Happy New Year!

Wow, how is it already the 9th of January....I feel like it was Christmas two days ago! The past couple of weeks are almost a blur they have went by so quickly, hence why I have not posted in so long!

Let's see....where to begin!

December 22 | all orders that were ready to go but about 10 were picked up. I even left a little early to go Christmas shopping!

December 23 | James was supposed to fly in but his flight was canceled not due to weather but due to the fact there were too few of people to fly on that flight that morning but the next flights were over booked...there went plans for shopping in Chicago although they got a ton of snow so it would not have worked.
I was also able to attend my first "Now I lay me down to sleep" session. So sad, just two days before Christmas. I am sure it will bless the family in the future though.

December 24 | Worked from home in the morning than went to get James in Chicago.....but before I went to get him, I went to get him more presents which was a good thing that you will find out in a few minutes. I also went and got a much awaited iphone which I am totally addicted to now! James' flight was supposed to come in at 8pm on Christmas Eve.....which is normally the night that my family does Christmas but instead I was in Chicago....which was fine because I could not wait to pick him but but I had to wait and wait and wait some more. His flight came in finally at 11 but because his cell was dead he could not find me till 12 midnight....Merry Christmas!

December 25 | Drove home from Chicago....got in about 3:30am but hey the roads were clear and we were able to make it in a normal time! Slept in a little than spend the day with my family. Eating and watching movies and opening gifts! We also went to see my Grandma in a nursing home here in town....which she just moved in to. It will be nice to have her close by rather than St. Louis or Springfield.

December 26 | ah a day to sleep in and I tell James...you know over the next week I have two sessions and the rest of our time will be spent, shopping, meeting with people about our wedding, relaxing, house shopping. We were so looking forward to do that but than.......my aunt called. She is selling her home near Naples and is moving Bloomington and since she already has one hold of furniture, she offered to let us buy anything we wanted from her home down there....the catch was that we had to go get it! It is a huge blessing in starting our lives together! We decided it was too good to pass up over the weekend and had to go! Oh and we went to see Marley and Me......such a cute movie.....loved it! a MUST SEE! Your kids will like it too!

December 27 | Breakfast with my friend Shelley, her husband James and their 3 beautiful girls. We barely see each other but once a year but every time feels like it was just last week....love friends like that! Next was Christmas with my Dad's siblings and fam.....nice to see most everyone. Very unusual to have a tornado watch around Christmas but it was a nice day with family! More relatives for James to meet!

December 28 | Church in the morning than lunch at Mandrian Garden....love that place! We went to Borders and looked at wedding stuff which was fun.....James and I actually like a lot of the same things! Than that evening we went to a friend of mine's for dinner.....3 couples......all the girls have been friends since we were ....well one since I was 2 and the other since I was 12.....so that was fun to get us all together...looking forward to more of that in the future!

December 29 | Met with wedding planner in the morning than home to pack and pick up my Aunt and off we went to Florida!
We left at 4:00pm and drove straight through and arrived in Estero, Florida by 1:30pm! (btw- driving through Atlanta at 3:30....there is barely any traffic!!)

December 30 | arrive.....shower and go to eat on the beach! Watch a beautiful sunset and than back to the condo for packing!

December 31 | Woke up an hour late....forgot the time change thing! Started packing and by 2pm a 26 foot rental truck and my dad's suburban was packed to the brim! So we all took showers and headed out, a quick bite for Lunch about 3pm and we hit the road! Somehow saying I went to Florida for Christmas Break....and being there 26 hours just doesn't seem right! We stopped at Shoney's for dinner....one of the only places open in lower Georgia! Than checked into a motel just in time to watch the ball drop! Off to bed! Happy New Year!

January 1 | Got up and were out the door by 7:30 am and on the road! Drove, drove and drove some more. Let me just say in Northern Georgia just fefore Tennesse there are some interesting people at Cracker Barrel! Than drove more and made it home about 1am! Exhaust to say the least!

January 2 | I was so tired....just ask James....I probably was not the nicest person that morning! Get up and start unloading the truck at a storage place by 11am.... finish at 2pm and bring the truck back and go home. James and I needed a nap so bad....fell asleep by 3 and woke up at 7pm.....I think we ate and went back to bed....sooooooo tired!

January 3 | We left the house by 10:30 and went to some open houses.....found something that we really liked but might build....we are looking at some condos. Than the fun part.....we went furniture shopping and than to lowes to see what kinds of things we would pick out for our home.....when we get one! We pretty much like all the same things...I am a little more trendy than James but we both like semi traditional....So I am thinking it is a good thing! I think this was the funnest day of the whole trip....we really enjoyed spending time together! Oh and of course we went to Meat Heads.....one of our most favorite places to eat!

January 4 | Drove up to Chicago in the morning and I was able to photograph my newest cousin who lives in Lakeview area! Only 6 days old.....he was so sweet and did really well for pictures....now i just need to process them! James was able to meet my cousin and her husband since they were not there for Christmas! Than I quickly drove James to the Airport and dropped him off! So sad to see him go...the time he was here just flew by! Oh and one thing I forgot to mention......James got in on Christmas with no luggage!!! He got one bag on the 27th with a few essentials in it but not everything. Good thing I bought him some clothes for Christmas! Oh and the fashionable shoes that was good since James wore only boots....those would not have worked in Florida! The other bag.....yeah he still doesn't have that, still "missing"! Oh and when he finally got home....he found out that he had put the keys to his truck, his house and his work in that suit case! Poor guy... I keep trying to tell him that one day life will slow down with me but the poor guy between the day his proposed and than this trip ....I think he thinks that life it quite hectic with me!
Oh and after I dropped him off I stopped in Downers Grove to photograph one of my clients who just had a new baby!

January 5 | Home....working than ran a few things to clients. Than dinner with Linda, Joan, Colleen, Cally and Kacy in uptown Normal!

January 6 | Photographed a session that was rescehduled due to my crazy trip. Than paid bills and had a team meeting about all the upcoming things for the year....including Diva Nite which will be announced soon! Worked until 10pm at the studio and than......packed and did laundry till 2am!

January 7 | On a plane at 5:37 am ready to take off for Phoenix and the Imaging USA convention!
Arrived about 2pm and met up with friends. 

January 8 | Somewhat got caught up on emails .....sorry if you are still waiting....trying to get there! Did some editing and was really happy to go for hot stone massage.....I usually only do that about once a year...and it is usually at this convention because that is when I have time! It was blissful! Loved it the best one yet! I think it was .....or maybe it was because of the lack of sleep I have had lately!
Dinner tonight friend Tracy who works for Successware which is the software that keeps the studio running. We had a great time in Scottsdale at the Square Center mall......I need to go back there....but probably should not. Great Dinner at the Grand Lux.....so yummy!

January 9-13th.....classes everyday all day long plus candyland starting Sunday....I mean the Tradeshow starts Sunday.....love that thing. Over 500 vendors for Photogrpahers it really is like candyland for me!
I cannot wait to meet up with more friends and make new.....plus get some amazing ideas for shooting this year!
I will try to blog more and get some new pictures up soon! Although I am not at the studio the girls are there 9-6 Tuesday-Friday. I will not be in the studio until Friday the 17th but will try to get back to emails as soon as I can.....but it may take longer than normal! I begin shooting again on the 24th of this month unless you have a new baby......I will try to fit you in asap whe I get back otherwise the following week will be used to freshing up the studio and tell the girls on staff all the new ideas I have!

All in all it was a great Christmas and New Years and such a blessing but I think James is beginning to wonder about what he is getting into marrying me!

Looking forward to another great year.....can not wait to get back into shooting! It will be great!

Have a great week and don't kill me when you have a high of 9 there and it is 72 and perfect here!

~Chanel

Comments

[Debbie Riggs]

Hmmmm.....wish I were there too! Hope you are soaking up all that sun in Phoenix because I hear you are getting pounded in the Illinois area!