Crystal's Bridal!

Crystal's bridals were beyond fabulous.  After seeing their ceremony today and their love for each other, I honestly have no words to go with this session... please enjoy.

This is the picture that she chose to display at the reception...

California Dreamin...

So that's my puppy... Ginger :)

A few months ago Ryan and I were heading out of town for a wedding, and we couldn't find anyone to watch Ginger.  So we called the hotel, and they were able to accommodate her!  You would not believe this dog!  She chilled out on the balcony all weekend long, and we could barely get her inside to take a drink.  She ran up and down the beach, and loved the sand (the water - not so much.  I think the waves freaked her out).

Ryan and I always claim California as our home, we may be "from" other places but it's where we felt the most like ourselves.  This is the place where we relaxed, and enjoyed the scenery.  It's where Ryan proposed, and where we went to school.  But to realize that we found a "California" dog in North Carolina... you  have got to be kidding me.  And now that I have a wedding in California next year I am ecstatic!  I get to go "home" for 10 days...

Over the past few weeks life has been hard.  We've had to make some tough decisions and come to some tough conclusions, but what's become so apparent is that we have this little California family to come home to.  We've learned to come together in the midst of trials, and not cause conflict over minuscule issues.  This is what family is all about - realizing you are more and more alike as the days go on... even if it's the dog.

Visit to LA... Louisiana that is...

When I was growing up my Aunt Kari would come visit every Christmas and over the summer.  Kari and my mom are 18 years apart, and my Mom had me when Kari was 10... so we've always been super close.  Kari has been like the big sister I never had, and even though we're 850 miles apart we're on the phone constantly.

So now Kari is married to Vance and lives in Louisiana with her two kids... Lydia and Caedmon.  Lydia and I are just about as far apart as Kari and I are... so the cycle begins again... Earlier this year Ryan and I went down to visit while my grandparents were here from Australia.  I just now finished going through all the pictures... and decided to share :). 

One afternoon I took Lydia into downtown Lafayette, and had the best time.  We had wardrobe changes and everything!  Later that same day we took the whole family out for pics... here are my favorites from the week.

All pictures of me were taken by Ryan Fesko (the hubby)

Some of the pics with Lydia at the historic house next door and in downtown Lafayette...

The family pics that night and the next day...

And my favorite...

Erin & Daniel Married!

I was nervous driving into Mineral Springs.  Pleasant Grove Campground was nowhere to be found on my GPS, and the closer I got - less signs of life were found.  So I stopped at a gas station, and apparently everyone knew where this Campground was!  Five minutes later I pulled onto the campground, and found the bridal party.

Erin & Daniel are two of the most amazing people.  The way they interact, their chemistry and the love that permeated their day enveloped us all.  Daniel is by far one of the most honorable men I have ever met.  The way that he speaks to people, treats his friends and the few times we conversed over the phone - he is congruent.  True through and through.  Erin is a woman that belongs in a King's court.  She is so elegant and beautiful in the way that she moves and speaks to people.  Erin is the same as Daniel - beautiful through and through.  I felt so honored to be apart of their day, and capture all of the fun that ensued.  This day was one glorious surprise after another...

Daniel promised everyone that he wasn't going to cry...

Erin and her Dad had a special first dance together... cowboy boots n' all!

And of course I saved my favorite for last...  Hello Kevin Kubota!

Ashley & Dallin's E-Sesh!

Dear Abercrombie: I found your next model's.  Love, Rachel

I met Ashley & Dallin over pizza at Brixx.  They were both so cordial and wonderful to talk with, and we had such a great time out and about finding great places to shoot.  There was this beautiful pond down the street from their house that Ashley wanted to shoot at.  So we parked the car down this back road, hopped a fence and walked this covered path... that led us around the backside of the pond and into another field... HA!  So we walked back and just parked the car across the street from the pond.  It wouldn't be an amazing e-sesh without hopping a few fences right?

And of course I saved my favorite till last!