too much fun…

Tonight was entirely too much fun, and it had everything to do with the amazing group of people below.

I think that we met Steve and Shannon first through some mutual friends at church, and there was some dialogue about the fact that Steve is a fabulous, rock-your-world graphic designer. Those are my words, not his. It’s all kind of fuzzy to me, but next thing we knew, about a year or more later, Rich was doing sessions for the Hamaker Family (now plus one with baby Foy!) and we had a perfect and exciting new brand for Rich Smith Photography. We actually looked forward to our logo designing meetings with Steve because we stinking liked him so much. He and Shannon are just incredible people and we truly love every second with them. And just for posterity, this is the first session Rich did for them (what feels like a VERY long time ago), here is the second, and here is the third and most recent. Wow…time FLIES and babies somehow become two year olds!

Then we had the pleasure of getting to know Jimmy and Brittany Moncrief. Again, it was photography related as Rich photographed some family sessions for them. Then it got really exciting because Brittany decided she was inspired by Rich and wanted to be a photographer herself. Now she and Jimmy are neck deep in their own business and Rich and I are super proud of them! Also very amazing people. Extremely energetic and likeable. And again, just for fun, here is the first session Rich did for them, here’s the second session, and the third and most recent session. Baby Ada is growing up so quickly!

Most recently, we have had the pleasure to get to know Meghan and Eric Campbell. We’d been chatting via Facebook and email for months and decided it was absolutely time to meet and get to know each other. It was getting a bit ridiculous to be in the same industry in the same city with the same friends…and yet, to never have met. Looking back it’s strange how long we lasted without becoming friends! It is SO time!

Fun backstories.

Now, for tonight.

Rich and I wanted to have these couples over for dinner (plus Tobi and Corey Weldon, who could not come…soooo sad). They’re all friends with each other and we like all of them SO much that we wanted the whole group to come over. So, with Meghan’s homemade fire roasted salsa, Jimmy’s homemade guacamole, Shannon’s amazing chicken enchiladas, my status quo fajitas, and Rich’s homemade cheesecake, we spent several hours chatting, laughing hysterically, comforting crying toddlers, talking photography, technology, and parenthood.

Basically, we had WAY to much to do to fit into one gathering, so my conclusion is that this needs to be much more frequent.

I consider myself the “self-portrait nazi” (must…document…life…) and so as everyone was headed toward the door, I grabbed the camera, threw it at Rich, and the following FUN images resulted. They make me soooo happy.

Notice everyone’s normal, natural smiles in this photo. Now look at Brittany. I like this girl.

And here, she manages to look cute, beautiful, and totally mischievous at the same time. And Shannon decides to break the mold and get a little funky, too.

Yes, we really did have THAT much fun.

Jimmy and Brittany, Eric and Meghan, and Steve and Shannon…thank you guys for doing life with us. We love you all and are truly, truly thankful that you are in our lives.

Corey and Tobi, you better come next time, or else.

And Jimmy, your fake laugh looks a bit like a yawn. But we love you anyway.