Huge {2009} Post

First, since photos are the best, here is a little photo-recap of my (our) year:

January:

Georgio's last days in office ... sad!

February:

Me student teaching.

March:

Wedding countdowns had truly begun!

April:

Our birthdays month!

May:

College graduation! Yeah, baby!

My bridal shower and bachelorette party. These pictures are from the bach party:

June:

Our trip to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan. Our first trip together. We went with Kate and Josh. Fox Barn wine ROCKS.

Jaelynn's 2nd Birthday Party:

New website:

July:

The biggest month of our life! SO much happened! What a great month!

Kenny Chesney concert at Summerfest on July 4:

4th ('5th' actually) at Chris' parents' house:

July 18th - I became Mrs. Filip:

July 20-28: Honeymoon to Playa del Carmen, Mexico:

August:

The only non-client wedding I went to this year (besides my own). It was FREEZING:

I got my new camera:

September:

We moved! This is our old apartment:

I started a new job as a long term sub for 3 months. This is the classroom I taught in:

I went to Boston to photograph Michele's sister's wedding:

October:

A cute little boy:

Fall fun:

November:

Our 1st Packer game together:

Finished my wedding season with a wonderful wedding in Sheboygan. Ashley came along for the ride!

December:

Ashley and I made a gingerbread Canon Mark II 5 D!

My love and me on Christmas Eve:

And now onto the questions!

2009 ---> 2010

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Got married, graduated college, first real teaching job, booked myself solid for weddings for the next year

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make them. It's usually too much pressure to keep up with them, and then I don't succeed. So, for 2010, I'm not making any resolutions. However, I will be making a goal to start exercising regularly again and becoming more disciplined with what I eat.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nobody close to me. But, I can't wait to answer this one next year! I know lots of people who are expecting!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no.

5. What countries and states did you visit?
Countries: Mexico, baby.

States: Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Massachusetts

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Relaxation.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 18 - I became Mrs. Filip

September 28 - Starting date for my first teaching job

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Graduating college, Operating a pretty successful business, Becoming a "real" teacher

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not taking enough time to document our new life together.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully no.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Canon Mark II 5D

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I'm not naming names. But this person is a crazy person, if that gives you a clue.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Business, Wedding, Honeymoon, Groceries!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting married! :-)

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Black Eyed Peas, "Tonight's Gonna Be A Good Night"

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? fatter
c) richer or poorer? richer


18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Vacationed

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying, playing into drama, spending money

20. How did you spend Christmas?

At various family member's homes....and this year, for the first time, I hosted a little celebration at my house!

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I fell more in love with my husband.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Property Virgins ... go Sandra Rinomato!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.

24. What was the best book you read?
Wow, I haven't had much time to read, well, adult books anyway. (I read a LOT of children's books at work!) I read the Twilight books at the beginning of 2009, so I'd say those. I need to read more!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hmm...I like a lot of songs, but I never know who they are by. There was no "musical revelation" this year ... but I do continue to love my T. Swift!

26. What did you want and get?
A new camera.

27. What did you want and not get?
A house.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Some movies I watched and liked, although not all came out in 09 ... District 9, The Blind Side, Gran Torino

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went for dinner with Chris, my mom, and grandma. I turned 23.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting a permanent teaching position. Oh yeah baby, if it was one thing, that would have been IT! Hopefully, this will happen in 2010.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2000?
Argh. I need to improve this for 2010. Maybe I should start buying things from J. Crew, instead of just oooogling over their cute clothes.

32. What kept you sane?
Coffee and those tiny bits of blissful free time.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Sandra Rinomato and Taylor Swift, of course!

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I'm done with politics after Georgio has left office and that clown was signed in. Boo!

35. Who did you miss?
Alanna who lives toooooo far away.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Ashley!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Forget all the drama and just have fun.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Well, I just love these lyrics. So, I think if I love them, that's good enough!

"You showed me something that I couldn't see
Opened my eyes and you made me believe."

39. Will you be looking for a new job?

Well, not exactly a "new" job. I still want to teach. Right now I am substitute, and really want to find something permanent for next year. Also, I will continue to do photography.

40. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
No way!

41. New house?
Yes, please! This goes along with #39. When that happens, a house happens!

42. What will you do different in 2010?
More working out. Less stressing out.

43. Any trips planned?
I'm hoping we can do something fun for our 1 year anniversary. Also, I hope I don't have to pay as much into taxes as I am planning ... would love to go on a cruise with my husband instead of giving it to Obama's crazy ass followers.

44. Wedding plans?
Not this year, for me anyway. I'll be photographing lots of people's weddings, though.

45. What's on your calendar?
Weddings, weddings, weddings.

46. What can't you wait for?

Some type of vacay!

47. Do you plan on having a child?
Ask me that again at the end of 2010, 2011 will (hopefully, depending on the job and house situation) be the year for that!

48. Wish for 2010?

Continued happiness.

49. Where did you go on New Years?

Out to dinner, then to a townie bar, and then home.

50. Did you change at all this year?
I would say that I became more of a "professional" this year - with running my business, working with clients, and molding the minds of 22 little ones.

51. Did you dye your hair?
I got highlights twice.


52. Were you in school?
Of course, school is my life! I spent the first semester student teaching in 1st grade at Jefferson in Beaver Dam with Laurie, then graduated college, and then started subbing. I got a 3 month long term placement in 1st grade at Wilson in Beaver Dam. Lots of school!


53. Did you have a job?

I worked way too much! Lots of photography (weddings, engagements mostly) and then teaching. I know 2010 will be even busier ... I cannot imagine being any busier, but such is life. :-)

54. Did you move at all?
We moved from our apartment on Monroe St to our new apartment.

55. Did you go on any vacations?
Yes - Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Playa del Carmen, and a mini-work-related-vacay to Boston.


56. Did you break up with anyone?
Nope :-)


57. Did you drink Starbucks?

What kind of question is that!? Of COURSE! Hellooo Java Chips!


58. What are your plans for new years eve this year?
Not sure yet! I'm sure it will be mellow (bc that's how life has been lately).

Bring on a new decade!

With Warmth...

We wish you only the best during this Holiday Season!

Merry Christmas!

Love,

The Filips

*Snowman Soup*

My little project this morning for my 1st graders for their little Christmas gifts...Snowman Soup! It was a little putzy to design the tags, cut them out, bag up the marshmallows, assemble the baggies and tie with a ribbon, but it sure was fun! I hope they like!

Best part ... for 24 of them ... it only cost me $7!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

12 days til Christmas!

Snow Day

Hello, inches of snow!

Fortunately, for me, that equals one snow day off from school and a 2 hour delay the next day!

:-)

Happy Snow!

Scraps

on us

What are your middle names?
Marie and Allen.

How long have you been together?
Since July 2008.

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We knew each other for three years before we started dating.

Who asked whom out?
Um ... neither, yet I was waiting for him to make the first move, and he did.

How old are each of you?
I'm 23, he's 26. Our birthdays are 8 days apart.

Whose siblings do you see the most?
Hmm... tough one. We only see my brother occasionally, and the same for his sister. I'd say it's pretty much a tie. But if I HAD to pick, I'd say he's seen my brother a few times more.

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?

Honestly? Ex's.

Did you go to the same school?
Nope.

Are you from the same home town?
Nope.

Who is smarter?
Of course, I say me. But, we are smart at different things. Such as, there is no way he could teach 1st graders or photograph wedding, but there is also no way I could work with the transmission of a car or re-do a motosports bike or fix the computer.

Who is the most sensitive?
HA! Definitely ME.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We've hit up China Palace and Applebee's a lot.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Who has the craziest exes?
Ok, I seriously just busted out. Uhhhh, I'd 100%, definitely, with-out-a-freakin-doubt: HIM!

Who has the worst temper?
Me, me, me. I fully admit this. I'm working on it. :-)

Who does the cooking?
Argh, me.

Who is the neat-freak?
I LOVE things to be neat, but I really am bad at it. He used to kind of nag on be about it, but he knows not to now. :-) So ... I guess the answer is, neither of us.

Who is more stubborn?
Chris says me.

Who hogs the bed?
HIM!

Who wakes up earlier?
I do, because I have to shower, blow dry my hair, put on make up, figure out what to wear, pack my lunch ...

Where was your first date?
We never had dates. But the first "place" we went together was the county fair to see a band.

Who is more jealous?
Me. I get jealous that he doesn't have to work as much as I do.

How long did it take to get serious?
Well, we were engaged within 3 weeks, so I will get you figure that out for yourself. :-)

Who eats more?
Him.

Who does the laundry?
Me, me, me.

Who's better with the computer?
Depends. He doesn't know how to use the programs I do ... Photoshop, Publisher, other programs ... but if the computer is making me mad, he usually knows how to help me fix it.

Who drives when you are together?
I was kind of raised with the thought that the guy drives. So, I make him. We are probably safer that way anyway! :-)

Tres

THREE NAMES I GO BY
1. Kayla
2. Babe
3. Mrs. Filip

THREE JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE
1. Deli Clerk
2. Teacher
3. Photographer

THREE PLACES I HAVE LIVED
1. BD, WI
2. Stevens Point, WI
3.

THREE TV SHOWS THAT I WATCH
1. Cake Boss
2. The Little Couple
3. Property Virgins

THREE PLACES I HAVE BEEN
1. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
2. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
3. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

THREE PLACES I WANT TO GO
1. Greece
2. New York City
3. The Grand Canyon

THREE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS
1. Pomegranates
2. Popcorn
3. Fajitas

THREE THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO
1. Paying off my student loans
2. Getting a full time teaching contract
3. Becoming a mommy

THREE THINGS I AM REALLY SCARED OF
1. The Dark
2. Deep Water
3. Being broke

THREE FAVORITE BOOKS
1. Any books by Meg Cabot
2. Junie B Jones books
3. Click Clack Moo ... Cows That Type

THREE FAVORITE BANDS/SINGERS
1. T. Swift
2. Lady Antebellum
3. Zac Brown Band

THREE FAVORITE DRINKS
1. Water with Limes
2. Diet Coke
3. Pomegranate Margaritas

THREE THINGS I COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT
1. Camera
2. Days off
3. Internet

Yeah... I KNOW! A post!

Long time, no post!

Posting requires photos, that's why!

And I have barely taken any lately ... but today I did!

So here they are!

Our pumpkin carving goodness!

Hopefully more posts soon....

The Last Night of Summer

....was spent sitting out on our new deck with a yummy, cold glass of N/A pomegranite margarita planning our dinner menu for the next week .... as I waited for our dinner to finish cooking in the oven ... it was nice and cool outside, but still warm .... the perfect way to end summer!

Fall Delight!

Caramel Apple Dip:

8 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix together and enjoy with some fresh, ripe, fall apples!

(YUM!)

Just Call Me Mrs. Filip ... literally!

I knew that 5 years of college had to pay off ...

For this year, I did not find employment in my dream district as a full-time teacher, but, I have gotten a very great opportunity that I am VERY excited about. I accepted a 3 month, long term subbing position in a first grade classroom. I LOVE first grade, as I student taught all last semester in a first grade classroom in the same district. I will get the same salary and benefits as a regular teacher (on a pro-rated basis when I am long-term subbing), so all is well in that department. The district is also trying to find me other long-term jobs when this first grade position ends at Christmas Break. If nothing else, I will just be a regular substitute teacher during that time. Still great!

Also, all school-year long, I will be part of an after school program where I will be helping kids with their homework and such two days a week.

With a busy photography business and now teaching and the after school program, I'll be busier than ever - but - a good kind of busy!

Wedding

Where has the time gone?!
We have been married for about 5 weeks now, and I still haven't had the time to go thru my own wedding photos that Christy took for us. Here are a few I have gotten to .... hopefully in the upcoming weeks I will get to spend some time on my own, instead of all my clients! :-)

I follow Southern Weddings blog just to get new ideas for photos I take, and they usually have questions and answers for the featured bride and groom. I thought that was cute, and a nice way to help document things, so I took some of the questions for this post.




How did the two of you meet? Tell your story.
We have kind of a different story than normal couples have. We met about four years ago thru a mutual friend. He was actually dating someone I knew, but, odd as it sounds, we always had a connection early on. I was immediately attracted to him and I guess you could say I even had a little crush on him. I was dating someone else too, so the timing was never right. I thought about him a lot, and he used to text me just to talk .... then last summer, the timing was finally right and we got together. We knew right away that we were right together. It was definately the happiest change in my life.

Describe the proposal:
Like I said, we definately have a different kind of story! It was only four weeks after we starting offically dating eachother, and he texted me while I was at work and he said he wishes he could put a ring on my finger before I went back to college. So, I texted back saying, "So let's do it." And we did. We went to Jared's that week and picked out my ring together. There was never an official proposal.

What was the design inspiration for your wedding?
I'm not sure how I came up with the colors for our wedding, but very early on in the planning process I picked aqua and cantaloupe. I think I might have seen the colors in a wedding ad. I want a fun, upbeat wedding, and I think our colors helped pull that off. I never planned for the wedding to have a beachy feel, but in the end, it sort of did. Anyway, we wanted something simple but nice, and that's how it turned out.

Favorite design element of your big day:
I'm not sure if this is a "design element," but my one of my favorite things about the wedding was the sand we use during the ceremony for our sand ceremony, and also the sand for the centerpieces for the reception. We had gone in a trip to Michigan a few weeks before our wedding - to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. We got all the sand for our wedding at the Dunes. It was our first trip together and we had so much fun. So, it meant a lot to me that we were able to incorporate that into our day.

Tell us about finding your wedding dress:
Okay - well. I found TWO wedding dresses. When I started wedding planning, I wanted to keep it as cheap as possible. Then I found a dress at Davids Bridal that was only $299 - and it even matched the style that I had been ripping out of magazines. I DID like it at first - actually, I LOVED it. Then everyone kept saying how simple it was, and I started to second guess it. Then, a few months later, a was looking thru the new Davids catalog and found "THE DRESS." It was gorgeous and still pretty simple. I went with one of my bridesmaids to pick up her dress, and tried it on just for the heck of it. It fit perfectly and I *knew* it was meant to be. So, I ended up ordering the new dress that day, along with new shoes, and a new veil. So, I was bridezilla a little bit. In the end, I had bought two dresses, three veils, and two pairs of shoes!



Describe your wedding flowers:
Orange, orange, orange! I didn't want any roses in my bouquet, because that is just too plain for me. I wanted something different, perhaps orchids, dahlias, or something else. Well... the florist wasn't really up to that, so I ended up having all organge flowers: two kinds of roses (blech) and freesia. Also, I had him add in green hypericum berries. It DID turn out pretty in the end, but its not exactly what I wanted. The flowers weren't a huge deal to me, so it was all good in the end. My bridesmaids had orange gerber daisies and the hypericum berries. I think the moms and other special guests got white roses.

Describe your wedding cake:
Ahh...I *LOVED* our cake. Loved, loved, loved, loved it! It was an all white butter cream frosting cake. It was four tiers, and it had vertical stripes on it made out of the frosting. Hard to explain...there is a picture of it a few posts down. I found the idea from Martha Stewart and presented the idea to the baker. I found some pictures online of the same idea that had turned out really crappy, so I was very nervous until I saw it. Then I did, and OH my goodness ... it was beautiful! It was more than I expected! For the fillings, we had three different types; the top and bottom layers were chocolate mousse, another tier was lemon poppyseed with a European lemon creme filling, and the other tier was strawberry cake with the European creme filling. YUM!



What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day?
Definately the last two dances of the night. They were both slow dances, and I can't remember one of the songs, but the other was Kenny Chesney's "Me & You." (We kind of had two first dance songs, "Your Everything" by Keith Urban, and "Feels Like Home" by Chantel Kreuzivek). Anyway, we both loved Kenny Chesney and had gone to his concert a few weeks before the wedding and he had played that song. It was also my brother and sister in law's first dance song, so that's also what made it special. But what made those last dances so memorable was that it was the most intimate few moments of my life. I dont mean intimate in the way most people think, I just mean the closeness emotionally I felt in those moments. Chris felt it too, and the most amazing thing about it was we didnt have to say anything - we both just knew. I still think about how I felt, and it still makes me all gushy and happy everytime I think about it. *sigh* It was a great time.


Our favorite detail of the wedding:
Again, probably the sand in the centerpieces and sand ceremony because of our trip together.

Hardest decision you made in planning?
Finding the church to get married at. It took us some time, and then when we did find our place, there was a huge issue with the timing in the day. We would get married at 11 am the reception wouldn't start until 5. So, that was tricky trying to plan. We decided we loved the church and "knew" it was the place. To help with the huge time gap in between, we held a lunch reception at a different location, and then had the regular reception at the golf course begin at 4.

What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future?
We are just looking forward to having a great marriage, taking more trips together, buying a house, and having kids. :-)




Were there any special family traditions you included in the wedding?
It wasn't a family tradition, but I knew I wanted to honor our grandparents who are no longer with us. I had a white candle for each grandparent (or one per couple if both are gone) and their names on tag in front of the candle. They were placed on the alter at the church, and I had my aunt on my mom's side light the candle for my Grandpa Seubert, and my godmother on my dad's side light the candle for my Grandpa Richards. Chris' sister Michelle lit the candles for both sets of his grandparents.

The most unexpected event on our wedding day was:
I can't really think of one. Everything went just as planned, and nothing jolted us or made us worried. It really was a wonderful day! I guess something unexpected was that almost everyone stayed all the way til the dance ended at midnight. As a wedding photographer, I go to a lot of weddings and a lot of people leave around 10 or so. It was great to have so many people there so late in to the evening.

A date we went on that we’ll always remember:
We never really went on dates. One date we went on before we were engaged was to the county fair. I know, how hick-town right? But anyway, there was a good band playing Chris wanted to see, so we went. I can remember us having a great time dancing during the show and hanging out with friends we met up with. But the most memorable, Chris took me out by where the cars were parked in a field so we were alone, and that's when he told me he loved me for the first time. I love how I can still remember it being quiet in our little spot by the cars, but still being able to hear the sounds of the fair -- and then all the lights from the rides. Such a great memory. My mom got married the next day, and he of course was my date, and the ambiance of a wedding day made our relationship feel that much stronger. We decided to get engaged the following week.

Best advice or most memorable comment someone made to you during the wedding celebration:
Well, I know Chris' favorite comment was from his parents' friends. They are an older couple, and are obviously still going strong and happy. The husband is kind of a funny old guy (you know the type) and he was telling us about committment. I don't remember everything he said, but every now and again, Chris will mimick how the guy said it, and we both just laugh about it. Ok, so I didn't explain that very well, but it was great commentary the way he said it!


Funniest moment?
We were eating dinner when I noticed the wedding coordinator at the golf course removing the top tier of my BEAUTIFUL wedding cake. We had not had our cake cutting yet. I jumped up, went over to him, and loudly said, "Waaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit! Noooot yeeeeeeeeet!" The coordinator thought we werent having a cake cutting, and was very embarressed and put the top tier down. So, that's why in our cake cutting photos, the top of the cake is all messed up. I was never mad about it, but I think the coordinator thought I was. I just took it as having a funny story to tell!
Hardest decision you made in planning?

Three adjectives that describe the day are:
Perfect, magical, FUN!

Any DIY items?
Oh, yes! Everything was "do it yourself" besides the cake, the dinner, DJ, flowers, and photography. All the little details were put together by yours truly .... the invites, the centerpieces, the flowers sprinkled on the tables, the candy buffet, the tags for the candy bags, the guest book, the programs, the signs around the reception, the bathroom basket, the place cards ... and I'm sure there was more! I had so much fun doing everything again -- and I can't wait to have a wedding renewal someday so I can do it all again! ;-) Oh, and my mom made the flower's girl dress.

Our Wedding Day Details:

8:00 Ladies Hair Appts at Impressions of Mayville
10:00 Wedding Party Arrives at church The Gardens
11:00 Let's Get Married!
11:30-12:30 Pictures at the church, Photos by CK Photography
12:30-1:30 Lunch Reception
1:30-3:30 Drive to the beach, Take Photos, Drive to Mayville of Club for reception
4:00 Drinks begin at reception
5:00 Dinner, cake cutting, speeches ... Cake from Recheks in Beaver Dam
8:00 Dance & Karaoke Dreamstar Karaoke

I Did It!

I took the plunge and bought my dream camera today....

Big old thanks to Christy (ck) for helping me find one in stock!

Wooooo hoooo!

Today is a great day!

Isn't this the cutest?

My new "junk cup" is sooo cute!

Decal is from Red Velvet Art:

Shall We Just Start with the Rehearsal?

I have so many photos from our wedding weekend -- which is obviously a GREAT thing, but it leaves a girl to wonder ... o-kaaay, where do I begin with editing, posting on the blog, etc.

Well... since the rehearsal came first, let's start with that!

I think I'm just going to chunk the rest of the photos in to blocks as well ... getting ready, ceremony, portraits, the reception, some dance photos, some gift opening, and then (oh boy) the massive amount of honeymoon photos.

I will get to all of this as time allows.

How does that sound? Good? Good!

Onto the non-edited photos, because well, I just don't have the time! (sadly...)

Hello, here we are ....

With our best man, Craig, and our maid of honor, Alanna:

One of my most favorite snapshots of us ever...

Making things official.....

My dad, my GORGEOUS bouquet, me, and Chris:

We are now at the rehearsal dinner....this is my brother and sister in law Shannon.... they also stood up in the wedding.....

Woo hoo!

Alanna, Burgundy (who played our ceremony music), and groomsmen Thomas getting all cheesy with their bridal party gifts .... girls got diamond + blue topaz necklackes, their favorite candies, and flip flops to wear for the dance ...... the boys got beer mugs engraved with their name and role in the wedding and also their favorite beer......

Chris and another groomsman, Dave:

Funny moment of the evening...refilling the pitcher with his own gift beer.....

Katelyn, me, and Jacque .... two of my other bridesmaids:

Another cheese shot with Alanna and Burgs:

Jacque and Jaelynn, bridesmaid and flower girl:

Now we (aka all the girls) are at the hotel and its time for gifts! I had a flower girl gift for JBug, a maid of honor gift for Alanna, and a birthday gift for Shannon! I got a surprise gift from Katelyn too! Thanks! I love the make up brushes, bodywash (LOL! FUNNY STORY!), and Starbucks card!

One final shot before it's time to sleep and wake up and GET MARRIED!