Sometimes all you need is good friends and good wine.

 I think the title speaks for itself. It can be so easy to get sucked into the movement of everyday life that you forget to just slow down and enjoy it. Our trip to Carmel wasn't only for the holidays--it was needed! After all the wedding events were said and done, we dove back into our photography--not just getting our feet wet, but threw ourselves in head first--and ever since we have been busy with branding, websites, blogging, and of course taking photos. This trip helped us kick back and relax. We still took photos (because really..I take the camera everywhere!), but it was great to just be with my husband and not talk about the business for a few days :) Here are a few photos from 3 different tasting rooms in Carmel we checked out on Saturday afternoon..

 Before you look at these photos, this was a joke :) They are just "secret lovers" (Seeeeecret luuhhhhhhvass..that's what we areeeee..can't you just hear that song? BTW..that was a joke too)

Donny and I stayed at Los Laureles for our last night in Carmel. This place was so cute and cozy with a cabin-like feel.

 Before we hit the road, we stopped in a cute little cafe with Dayle, Glen, Kristin, and Greg--I was a little obsessed with the brightly painted tables. :)

Kristin & Greg {Engagement}

I'm going to begin the story with when Greg proposed to Kristin. Roughly 2 weeks before our own wedding, Greg had been talking with Donny about rings and mentioned that he was going to propose around the end of October. I of course was excited especially since I was let in on a secret that Kristin didn't know about (well...I'm sure each girl has some intuition). Anyways, Donny and I got married, had an amazing wedding, and left for our honeymoon to Punta Cana. Yada yada... On our last day of our Honeymoon, Donny and I decided to turn our phones on to see if we had any messages. I randomly decided to text Kristin--immediately she called me, which is strange because we are more texting and Twitter buddies. I answered with "Talk fast! It's $1.75 a minute to talk to you." (haha classy I know) She laughed and mentioned that Greg just proposed to her about an hour ago...oh...my...gosh...I didn't even have to tell Donny what was going on or what had happened. I think he knew from all my screaming and hyperventilating gasps. I was so excited! And here were are 2 months later taking their engagement photos in Carmel. Take a look, but first! Some more deer shots :)

 So apparently deer are not supposed to eat oranges...oops!

Ok, enough deer shots..on to the Engagement photos...

Oh right! I almost forgot to tell the rest of the story of the Holman Ranch venue. On Saturday night, Kristin received an email stating that they wanted to make sure that the other couple didn't want the venue--which was a little disappointing since they had waited well over 24 hours. However, it was more of a good sign since, being a bride before, if the venue you wanted was in jeopardy of you having it, then they would of responded right away. Turns out they emailed Kristin later that night telling her the venue is there's for the taking. :)

November 17, 2012 <3