Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Miss me yet? Come and find me at my new home!!

Wonder why I haven't posted in a while?? I'm at a new home!

Don't forget to add my NEW BLOG to your RSS Readers, Blog Rolls, Bookmarks, Favorites, Christmas Card List, etc...


Come check out what's happening at All Things Annemarie!!!

See you there! :)

Friday, December 12, 2008

ANNOUNCEMENT :: All Things Annemarie ::

Some of you might have noticed a little something new on the recent slideshows...I just couldn't help getting started with my new designs before they were complete. A few of you might have already taken a sneak peek...

.....BUT......

......it's HERE!!



My NEW site, designed completely with ShowIt Sites, and my NEW blog!!!

I've been trying to figure out something new, different, fun...something that would be "me", and that I would love, to redo my site and blog with for a while now. I decided on the yellow with the white polka dots quite a bit ago, but it took me some time to get it to where it is now. It's nothing too fancy, but I like it. It makes me happy, and I hope you like it too.

So....without further ado....

I formally invite ALL of you, to head on over to my new site and blog!!! Let me know what you think!!!

All Things Annemarie WEBSITE
All Things Annemarie BLOG


I'll be in the process of updating links and such so that everything still works with my old blog going forward, so if something isn't working, bear with me for a bit....it'll work eventually!

Also, don't forget to update your Google Readers, and RSS feeds with the new links!! I love all my blog readers, and want to be sure you know where to find me from now on!!!

I also have to post a super huge special THANK YOU to my wonderful, fantastic, ridiculously good looking (hee hee), boyfriend, Brett. Without his help, this probably would have still been a dream, and never have made it to fruition!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

The Parker Family Story

When Kris first emailed me, I knew that I'd met her before through the Castros, but I couldn't quite put the face with the name. I pulled up to their house yesterday and when Kris answered the door, I said, "OH! I know you!!!", and was so excited.

She and Mark, along with their 2 and half year old adorable twins, Sutton and Emerson, were such a joy!!! And talk about some awesome outfits...the Parkers are a snazzy bunch! :) We braved the unexpected, chilly, Austin weather and explored the wonderful green belt right behind their home. It was perfect, and had a lot of places for all of us to see. The kids were such troopers and we had a great time together!

Kris, it was so great to visit with you and Mark again. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, and that you enjoy your story!!! I had so much fun telling it!












For more of this yummy family, watch the slideshow.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

The Wildenhaus [Mini] Family Story

For anyone that reads this blog, you recognize my hysterical, thoughtful, funny, sweet, beautiful, friend, Kara. She, Terry and the girls, Ava and Gracie, stopped by for a super quick family story session on Sunday afternoon. One mission - get something that could be used for their Christmas card.

Well....I accepted the mission, and we completed it! Kara did something so cute and creative for their card.....BUT.....I won't post now, as she already put them in the mail, and anyone lucky enough to be her friend, will be getting it soon...so I won't spoil the awesomeness of the JOY-filled surprise. Hee hee! :)

I did get a few other snapshots that I loved, and so I had to share. I love all of you crazy Wildenhaus gang!!





We all age like the finest of wines....

Kara's 25th (insert cough here) birthday was Sunday, so we gathered, in true lady form, and did a little celebrating last night in her honor. Din din at ZTejas with the ladies for some yummy food, fruity beverages, and as always whenever Kara is involved, lots of laughs!



I can't believe that I am beating her to the punch with posting the pics. She got some super eerie ones with the Christmas tree that was in there.....one of them Toni's head dissappeared! Creepy!!

Of course I had to get my fav, the group self portrait.



Hope your year is wonderful, Karaloo! Love you!!!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The Phelan Family Story

What a fun Sunday afternoon I spent with the Phelan Family, Liz, Jon and Gracie, as well as cousins Katie, Dean, Ian and Lauren. The best part was trying to get all the kids to look somewhere in my direction all at the same time.....well, the beauty of it was that since I was the one with the camera, that part was left up to the rest of the adults to do the trick.

I truly wish I'd had a second camera with me to capture what was going on behind me. Imagine, if you will, 4 grown adults, ALL hooping and hollering at one time, to get these kiddos' attention. It worked, and the kids were having a great time!

All the cousins....as well as Baby Girl #2 on the way for Liz and Jon, due in March....all did a fantastic job!

Liz, thank you for the opportunity to spend time with, and capture, your family's story. I hope you love it!












To see more of this precious family, watch the slideshow.

blogger.allthingsannemarie.com

Monday, December 8, 2008

Yes...I still have a life!! :)

So, it seems that all I've posted lately is the story sessions that I've been enjoying so much....but, in the meantime, I've been doing a few other things too! I thought that I'd update over the last week or so in one nice long post. :)

Ok....try to keep up! :)

Back on the 24th of November....Brett came into Austin, but you already knew that, because you saw his handsome mug on the pics from our Top Notch outing. At this point, I already forgot if we did anything on Tuesday night...which is why I started this blog in the first place, so I could keep up with myself and remember in a few years what I did!

Anyways, we drove to Houston for the holiday on Wednesday late afternoon, and had dinner at Mi Luna in Rice Village with my parents. I always love that place, and load up on LOTS of garlic!! This time was no different. It was everyone else's first time, and I don't think that it disappointed. Brett and I stopped by to introduce Brett to Erika, and Taylor too, after dinner for a bit.


On Thanksgiving morning, Erika and her family came over to join the festivities. I got to do something that I'd wanted to for a while, and have a little photoshoot with my other sister, Erika. It was the perfect day for the shoot, as we scoped out and decided on grabbing a few shots at the shopping area across from my parents house. The parking garage would not have been empty on any other day of the year...but we lucked out, and got some fun shots!



We chowed down on all the yummy grub that my Mom, with the help of the kids, prepared for us. Note: smushed up cranberry sauce is NOT the same as when it comes straight out of the can in the jelly form. For everyone out there that might be tempted to do some smushing....don't, it's perfect as it is. :) The adults tired out the kids, or it might have been vice versa, after lunch with some fun in the cul-de-sac.

That night, Brett, my Mom and I played a myriad of games.....Scrabble, Yatzhee, some other word game, 24 and Progressive Gin. Almost all of them my Mom dominated, but Brett did prevail in the game 24. Phew....you do not want him to lose when playing games. [Hee hee....]

All day on Friday we spent at the Renaissance Festival with my parents, and Erika, Terry and the kids. We made our way through the King's Maze.



Were kindly executed.....I promise it didn't hurt!!!



Brett and Erika showed off their archery skills....



Brett and I got all hopped up on sugar....



Terry won a kiss from Erika.....the girls did the bungee thing....Erika and Aedin knocked each other around a bit....and everyone got ice cream in the end.



Taylor and Rob came to meet us for pizza at Fuzzy's that night, and a game of Cranium at the house afterwards. Brett and I redeemed ourselves from our miserable performance in Austin last month and ended up winning! :) Woohoo!

Saturday morning we went to visit Corey and her family for some pictures, and lunch. I always love to spend time with the Mermis family....Jake and Delaney are growing up so fast!! Um, please stop that! In the afternoon, we met up with the Peschel family for their story session. I was SO incredibly thankful, once again, to have Brett with me...he's GREAT with the kids, and it is really awesome to have him there with me for the shoots. Thank you again honey! :)

We enjoyed Sunday morning at Lake Hills, and then met up with Danielle and her family. Brett was awesome for this shoot too! Kids LOVE him!! :)

On Monday afternoon, I had a blast with Tara and Paul for their shoot, and then, bright and early on Tuesday morning, Laura and I had to travel to Annapolis for a 2 day work meeting. We both, stupidly, stayed up WAY too late on Monday night, but couldn't sleep on the plane as we had a little bit of work to do before we got there. We went out with all the Practice Managers for a revolving dinner that night....some oysters, clam chowder, and all the best that the town has to offer.



We spent Thursday night with Renae and Jebby...Friday night we dined with Toni at Chuy's.....and Saturday night we had yummy sushi!





I had another family story session yesterday after church, and then came back to spend the remainder of my day with Brett before he headed back home. I dropped him off at the airport this morning at 6am for him to head back home to Santa Barbara. The time here in Austin with Brett here was amazing....it felt like he wasn't ever not here, but then also not here long enough.

I have 10 days until I leave for the holiday break to go visit him, his family and friends in CA and NV....and I can't wait! So much to do in the time before I go.....more family sessions, a few girl Christmas nights, and at some point, I need to get in some Christmas shopping!!

A Love Story :: Tara and Paul

When I heard that Paul had popped the big question.......I think the first words out of my mouth after "Congrats! I'm so happy for the two of you!!" were "So, when are we taking pictures?". Everytime I've seen Tara since then, I've told her how excited I was to get her in front of my camera. I mean, I knew she was hot....but WOW, she totally surprised me.....Tara 100% rocked this photo shoot! Paul did great too....can't forget to give the men props or they wouldn't ever agree to taking any pictures ever again! Their baby, Izzy, did wonderful as well!

These two, I mean, three, were so much fun! We started out at Gueros on South Congress, and then just proceeded to walk about 3 blocks down the back alley right behind the restaurant. We stumbled across some pretty awesome spots....and not only does their story rock...it's got a little bit of sass. The only thing that they love more than Izzy, is each other....and that was obvious.

I am thrilled for you, Tara and Paul, and thank you again for making this shoot such a blast! Hope you enjoy your love story!













For more rocking images of these two, check the slideshow!

The Mermis Family Story

I've been friends with the Mermis family before they were the sweet family that they are today. I remember sitting in Physics class in high school listening to Joshua go on about how awesome the Dave Letterman show was. Corey and I spent many a nights out, in, and about Austin when we met after college while working our first jobs. I was fortunate to introduce the two of them more than a few years back now, and as they say, "the rest is history". It's been my pleasure being friends with these two along the years, being part of their nuptials, seeing Corey become a wonderful Mom to Jake and Delaney, and so much more...it's all so special!

I love you all, and I had the best time, as usual, spending time with you in Houston after Thanksgiving. Your family is an amazing one, and I hope that I did telling your story justice! :)










To see more of the Mermis Family story, watch the slideshow.