No Doubt Concert

Can I just tell you... how much I love this band!!! I was thrilled when I heard they would be touring again and creating a new album. So... we jumped at getting tickets... and the concert date fell two days after Chase's Graduation so we took him as a gift from us. We had great seats... ( the only bummer thing was that it was at Cricket Pavilion ... not my favorite venue) but still it was No Doubt- so it didn't matter.

The band was incredible... hard to believe it had been 5 Years since they'd been together... they did sing a new track which I'm assuming will be on their next album called " Stand and Deliver"... very exciting.....

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Chase's Graduation Celebration Weekend!

I keep saying this over and over again, but I just can't help it... I can't believe my little stinkerbell is a high school graduate, heck I still can't believe he's old enough to drive a car... I guess that what happens when I moved out 10 years ago... Chase grew up!

This particular month was just unbelievably busy, but I'm so thankful I was able to take the weekend off to spend with my family.

The celebration begin with a good ole CG Graduation at Cougar Stadium. And the coolest part about this night was the weather... it was overcast and sprinkling all day but the school decided to go ahead and chance and kept the Graduation outside.

Right as the Graduates begin waking on to the field it started raining. And Chase, as Student Body President lead his classmates on to the field rain and all!

Just was the first opening firework blast off, mom and dad were introduced as the proud parents of Chase Norris!! This is the proud moment when dad yells out "that's my boy!"

At that exact moment the rain stop falling and Chase walked up the podium and delivered an incredible Graduation Speech to his class...

After his speech the rain begins to fall again.....

and the class of 2009 is announced as Graduates!!!

Complete with a balloon release and fireworks display!!

Chase was in charge of the streamer cannons....

I love the photo (above) it's as if Chase has that "what do I do next" look???

And the answer is simple Chase... you hug your sis!!

and your dad....

and your mom!!!

We love you Stinkerbell and are so proud of all of your accomplishments, you really did make the most of your high school years- which means you make the most of the rest of your life!!

PART TWO: THE PARTY!!!

Mom and I had a blast planning Chase's Graduation Party!! There's no doubt about it.. Chase is definitely "Going Places"!!! So only the best kind of party would do.....

Complete with custom invites...thanks to Justin!

Custom Grad Cake to match the theme of course!!

and my favorite part... all the fun Dr. Seuss inspired decor!!

an interactive candy station.......

Tons of wild and weird decorations... including custom floral centerpieces ( thanks to mom!), red linens, about 50 hanging lanterns, and huge inflatable movie screen, poker table, and tons of candles... so fun- let's do it again!!!

An overall super fun time.. and we all know by now- no party is complete without Bag-o!!!

Tom Valenzula, Tom Hancock, and Dad ~Casa Grande Cougars...circa 1972!?!

Me and Aimee Sloan ~Casa Grande Cougars..circa 1999!!!

Casa Grande Cougars Class of 2009!!!!

Good times Chase... good times... now off to ASU~ oh the places you will go! Love you!!

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May Birthdays for My Favorite Gals:

Well, not sure how this happened but I did see all my favorite girls (well... kind of... atleast within the same week) on their birthdays... but for some reason.. I don't have any photos from these events. So instead I picked some of my all time favorite head shots.....

So let me just say....

Happy Birthday Mom.......

Happy Birthday Granny.....

and Happy Birthday Aimee....

I love you!

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Mo Parson, Native New Yorker, New Tattoo... I just love her!

Happy Happy 30th Birthday to Mo! We were able to join Mo and Tom and their crew at Native New Yorker to celebrate Mo's 30th Birthday with her:)

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Saki Bombers

So... we have now lived in "Anderson Springs" for about 5 1/2 years.... and I have to say even though we bought a "condo"... and sometimes we wish we had a bigger place... we really do live in a cool area.

Awesome lake, goregous sunsets, cute baby ducks, charming little turtles... and really cool resturants and stores in walking distance... are favorites being Coffee Rush, Valle Luna, Pita Jungle, Sprouts to name a few... however one night we decided to try one of our "newer discoveries: "Sushi and Cocktails" (atleast I think that's the name)

Anyways the sushi is great and the saki bombers are even better. And the best part is the tableside entertainment when you dine on the patio:

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Mother's Day

May always seem to be one of the busiest months in our lives. Between, Mother's Day, Both Mom and Granny's Birthdays, Aimee's Birthday, Wedding Season, and this year... Stinkerbell's Graduation is was kind of nuts! But everything had to be celebrated!

PART ONE:

Mother's Day 2009 begin by celebrating a few days early with Mom Starr at her favorite restaurant: Maggianos in Scottsdale.

Barb and her Sons: Justin and Shannon ( just missing Trevor)

(Bill and Barb)

PART TWO:

A quick stop by Granny's House .... to wish her a Happy Mother's Day

PART THREE:

A day in Casa Grande with the Family...

Mom and I put together a few sample bouquets for an upcoming Wedding by "SweetPeas:




PART FOUR:

A visit with Grandma Jane to wish her a "Happy's Mother's Day"

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Peaceful Easy Feeling....

Okay... well I'm feeling a little emotional today- so if you get nausea easily I recomend not to continue reading......

I just really love Justin.... simple as that.....it's really crazy that we've been a couple for six years now, and I every day I realize that I love him even more. I was driving home from work last night and the song "Peaceful Easy Feeling" by the Eagles came on the radio... and I thought to myself.. that's it! That' s really it... that's exactly how I feel about Justin... from the very begining it's just been so easy.

I remember from our very first date thinking to myself... umm okay... this is kind of weird... why is this so easy?? No drama, no complications, no mixed signals, and my family and friends like him... what's going on?

It was so easy in fact I remember thinking something must be wrong... it's not suppose to be this easy and honest, and simple, loving, fun....

At one point in time very early on I remember telling Justin that I "just didn't think this was going to work out" and he asked me why? and I couldn't think of one single reason! And from that point on I remember thinking he has to be with me the rest of my life... period.

And now to think six years later... I still have to stop and remind myself how lucky I am to have met him at the perfect point in my life... and every day is a new adventure...

I'm just so thankful to married to someone whom every day gives me a peaceful easy feeling. In a world of many, many complications... I'm thankful being with Justin isn't.... I love you..

P.S. and the funny thing is ... Justin secretly hates the Eagles... or any song with any type of "twang" in it for that matter- huh, go figure.

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Justin's Most Recent Shoot

Justin is shooting a wedding at Seville next weekend....so I thought I'd post a few photos from the Engagement Session.

The Bride to Be is actually interned at Seville for me last Spring. And to my surprise after working with me and seeing all the "behind the scenes craziness" that goes in to planning events... she still wanted to get married at Seville!!!

Kristin and Mike are a sweet couple- we're very excited for them!!!

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Lunch Date with Melissa and Baby Gregory

I can't believe how hard it is to meet up with friends some times.... Is is me, is it our age group, is it where I live??? I used to be so easy... it's crazy, I'm excited for life to "slow down" a little perhaps this summer to catch up with our amazing friends.... like the "good ole days".

Speaking of amazing friends... I had the opportunity to visit with Melissa and her little guy a few weeks ago on my day off. We grabbed a quick lunch at Sweet Tomatoes. Melissa is such a great mom... and Gregory is a total ham- I swear everyone in the restaurant was just staring at him and smiling... well I guess that could of been because he was throwing food all over the place :)

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Andrea's Baby Shower

Well Baby Boy Keegan will be here in less than a month!

I had the chance to attend Andrea's Baby Shower a couple of weekends ago. I still can't get over how great Andrea looks... and the host who throw the shower had it decorated so sweet!!

We can't wait till baby is here, we're very excited to take his newborn photos!

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