1.1.11 – Happy New Year!

Partied out. Yep. That’s how I feel right about now. This is the first night I’ve been home sitting here doing nothing in about 10 days. When I say mini vacation that I scheduled myself, I meant it. It’s almost been a marathon of how much fun I could have. Exhausted. I’ve never been so exited to be sitting here in a clean house on a Saturday night with nothing to do and nowhere to go. I also just got back from the grocery store, needless to say it’s all fruits, vegetables, milk and protein. I think I’ve eaten so much, I might turn into a big fat Italian meatball. Well now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I’m looking forward to a new start. That involves healthy food, water and lots of exercise.

I really can’t believe it’s 2011. Where did last year go? It feels like the blink of an eye. Looking forward to thumbing through my images from last year and pulling my favorites out. It’s crazy to think how much I’ve been shooting lately – I am forever grateful to each one of you who has asked me to photograph for you. I never in a million years thought I would be where I am today. I look forward to photographing the 24 Weddings I have booked for this year, my special ‘Grow With Me’ kiddos and all the new people I’ll be meeting this year.

In 2010 I married my best friend, road tripped to Vegas, LA, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Napa, San Fran, and witnessed our best friends Dana and Tim marry in the Bahamas. I captured some sweet moments behind the lens, and also experienced what it was like to be on the other side of the lens. Learned that a handful of the brides I’ve photographed are now expecting their first child :) Watched my business mature to a new level, made some great new friends, watched the Saint’s win the Superbowl, laughed, cried, gotten sick a few times, called my mom to help me out more times then I can think of, experienced turning a house into a home. Had fun remodeling, decorating, buying and refinishing. Enjoyed picking out our first Christmas tree. Gotten in 2 wrecks this past year, one was the other persons fault – one mine. Cried some more. Read some amazing books. Worked my butt off. Edited more hours than I can count. Celebrated, danced and enjoyed the company of my loved ones. Gained some more responsibility, turned 26. Planned and organized as best as I could. Set some new goals for 2012. Grown richer in Faith and really enjoyed going to church every Sunday. Prayed and given thanks for everything I’ve been so fortunate to receive.

Here’s a toast to you all- I thank you for your kind works and comments over the past year. For allowing me to follow my passion of photography. For checking back to see what’s new, for supporting me and being my friend. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Here’s how we rang in the new year last night. 5 couples, Tony Angello’s Restaurant for dinner, laughs, jokes, reminiscing about when we were young and first became friends, toasting to a new year! At midnight, we were still at the restaurant, so we headed outside with our champagne and watched the fireworks!

Much love, happiness, health, success and blessings to you all in 2011!

Love, Jen