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"}

take two...

so this was supposed to be our Christmas pic...


and it's alright - i guess. Except, I realized afterward that Chris is wearing his crusty jacket that I don't prefer, I am wearing a tattered sweater myself & the color combo didn't match the card I want to add it to. Oh and I kind of look Preggers...which I am not.

SO!

I convinced Chris to do a "take two" today - where I pick out our outfits and we go to my favorite place out here. Mostly, it was just a great excuse for me to get Chris to agree to take more pictures. And as a bonus - we ended up with some better options.

I wanted to get really creative but, it is a little hard to do with a tripod instead of a person.

Here are a few that I didn't choose. (the one that I did choose is coming soon).

{vogue}

I realize what this might say about me and I think I am okay with it.

I went to the midnight showing of New Moon last night. My camera phone caught all the action.





About 40 or so gals from my church got together for the event.

The theater was packed.

I hadn't been out with just girlfriends in...well, not since that one time.

And, I hadn't stayed up that late since I was in college.

The best part about seeing a popular movie opening night is the reactions from the crowd.

The clapping and screams from the hormonal teens was cracking me up.

And the shouting - the constant shouting:

"he is so beautiful"

"I want to kiss his gorgeous face"

And to top it all off, I really liked the movie. A lot. The first one was a turn-off in my mind. But, they certainly redeemed themselves. And stayed really true to the book too, which was a plus.

{2 thumbs up}

eat this

My sister says I don't eat very healthy...and this post is not going to convince her otherwise. I promise we do eat our greens - it is just way more fun to talk about the buttery stuff. (my apologies to those of you on a diet)

Which brings me to this indulgent post. I guess the rainy evening and finals week brought out our need for some comfort food.

Homemade Hot Cocoa





2 cups Milk (whatever percent you wish)
5 teas. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup Sugar
1 teas. vanilla

mix well and warm. (my awesome cocoa-motion does both for me at the same time...it is genius)
serves 2

*for those of you confused - Yes, due to my milk allergy, I have to take medicine for this one. Needless to say, it isn't made very often, but well worth the extra effort :)



Parmesan Flat Bread



We love flat bread at our house. It is the perfect addition to every meal. Sometimes when we're feeling crazy we add toppings. (however, this formula goes great on any kind of bread!)

Preheat Oven to 400 degrees
butter tops of bread
sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top
bake in oven about 3 - 5 minutes or until golden brown.





{eat your heart out}