engaged...

We had a big snow storm this past weekend (and by big, I mean 2 inches)…so everything is beautiful and white. Luke, Payton and I went to Lake Boren (park near my old apartment Luke and I used to run in) so I could do a photoshoot of a family of 7 (that’s a whole other story-5 kids in the snow!)
So Luke wanted to go down to the dock that sits on the lake and take some pictures. He gave Payton the camera and started walking down to the end of the dock. Payton said he had to throw something away, so headed back up the hill. I followed Luke down to the end. As we approached the end of the dock, there written in the snow was “joy”. We stood, looking at the water and taking in the beauty. He turned me around, got down on one knee (in the snow!) and said, “I’ve been waiting a long time to do this…would you make me the happiest man in the world…and marry me?” Holding back frozen tears, I said yes. He put a ring on my finger while Payton took pictures from the bushes. They had it planned the whole time. It was completely perfect.
We don’t have a date yet, but it will most likely be sometime next year. The ring is beautiful-the diamond in a “presentation” (temporary) setting for now. We’re going to design one together.

An aspiring photographer-I'm training him well! Although the proposal photo was a "re-enactment", it turned out perfect...

I hope you all have a wonderful holidays and very merry christmas!
with love..

dreaming of a white christmas...

no snow out this way yet...(forcasted for this weekend though!) but i put up a few decorations around the house and pretend like it's snowing out. i'm sure we're much colder than everyone in florida though..
getting ready for the holidays, which are practically in fast forward this year! good thing i started my shopping a little earlier than usual. we're planning on spending christmas in phoenix this year, which is exciting. although i'm a little sad my house doesn't smell like pine. i keep debating getting a small tree. decisions, decisions!
it's amazing how quickly this year has gone by. an emotional year at that ups and downs all around. i'm looking forward to spending the holidays with family and friends though. :)
i hope you all have wonderful holidays, filled with loved ones and lots and lots of laughter.

thanksgiving..

i hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving holiday! ours was spent a day late and two kiggins' short. i missed the boys terribly, but am counting down the days until christmas vacation...21 to be exact.. i got out of another year of cooking and momma made a delicious turkey, trimmings included. one of these days i'll get off the couch and help. she just makes such a good dinner, i don't want to ruin in. a few pics of our holiday..

the lubben family...

luke and i ventured down to modesto, california last weekend to visit my childhood best friend, cyndi, her hubby greg and their 3-month-old, jacob. it was so great to get to see them (first time in 4 years!) and to meet jacob. you are the most precious baby and despite crying everytime you were set down, i fell in love with you.
the weekend consisted of driving some pretty unique towns (thanks for the tour trivia, greg!), some yummy meals (yay for pumpkin scones!), movies, catching up, changing diapers on greg's co-worker's desk (hehe), gaga-ing over all the cute outfits grandma coleman has purchased for jacob, laughing about old memories ("if i have to hear the old car/rotten banana peel story one more time..." ~greg), snuggling the baby, hugging the baby, smooching the baby...and of course, pictures.
i was so excited to take pictures of this adorable family-thank you guys! i learned a couple things while doing the "photoshoot" (still in quotes because i'm still learning)...one, you can never have too many pictures of babies. two, you should probably limit the picture taking if you're going to need to edit them after (which explains the delay, cyndi!)...all the same, here are my top 10 favorites of the lubben family. enjoy!

let there be fall...

although it's sad to say goodbye to summer...the warm temps, sundresses, swimming in the lake (ok, dipping toes in the lake on account of the water doesn't ever get remotely warm out here!), flip flops...but the fall has graced seattle with its presence. the leaves are changing and i decided that 38 degrees is too chilly to be running in shorts. we've been lucky enough to get some absolutely beautiful sunny fall days. i'm engraving them in my mind so when we're in the 28th straight day of rain, i'll have something to smile about.

in between watching the world series (go rays!), football games, soccer games and playing outside, we managed to carve up some pumpkins for the upcoming holiday. it was fun, but something to remember for next year...put multiple layers of newspaper on your kitchen table. otherwise 3 pumpkins worth of pulp splats down right in the middle of it!

all-in-all, another joyful weekend. i'm looking forward to the holidays with family and friends! miss you all terribly..

birthday party photoshoot

so luke, payton and i made it over to wenatchee for payton's cousin's 8th birthday party (hannah montana of course)...i attempted a "photoshoot"..(not sure if i'm allowed to use that term yet..maybe instead, "amatuer photoshoot")..enjoy some of my favorites!

world series bound..

yay tampa bay (devil) rays!! what an exciting series and final game! we flipped between the bucs beating the seahawks (although i was torn, i received dirty looks while doning my bucs shirt today) and game 7 of the american league champion series. a little grilling action with friends and family on this beautiful fall day made for a nice end to the weekend..

luke and i ventured down to pike place market yesterday on another beautiful fall day. the leaves are changing to gorgeous reds, oranges and yellows. and better yet, the sun has been out. not for long, i know, but the days it ventures out from under the clouds to grace us with its presence are worth it. i've decided to try and purchase as many handmade, homemade, original (and earth friendly!) christmas presents this year as possible.

the market is a great place and kind of fun to walk around every now and then. luke patiently waited for me to check out every piece of jewelry, all the yummy smelling soaps and lotions and take pictures of all the beautiful flower arrangements. he's so wonderful. :)

a yummy mexican meal (we're trying out all the local mexican restaurants) and payton's soccer game made for a fun, yet relaxing little weekend. i snapped a few shots from the market and p's game today..enjoy!