It’s been 4 months and 10 days since my last blog post.

During that time, I did the following:  Sold our farm in SoCal, purchased a home in Oregon, sold 3 cars and most of our SoCal belongings, packed up all the rest, purchased a trailer, kept up with a toddler, kept up with our farm, managed to survive yet another challenging “Betsy Pregnancy”, had another baby…oh yes, and moved w/ said baby and said toddler and 2 dogs and 1 maniacal cat in tow. All while my sweet prince of a husband was up in Oregon suffering through yet another fire academy. BAM.

I feel like one of those marathon runners they show at the end of a long race. The ones who’s legs no longer have the ability to listen and they go all wobbly-hobbly across the finish line and collapse face-down in an exaggeratedly ungraceful way onto the pavement. Yup. That’s me.

But at the end of my race, I have THIS for a prize. Eat your heart out Ironman!

That was our sweet new angel Jax Hudson…at 6 days old. Here is the hulk today at 2 months:

And now that our little family is complete, and we’ve finished our journey back “home” to peaceful Oregon, I promise to try and stay up on my blog posts. However simple they may be. Because nowadays, EVERYTHING is getting simplified around here. And we like it that way… xo

Our “backyard” lake…

The whole family’s very first hike around the lake. Pure happiness.

Well…”when” just became “now”.

We’re moving.

I look at my life over the past 5 years, and I’m in awe of the incredible number of things that have happened…and how much the Lord has stretched, grown & chiseled away at me.

I am captivated by our growing little family, in love with what I am blessed be able to do each day…and I’ve never been so happy and so challenged all at the same time.

…marriage, babies, our little farm…places seen, moments witnessed, friendships enjoyed…things learned, edges softened, eyes more aware…I am eternally humbled by it all. And I’m forever excited for more.

© Nicole Benitez Photography

 As we slowly begin to sell off and pack up our sweet little country farm here in Southern California, we know we’ll miss it. It’s been such an incredible place to start raising our little family and enjoying all the fun a big city has to offer.

But as we start plans for our new home 800 miles north in Southern Oregon, we’re excited for the new adventure. Excited for nearby lakes you can still drink from, trails out your back door, only ONE major highway and many, many less daily hours spent on it.

My business will continue photographing both love & life in Southern CA, Southern OR, and anywhere else it calls, but as Baby #2 joins our little family, my spare time will now be spent more with friends, family & passions. Simplifying…enjoying each & every moment…and breathing in the freshness of this incredible life I’ve been given.

I’m eternally grateful for all the continued support from family, friends and clients and I pray your 2013 will also lead you back to the simplicity of enjoying.every.moment!

The details of their day, just like the details of their life, were breathtaking…

Laura’s gorgeous headpiece was from Lo Boheme. Lauren Christensen creates the most extraordinary, unique pieces…I adore each one. This one was a perfect match to Laura’s simple, elegant style.

All the wedding florals were hand picked by Laura, and hand created by her sweet friend & amateur (not for long!) florist, Ashley Winn. She did an INCREDIBLE job! Love all the feathers & fall foliage!

Love. This.

Love. Her.

Love. Them.

Love this shot above…isn’t she GORGEOUS?! TJ…are you serious? Look at your incredibly beautiful bride!!! KNOCK OUT!

This debonair crew is made up of some of the finest men I know. The fact that my hubs happens to be one of them makes me one VERY lucky  & blessed girl.

The quaint North Chapel in Point Loma was a perfect fit for these guys.

Love. Their. One-of-a-Kind. Amazing. Blessed. Love.

Liberty Station is such a beautiful area to shoot in… such perfectly manicured grounds that go on forever! Reminds me of Europe…

TJ & Laura’s reception was held at the ever-adorable Firehouse Museum in Little Italy. Mark & I held our reception there years ago as well and LOVED being back to celebrate in a vintage firehouse, in honor of our sweet firemen (Yes, TJ is fire as well)!

DJ Dennis Jones did an incredible job of keeping the reception party ROCKIN’ all.night.long. As I always say, nothing makes or breaks a good reception like the DJ…and even with my 5 month bump, I couldn’t stay off the dance floor once my gear was stowed!

Great end to a great day celebrating a great couple.  xo

Stephanie is a perfect example. She was referred by a friend, whom I shot a while back, who was referred by one of our dear family friends. I felt like I already knew her before she arrived and I knew we’d get along great…which we did! Her gorgeous belly, sweet spirit and beauty made my night so much fun. Can’t wait to see the adorable little bundle that comes from that beautiful belly! xo

LOVE shooting at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla…always such amazing installations!

This and the next set are my FAVS…Leigh & Dan are adorable & the colors make me HAPPY!

“Bringing the Love to Leigh 3/31/12″ … RIGHT?! Dan rocks. That’s all.

Dan handmade all of these adorable take-home, seat-assignment succulent boxes! INCREDIBLE!

The slight haze from the Pacific Ocean (like a block away!)…the overhanging boat installation…sunny weather…palm trees…HEAVENLY.

The ever amazing & adorable Tori, from Sitting in a Tree Events, had every detail nailed…as usual! 

]]> http://betsyblueblog.com/2012/11/10/la-jolla-wedding-photography-leigh-dan/feed/ 0 http://betsyblueblog.com/2012/11/10/la-jolla-wedding-photography-leigh-dan/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BetsyBlueBlog/BetsyTomasello/~3/fne4q7KREMk/ http://betsyblueblog.com/2012/11/10/holiday-goodness/#comments Sat, 10 Nov 2012 22:52:53 +0000 Betsy http://betsyblueblog.com/?p=3550 I’ve had a full-on production line going to get all the holiday orders out the door recently. Just LOVE seeing all the fun family session images being put to use on Christmas cards, custom address stickers, albums & canvas. Makes this girl one haaaaaappy photographer! Add the smell of homemade apple cider simmering on the stove, fresh fall produce stacked up on the counter & my tall Ugg boots constantly by the front door and I’d say the holiday cheer has picked up a nice trot in our home. Hope your home is feeling the same! xo

This ADORABLE family waltzed into our lives a while back and made us want to move in next door to them. Not like stalker neighbors…just like “you’re so much fun & so adorable we can’t help but want to be near to you” neighbors. I had the pleasure of capturing some maternity images for them a while back (…check out Alicia’s CUTER than cute bump pics here!) and now got to see/snuggle/drool over/capture the joy of baby Vincent in all his glory. He is so ridiculously cute I almost didn’t give him back…

I truly admire the love these two share for each other…so inspiring how sweet they are!

I. COULD. JUST. EAT. THOSE. ROLLY-SMOOSHY-THIGHS.

We spent a just a few minutes up at our little farm in Fallbrook, before the shoot, capturing some delicious baby details…LOVE HIS BITS!

My impromptu tent set up in our backyard…Little Vincent was in heaven staring up at the twinkly pepper tree branches. Natures perfect mobile!

I couldn’t help but keep this shot in…V’s reaction to some good smooshy-face-lovin’ was so classic baby! GAH! Don’t you love them?!

Dev & Alicia:  Thank you, once again, for putting your trust in me and allowing me the pleasure of capturing this special time in your lives. Vincent is pure yummy angel and we can’t wait to see more of him and watch the three of you grow on this journey together. We adore you three! Enjoy EVERY moment! xo