Fun photo shoot in the sun!

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph this cute couple (Steve and Tinae) for their engagement shots. We went out to Cocoa beach one evening and had absolutely perfect weather. The shoot went wonderfully, this couple was so much fun to work with, and since I took John along as my assistant...we ended up have a fun night at the beach as well. How amazing to have such a spot only 35 minutes away. If you are interested in viewing more of this shoot, I have posted more on my PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG. http://www.amylopezphotography.blogspot.com/

Beautiful Bride

This is my niece Martsie. She got married a couple of weeks ago in Salt Lake City, and my brother flew me out to be the photographer at the wedding. What a privilege. This niece of mine was a flower girl at my own wedding and it was so special to be a part of her big day. She and her honey, Aaron, are so in love, and they were a pleasure to photograph. I have posted the wedding shots on my photography blog. So to see more, go to: http://www.amylopezphotography.blogspot.com/ .

Family fun in Utah

Besides getting to take beautiful pictures of the Bride and Groom while in Utah...I also got to catch the behind the scenes stuff with my fun family. I love my family so much and I feel so grateful that Kinsey is so close to her cousins. We really had such a fun time helping out with the wedding. This is Kinsey and her cousin Joye (above). Joye and Kinsey were born in the same hospital, with the same doctor, only eight hours apart. It was like a party at the hospital with all the family coming to visit. They have always been so close. They had a great time together this visit. They were pretty much inseparable.

Kinsey got to help Martsie while I took pictures. She and Joye and Melissa were "hair and make-up"girls.

These are three of my cute nieces, Martsie and her sisters Joye and Melissa. Martsie and Melissa were babies when I was a teen-ager and I loved them like my own babies. I can't believe they are all grown up. Where does the time go.

Some of the family, getting ready to pose...up close and personal.

My brother in law Darin and my niece Brooklyn...taking a moment to dance outside the temple. There should always be moments "to dance".

I had to hop in one picture with the cute couple. I guess to prove I was there!

"hooray"

Cute cousin's having fun waiting for the bride to come out of the temple. Melissa, Kinsey, Joye, and Lexi.

My brother and his cute family


Two of my brothers. Jon and Charlie

Jon and his cute family

My parents with the cute couple

Father of the bride

My sister Wendy and her husband

Teague...one of my great nephews (yes...I am a "Great" Aunt...but not because I am old. Just because I am "great"!) Isn't he the cutest!

Kinsey with cousin's Dylan and Lexi

Three of my nieces together. These two darling little nieces just thought Martsie was the most beautiful thing ever. The little one, Tyli, kept saying, "Princess, temple. Princess temple". She loved being at the temple, and she couldn't wait to see the princess that came out. How appropriate.

Me with a new Great Nephew...Aiden. So cute!


My nephew and his darling little, girl hitting the dance floor

Kinsey and cousin Ashley. They have grown up to look like each other so much,and we never really realized it before.

My nephew and niece, Joye and James, showing us how it's done.


My nephew Daniel and his cute wife Amy. It was only three years ago that I was photographing their wedding...now they have a little one on the way. Yay!

a GQ moment for James

My nephew Andrew and his cute friend. Hopefully our large crazy family didn't scare her off too much.

Okay, this was not at the wedding or reception, but I had to get a shot of our fun girls night out. This is me with two of my sisters, two of my sister-in-laws, and three of my nieces. So much fun. We always do a girls night out when I go to Utah.

Besides wedding stuff...Utah was also filled with so much more. Some fun times with friends, enjoying time with my parents in their cozy house while it was snowing outside (hello...it's April), sleeping in, watching conference with family, and spending mother daughter time with Kinsey. Such great memories. I loved watching as my brother and his kids strung intricate stands of lights (that my brother constructed) for the reception...hoping that my brother would not fall off that ladder. I loved being int he temple with my family and seeing Martsie there for the first time. I loved dancing with my little tiny nieces. I loved seeing all my big neices and nephews interact with each other. I loved seeing how much Kinsey enjoyed the snow. I loved remembering that there is a reason that I now live in Florida :) I loved sitting by my parents fire and having a long talk with them. I loved being on a plane with out tiny children...so I could just sleep and read (heaven). I loved the fact that I had such a good husband at home watching the other kids. It was such a wonderful vacation.

Friends are friends forever...

Okay, I just had that cheesy song going through my head, and remembered how I think we sang it at my highschool graduation...and it even seemed cheesy then...and yet...it rings true. While I was in Utah, I got to have a little reunion with one of my best friends EVER. When we lived in Seattle, Myra was truly my family. One of those people that I knew I was supposed to be friends with the minute I met her. She was like a sister to me (and still is) and our families did everything together. She moved away before I did, and then we moved to Florida, so we have not seen each other in about five years. We talk on the phone, but it has been hard not seeing her. She has had some tough years since she moved, and has found herself a single mom of 4 , and is back in the dating pool...and all I can say about that is, "Watch out men". She is seriously a knock-out , and one of the most gorgeous people I know, inside and out. I have always admired her strength, her integrity, and her ability to rise above her own hardships. She drove down from Idaho and we had a wonderful visit together. How thankful I am to have a friend like Myra.