Jess and Briana won’t be happy with me but I think they both look super cute in a hanging out kind of way. OK, Jess makes the most amazing Oatmeal cookies… no raisins! It’s all whole wheat & oats with some sweet and salty goodness.  I’ll have her post the recipe for all of you to try. We also lit up our new Elf candle holders from cb2.com . They’re holiday… but not. I’m sure we’ll leave them out all year.

enjoy

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Recipe from Jess:

Soft Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

1 Cup butter, softened                   2 Cups Whole Wheat flour

1 Cup white sugar                          1 teaspoon baking soda

1 Cup packed brown sugar          1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs                                              1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla                        3 cups oats

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture.  Mix in oats.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll dough into individual balls-whatever size cookies you want!  Bake for 8-10 mins.

I like the cookies soft and gooey.  Another favorite treat of ours is to serve one scoop of ice cream and one scoop of uncooked cookie dough in a dish together! it’s like making your own Cookie Dough Ice Cream!!!

Yummy!!

-Jess

Here are a few images from our fabulous trip to New York! So fun… the weather was amazing; two days of sun , one day of rain, and the last day it snowed. We journeyed to this magnificent city with two of our best friends Seth and Monica.  Monica is responsible for 90% of these images and you can check her website out at: www.mohinesphotography.com .

Places and things we loved: Stumptown coffee, Babbo’s Restaurant, Robert James Clothing(designer), Bo Concepts, Cafe Katja, The Ace hotel, the W Hotel, Dave’s Bagels, Memphis (the Broadway show) and SO much more… Check out all these places/things if you ever go!

Jess and I felt truly blessed to visit a city where inspiration, beauty, and creativity are born.

Enjoy-

What kind of a face am I making??? Jess looks beautiful!

Heather and Chris booked us to come to Vegas and shoot their beautiful event. The catch…. we had to hide our cameras – according to the hotel regulations, they didn’t want any other photographers besides their “house photographers” to shoot any of the ceremony and formals. It didn’t seem to set us back, all the images are beautiful!  The scenes of Heather and Chris together outside capture a “Night Life-Out on the Town” type setting and made some awesome Hollywood-feel images.  How fun!  To top the evening off, everyone that attended the ceremony was escorted to a private back room setting in the Koi Lounge Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Bellagio. We had a great time and were privileged to be a part of the day!!!

Iaisha and John-

What a beautiful sight!!! This handsome couple celebrates the anticipated approach of the new addition to their family-Jeremiah!!! 

Iaisha’s captivating smile will bring such feelings of excitement and joy to anyone who looks at these photos.  The way that John and Iaisha teased and laughed with each other during the shoot was just so simply sweet and comforting…

 We couldn’t miss out on including photos with the Monkey who is to be Jeremiah’s pal, and of course, cannot leave out the Dodgers!!!

We cannot wait until the precious gift of Jeremiah is born into this world!

Thanks Iaisha and John- enjoy!   

You’ve seen their engagement photos, and now… Here’s their enchanting wedding!  Jaimie and Owen capture your eye in these photos with stunning body language together and their enjoyment of the day.  The vibrantly yellow Daisy arrangements were lovingly hand-crafted by Owen’s mother, which made for amazing color and simple design.

Jaimie shared her excitement before the wedding in the bridal room at Maravilla Gardens with her elegantly-dressed bridesmaids, while she got ready for the big day in a collected and relaxed manner.  Owen and the guys had some crazy dude time before it was time to go by just hanging out and taking shots together.  What an event!  From the barn & country scenery at the entrance of the location to the amazing outdoor reception over-looking the vineyard, it was a night to remember.  For a big finale of the evening… After disappearing for a short moment, Jaimie and Owen reappeared in a more casual attire and sliced down the walkway of glowing sparklers held by their Guests!

Congratulations Jaimie and Owen! Thanks for sharing your day with us!

Lauren and Trent…What a beautiful, and richly pure event their wedding day was!!!  We started off shooting some fun and crazy shots of Trent and all of his guys at the Pierpont Inn outside on the  grass, and then we had the pleasure of venturing into the cute little cottage where Lauren was getting ready with her girls.  Lauren looked priceless as a glowing bride in her full, ball-gown type of dress.  

For the ceremony,  the couple chose to marry each other at one of the most beautiful locations in Ventura, The Cross.  Holding a panoramic view of the Ventura Coastline, the view for a wedding ceremony was breathtaking… To top it off, the cross itself holds a deeper meaning for the two of them, which was evident in the words said during the ceremony that bound their marriage. 

Trent’s Dad, Rod Houck, who also coordinates events, put on quite a magnificent display of a modern and cozy reception at the top of the hill, inside a huge tented area.  There were heat lamps to keep the place warm, great music, funky centerpieces, and an amazing display of a cake and delicious desserts.  Most importantly, there was so much love in the midst for the couple and many wonderful aspects and character traits were shared about both of them during the toasts.

Thank you Lauren and Trent for a beautiful time! Happy Marriage!!!

Hawaii is their love! Brynn and Brian were married in the beautiful Harbor of Ventura at the Yacht club which was perfect due to their love of the ocean.

Brynn’s family tradition is the attendance of her Dad’s beloved Woody at each member’s wedding. With the Woody being out of state, Brynn decided to surprise her Dad by renting a museum-ready 1960’s classic. He was so Happy! Once the couple was married, drums sounded and a team of 40 authentic Hula Dancers appeared in celebratory dance.  It was beautiful, colorful and fun!

We then headed off to shoot the joyful couple’s photos which are priceless and stunning. The Woody was a perfect touch to such a wedding. The reception was filled with tears and happy moments, and the couple was surrounded by love.  Brynn and Brian were so gracious to us and it was truly a pleasure to be a part of their wedding.

Enjoy!

Beautifully pregnant Vanessa, as many know, is one of the founders of Souly Wedding Vendors, and is partial-owner of the Soul Mates Bridal Boutique in Camarillo, CA.   It was my honor and privilege to photograph these charmingly elegant and refreshing images of Vanessa and Tom as they show the excitement of welcoming the newest addition into their family.  What a gift…

Thanks Vanessa and Tom!

Enjoy- 

What a sensational wedding ceremony and reception! The family formal photos were held outside the beautiful Santa Clara church with much excitement.  Yvette and Arnie were so loving and sincere with all of their friends, family & guests- and their intimacy with and affection  for each other captivated the camera during photos of the two of them.  So fortunate for Jess and I, we were able to choose a couple different locations and looks to complete the fun and crazy Bridal party images, as well as the romantic images of Yvette and Arnie themselves.  The bold and the elegant details set the mood for the sophisticated Spanish Hills dining room.  Special family toasts and prayers were said that will remain in memory forever… as well as fun games & entertainment that brought enjoyment and laughter to guests.

Yvette and Arnie-Enjoy reliving the moments through these photos!!

Ok… My wife is amazing! Trying new things and making it all look and taste fantastic. Alaskan Salmon with risotto and asparagus sides. Pre-dinner salad with a balsamic dressing and… and… and… Ghirardelli Ultimate Fudge brownies to top it off~