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...

Gained a Few Pounds, Got My Hair Cut

The not-so-obvious new thing in these photographs is my hair! I just love it :). Jacquie Otteson from Ingrid's Hair Design Downtown did this for me. She put a bit of purple in my hair as well. Do you see it? I love it!!!

So - for the pretty-obvious new thing in the second photograph. Not all of you blog-stalkers know this (we weren't really open about it until about a month or so ago - not that people couldn't tell anyway), but we are pregnant with our second baby!!! We are so very excited to add this little bundle of joy to our family. *So, just a quick note of maternity leave between October 1st & December 1st-baby is due October 15th. We find out next Wednesday if it is a boy or girl.

*** CONTEST ***

Here's a fun contest for you. I want you to guess if we are having a boy or girl. Only one entry per contestant, although you certainly can make more than one comment! If you are correct in your guess, your name will go into a drawing for a $100 salon gift certificate with stylist Jacquie Otteson at Ingrid's Hair Design Downtown. She does an AMAZING JOB!!! I will post the contest winner on my blog next week sometime - be sure to put your name & email address in the comment!

To schedule your own appointment w/Jacquie, call Ingrid's at 208-344-9906.