Okay, I admit, I've been a bit distracted with a personal project the last week...

Remember my January 2nd post, "You Are What You Eat"?

It was my way of publicly coming out of the Paleo closet and sharing what I've learned on a personal level this past year about what we eat, and how to eat best. It was information I was so excited to learn that I just couldn't keep it to myself.

Well now you can find all that info and tons of healthy recipes on my new blog, Paleo Girls.

It's a joint venture between my sister, Shelley, and I and we're adding recipes daily and documenting our adventures in a Paleo lifestyle.

So, photography will resume as normal here. I have so many exciting things coming up that I can't wait to share. So stay tuned!

And if you want to check out our tasty new blog, visit PaleoGirls.com!

We've also been featured today on the Gravity Janes website as well, so be sure to check it out!

You might remember Rori and Matt from their engagement and wedding posts, but today there is even more online excitement to share!

Recently, I received an email from a sweetheart named Chantale. Blogger & wedding enthusiast extraordinaire, her blog (La Belle Bride), specializes in featuring photographers and real weddings that have an artsy, vintage feel. I was so honored that she stumbled across my site and asked if I would be interested in submitting a wedding to her.

While so many of our photos have an artsy & vintage feel, I could think of no better wedding to submit than Rori and Matt's.

Click here to read the article about Rori & Matt's wedding on La Belle Bride!

Yep. You heard me. They ELOPED!

And there's no better service than Facebook to get the word out! I found out via Jackie's status update, which read: is married to the love of her life! Yes, the wedding is still on for next July but we just couldn't wait any longer :)

And I can't blame them, really. Their chosen wedding date would have meant an 18-month engagement for the two young lovebirds. I remember when Jake proposed, I wanted to run away with him and make it official right away. Because, when you're young and in love, sometimes patience is the last thing on your mind.

And 'twas the case with Jackie and Zach... during a simple conversation one day this winter, they decided they just couldn't wait until July to make things official. They like to do things differently. They were excited to plan an intimate ceremony without being in the spotlight of 200 guests. They described their decision to me as wanting to make it official for themselves, but still not wanting to take away from their big wedding planned for this summer for all their family and friends to enjoy.

So, on December 16th, 2009 - a Wednesday, they went to their minister's home and he performed a 20-minute ceremony in his living room in front of his Christmas tree. Zach's brother Jake and his girlfriend, Kira, were there as witnesses.

At the holidays, Jackie & Zach had the chance to share the news with family and friends. Needless to say, all were completely surprised, but also so very happy for the lucky couple. Their wedding this summer is sure to be a big celebration for everyone. Jackie told me that she is stoked for the opportunity to wear her gown, walk down the aisle, and celebrate. Zach confessed that he is relieved he won't get hit on in public so much now that he's sporting his temporary wedding band (to be replaced with the official one this July), and is much looking forward to his Bachelor Party :)

But perhaps the best, most romantic, parts of this story are the beautiful thoughts that Jackie and Zach had to share about each other:

From Jackie... "Being married has been so amazing and fun. We didn't really expect to feel any different from before but we totally do. We feel so much closer and every time I look at him, I get so giddy inside because I get to call him my husband! I love it."

From Zach... "I love my wife. She has been so supportive and I am excited about our new life together. We have such great plans for life. We both want to be parents of a role model family that supports and loves each other, accepts all people equally and gives back what we take from the Earth. My wife is an angel and she has the kindest heart. She has taught me so much and I feel so privileged to be in her life."

These proclamations give me goosebumps, and teary eyes, and a heart full of happiness. And this, my friends, is what it's all about.

Congratulations you two. I am so honored to be your photographer. You have something special, and there is so much to celebrate!

(And a huge thanks to their witness Kira for making sure to get some photos of it!!)

We shot a super-fun engagement shoot this past Saturday, and we were so fortunate with the gorgeous Seattle weather we had too! Here's one sneak-peek shot for now to whet your appetite (I know, I'm soooo funny) :)

I love my new iPhone. And I mean seriously LOVE it. The ability to read email while lying in bed is really just soooo exciting to me.

This morning, I woke up a bit late, and totally dazed and confused. Would I have time to get to the gym on time for class? Do I need to walk the dogs or is it raining out? Do I have time to put my contacts in? My mind was reeling, but I still managed to unplug my iPhone from its charger and sort threw my 14 new emails.

When I saw her name in my inbox, my heart skipped a beat.

Would it be good news?

A gentle let-down?

You just never know.

But it was good news. Great news, in fact. A lovely bride emailing to let me know that the feeling was mutual and that we were their top pick for their wedding photographers and "where do we sign the contract"? (i.e. words that make me MELT).

I immediately jumped out of bed as if I'd had a few shots of espresso intravenously. Me and my crazy hair ran into the bathroom, iPhone in hand, screaming, "WE BOOKED THE WEDDING!!!" and read Jake the email word-for-word while he showered. He knew I was referring to the lovely couple we'd just met this week and shared in the excitement. I did a happy dance. He laughed at how fast I woke up, made fun of my crazy hair, and we decided we'd celebrate over dinner tonight.

And while I know we are one of so many vendors and so many choices a couple makes for their wedding, just one piece of the pie, I am pretty sure the couple never really knows how much their choice means to US. And it does mean so much to us, so thank you, thank you, thank you to all of our fabulous couples. We love you SO much!!