Monday, August 25, 2008

Precious

My good friend and college roommate Tonya came over last week. We live about half an hour away now and haven't seen each other since my wedding, which is way too long. I have so many great memories of those Provo days of '97 when we (me, Tonya, Alana, Melissa, Alyssa, and Sarah, and of course our honorary roommate Eric) all met in Deseret Towers in S-Hall and then lived together the next year at Liberty Square. We did some pretty crazy things including sneaking ambrosia out of the cafeteria to answer a boy for a dance, spying on each other as we came home from dates (she'll never forgive us for playing "Kiss The Girl" for her and Jason after one date, but that was payment for spying on me after a dance and falling off her bunkbed in the process in the dorms!), and divulging our most embarrassing moments to everyone in Wendover, NV. Then of course there was the time when I awoke to a clown hanging above my head that she and Melissa had hung there for some reason, or the time when I came home to find all my roommates dressed in my clothes and waiting for me in the front room (so I snuck up on them and scared them by climbing into a back window). Oh, good times! She has 3 darling little girls now who I can't wait to meet and her blog makes it evident that she is such a wonderful mama to them.
She was nice enough to share her amazing photography skills with us and take some pictures of the girls that I've wanted to get done. Sophie especially was not the most cooperative for the photo session but Tonya was so patient and good with both girls anyway. Luckily she managed to get some cute shots and then she went home and proceeded to work some sweet magic on Photoshop and sent these to me a couple days later. I was blown away by how talented she is and the amazing quality these pictures have. It's convinced me that once I get my new camera I will also have to purchase and get to know Photoshop. It seriously makes such a difference. Anyway, here are some of the pictures she took.I love how this one really brings out Sophie's red hair.
We call her our Angel Avery.
Sometimes I call her my little Asian baby, though.
This is Joseph's favorites of me with Avery.
We did get Sophie to smile a couple times, but she was not wanting to let go of her beloved pillow.
Avery on the other hand slept through most of the shoot.
A little game of peekaboo hit the spot.
I didn't really want to be in any of the pictures, but a couple turned out okay in the end. Anyone who can make me look good has got to be talented!

So thoughtful.

She wasn't awake for long, but long enough to barely open her eyes.

Sophie loves being a big sister!

Thank you so much, Tonya! You are amazing! Love ya!

27 comments:

Tonya said...

becky...I had forgotten about all those fun memories...

thanks for all the sweet things you said...and please, you are beautiful...no magic needed...

xoxo

Tonya

Tonya said...

p.s.

I will have to dig up those pics of our little "dress up"..too funny!

The Lambs said...

WOOOOWWW!!! Those are beautiful pictures, beyond gorgeous!!! Wow. Sophie's red locks and Avery's angel face and the beauty of your eyes- she captured it all! Congrats on a fun new wall spread! We'll see you soon!

Elizabeth said...

Those are amazing pictures! I can't believe Sophie's hair, I LOVE it! Red hair is the best on little girls I have decided. I had no clue it was such a beautiful color, her pictures really are amazing of your children. Not to mention, you already have beautiful kids.

Erin said...

Wow, such great pictures! I can't believe how grown up Sophie is looking. Her red hair is so beautiful! Little Avery is adorable.

Anonymous said...

GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS!! I LOVE Sophie's red hair in those, too! And every picture you posted is just BEAUTIFUL-especially the ones with you in it! What a babe :) And the girls together....Love it! They both look so precious! I've been thinking we need a new camera too....

Jill Hunt said...

I absolutely love those pictures! How fun. They are so adorable!

Alison said...

Gorgeous!!! Wow! I love the pictures of Sophie (oh, she looks so big) and Avery. You look great, too and shouldn't be afraid of the camera :)

Alyssa said...

Hi Becky--

I don't know if you saw my comment on your "memory tag" a while back-- but those are exactly some of my fav memories too!

LOVE seeing you and your girls. So when can we have a Liberty Square V2 reunion + Sarah N. excursion?? I guess being in Europe and you and Tonya being in L.A. doesn't help... with Meli all kinds of "with child" in Atlanta...and Sarah heating up in Vegas. How did we all get so spread out? Maybe we need a pair of magical pants that we share.... (have you read those books?)

I miss ya and lots of hugs to you---

Lacey Lichi said...

Gorgeous pictures! You should check out the Canon Rebel XT- they just came out with a new model and a lot of people are selling the old model. It is a fantastic camera and even the new ones, if you can find one, have dropped in price by about 70 percent because of the newer model. Then, before photoshop- which can be pretty intimidating, look into Lightroom. It is REALLY user friendly and you can do most everything that you are going to need to.

It has been SO long- give yourself a hug for me beautiful lady!

Jeanne Lawyer said...

Wow what a beautiful family. Sophies red hair is just beautiful and the baby is a little angel. Both traits from their mommy. Right?

meli said...

We always had such a good time! The pics are beautiful-the subjects and the talent! I'm jealous that y'all are so close! The closest roomie to me is now in Germany : ) We'll plan a trip to CA once the little guy is born! I love you!

shelly said...

Hi Becky. I want Tonya to come take pictures for us! Wow! She's amazing. I especially love Sophie's red hair. How does she get all the colors to be so vibrant? She must know what she's doing =)

Oliver said...

So good to hear about Tonya! Amazing skills.

We're still trying to find a photographer in Provo. Any suggestions?

Lindsay said...

those pictures are so cute! The colors are awesome-and Sophie is getting so grown up!

kim said...

Beautiful pictures (and beautiful subjects, as well!).

Unknown said...

I love those pictures. Oh, they turned out so well!! The little matching dresses are way cute too!!

Harrison's said...

So I LOVE these pics. The girls look completely darling and you look so beautiful!! Does your friend want to take a trip to Michigan to take Tayson's pictures?! =)

Emily Widdison said...

makes me want to learn photo shop too! Does Avery have red hair too? I can't tell in those photos.
Darling pictures!!
I think Sophie look so much like her daddy.

Amy Eaton said...

Beatiful girls!! I m exited to be getting another one soon. Some days it's not soon enough.

Alan and Jeni said...

Wow! What great photos. Your girls are just beautiful!

Sidsie and Derek said...

What beautiful pictures and little girls

Tash said...

I love love love the pictures! You look great, and your girls are so adorable!

Holly or James said...

It's amazing what a great camera can do, huh? I never realized how beautiful your little girls were! (: I love that first one of Sophie and the last one of her kissing Avery. SO cute!

Annie Leavitt said...

gorgeous pictures becky. sophie is such a little lady now. ooh, and i love her hair! i've never used photoshop, but i'm pretty sure i'd have to have some photography talents first : )

The Hyer Family said...

OK...those are awesome...you're lucky to have a friend to do that for you! I keep saying that I need to get our pics taken...but I'm a little overweight right now to star in any photo shoots! Maybe the kids...

Patti said...

3 gorgeous girls! Congratulations on your new baby!