Last night we threw a little surprise for Kim, celebrating her and Matt's recent engagement! She was so surprised! We enjoyed wonderful desserts, almond champagne, wedding magazines and bridal pictionary- so fun! They are still deciding on a date, but their wedding will most likely be sometime in October.  :)

 

Sharon and Kim enjoying MY delicious chocolate-covered strawberries!

Brie, Casey, Jill and Sarah.

Sharon made this way-cool sign! It spells "Tourtellott"- Kim's soon-to-be new last name.

Sarah's cupcakes!

Casey's cupcakes! These girls are too good!

Jordan and Kim (sisters-in-law or sister-in-laws?).

Kim and Jen.

Sharon and I.

All the girls!

Kim, Sharon and I.

Sharon's working her way there...

Kim and Sharon.

Kim and I.

Kim and Heather.

The annual San Diego Mud Run was yesterday! Great job Sean Howarter and Lisa Mills of Skyline Church for making this happen year after year with such success. My husband Deven is the course builder- this time he made 30 mud pits along the 5K course! It was so awesome. I'm so proud of him.  :)

 

Joe and Heather.

Sharon and Casey.

Sharon and I.

Heather and I.

Deven and I.

My awesome husband and course creator!

Thanks for taking our group pics, Mandy!

On Wednesday I had the opportunity to photograph Skyline's three senior pastors- that's three senior pastors over the course of Skyline's 55-year history. Wow!

In the following pictures... founding pastor Orval Butcher (pastor from 1954 to 1981), Skyline’s second pastor, John Maxwell (pastor from 1981 to 1995) and Skyline's current pastor, Jim Garlow (1995-present).

When I woke up this morning, this was the view from the backyard. Isn't the fog cool?

Deven and I just bought a house last week! It's a 3bed/2bath house in a 1/2 acre in Lakeside. However... it's a fixer upper! The house is not livable in it's current condition- needs a lot of work first! So we will spending the next 6 months or so rehabbing the place- and we're looking for volunteers! :) Kidding... I'll be posting a couple photos each week of our progress on the house! Here's the first (daunting) photo:

Pretty AWFUL, huh?!

 

Wish us luck! Please!!!  :)

I photographed my dear friend Krystel on Saturday- we started with a boudoir shoot (email me if you're interested in seeing samples @ erica@acresofhopephotography.com) at a friend's house in East County (thanks, Britney!) and then we did a bridal shoot at Coronado Beach. Krystel is so beautiful and so fun to photograph! She's a professional model, and always works the camera with grace and lots of smiles!

She was daring enough to go in the water!

I photographed Deven's cousin Jami, her husband Andy and their little boy Andrew a couple weeks ago at La Jolla. Little Drew is so adorable! We had a great time taking their pictures.

I couldn't resist capturing my smokin' hot hubby doing yardwork today!

 

I photographed Carrie and Richard last week at Presidio Park near Old Town and at Balboa Park. Carrie and Richard will be getting married this October at the Karl Strauss Brewery Gardens in Sorrento Mesa.

 

We camped at Ocotillo Wells this weekend with friends Christina and Jon, Sharon and Casey, Chris and Ken. It was beautifully sunny during the day and SO windy at night! I snapped these pics on Saturday night, just before sunset. I wish I took more pictures when we go camping- but I hate to get my camera dirty! I'm also pretty good at crashing, or else I would pack them with me when we ride to all these beautiful places!

Deven riding his new KTM.

Yes, that's a full size bike. Jon just makes it look miniature at 6'8".

My hubby again.

Bear; he's getting bigger, huh?

Bear found the love of his life this weekend- Christina and Jon's rottweiler Aila. He would not leave her side the whole trip!

Sharon learned how to ride, with Christina teaching her from the back seat!

Sunset.

'I love camping.'

I photographed Terri and Erik's engagement pictures on Saturday at Balboa Park, where they were engaged; we also did some pictures down near the Midway and finished up at the carousel at Seaport Village. Terri and Erik are so hilarious! We were all laughing the whole time. I can't wait to photograph their wedding in September at the Bernardo Winery!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is the album I designed for Michelle and Ryan- they were married on September 28th, 2008 at La Valencia in La Jolla.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey everybody!

My brother Brandon (photo above- the next gold medalist swimmer!) is selling the famous Dudley's bread (from Julian) as a fundraiser for his club swim team, CAST- College Area Swim Team. We would both love it if you bought one (or five or ten)! Each delicious loaf is just $4. Here are the flavors:

Raisin Nut Bread

Danish Apple Nut

Jalapeno

Cheddar Cheese

Onion Rye

Garlic Sourdough

Mission

German Black

Hawaiian Sweet

Potato

Sourdough French

Round Sheepherder

Sweet French

Jalapeno Cheese

Rosemary Olive Oil

Western Wheat

Fruit Bars

 

As if you need more incentive... I'll give you a free 8x10 if you purchase at least 2 loafs. The last day to order is Next Thursday the 12th so you must hurry! Email me at erica@acresofhopephotography.com to place your order!

Check out Deven and mine's wedding album that I designed!