both looked amazing and so happy!  I'm incredibly glad I got to be a part of your day. Congratulations!

Here are a bunch of my favorite pictures from today [FYI - photo heavy]:

And what wedding is complete without adorable dancing children...?! So, all in all it went well. The ceremony and the group shots (AKA the ones people frame and put on their mantle) turned out nice, as did a handful of getting ready shots and reception shots. The reception was the hardest because the sun went down and I do muuuch better in the daylight, but I think we got a few good ones. For my first wedding, I'll say they're not too shabby. :) Makes me so excited to take a real class!!! The pictures will only get better, I hope.

Also....mad props to all the REAL wedding photogs out there! Capturing wedding memories is nerve-wracking! Thanks to Stacie and Geoff for doing such a great job on ours. Mad props, I say!

We'll enjoy a half a Sunday in Tucson, then it's back to work work work. I don't think I've ever seen a month go by faster than this September has. Good thing I like October so much. :)

Hope everyone enjoyed their Saturday as much as I did mine.

Love,
Ash

online school.

Ever wonder what online school looks like? Well, I can't really speak for other programs, but here's what an average day at school looks like for me:

[Yes...I know...I look both tired and bored. Mainly tired. Slightly bored? And a little hungry...]

I always tell people we do it Brady Bunch style so they get the idea...

Although the Bradys smile a lot more. Source

Professor Beach is in the upper left (an acute care nurse practitioner and all around rock star), TA Jackie is on the bottom row, second from the left, and the rest of us are students. Learning the night away. About the oxyhemoglobin disassociation curve! Yay science! I'm actually really impressed with Georgetown's online format. It's a special program called 2GU for Nursing@Georgetown (their online graduate studies program). The whole self-discipline side of online learning has been a bit of a culture shock, but I think I'll survive to see another semester. :)

We're knee-deep in yet another exam week for Christian, poor guy. He's been busy with a crap ton of extra curriculars (hello CPR in Prescott!) and hasn't had as much time as he'd like to get caught up. Since we were both about to go play in oncoming traffic for some sweet relief, today I called an emergency afternoon rendezvous at the movie theater. We saw My Idiot Brother (this busy business has put us SOOO far behind in the movie department) and absolutely loved it. We're big Paul Rudd fans (who isn't?) and laughed the entire time, maybe even almost shed a tear or two. If you haven't seen it yet, go.  It was just what the doctor ordered (no pun intended) and we might just have to do it more often. P.S. One perk of going to the movies at 1:30 on a weekday? Empty theater. So you can give/get tons of kisses and no one is there to give you dirty looks. :)


Me and Vies just shared some vanilla yogurt for dessert and I think it's time for bed. Hope everyone enjoyed their humpday. It's all down hill from here, right?!

XOXO,
Ash, Chris, & Viessita

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARIZONA!!!

I guess when you're turning 100 years old, it's legit to celebrate your birthday for the entire year. And who doesn't love a good birthday party?!

We spent the day at the Arizona Centennial Best Fest in Prescott (two more will be held before the big birthday in February; one in hometown Tucson, one in the new town Phoenix). I am a huge nerd for my home state, so I really enjoyed it and can't wait to go back for round two tomorrow!

Teaching CPR!!!

The kids were all about it!!!

Panning for gold.

SO MANY DOGS! And so well behaved. Maybe it was best we left Vies at home...

The indian fry bread line...well worth the wait.

I'm married to one handsome fellow.

Fry bread heaven.

More fun tomorrow. We hope Viesa is having fun back at home with our neighbor, Jen. I'm sure she's being spoiled beyond her wildest dreams. Thanks, Jen!

Love from Prescott (it feels like fall here!!!!),
Ash & Chris

Well, husband's birthday and Pizzeria Bianco were amazing. We sure are lucky to be so constantly smushed with love...I could cry sometimes. We even had friends join us from Tucson for the evening and drive the two hours home after dinner (and cake of course! Snickers Blizzard cake to be exact.) I didn't bring my big bulk camera and honestly got one iPhone photo before his phone died. Oops. We'll always have the memories, I guess. :) Oh, and if you live in Phoenix and haven't tried it yet (like us a few days ago), do yourself a favor and have date night at Pizzeria Bianco.

We are currently in lovely Prescott, Arizona for AZ Best Fest! This three day festival celebrates all of the very best things about Arizona as one of three Best Fest festivals to take place leading up to Arizona's 100th birthday (February 14th). The other two will be held in Tucson and Phoenix in January and February of 2012. They are street fair style events with food, exhibits (Christian is teaching CPR on behalf of the College of Medicine Phoenix), non-profit groups, and live music. Oh, and little break from the heat (YES PLEASE).

This is such a cool idea/fun event and a great way to celebrate the oh-so-great state of Arizona. Okay, maybe I'm slightly biased as a "lifer", but I truly love living in Arizona. Not that I would mind an adventure elsewhere eventually, but my heart will always be here in the desert.

Hope to be taking lots of photos of the festival tomorrow! Hope everyone enjoys their weekend.

xoxo,
Ash