THE SAND TRAP

Way Behind on the Family Blog :(

2006-05-31T22:25:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I am way behind on this blog! We have been so busy preparing the house for sale and weddings galore and have neglected the family blog! Slowly but surely, I will get this somewhat up to date! We have been spending time with friends, working like crazy, and going places and of course taking pictures and theres PLENTY to upload. Hopefully I can find them all in the hard drive :) After creating Graycen's first year slideshow, I found MORE pictures for it and I will just have to add it here. I am also finding some interesting pictures, so stay tuned:)

The NEW Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital

2006-05-31T21:57:00.000-04:00

I miss working for the Neonatal ICU after seeing the new hospital where I used to work in. The old hospital is to the left and the new one is to the right of the picture.
The whole children's hospital was in the old building and now serves as the APH for Children and the new one is Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies and thats where I would be working. I adored the babies I worked with and enjoyed the families. The nice thing about being a nurse is that I have the option to pick up a shift or two to be able to do that. After all I do need to keep up the skills, right?
Its also nice to NOT have to work especially over the holidays and be at home with my own baby and take care of her.
This is the beauty of being self employed and that we have control of most things. Photography is nice that keeps us connected with all kinds of things. Hopefully, when we are finally settled with finding a house and staying in it for awhile, I can stay connected by taking pictures of all kinds of things I miss...I have many projects I am working on so stay tuned :)

Trip to Bahamas for Wedding and some relaxation

2006-05-22T01:06:00.000-04:00

Memorable Mother's Day

2006-05-16T22:13:00.000-04:00

I was treated like a special queen :) Garrett treats me really well all the time, but on Mother's Day he went above and beyond. He went to Cracker Barrel to get breakfast and served me breakfast in bed...he knows that I absolutely love their biscuits!!

And Graycen gave me a card that cracked me up so much! Here is what it says:

"It wasn't easy raising me.
But, Mom, you did it well...
It must've made it easier,
That I was cute as hell."
Happy Mother's Day

And she even "wrote" on it for me.
I got awesome presents from the two of them, had quality family time and we watched the movie, "Pride and Prejudice" at home. (That takes sacrifing for guys to do that. Its one of my favorite books and well...not particularly a guy movie! :) )

Garrett is my Mr. Darcy :)
I love my precious family!

Happy 1st Birthday Graycen

2006-05-14T23:45:00.000-04:00

On May 8, 2005, Mother's Day, Graycen Elisabeth was born. Its hard to believe that a year has passed. I can't even describe fully what an impact she has made. She has filled our home with more happiness than we could have ever imagined. So much has happened since she was born. She is so animated now. She is walking. She squeals and giggles in her car seat. LOVES Sulley alot. Her favorite food is strawberry and sweet potatoes.She tries to talk and say, "Whose that?", Sings along with tapes. LOVES people and smiles constantly. I can go on and on. We ADORE her and think she is so precious. She is truly an amazing child and we are so blessed.

Thank you to everyone for taking a special interest in her this year. She will be truly blessed for knowing each one of you!

So here is a slideshow of Graycen's First Year. Enjoy!

http://www.garrettnudd.com/Slideshow/graycenfirstyear

If you want to leave her a message, you can go to:

http://www.garrettnudd.com/family

Happy Birthday Sydney!

2006-05-07T00:35:00.000-04:00

We went to Sydney's birthday get together at her home on Friday. Sydney was born on May 5, 2005 just three days before Graycen. Greg and Cherise have become one of our close couple friends since we've been here in FL, but even more so since our babies have been born, we have had so many parallels with our lives. We all went to SAU, I met Cherise during 4th summer session, Cherise and Garrett worked together at the college, When we told them the news about me expecting, little did we know, Cherise was expecting too :) Cherise's water broke three days before, mine three days later. We were on our way to the hospital and they were on their way home with their precious Sydney, Cherise and I are nurses, Garrett and Greg went self-employed around the same time...I could go on and on...WE LOVE YOU GUYS and Sydney, we think you are so precious and adore you so much :)

She's 11 Months!!!

2006-04-22T02:31:00.000-04:00

Here are several pictures taken when we were in TN beginning of April.

Graycen took her first steps on April 18 right in front of Garrett and me. It was a special, special moment :) By the time we thought of taking the picture, she went back to crawling. Today, I took a video of her taking a couple of steps. How fun to watch her develop and how she already has this fun personality, always so happy and content. I sure hope it lasts for a loooong time!

She is familiar with "bye bye" and waves when she sees someone leaving and knows "YEAY!" and claps while you say it. Its pretty darn cute. She says mama, dada, uh oh...and a bunch of other words and we have yet to translate them.

More of baby Graycen at 10 Months

2006-03-27T01:30:00.000-05:00

Showing her personality in each of the pictures, you can see a little bit of both Mommy and Daddy in her :) We love you sweet pea :)

Graycen at 10 Months

2006-03-27T01:24:00.000-05:00

What a cute little lady Graycen is becoming! Striking a pose for the camera all on her own, at 10 months she is standing up, even a little on her own. Of course, crawling everywhere at such speed. Laughing and giggling hysterically and loving Sulley even more. This was also a trying month for little Graycen. She got two totally different type of sickness and finally got all better after two and a half weeks.

Book Signing with ERIC CARLE

2006-03-04T00:59:00.000-05:00

Look, he's waving to Graycen :)

Orange Picking...From Our Backyard :)

2006-02-09T23:13:00.000-05:00

We have an orange tree, grapefruit tree, and lemon tree in our backyard and we just absolutely love it to be able to come out and pick them...YUMMY :)

Uncle Paul

2006-02-05T00:46:00.000-05:00

Play Date with Colin

2006-02-04T00:54:00.000-05:00

What a cute couple :)

Little Bitty Fashion

2006-02-03T01:48:00.000-05:00

and quite skeptical about it!

Favorite Toy Store and a Date With Graycen

2006-02-02T01:01:00.000-05:00

Bonding With Daddy and Sulley

2006-02-01T08:58:00.000-05:00

Our special little family :)

Daddy's Home :)

2006-02-01T02:02:00.000-05:00

Photoshoot With Mommy

2006-02-01T01:56:00.000-05:00

Happy Polynesian Birthday Nikki!

2006-01-31T02:46:00.000-05:00

Nikki's Polynesian themed birthday party was held at their home in Ormond Beach. So much fun as always!
Here is your slideshow!

http://www.garrettnuddphotography.com/Slideshow/nikkibirthday2006

Trip to Park Avenue

2006-01-27T22:07:00.000-05:00

Not our car, but thought it was funny! Mini Graycie:)

Our fave restaurant. Yum!

Shopping, always fun :)

Supper at the White House

2006-01-27T21:54:00.000-05:00

Greg and Cherise's home that is! Although we have eaten at the White House before for lunch in the West Wing with one of their physicians, but thats another story... :)

Sydney and Graycen are only 3 days old apart and its soo much fun to see them play together! So much similarities :)

Dexter's and Il Gelatone with Cory and Amanda

2006-01-26T11:13:00.000-05:00

I think we just found the best ice cream place ever! (it replaced Clumpy's from TN). Its in Thorton Park, downtown Orlando called Il Gelatone. They say its the closest thing to real gelato from Italy! It was delicious :)

2006-01-25T20:47:00.000-05:00

Surprise Birthday Party for Chris

2006-01-25T09:04:00.000-05:00

FUN party! Thanks to Susie and Jeremy for opening up their home to all 25 of us, LOL! Great to see everyone!
Happy Birthday Chris! Here's your slideshow!

http://www/garrettnuddphotography.com/Slideshow/chrisbirthday

Graycen~8 months

2006-01-24T23:33:00.000-05:00

Crawling all over the place and pulling up on the couch..getting into everything!
Sulley is her best friend...
becoming a social butterfly...
no seperation anxiety just yet...
squeals and screams from excitement...
we just love her so much , we are enjoying her and love to watch her grow up :)

2006-01-24T23:30:00.000-05:00

Alfonso's ~ BEST pizza!!!!!!!!

2006-01-23T22:40:00.000-05:00

We ate with good friends, Spencer, Rena, and Rachel (Spencer is Florida Hospital photographer) and Brian, Gail, and Owen (Brian is AHS videographer and made a rockin video for us in our site) Alfonso's, you make our day :)

Reflections for 2005

2006-01-03T00:20:00.000-05:00

Season’s greetings from the Nudds. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that your New Year is off to a spectacular start.

For our family, 2005 was full of adventure. In January, the new www.garrettnuddphotography.com was launched. Obviously, the website has been key in the success of our business. We’re especially thankful for our good friend Paul, who not only built the site, but remains a constant source of information systems support even today. What a guy.

Much of the first part of the year was spent preparing for the arrival of the baby. Selecting baby items, picking out a crib, attending baby preparation classes. We met some great couples in the baby prep class.

In April we were fortunate to spend a few days on the island of Captiva (FL) with several friends from college and high school. It was so nice to be together once again. And even though the whether was unseasonably cold, we still had a great time. Joy was eight months pregnant at the time, was pleased to not be the only pregnant woman on the trip. Konika Wright was also with child. And Brian Liu assured us that if anything happened early, Esther had just completed labor and delivery rotations and she was ready to assist if needed. Fortunately, it wasn’t needed.

In May, Garrett started a new job working in the Marketing Department of Florida Hospital Celebration Health. One week later, Graycen was born, so he split time between Florida Hospital orientation and new daddy orientation. Maternal instincts were evident as Joy quickly adapted to the challenges that come along with being a mother. If you want to read about the birth story, email/AIM Joy for it…it’s a novel…she might post it on here someday…

Summer passed by getting used to our life-changing role. Of course, becoming parents has been such a blessing. It was an amazing experience to hold such a sweet, precious, innocent, trusting, lovely bundle of Heaven just minutes after her birth. And every day she becomes even more special. It’s been fascinating to watch our parents as they’ve eagerly adjusted to becoming grandparents. We got countless visitors from CA to NY.

Sulley has adjusted well to having a baby in the house. He’s naturally curious sometimes, but very protective always. Graycen is rather amused by him, especially when he gets hyper and starts turning in circles.

Today Graycen spends her days eating, sleeping, and playing with Mommy. Recently she’s become quite mobile, crawling all around, often forwards, sometimes backwards, but still moving nonetheless. She has several favorite toys and she frequently screams in delight and waves them for everyone to see. We’re blessed that Joy is able to stay home with her. We love her so, so much.

As if becoming parents wasn’t exciting enough, we made the decision to start 2006 off by going full-time into the photography business that we started five years ago. Over the past 12 months business has grown tremendously. In 2005 we photographed 27 weddings and an unidentified number of other couples, children, models and other projects. We wholeheartedly thank everyone who has referred us. And for all the support and encouragement! God has truly blessed us with you all!

In August, we were accepted to the prestigious Wedding Photojournalist Association. The WPJA is an exclusive photography organization. It’s a blessing to be included in this group, as they also do a significant amount of advertising for us. You may view their website at www.wpja.com

In November we spent a couple days in Atlanta with a small group of amazing photographers that we “met” in the OSP. It was exciting to finally meet in person. We made some awesome friends, many of whom we’re anticipating seeing again in February at a photo conference in Newport Beach, California, and then in Las Vegas at the annual WPPI convention in April.

2006 promises to be exciting as well. The two photo conferences (previously mentioned) out west and at least one in the east will provide a great opportunity for advanced learning. We’ve booked several weddings in FL and TN, and even one in Pennsylvania and another one in Aspen, Colorado. We’re eager for more bookings, so please spread the word. And yes, we’ll go anywhere. We are adding some awesome things to the website including a video for the philosophy section. It will go live sometime soon, so stay tuned!

Please keep in touch. We pray that God will continue to bless you as He has in the past. Happy 2006! We miss and love you!

All our best,

Joy, Garrett, Graycen, and Sulley

For more info about what else we’ve been up to, Graycen, Sulley, and photography…read our archives here in our family blog and photography blog, link to the right. We will also be posting pictures from our family photoshoot and a 2005 Slideshow soon, stay tuned for that too:)

Tracey Visits From Loma Linda, CA

2005-12-30T10:03:00.000-05:00

Tracey, my nursing school buddy from SAU came to visit all the way from Loma Linda, CA! She is pursuing her Masters in Nurse Practitioner there. We went to my fave, PF Chang's to eat out at the Millenia Mall. She is dating Mike Isidro!! They make a great couple. Tracey surprised Graycen with a HUGE gift from Pottery Barn Kids...it was AWESOME!!!!! She got a puzzle, a really funny puppet giraffe, several of the most adorable books to add to her growing library and even a book stamp for her to stamp her name on every book she has! Thanks Pae Pae! You're the best :)

Christmas In Cleveland, TN

2005-12-27T11:10:00.000-05:00

Graycen already playing the piano like her Daddy.
The Nudd Family on Christmas Day
Great Grandma and Grandpa Nudd
Graycen and Sydney W playing together

Graycen's 1st Bike Ride

2005-12-11T16:37:00.000-05:00

We went on a 15 mile bike ride for a fund raiser (New Hope for Kids) and it was SUCH A BLAST!! There were probably about 200 cyclists there! We went with David and Amy and their daughter, Ana who is 1 and a half years old . Both famiiles had bike trailers to pull our daughters along.They did really great! Graycen fell asleep some or watched me ride along side her. We rode through neighborhoods that had fabulous Christmas lights to show.

More from the Bike Ride!

2005-12-11T16:00:00.000-05:00

Police cars and other cyclists were there to guide us the whole way and it was so funny to go throught the major intersection with all the 200 bikes going by! It was very organized! It was such a fun thing to do...away from work and the busyness of our schedules. It was very freeing and peaceful, although it did get cold in the end! Oh and Garrett got his excercise for the day...he had already biked 20 miles that morning!! What a guy!

Yet Another Photoshoot for Graycen

2005-12-11T15:48:00.000-05:00

Graycen had the opportunity to have another photoshoot! This time with a pediatrician office to use for a Florida Hospital project:In a pediatric book, physician's group displayed in their building and other projects. She did really well...we think she is getting used to the camera and she now knows all about posing! Dr. Stone was awesome too! Photographs by Spencer Freeman, Florida Hospital photographer.

More of Graycen at 7 months

2005-12-10T22:51:00.000-05:00

Graycen, there are no words to describe how much we love you!!

Graycen is 7 months!!

2005-12-10T22:40:00.000-05:00

Okay, so we feel like Graycen is growing up way too fast!!!!!!!!!!!! She is now 7 months! She is soo much fun! Very ticklish, still loves Sulley and now even plays with him. Sitting up and scooting around...it looks like she is trying to crawl, and ends up looking like she is doing push ups. She has been eating "solid" foods now. Did I miss posting when she was 6 months? She started on rice cereal, then worked her way up to all the different vegetables and fruits. I think her favorite is banana for now. Too bad she can't eat all the oranges and grapefruits growing in our backyard! Here is her latest photoshoot and there are more in her website. Gallery 5.

The Achatas' Visit

2005-12-08T17:34:00.000-05:00

Our wonderful friends, David, Amy, and Ana came to our house for supper and we had a blast as always! Ana is getting soo big! She is just so adorable!

Garrett at Work!!!!

2005-12-02T23:27:00.000-05:00

Garrett was excited to take part in a photoshoot of a surgical procedure for Florida Hospital. Here is a photo of him donned in surgical scrubs in action!

Also at work, Garrett took a self portrait of himself right before a wedding.

Becky visits, Cheesecake Factory with Catherine

2005-11-30T03:29:00.000-05:00

We were picking oranges and grapefruits, where else...our backyard!!!!!!!
Cheesecake Factory!

One of my best friends from SAU visited her brother and stopped by at the house and also to have lunch with us at the Cheesecake Factory. Another great friend, Catherine, (also from SAU) who lives here came to meet up with us...we had a ladies day out!! Sooo much fun to catch up!

Thanksgiving 2005 ~ Charleston, SC

2005-11-26T16:36:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving as well as Christmas were celebrated (since we'll be in TN for Christmas). Family from New York, fried turkey, quality time...thanks for the memories! More picture in Graycen's webiste, (Gallery 5).

2005-11-26T03:08:00.000-05:00

Mall Outing

2005-11-22T23:03:00.000-05:00

While we were Christmas shopping in Florida Mall, we had to stop and take a picture of the M&M logo....its Garrett's favorite!

Liana visits O Town!

2005-11-21T14:45:00.000-05:00

So we met Liana through OSP and she was the one who coordinated the Atlanta get-together, (post about it below). She was visiting Orlando with a friend on her way to a cruise! So we met for brunch with her friends in Park Avenue. She surprised me with DOVE chocolates!!!!!
Oh my stars! I of course already finished it...I am known for having all the DOVE chocolates. Thanks Liana! Hope you are having a great time with the cruise!
Liana's website is: www.lianalehman.com

Congratulations Becky!

2005-11-19T23:25:00.000-05:00

My good friend and who I used to work with in the NICU at APH, Becky,have made a couple of visits to the house in the past couple of weeks. She has also brought Panera soup and salad over for lunch and now anytime she comes over, it has become a wonderful tradition for us. One week, she fed Graycen with sweet potatoes and we rented and watched the movie, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants", which is a very cute girly movie, BTW. And last Wednesday she came with Panera food and PEDICURE kits!!!! It was such a treat and much needed pampering! Graycen was in her bouncy seat while Becky and I were sitting on the side of the tub, I mean spa, preparing our feet for the ultimate pedicure experience! Then we painted our toenails...of course we took pictures of them!
Well, today, Becky told me SHE GOT ENGAGED!!! I am super happy for her! She will make a gorgeous bride! They are planning a Spring wedding for 2007. We are so excited for them!!!

The Nudds in Atlanta

2005-11-15T21:39:00.000-05:00

Here are more fun pictures from the OSP Atlanta gathering. Joy is a walking Nikon advertiser! And Garrett has a cool stance going on! Photographs by Jim Cook.

OSP South Atlanta November 6-8, 2005

2005-11-10T13:33:00.000-05:00

We were in Atlanta (Buckhead area) for a fun-filled get-together/seminar for the OSP photographers nationwide. We all met in a forum that DJ from California started. The talent that was present was incredible. There were around 20 of us and now they are our dearest and closest friends. None of us have really met each other, but we have all connected through the forum not just with photography, but with our personal lives us well. It was really strange at first walking up to Liana's apartment. Garrett and I kept looking at each other and saying, we don't even know this person! But when she opened the door, wow, it was an amazing feeling...it felt like we've known her for years! Everyone was already there and we all knew who was who and there was already a bond. Photo Courtesy of Nathan and Amber Holritz.

We had some fashion bridal photoshoots around Liana's apartment and around downtown and we ate in awesome restaurants. Alisha surprised us all with an SUV limo Sunday night! That was such a riot! The photographers were: Alisha (Missouri), Crystal (Arkansas), Liana (Georgia), Jim, (Kentucky), Hassel (Georgia), Zach (Georgia), Laura C and Laura K (Georgia), Nathan and Amber (Tennesee), David S (Tennessee), Allison (Tennessee), Frank (New York), Luke (New York) and David Jay (California). We miss all of you!!!

Here are two slideshow links:

http://www.garrettnuddphotography.com/Slideshow/ospsouth
http://www.holritzphotography.com/slideshow/ospsouth

Captiva Island, FL with Friends ~ April 2005

2005-11-09T23:45:00.000-05:00

We have been wanting to make a slideshow of our Captiva trip with our friends back in April. Well, here it is!!!
We went for 4 days and 3 nights and stayed right in the heart of Captiva. The beach and surrounding areas were badly damaged due to the active hurricane season in 2004 and was pretty chilly, but we still had fun. We were with Nolan and Konika, Brian and Esther, Annette, Jonathan and Nikki, and Paul and Mandi. I was 34 weeks pregnant with Graycen!! And Konika was 28 weeks pregnant with Sydney. Wow, time flies....

Here is the link:

http://www.garrettnuddphotography.com/Slideshow/captiva

Thanks for the memories!

For our Friends and Family who are Nudd Fans!

2005-11-08T00:45:00.000-05:00

Google has invented something really awesome like Frappr among many neat services they offer.
Add yourself, post a picture, and leave a comment to our list on this Link:

http://www.frappr.com/nuddfans

Soo much fun!

PumpkinFest 2005

2005-10-30T19:11:00.000-05:00

This 4th Annual Pumpkinfest was held in Allen and Tangie's home. As always, the food and games were sooo awesome! There were probably more than 30 people there, it was great to see everyone! They even handed a trophy to the winners for the traditional and much anticpated game, TANK to Jonathan and Nikki! And lo and behold, a trophy for the 2005 Best Cooking (with Pumpkin/Squash Recipe) to which everyone voted....we actually won it! WOW! We made Fried Rice with Squash topping! Thanks everyone! Oh! And Graycen got her first kiss from Ethan!
We made a Slideshow of such a FUN and memorable night! Here is the link and enjoy!

http://www.garrettnuddphotography.com/Slideshow/pumpkinfest2005

Pumpkin Photoshoot and Graycen at 6 months!

2005-10-26T13:02:00.000-04:00

Here are the most adorable pumpkin pictures I have ever seen. Graycen and Sydney got to dress up for Halloween...but not trick or treating. Sydney was a duck and Graycen was a pumpkin. More pictures in Graycen's site, Gallery 5, (link on the right). We set up a "studio" in Greg and Cherise's kitchen and it was such a blast getting those pics!!!! What a riot these two darlings are together!

Babies "R" Us Photoshoot Part I

2005-10-22T22:49:00.000-04:00

So Graycen was chosen to take part in the Babies "R" Us 2006 Catalog. We had a fun time and I can't believe at 5 and a half months old, she already received a paycheck! She did really well and of course I was proud. The guy in the background was the primary photographer. Graycen even had some facials done with the make-up artist! It was soo funny to see that

Babies "R" Us Photoshoot Part II

2005-10-21T23:19:00.000-04:00

They normally shoot in Los Angeles and Miami, but for some reason this year they chose Orlando. The agency called and asked us if Graycen can come to another Babies "R" Us photoshoot dressed in different outfits in their studio. And we thought it was going to be only one session! Its this Sunday and Garrett is able to come also...how fun!!!!

Collegedale Academy Alumni Reunion

2005-10-20T22:40:00.000-04:00

Of course I forgot the camera for this one!! Bleh! But its definitely worth writing about!
Matt Nafie, Director of Develoment of CA and good friend came to visit and invited CA alumnis for a supper meeeting at...The Cheesecake Factory! I am so glad we live just 2 miles from it...and PF Chang;s...and Park Avenue and...ok so anyway...
There was Garrett, Graycen and I, our two close couple friends, Cory and Amanda, Jonathan and Nikki, Keely, Tiffany, Rob, and Matt who met Thursday night. Matt told us all the wonderful things that are happening in CA...all the new programs, buildings, activities..etc. He told us Collegedale Academy was ranked number one in the nation among Adventist schools. How exciting! The Nudds, Reeves, and Ericksons all shared Pumpkin Cheesecake...oh my word...delicious!
What fun that was...next time...don't forget the camera Joy!

Visit with Lola and Lolo..heehee:)

2005-10-17T21:37:00.000-04:00

On October 14-16, Mom and Larry came to visit us! It was fun as always! They haven't seen Graycen in a couple of months so they were thrilled to see her. Garrett had to photograph a wedding for an awesome couple, Holly and Bryan during the weekend. We will be posting their photographs in our photography blog soon.

We went to eat at PF Chang's, one of my fave places to eat! And out for Thai food Sat. night. And of course can't miss Millenia Mall...even though my mom and I have different styles, we can still have fun shopping together...poor Garrett and Larry! We bought the most adorable outfits for Graycen in Baby Gap and much needed pajamas in Bloomingdale's. Both stores were having huge sales...what a steal!

Graycen is 5 months!!!

2005-10-14T22:37:00.000-04:00

Graycen is growing up soo fast...already 5 months! She has quite a personality and we are happy to report she is a happy and content baby...well...for the most part:) We believe she is teething seeing that she drools a lot and will put anything in her mouth and will chomp the daylights out of it! She has also discovered her feet to which she will also happily put in her mouth. We love this stage in her life...so cuddly and adorable:) We weighed her just a couple of days ago and she weighs 15 lbs! Soon she will be starting solid food!!

She LOVES her buddy, Sulley and still loves splashtime in her spa. She socializes as much as her will parents let her, squeals with laughter cause she's very ticklish and rolls over plenty. We love it, theres so much she can do now, she entertains herself for...well...at least for a little while:)

There are more pictures in her website, (link on right) Gallery 5.

We have been so very busy with photography...have you seen our schedule for the rest of the year and for 2006 in our Photography BLOG? Yikes!!!!!!!!!!

Last Saturday, we ate at Mandi's home with Tim, Magally, and Paul. We had a great time. That night we photographed a wonderful reception for a wonderful family we have gotten to know. The next day, we had a wedding event at Lake Nona. What a beautiful place and couple to photograph!

Playing roll over

2005-10-12T20:30:00.000-04:00

After we ate supper in Olive Gardens with good friends, Greg and Cherise, we went to their house and talked about the similarities of our daughters..they are only 3 days apart! Here is Graycen playing with her good friend, Sydney W...umm can you tell which Sydney it is? heehee...funny...we have two good couple friends who named their daughters Sydney with W as last names born 1 and a half month apart!

Graycen's thumb and feet

2005-10-10T10:30:00.000-04:00

This is basically what she does often...sucking thumb and holding feet. My favorite developmental milestone in babies is when they find their feet. Now, Graycen is starting to put it in her mouth...we just love it...she is entertained even for just a little while.
This picture was at a reception Saturday night and she was pooped!

WPJA Membership Acceptance!

2005-10-07T13:05:00.000-04:00

We are truly blessed! We recently found out we got accepted in the prestigious and exclusive Wedding Photojournalist Association! This organization has members worldwide, but was founded in the USA.
Click on the link below to find out more about this wonderful organization:

Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA)

We had almost given up on it. If you get rejected, you don't even hear from them! Yikes! So it took three weeks after applying to find out. This organization have high standards when it comes to photojournalistic photography and have very strict guidelines to make it in. If you go to their website and search a photographer by state, you will find there are only 25 photographers in FL who are members, and 8 members in TN. We are listed specifically in FL, TN, and SC to do weddings. We also are getting ready to list ourselves in the Traveling Photographer section which gives us the opportunity to do Destination Weddings around the world which is what this organization's members are known for! It is so amazing we made it in. Can't you tell I'm still in shock!

We are really looking forward to participating in their contests held every season exclusively for members. If you see the contest winners' photos, they are awesome and some are soo hilarious in the humor category.

This is their quote on their website, (in the Bride and Groom section):

"WPJA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE AN ELITE GROUP.
The Wedding Photojournalist Association is a highly screened, critical organization. Less than 5% of wedding photographers out there qualify for membership. WPJA puts the best wedding photographers at your finger tips, by granting membership only to the most talented professional wedding photographers in the world--photographers who focus solely on using their documentary photography skills to capture ‘the moments’ of your wedding day."

WOW! We are so honored! Thanks to David and Kim Roberts who are founders of WPJA for giving us this awesome opportunity to become members of this awesome organization! Graycen, Sulley, and I are sooo very proud of Garrett!!!

Beach visit with the Erickson's!

2005-10-03T14:26:00.000-04:00

Our close friends, Jonathan and Nikki Erickson (Recognize them? They are one of our featured wedding couples on our website).
We visited them at their home and had lunch Saturday. They live in Ormond Beach, an hour away from Orlando.

Graycen's first time at the beach!!!! It was quite windy...

She was VERY skeptical of the sand!

Graycen and Sulley hanging out

2005-09-29T21:59:00.000-04:00

Meanwhile, this is Graycen hanging out with Sulley on her Boppy this week. She really, really likes him...she smiles really big when he walks by or sits nearby. She also squeals in delight:) She has discovered her feet and also rolled over completely--from being on her back rolling to her tummy:) Also, starting from about two weeks ago, we could put her in her crib at night while she is awake, and she will fall asleep on her own...how awesome!!!!! She has been sleeping through the night for awhile now and sleeps from 8:30pm and wakes up between 7:30-8:30am. I guess she does wakes up around 7:30am, we hear her in the crib with the monitor and coos happily for about an hour:) She has been transformed from colicky the first two months to very happy, content baby girl:) And we parents are so well rested now!

More new pictures of Graycen in Gallery 5 of her website.

Second Tennessee wedding this month

2005-09-28T00:48:00.000-04:00

We went to TN for yet another wedding. It was such a darling event! Click on our Photography BLOG to read about the wedding. It was a good trip and thank goodness Graycen travels well. Paul Martin watched Sulley again:) On Sunday, I got to spend time with one of my good friends from SAU, Genya Dana (We have a link to her Blog). It was great catching up!

We got back and both Graycen and I caught a cold. This is her first cold:( I could hardly speak, my throat hurt. Meanwhile, Garrett is hard at work with all kinds of engagement shoots which have been posted up in our Photography BLOG. He is so creative...we're so proud:)

Mark and Kelly visit O-Town

2005-09-22T23:43:00.000-04:00

Garrett, Joy, and Graycen (in the carrier with Joy) strolling in Park Avenue, Winter Park. One of our most favorite hangouts!

Mark and Kelly in Park Avenue, Winter Park

So, Kelly and Mark came to visit us from Friday-Tuesday! (September 16-20). And it was such a blast! The highlights of their visit was that we ate at all our favorite places....California Pizza Kitchen, Bucca diBeppo, Chipotle's, Cheesecake Factory...and more! The funniest part was we ordered so much food, we had so much left overs from each restaurant, our fridge was overflowing....you had to be there! They were also nice enough to help us shop for a new ceiling fan, (which took forever since I'm so picky). Its so great to be able to pick up where we left off, they are such GREAT close friends of ours...we already miss them:(

BIG NEWS and we are so very excited! Kelly is PREGNANT due in April 9, 2006!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations you two! Your lives will change and it is the most amazing experience....being a parent:) :) Joining the club, eh? Oh, and get your sleep...NOW!

SO EXCITED!!!

2005-09-14T16:32:00.000-04:00

Our friends Mark Loney and Kelly Fardulis are coming to visit us this weekend from Nashville, TN. They are coming for Friday and staying til Tuesday morning!...how great is that??!!!! Its going to be soo fun:) Stay tuned for pictures!

Our POOR Gracie!

2005-09-14T16:28:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Graycen got her 4 month shots:( Not very fun....she pretty much was sleepy all day...
Well today, when I picked her up from her crib this morning, she definitely had a temperature. Very warm! She still managed to give me a smile:) She's sleeping now....

TN Weekend September 9-11

2005-09-12T13:53:00.000-04:00

We are back from TN and what a weekend! Lets see...here are the highlights:

Friday we met up with a husband and wife photography team, www.holritzphotography.com, in Chattanooga. Nathan and Amber are so nice and their kids are adorable! One of them was born just two months before Graycen. We went to their home and visited with them and talked to them about photography biz stuff. We are so alike its almost scary! We met through a photography forum and its going to be a blast getting to know them better.

Saturday we went to church in Bowman Hills and it was great to see people we haven't seen in awhile. Then we had lunch with Garrett's parents and Brandon and Maria.
Then it was off to photograph Jamie DeGrave and Jason Latham's wedding. How do I describe the wedding? It was definitely one of our favorites for the year and we've been to many!...Garrett will have photographed 26 weddings before the year is over...and counting! You can see samples of the pictures in the Photography BLOG link. The wedding took place in a private residence, Jamie's aunt and uncle's. The wedding was so sweet and there were so many sentimental things added to it. It was also great to see many people we knew there who we haven't seen in awhile. Graycen came with the grandparents when the wedding started around 6:30pm. She was so well behaved and happy, I was so excited. She loves being outside and being around people...she stayed til 9 pm!
This was taken during the wedding reception of Jamie and Jason. Maria, Joy, and Graycen partying:)

Sunday morning, we headed back to Florida. We stopped in Calhoun to visit Brandon and Maria. It was great to spend time with them, we hardly get a chance to visit them at their house:( We got back home around 8pm last night. Whew, we were exhausted! And we come back in two weeks for another wedding!

Sulley was with Paul this weekend staying in our house....Thanks Paul! I think he was pretty mad at us for leaving him...(Sulley). He set off our security alarm twice making the police come and check out our house and everything! (sigh).

Graycen from last weekend

2005-09-07T14:59:00.000-04:00

Graycen is 4 months!

2005-09-07T14:44:00.000-04:00

Squealing, smiling, cooing, rolling to one side, drooling, sticking tongue out, still sleeping through the night (since 2 1/2 months, thank god!), loving the outside, watches Sulley, losing lots of hair, discovered hands are just some of the things Graycen is up to now at 4 months.

WOW, she looks alot like her daddy! She travels really well, too!!!!!
Here are pictures since some can't see her website.

Hurricane Katrina Aftermath

2005-09-07T10:46:00.000-04:00

Please continue to pray for the victims and survivors affected by Hurricane Katrina. For anyone who wants to help and get involved, here is information:

1-800-HELP-NOW
http://www.redcross.org

1-800-SAL-ARMY
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org

http://www.aspca.org

We especially think of our friends who are from Louisiana and Mississippi who have families there and we thank you for updating us. God Bless You!

Labor Day Weekend in Charleston, SC

2005-09-07T07:38:00.000-04:00

The church in the background is where Garrett and I got married 5 years ago. This picture is special because we have one just like it on our wedding day ( I will post it up once I scan it) and now we have our baby girl included:) It was so much fun visiting as always. More pics to post later.

Welcome to our blog!

2005-09-07T06:39:00.000-04:00

So, here it is! We FINALLY have our blog finished. We had an old one from last year and was supposed to use it......we vow to be more productive with this one:) This should take place of the mass emails we usually send out and will give you the choice to view it whenever you like. We hope to post daily, but it will most likely be on a weekly basis.

Check out the Links section. We have Garrett's website that has been updated with Featured Weddings and we changed the About section....well basically every section!. Also, Graycen has more recent pictures in Gallery 4. And another Blog especially for Photography!!!! Thanks for all referrals by the way:)
Lots to keep up with! So relax, read, and enjoy! Post comments or email and update us about your adventures!

OUR BLOG ADDRESS: http://garrettandjoy.blogspot.com
http://garrettnudd.blogspot.com

GOD BLESS!