Burney Falls Adventures

Happy Saturday everyone! I am busy cleaning out closets and getting ready to go see Sex and the City tonight...whoohooo!!! Below are the pictures from last weekends camping trip. As usual, we had a fabulous time, despite the raining weather. I was so excited to take the Straub's to Burney Falls, since it is such a special place. The summer memories I have based on that neck of the woods (literally) are very fond. I remember being in awe of the massive falls, and I loved seeing Trenton and Casen's response...made me feel like I was right back in 1989. Dogs aren't allowed on the trail down to the falls, so we couldn't take our kids...maybe one of these days we will have one to take that isn't exempt!

Damon and I both love the roads up in Northern California with the tall tall trees lining the road...the cars look so small!

We took some of the crew to the Subway caves (http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/maps/brochures/rog_subway.pdf) in Lassen Park...I loved visiting this natural wonder when I was a little girl, and just like at the falls, I enjoyed sharing this with Damon and the little ones. It is amazing how different of a perspective we have with a few decades of life under our belt...these caves (which are only really 1/3 of a mile) seemed like they went on forever when I was a little girl. At least I knew that the little ones thought they were cool and went on for miles, right?

Do you like my handy way of carrying my fabulous cocktail down to the lake to take some fishing pictures?

Some detail shots...

There was a mama duck with 12 little babies cruisin' around the lake, Damon said they weren't older than a week or two.

And of course, some pictures of our kiddos, who loved camping with us!

Damon and I pitched our fabulous tent across the street from Randy, Michelle and co. We found a great tree to help shield us from the rain. A big thanks to Howli and Lisa for one of the best wedding presents we received...our tent, complete with a doggie den!

See the doggie den and mini doggie door? Of course, if you know our dogs at all, they slept on the bed with us, not in the doggie den. But is is a great place to store supplies!

Cannot wait until the next outdoor adventure (hopefully with some sun!)

Happy Anniversary Michelle and Randy

Today is Michelle and Randy Straub's 10 year wedding anniversary. It was 10 years ago today that everyone was thankful for sunshine and not rain. (It had rained the day before the wedding and everyone was running around frantic to try and dress up the barn for the festivities.) It was 10 years ago today and Randy and Michelle exchanged their "I do's" at the same location that Damon and I did. (Well, not exactly the same location, they didn't get married on top of a remote hill...they got married in the flat front yard!) It was 10 years ago today that my Damon stood beside Randy as his best friends bride walked down the isle. And, I am told that it was 10 years ago today that my future husband might have drank a little too much.

I am so thankful to share in the celebration of a ten year milestone with the Straub's. It is amazing what they have accomplished in the last 10 years...my two favorites are Casen and Trenton, naturally!

As you can imagine, Michelle was the perfect cowgirl 1990's bride, she had perfect big ol' hair and a matching wedding dress. The other detail I remember seeing about their wedding was matchbooks with a cowboy and cowgirl couple on them...how sweet! I will be working with Michelle to transfer her wedding video and photos onto a DVD set to music, etc. It will be super fun to walk through their memories with them!

On a sadder note, the Straub's had to put down their 13 year old black lab, Misha. Misha was also a Morelli bred doggie, in fact, she was Cassie sister, making her Cy's older sister. She was buried up at the ranch and is now resting with her family in a beautiful place on earth. I can only imagine the heartache and void...our thoughts our with you all.

First MM Photography Blog Post

My first photography blog post is up! (It was a rough go-around with spacing...I still need to learn the squarespace format.) Regardless of slight layout issues, please visit me here: http://mamphotography.squarespace.com/

I plan on posting on both websites and will direct my personal blog followers to the professional blog when there are updates. (Note: You can also subscribe to the photo blog post on the left hand side of the page). I understand that it might be frustrating to switch back and forth between the sites...but this blog address is my personal blog and will not be attached to my business. Unless, of course, you are a member of both my personal and my professional lives!

Thank you all for your support, I truly appreciate it...I am really feeling the love!

Headin' to Burney Falls

Damon and I are headed to one of my favorite places in the world this weekend...Burney Falls. It is a special place that I visited as a child and it is even more special since it is where Damon proposed to me 3 years ago. Aren't the falls beautiful?

As we made our way down to the foot of the falls, I noticed that Damon was acting really weird. I wanted to stop and read all the nature signs and he was getting really annoyed with me, it all makes sense now. By the time we reached the foot of the falls, all of the groups had cleared out and we practically had the place to ourselves, with the exception of a couple who witnessed the entire scene. Even though Damon didn't get on his knee, they completely knew what was happening and offered to take our picture. I am so happy that they were there...I was so excited that I don't even remember if I thanked them! It was all kinda a blur.

After returning to our campsite, Damon busted out a fancy bottle of tequila and we toasted our engagement with some margaritas.

Fishing the next day and showin' off the ring for the camera...

Pictures from our return trip to Burney with the Straub family on Monday! Have a fabulous Memorial Day weekend!

Happy 10th Birthday Cyrus

Yesterday was Cy's 10th birthday, so we had a Taco Night with our families to celebrate. Cy got to stay inside during dinner and act like an only child. He was oh so excited for his birthday cupcakes...

Our cute boy wearing the traditional birthday hat...

Waiting patiently for his birthday treat...

Ryanne wanted to get into the birthday spirit with Cy's party hat and cupcake eating...

Frosting in the nose...perfect cupcake pose!

Ryanne then starting playing in Cy's new birthday bed (thanks Grandma Kris)...her daddy played a fun taco game with her. She was very excited about the new game and kept asking her dad to "go more."

Then she entertained herself with falling on the bed...check out those eyelashes!

Cy and I posing for a quick birthday photo...

Cy, I hope that your 10th year of life is full of doggie treats, long walks and lazy afternoons basking in the sun. Damon and I love you with all our hearts!