What a treat it was to shoot Tracy and Tyler’s wedding! Not only are Tracy and Tyler just a wonderful couple to spend time with, they picked a great location, invited lovely people, and enjoyed a beautiful dreamy California day.

On October 20, we had a lot going on at home- packing, packing, and more packing- and we were thrilled to ditch it all and head south for the day to celebrate the nuptials of Tracy and Tyler. Assigned to the bay area for work, most of their family and friends live in other parts of the country. Guests hailed from all over the United States, including the Research Triangle area of North Carolina and Boston, Massachusetts. They came ready to celebrate.

Tracy and Tyler were warm and welcoming hosts, inviting their guests to a very special home away from home- the Dolce Hayes Mansion. This historic site has stunning architecture and gardens. Tracy chose to have her ceremony outdoors amongst the palm trees. Their ceremony included some very special touches, such as creating a sand mixture representing the blending of their lives. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour while we whisked away the bride and groom for some special photos and a little quiet time.

Tracy utilized her creative energy in spades at the reception. She brought photos from family weddings and placed them on an wedding tiara with lace veil heirloom. She created a “framed” slideshow and had a special photo matte to be signed by guests. Every piece of the evening seemed to have that special personal touch.

Huge kudos to the vendors we worked with- the service and food at the Mansion were awesome, the flowers were gorgeous, and the DJ kept the music coming.

We are so thankful that we could be a part of Tracy and Tyler’s day.

See more photos here!

On November 7, we arrived in Rockville, MD where my parents still live. Here’s a quick look at the journey entire via Google Maps.

Our last stop on the way to the DC area was Durham. It was thrilling to go back to Duke and show Dave where history was made. :) There have been lots of changes but fortunately the best parts are still the same- the stunning architecture, the gardens and Krzyzewskiville.

And thank you to our dear friends, Terri and Ryan, and their cats, Loki and Elsa, for hosting us during our stay.

What a perfect time of year to drive through the Great Smoky Mountains! It has been several years since I visited this scenic area of North Carolina, perhaps since my freshman year in college when I did a backpacking trip in Pisgah National Forest. And so I was in awe once again. The mountains did, indeed, have a smoky look to them. And we were able to catch the tail end of the beautiful fall foliage. We also caught the tail end of daylight.

We are especially thank you to the friends and family who offered to host us along our trip. We were fortunate enough to get to stay with friends and family from Missouri to Tennessee. Thank you to Auntie Debbie and her clan for hosting us in Springfield, MO. We also enjoyed the culinary delights of Springfield with this crew.

Thank you to Sarah, Jeff, Jessica, Rebecca, Eli and Jackson for welcoming us in Memphis, TN. And also thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Lazarus for inviting us to join them for a home-cooked Shabbat dinner. What an absolute treat! Here’s a pic of the adorable youngsters:

And a HUGE thank you to our friends, fellow photographers Mel and Sean McLellan of McLellan Studios, for hosting us in Nashville. Mel and Sean were so welcoming. They not only enthusiastically invited us into their home, but took the day off to give us a full tour of the Nashville hotspots, including the Parthenon and the Opryland Hotel. And what visit wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Bass Pro Shops?!

When Timothy McVeigh attacked the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and the people of Oklahoma City, I was a junior at Duke. I was rapped up in my own thoughts and ideas and preparing to be a teacher. I don’t remember my reaction to the news. At the time, it seemed very far away.

Visiting the memorial and park was a deeply moving experience and brought this tragic event into focus. The memorial reminds me how lucky I am. I am so thankful to my friends and family for supporting me. I am thankful I can live a life that allows me to create. I am thankful for the opportunity to explore the world. I am thankful for Dave and for Max.
All of these images are Dave’s. All other posts consist of images we both took.

72 oz of steak!!! Free! at the Big Texan… provided you eat the whole thing plus some fixin’s within an hour on a stage in front of everyone at the restaurant. No, neither of us attempted it. Our waiter told us that on average one person a day gives it a go. And about 1 in 15 actually succeed. Just thinking of it gives me a bit of a stomach ache.

However, we did enjoy an 8 oz Top Sirloin Medium Rare with cole slaw and mashed potatoes. This steak was simply perfect. I am not sure I have ever had a steak so delicious. Plus the atmosphere was fabulous. As it was Halloween Eve, we weren’t sure how much was costume and how much was uniform, but it all went together perfectly- the servers in western gear, the 3-piece string band playing country tunes, the heads of animals on the walls, and the western facade as you enter the restaurant. From arrival to departure, the ideal Texas experience. If ever you are in Amarillo, TX, stop by the Big Texan (exit 74 off the 40).

We had to go back with cameras because the place is simply too great not to capture. Here are a few from the morning after….

The stage where you eat the 72 oz steak…

The lady who prepares the steak and the sample steak…

In the lobby, there was a candy shop and someone there suggested that this cookie jar witch looked like Hillary Clinton.  Well, we weren’t in California that was for sure.