happy independence day : )

the day started with breakfast at grandma patty's house
then to a lunch bbq at kary & shelley's...tiffany & gina are enjoying our afternoon on the deck!
tiff and me!
our hosts for the day kary & shelley!
kary doing the aristocrat pose: )
my gina!
next we were off to eddie's parents house for an amazing evening! here is amy feeling the 4th of july spirit!
eddie's father prepared a feast to say the least...here he is performing the legendary "EGG ROLL"
eddie's super cute nephew
the view from their deck was breathtaking 
i think that they were plotting on how they will someday take over the world...they might have been just posing. either way it was good!
the bffs
me and my girls
eddie had a very patriotic moment
i love this shot of the two of them...are they not the cutest?

sparklers on the deck!

So, I know the 4th of July has gone and passed, but I had to post a few pics of this super fun, marathon-of-a-day I had! I can't believe I am still posting photos from my trip 2 weeks later... I think I am secretly reliving & relishing every moment of my vacation home...I am really getting a great value out of it! Ha ha

Anyhow, no long essays for this post, just a bunch of pics of the fun I had! Thank you to all the people I spent the day with...it truly was a 4th of July to remember. I hope everyone out there also had a wonderful holiday! Hooray for independence! : )

5 min with Tiff & Aimes

amy with her little boy odie b.
my two best girls...we go way back!
as if being gorgeous weren't enough...these two are also amazingly talented, smart, hilarious, stylish, rockstar type of girls!
odie had to be a part of it : )

One of the days I was home, I had to convince my two best friends to spend 5 minutes with me and my camera! In between shopping trips to U-Village, and "Rock Band" parties at Amy's, we ran out on the lawn in front of Amy's house and took a few shots. 

My friendships with Amy and Tiffany mean the world to me. I have been close with both of them since my Sophomore year of high school, when we were on dance team together (that's about 13 years ago)! We literally grew up together...we have been through it ALL side by side, and our friendships have endured the test of time. Leaving home, and my two best friends, 3 years ago was just about the hardest thing I have ever done (thank God I moved in down the street from Jen or I think I would have lost it completely)!

I'm sure everyone is tiring of my long blogs about how much I love everyone...but I couldn't close this one off without spending a moment to cherish these two amazing women!

Tiffany has been a best friend through it all. She has an amazingly kind heart and she is the kind of thoughtful that you don't find much anymore (we're talking remembers all the birthdays and anniversaries, sends handmade thank you gifts, always calls to check up with you kinda thoughtful).  Tiffany is dedicated to her family and she loves the people in her life deeply. Now that you all know she is the nicest person in the world, I also have to let you know that she definitely knows how to have a good time too! Most of my best memories include Tiff. Tiffany is also successful in her career as a fashion designer and her marriage (of almost 2 years now!) to her husband, Brian. 

Amy is one of the hardest working (and hardest playing) people I know...that's why we get along so well (we never stop)! She is talented and creative in so many ways, and she is not afraid to take a risk. She is also one of the most witty people I know and she makes me laugh harder than anyone! When your with Amy you just know something will happen (and it always does!)... whether it be skipping the line at a club,  watching an amazing dance show, happening to run in to Michael Jackson in Las Vegas, just hearing a new song, getting backstage passes to Justin Timberlake, or just having a super fun hang out day with friends. Amy is super fun, but she is also a deep thinker and she cares a lot for the people in her life. I am so lucky to be one of them!

Ok BFF's...do you feel the love? Miss you girls!

mariners won : )

i apologize in advance to my sister for posting this pic  ...i just think it's hilarious! we found these amazingly enormous nachos to share at the game. they were like nothing i've ever seen before (and tasty too)!
amy and eddie...#1 fans : )
while we were at the game it started to sprinkle a bit (surprise, it is seattle after all) so we got to witness the roof slooooooowly closing over safeco field...kinda cool!
tiffy and gina (post nachos)!
amy and eddie LOVE ichiro...so it was only fitting that they had a youngster waving an ichiro flag behind there heads the WHOLE game...so funny!

While I was home, my best friend Amy came up with a great idea (she has lots of them)! She suggested we all go to a Mariners game at Safeco Field. I have been to Safeco a couple times, but none as fun as this! Between mountainous, crazy-sized nachos, laughing and cheering with my best friends, watching the roof close mid-game and the Mariners winning...it was an unbeatable combination! 

Thanks for a super fun night!

you're an animal...no really!

this is what roxy does when her mom goes outside...

she is just the cutest little corgi...and FULL of energy!

this handsome man is odie b...my best friend's little guy

odie is such a good boy...and he can run pretty fast too!

this is bower, my aunt's famous "fat cat!" i think he sat by these sunflowers on purpose...must have known there was a photographer around!

bower's brother eddie lounging on the rug.
and finally, to complete the trifecta, we have felix the cat!

One of the joys of my life is my dog, and best pal, Lola. She is amazing company, and she means the world to me. She is happy to see me when I get home, she helps me get up in the morning, and even takes me for walks every now and then! Knowing how important Lola is to me, I decided that while I was at home, it would be a good idea to get a few snap shots of my friends and family's pets (though some of us view them as our children...hee hee) so they could enjoy them.

First up was Roxy, my sisters little fireball of a corgi. Roxy has amazing energy an has eyes only for Gina (as you can see her gazing out the window for her mom). I truly enjoyed meeting Roxy...even when we awoke to her ripping a throw pillow to shreds we had to laugh because she was so darn cute with all those feathers floating around her!

Next was my best friends Amy and Eddie's dog, Odie B. (yes it is a great name). Odie is also full of happiness and energy, and he is an especially good snuggler in the early mornings! A few days, when Eddie and Amy had to leave early for work, Odie would come "knock" at my door to see if her could climb in with me. Of course, I did not mind at all!

Last you will see my Aunt Pandy's three handsome cats Eddie, Bower, and Felix. Bower is famous for his size and sassy attitude, while his brother Eddie is never far away. The two brothers almost posed for me when I got my camera out. It was too funny! Felix is more of a solo act, he likes to have the attention all for himself, or none at all. : )

I had a great time capturing a few shots of these very special, very loved animals!

gettysburg

end of the second day of the battle

scot & caden on top of "Little Round Top"
i found this while we were exlporing "Little Round Top"...a woman who was the great, great, great grandaughter of a solider who fought during the battle.

caden & papa 
the wilson family!

Being the Civil War history buff that I am, I've always wanted to visit Gettysburg.  Now that we live to close to it, we headed out there on Sunday with my parents in tow.  The entire battlefield as been made into a military national park and it is absolutely amazing.  The area on which the 3 day battle took place is massive, so we decided to do the auto tour, which was really great (especially since it was so hot!).  It was hard to imagine the beautiful rolling hills filled with thousands of men fighting against one another for three long days all those years ago.  Gettysburg was the turning point for the Union in the Civil War, so this little spot in Pennsylvania has a huge significance for our nation.  Even if you aren't into history, it is still worth a visit just to check it out.  The town itself is super-cute and had some great little restaurants and shops.

my dear little sister

gina on the ferry...
me on the ferry!
gina and me taking a photo of ourselves on the ferry : )
my super cute little sister

we had to take the opportunity to reenact that famous scene...i think she feels like she's flying!
self photography at it's finest... kiss kiss!
gina and roxy!

While I was home, I had to opportunity to visit with my sister Gina. As you saw in the previous post, we did a shoot together, but it wasn't all business! One of the best parts of my trip was riding the ferry across the water with Gina to see her new home and meet her new puppy Roxy. Gina and I had a great day together! Once we got to her home and I got the full tour, we were very decadent with our time! 

We ordered a pizza, and bought my favorite cake (Raspberry Bombe Torte from Central Market...which they do not have where I live now), went on a walk, and watched the movie 27 Dresses while lounging on the couch in our sweats! After that, we had a slumber party and slept until we couldn't sleep anymore! The next day we were off to watch a Mariner game with a few friends of mine. 

Spending time with Gina is always the best, but I was extra thankful to have her all to myself for a day or two because we hadn't been together in over a year! 

Love you so much Gina and I can't wait until next time!