Christmas looks like...

this year, for us, it looked like this:
*these pics are from Christmas eve - we spent Christmas with the Blacker family too, I just forgot to pull out my camera!

























HOPE YOU HAD A HAPPY HOLIDAY TOO!

{much love}

photo shoot in AF

So I know it's almost Christmas -there are only 5 shopping days left or something-and nobody has time to blog or look at blogs...

BUT

I couldn't keep this one to myself until after the holidays...

I did a photo session for this little family yesterday. We hung out in college and it was nice to catch up and meet their beautiful boys.

We went to a local antique store with funky cool back-drops. It may have been one of my favorite sessions ever - plus, I got to use my new lens early!

Thanks Santa.































Such a photogenic group! It was so much fun to shoot and edit. Thanks Wirig Family!

{the camera loves you}

i have the cutest parents in the world.

I haven't always felt lucky in life. But, when it comes to my parents, I know that I am. They are the patient, loving, supportive, forgiving, selfless, wise kind of parents. They are the kind of parents that are there-for-you-no-matter-what and I know that to be true because my siblings and I have tested that theory over the years...

They are not perfect (even though sometimes it's hard for me to believe) and they don't pretend to be. And that is why I love them. And that is why, I want to be home for the holidays. And that is why, I am one lucky daughter.

I snapped a few pictures of them for their Christmas cards this year. These are a few they didn't choose...

{families are forever...thank goodness!}

my man = the man

That guy on the left is Chris performing sealants on one of the elementary kids. No, I didn't take this picture - but was so excited that someone did! How cool is this?!

{rock star}

glad tidings

I love this time of year. The temperature drops yet, I am filled with so much warmth. I anxiously await the mailman in hopes of finding Christmas Cards from friends and family that I miss dearly. I get to drink hot cocoa more often - really, what a lovely drink! And, replace "see you later" with "Merry Christmas". I am trying to take it all in this year. Because I find, most years, it is over before I know it.



It has been a good year for us. Lots of changes. Our first semester on our own has really gone by quickly for me...and for Chris too. We really like being in Cleveland so far. And while most days are good, I confess, I still yearn to be back "home". (I put home in quotations because I have a few places I call home. Utah is one of them and where we will be traveling this year to visit family.)

I miss being apart of my family's lives. Seeing their expressions as we talk about our week. I miss hearing my nieces and nephews laugh wildly in the background as we chat around the table after a meal. I miss eating out at our favorite places (Cafe Rio and In N Out, here I come!) I miss the scenery: the mountains, my parents' street, and the views of the city from the I15 freeway.

I didn't always feel this way about Utah. I thought I would never love a place as much as my hometown in California. My first few years of college, I used to wonder why people lived in Utah - I probably offended a few people with my questions! I couldn't appreciate it then-I hadn't had enough time with it or fond memories of it yet. Obviously, that has changed. Someday, I know that I will become attached to Ohio and all that will have happened here. But, for now, I am still a bit uncomfortable in my surroundings and I have new friendships that have yet to be broken-in. All in time.

So I guess what I am saying is: I am thrilled to be going home this year for Christmas! And as a bonus, have Chris all to myself for 3 whole weeks!

This is our Christmas card this year: (if you would like a mailed copy...let me know!) We struggled with our picture choice...and to be honest I am not ecstatic about our decision...but what can you do?

{home sweet home}

holiday photo shoot: at home

I took pictures of this cute family at their home this past weekend. Their house was dressed to the nines for the holidays and it made me excited that Christmas is coming! (We haven't decorated at all at our house since we are spending most of December in Utah - we leave on Saturday!)

I'm posting only a few as to hopefully not "spoil" their Christmas card choice.










Thank you Byrnes Family!

{deck the halls}

Santa baby

another photo session at the ward party tonight.

this is my favorite shot.

makes me laugh. hard.

{classic}

the girl effect.

i have been inspired by this video.

to give

there are bigger things in this world than me. and my problems.

i can make a difference in someone else's life.

and i can even do it on the couch in my pajamas.

i am going to give to this organization this holiday season.

i can sacrifice one less gift for myself this year.

i hope you will too.

click here and join the cause.

baby bumps

Heather & Kevin are expecting their first baby boy in February. We thought we would document her growing belly while they were here visiting. And, we even got Kevin to pose in a few too!




The doors to the Kirtland Temple are a beautiful emerald green. It was a fun place to take pictures. Especially against Heather's gorgeous strawberry hair.
























isn't she gorgeous?



*SideNote: A few people have asked about going "pro" ... I do charge a small fee ($40) mostly just for my time. I figure I can do better than the mall photo studios and that is about what they charge, right? My prices may increase as I feel more comfortable and have $$$ to invest in better equipment etc. You can email me blackerkatie{at}gmail{dot}com for appointments and more information.

{oh baby}

host & hostess

My college roommate {and bff} heather and husband, Kevin came to visit us on Saturday. Our very first overnight guests! It was so much fun to see them and just have a good laugh with some good friends.

We decided to check out Kirtland - the visitors center had a nativity celebration going on - so it was a great way to kick off the holiday season.







This is the Johnson Inn, I just thought it was the cutest building.



and the Whitney store...


We had a great time going out to eat & playing the Wii. Thank you so much for stopping by to see us Hez & Kevbo! We loved having you guys.

(***Heather is expecting! Pictures of her baby bump coming soon...)

{be our guest}

lucky in KY

We drove to Kentucky for thanksgiving to visit Chris's cousin Drew, his wife Ashlee and their two adorable boys. It was so much fun to hang out and catch up not only because we are related but also since we were all friends in college back when we were still single.

I assisted Ashlee in a fabulous (and very large) thanksgiving meal. (In case you were wondering, cooking turkey in a paper bag is a really good idea.) Dinner turned out great!

Oh...and one of my favorite parts of our weekend (and Drew's least favorite part) was taking pictures of their cute family. We headed out to the Keenland Horse Stables and Race tracks. It was a really cool spot for pictures and despite the shivering boys we made out with some cute shots. I had a hard time narrowing them down so, sorry if it takes a while to load...


















































We had such a great time in sunny Kentucky. Thank you so much for having us!

{so happy together}

"all the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey"

This song lyric by "The Mamas & the Papas" pretty much defines life in Cleveland now that Fall is coming to a close.

However, there is still color to be found if you look close enough. I have become obsessed with these trees - so much so, that we will be driving and I will ask Chris to stop so I can hop out and take a picture of them. They must be some type of Cherry Tree, but I don't really know.






My love of photography has really made me notice and appreciate the small things. For that, I am thankful.

{"There is beauty all around"}