.bugg.photographer.

issues.

oh goodness.....so many email problems.  If you're trying to get a hold of me on my business email, I can't see it!  Please call me or email my personal account...jbugg2 [at] cox.net 

So sorry for the inconvenience!!!

8:30 is my new wake up time.

so apparently while the kids are on winter break, I am too.  I can't seem to drag myself out of bed before 8:30..its kind of delightful, yet my days seem so short...hmmmm...

with that, Christmas has been sort of a whirl wind.  I kind of can't believe its over.  I had so much fun family time and am so excited for what the new year has in store.  I'm not sure why its the new year that seemingly marks a new beginning for most, but in my own head, it sort of signifies a fresh start.  I want to curl up on the couch with Jon and make lists.  ooh, I heart lists.  I haven't made my new birthday list [(26 things to do before I turn 27) and last year's (which was my first attempt) has proved to be quite lacking in the accomplishing department. but I can't wait to make this years].. and I want to make a list of business goals.  also personal goals.  and fun wants (I've discovered that by writing things down that I THINK I really want, helps me determine what I REALLY do want..Its been on my back burner to make a 'want' book for quite some time..thanks ali edwards. :) ). 

 
.source.

I think I'll do that today..

I'm not quite ready to get back into the swing of things work wise, although I have some editing/more shooting to do for some pretty fab product before we get to far into the new year..

I have lots of fun photo projects colliding in my head too...I need to sort all of my thoughts for that..

I think I'll make lists today.  and books.  I need a different book for each area of my life.  I think its helps me compartmentalize and feel less overwhelmed..

Yes.  Its official.  Today is list/book making day.  *sigh* I just wish Jon wasn't working today...

I also need to download all of our Christmas-y photos...

.source.

but for now, look at these super cute three kids

have a lovely day, friends..

i love my brides.

seriously...look at this...

cuttin' loose, footloose...

so. pretty.

loving this today...

found here..

wrapping up my last session of the year tomorrow, displaying an exclusive AP Collective update at a trunk show tomorrow evening, and finishing my last minute Christmas-y tasks..

what are you loving this Christmas???

just a quick hello.

I've decided to pop in and just do quickie posts.  I think my issue with blogging is that I tend to do very long thought out posts. 

I'm trying this out.  I love reading blogs so I want mine to be pretty to. 

so just a quick hello inbetween LOTS of editing today..

[embracing the ease of my built in webcam...]

***is that a little apcollective preview I see???  Yup, I have an update that's sitting and waiting.

back to work I go.

love.

.breathing.

yup.  I'm still here....all alive and kicking, but just playing the balance game. 

the game that I find myself constantly playing of spreading myself over so many avenues.  the game that sometimes is SO fun yet sometimes such a bummer.  the game I'm trying to always win, but somehow mostly seem to be two moves behind the dealer (yes, I fully realize that makes NO sense as I wouldn't be two moves behind in any game requiring a dealer.  it just sounded good.  yes it did.)...

after, what we've been referring to as "the power week" (which consisted of two weddings, a model shoot and a HUGE client appreciation event in which we shot over 55 families...albeit, the model shoot was rescheduled due to some issues that were beyond my clients control...a bummer b/c I was looking forward to it, yet a blessing because it gave us a chance to come up for air...)...where was I?  oh yes.  the power week.  We made it though.  and we're still breathing.  and I thought I should pop in.  because, well.  my nieces and my grandma asked me to. :) 

and I'm breathing.  loving where God has us.  striving to be still and hear His voice.  trying to enjoy this somewhat controlled chaos.  attempting to live in the moment.  to be present.  not trying to think TOO hard about the future, but anxiously awaiting what it has in store.  so excited about the holiday festivities.  it IS my favorite time..  all whilst being productive and moving forward in our business.

its all a bit crazy, but I'm in love and we're living our dream.

and I'm still breathing.

  

.happy birthday grandma.

Oh goodness...this day ALMOST came and went without me giving a little blog love to my sweet sweet Grandma (hopefully she got my phone message though -- it was a wild day of festivites you know...).  I can't even tell you how much I love this lady and am so thankful for her. :)

Grandma, I'm thankful for all the days spent together.  Thankful for cooking together.  Thankful for slumber parties at your house.  Thankful for the love for yard sales that you instilled in me.  Thankful that you let me play poker with you.  and that you taught me how to win.  Thankful for the songs you sang me.  Thankful for the earrings you gave me when I got baptized.  Thankful for all the dishes you do.  And the joy you have in your heart while doing them.  Thankful that you read my blog everyday.  Thankful for your letters.  Thankful for Disneyland trips together. 

And today, I'm thankful for the way you love my kids. 

I hope you had an amazing day Grandma!!!  You. Are. Beautiful.

and I love you SO much.

love, ashley

.happy halloween.

I seriously canNOT believe that we're in November right now...October came and went and I have no idea how.

BUT, I do have three cute kids in FANTASTIC costumes to show for it. :)

quick post for the grandparents as I'm up to HERE in work... :) :) :)

first up, our nifty little 50's girl..

 

next up, we're not in Kansas anymore....Miss Dorothy...and her little dog too.

 this next one's a little out of focus, and prior to Nana coming to the rescue with cute little red bows (a little oversight by mama), but I feel like it really gives a great vibe to her entire costume

and lastly, our somewhat very creepy, 3 year old....Mr. Jack Skellington from Nightmare before Christmas....

I feel like he gives off a bit of a Joker "why soooo serious" vibe in this next one..maybe its the hair..or the little smirk.

It was a super fun night of festivities and lots of trick or treating -- the week leading up to Halloween is set to be posted later this week, so stay tuned...

hope you're having a lovely start to a super lovely November..

ETA....not sure what's going on with Typepad, but it totally changing the color of my images..kind of frustrated about it.

.just a girl and her mom. together.

oh goodness.  I can't even TELL you how much fun I had on this session!  I shot this WAAAY back in April as a surprise for Father's Day...so I couldn't share...and then it got lost in the shuffle. 

Oh goodness, there's something so magical about this session..something so amazingly beautiful about the way this girl and her momma interact.  such pure love and adoration..

something so magical.

gorgeous!

breathtaking...

spin spin spin!

such adoration.

then, we played dress up with momma's fancy jewels and lipstick.  I LOVE when my clients think outside the box and come up with pure brilliance!

all dolled up!

and then we finished off with some bubble fun!

and as a little added bonus, a little extra father's day love, Thereza let me capture the beauty that she so boldly possesses. 

Thereza...thank you SO much for letting me have the opportunity to capture the bond that you and your girl share.  From having backyard tea parties regularly, slumber parties in the living room often and weekly bathroom pedicures, you're relationship is truly inspiring.  I was absolutley honored to document a slice of your and Sammy's day to day..love, ashley.

.i love.

okay....another round of things I'm loving this day.  Tuesday, Oct 6. 

1.  pumpkins.  I have SO much fun searching the bins to find the best ones, with the best stems.  Jon was quite the trooper as I told him, that one!  To which he just looked at me as if to say, are you serious?  I mean...seriously?!?  But he just gently shook his head as he dug deeper & deeper, tossing me pumpkins to throw into the other bin to unearth this beauty with the perfectly curly stem (which is all I saw of it when I exclaimed that it had to be mine!)

2.  letters from my Grandma.  I love her. <3 <3 <3

3.  Halloween costumes.  I love talking with the kids and listing off ideas, brainstorming costumes, etc.  Its a BIG decision you know. 

I SOOOOO badly want Xander to be Max from Where the Wild Things are

photo cred. (isn't it perfect?!  she made this for her son!  swoon!!!) 

but he is dead set on this fellow.

which WILL be fun to make... 

4.  my new boots.  I've been on a quest for YEARS trying to find great boots.  Not too high, not too low.  Comfortable yet super stylish.  Well my friends, I've found them.  And at quite a steal, I might add! 

5.  coffee mate.  oh world, this starts my day off right.  A great cup of starbucks coffee with a pour of coffee mate?  bliss.  And right now, there are SO many varieties that sound SOOO delish, I literally have 5 open containers in my fridge right now.  And I fully intend to go out and get another as I heard from a friend that my fav, Peppermint Mocha, has hit the shelves.  YUM.

 

6.  International orders.  I shipped off two items from my etsy shop to France and Australia.  SO crazy to think that these little lovelies that I made are seeing the sights in such beautiful, far away places [especially since I've never even left the country].

7.  our new chair.  oh goodness.  I actually gasped and pointed when I saw this beauty at a Savers in Tucson a few weeks ago.  and it was just $15!!!  such amazing lines, construction super sturdy and custom reupholstering from Macy's New York.  LOVE.

and you can bet that you'll be seeing it make its way into some photo shoots (already used it once last week...)

 

8.  Infinite Aloe.  As the weather changes, this stuff keeps my skin soft and smooth [and as an added bonus, it improves the elasticity in skin -- ie:  amazing for stretch marks..seriously, within DAYS.].  Such a lovely gift from my mom. :)

 
  
9.  movie outings as a family.  we went and saw Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs on Saturday for Jon's birthday.  SO good.  SO fun.  SO great to go out as a family and enjoy a movie together.

10.  my mama.  super obvious, I know.  But I just love her.  and its just so nice that she's a phone call away.  This morning I called her just to get a second opinion if I should keep Evie home today.  Evie had a pretty wicked cough yesterday (sounds like allergies), but she went to bed with a slight fever and crawled in my bed this morning at 5:20 sniffling and felt warm.  And you know school policy is to keep them home for 24 hours fever free.  But she's acting totally fine.  So I just needed to use her as a sounding board. 

And yes.  We kept her home. :)  just to be safe.

Have a beautiful Tuesday..