FINALLY!!!! A new blog!!!!

WAHOO!!!!

Be sure to change your bookmarks to me sweet, new blog!!! I'm still working the kinks out, but I wanted to get it going ASAP since it is soooo cool!!!

And finally - here is the link...


My Sweet New BLOG...

Fun FUN Album!!!

Wow!!! I am so excited to offer these albums for those of you who would like to have just a few of your Maternity Photographs for the sake of memory. These albums hold as few as 10 images and come in over 35 cover options. They are absolutely gorgeous!!! Be sure to ask about these albums when you inquire about your maternity session.

Some More for the Lotus Tree

Like I said earlier this month, I've had a beautiful display at the Lotus Tree for the last year and half. Now that they are adding a Speech Therapy Division, I've volunteered my time again to help decorate the new addition of their business.

Julius and I attend a playgroup where I was able to photograph some gorgeous little guys and girls. Here are the photographs we'll be displaying HUGE! So - be sure to make it to the Open House so that you can see the new display at the Lotus Tree - Speech Therapy Division!!!

Church Without Walls?

I don't go to church...I AM the church.

A great thing is happening with churches across the Treasure Valley. On the every fifth Sunday during the course of the year (I believe there are about 4 or 5 Sundays total), Trinity Presbyterian Church is serving where the needs are around the Valley, rather than attending church. I had the privilege of working at the Hay's House in Boise. We spent the day working on laying brick at their garden. I know we were there to serve others, but as serving often goes, the "servant" is the one to receive the blessing.

Although I wasn't able to be SUPER productive (something about being in the heat, being pregnant and possibly becoming dehydrated!), I was able to take some photographs for the church. Here are the hard workers I photographed that day!

Won't you do something for the community as well? Feel free to join Trinity Presbyterian for their next "Church Without Walls."

One of Julius' Good Friends...

I am currently working on a project for The Lotus Tree, a sensory integration clinic in Bown Crossing. I have had some beautiful photographs up as a display for over a year. They are now adding a Speech Therapy division, for which I am also donating time for their decor. For one of their rooms, we bought some rad vintage-looking cars from Ross (my favorite place to shop!!!) and took some pics of Miss "E" playing with them.

However - as a girl - the cars weren't that interesting. While we had trouble keeping Julius away from them, Miss "E" wasn't having anything to do with them. So - our solution? Place some cookies in the car. IT WORKED!!! Shhhh...don't tell anyone my secret :).

Soiree's Brandi Reiland's Sneak-Peek!

Just look at the chunky chunk chunk on this hunky hunk hunk :). I just love all his cute little rolls. Brandi had some fabulous little leggings that matched his adorable room. She has such great style - I love shooting in a home with such great decor! What else would you expect from this fabulous Wedding Coordinator of Soiree?

Her six-month old guy did a great job posing for the camera! Enjoy your Sneak-Peek and Consider Yourselves Loved...

Totally Unrelated to Anything, Really...

So, Lumuli and I saw, "Knowing" tonight (at Overland Park - LOVE that cheap little theatre!!!). There is a possible spoiler in this post, so if you want to see it and haven't, skip my comments :).

It started out soooo cool. VERY suspenseful - I love this kind of movie. Then, there were these weird men who came from nowhere. It's like they mixed two VERY different genres. I gave it the benefit of the doubt, hoping they would somehow tie the movie together.

But nope, just ended like a silly little extra-terrestrial movie. Jeesh. C'mon, writers. Couldn't you have come up with something a little less contrived???

My Sweet, Sweet Niece Graduated Today...

I can't believe it's been 17 years since my darling niece was born. She was always full of such love and affection for those around her. She has not changed. She is just as sweet as she was at 2 as she is at 17.

She is a lover of Jesus, an AMAZING artist (takes after her mother!) and an all-around great gal. It's so hard to believe that she is old enough to see my husband traipsing around on campus!

I am so proud of you, Ems. Congratulations, Honey. I am so excited to see the great things God has in store for you...

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11

Love you, Baby Girl.

Engagement Session & Day-of Wedding Planning Giveaway!!!

{WITH}


(click HERE for Soiree information)

Cyndee Wanyonyi of Ashki Photography and Brandi Reiland of Soiree are teaming together to offer one lucky couple a fantastic prize! They will receive a complimentary Day-of Wedding Coordination service as well as a complimentary Engagement Session with a Custom-Framed signature matted print (a total of $1200 in complimentary services and products).

Please visit Soiree's Blog to get more information regarding her Wedding Coordination services.

Here's the low-down!

* Send an email to cyndee@ashkiphoto.com with a letter describing your favorite qualities about your relationship and/or your fiance. Tell us a little bit about how you two came to be and why you should be the winners! Please include a picture of you and your fiance.

* Entry letters must be 300 words or less

* Your wedding must take place in 2010 and is subject to our availability. You cannot have already contracted with us
or have a current proposal (sorry, lovelies!), and have not already hired a photographer or wedding coordinator.

* The top 3 entries will be featured here on the Ashki Photography & Soiree blogs and our readers will be able to vote on the final winner.

* Giveaway includes Day of Coordination service and fees only for local Boise and McCall weddings as well as a complimentary Engagement Session with a Custom-Framed signature matted print (a total of $1200 in complimentary services and products).

* Contest entry ends at midnight on June 27th, 2009

* The winner will be announced Friday July 3rd, 2009.


Good luck and we can't wait to hear from you!

Train Depot Mini-Sessions!!!

I am holding $25, 10-minute mini-sessions at the Train Depot on Friday, June 12th.

This is a great way to get professional portraits of your individual children at a GREATLY reduced session rate. Each child's session will last 10 minutes and all ordering will be done online. There is a $150 minimum print order commitment for each session due at the time of booking. Sessions are limited, so call today!

"A" Family Sneak-Peek!

I had the wonderful privilege of photographing this lovely family this week! With two girls who absolutely adore each other, how could I not just have a great time?

I photographed these girls the evening before we found out that we were having a girl and after this session, I wanted a little girl all that much more (that's not proper grammar, is it?). It was great fun to see how Mom and Dad loved on their children. I can't wait to take more of your photographs in the future, "A" Family!

Enjoy your Sneak-Peek and Consider Yourselves Loved...

"W" Family Sneak-Peek!

Mom came to me about four weeks ago to inquire about a family session with her husband and two handsome boys. We took a small jog over to the Shakespeare Festival where we were greeted with lovely grasses and beautiful colors! They brought their VERY cool dog and we all had fun taking a walk around the gorgeous trails.

Thanks, "W" Family for letting me hang out with you on Monday! Enjoy your Sneak-Peek and consider yourselves loved...

The Jury Has Reached it's Verdict!!!

Let me begin by saying that for the last two days, Julius has told us that he is going to have a little sister. Not even sure he knew what this meant, he was very consistent and persistent on his evaluation.

Turns out he is right :). We are having a little GIRL!!!

I AM SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!! From the beginning, I have unashamedly been hoping for a little girl (only because I think this will be our last biological child), thinking that I would be completely devastated if I was not having a girl - not because I didn't want a boy, I just wanted a girl :). Anywho - about 5 weeks ago, I really felt good about having another boy - for reals. Not because I didn't want to be "disappointed". It was a surprising peace, but let me tell you - when I found out it was a girl, my inner girllyness came through!!! I screamed like a little girl :). So - we are very happy to have a baby girl on the way - most importantly, though, it looks as though she is growing well and she looks healthy!!! That's what we are truly thankful for :).

Okay, okay - I know y'all want to know who won the contest, so....


DRUM ROLL PLEASE...


Mistie Kindall - will you please claim your prize???


Have fun getting your hair done by my awesome stylist, Girlly-Girl!


And now - for a picture of our little cutie-pie!!! Isn't life such a miracle? Praise the Lord...