So I don’t know how Andrew Hsu knew but he guessed right.  We went to Vegas.  This was a huge a surprise since we had just been there for our anniversary because my husband was attending a conference.  He thought I wouldn’t be that excited but it was so much fun.  We ended up staying at the Wynn.  I don’t know how much you guys remembered how I fell in love with it just visiting last time.  This time we stayed there and it was amazing.  The main reason we went is that last time we were in Vegas he heard me mention how next time we came I really wanted to go to a Cirque de Soleil.  Well he got box tickets to see La Rev and it was fantastic.  It was so fun because we had a great view of the show plus we got a little t.v. to watch to see behind the scenes, under the water, and above.  It was spectacular.  How they physically do some of that stuff is just mind boggling.  Here are some shots of the show and the pool.  I love how when you walk in the ceiling of the show is covered with this huge parachute.  You don’t know it is a big cloth and not the real ceiling until the show begins.  Then it gets sucked up in one big sweep.  Again no other word to describe it but AMAZING!  It was funny because when we were checking in this elderly lady was giving me the low down on the Wynn and what shows we should see.  What cracked me up was she said she hated Circque de Soliel.  That she could watch the Olympics and see all the same stuff.  I’m sorry but there was some things in strength control that just blew my mind.  The other thing she told me to do was to make sure I didn’t turn down the nighttime turn down.  Cracked me up!  The pool area was beautiful and relaxing.  You could eat by the pool and gamble if you wanted.  Since we were there for a couple of days we just relaxed.  In fact, I think it was so hot we never left the hotel grounds. We explored alot of the restaurants.Club house grill is our new favorite restaurant.  The food here is exceptional and worth every penny.  Barlotta was good but I think it was overpriced for what you got.  But if you ever have the chance go to Club house grill at the Wynn.

This is all very exciting.  I”m heading on a three day mystery trip early tomorrow morning.  Eric has planned everything and I have no idea what we are doing.  He said it isn’t huge but it is still fun not knowing.  Girls I hope that after being married 13 years your husbands still do things like this for you.  I can’t wait to tell you where we went.  The only clue was that I had mentioned it was something or somewhere I wanted to go.  I want to do all kinds of things so it wasn’t much of a help.  It will be a fun way to wrap up summer.  The kids start school in a week and live goes back to full throttle.   Stay tuned and I can tell you where I went.  I did just find out we have to fly there.  Where could we be going?

Cheryl had something on her wedding day that most brides don’t.  Besides her father giving her away, he was also one of the officiants who married her.  It was a special ceremony filled with love and laughter as they exchanged vows at Gilroy Presbytarian.  The rest of the day was spent at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Gilroy.  From the preperation, to the traditional tea ceremony, to the reception everything was beautiful.    My assistant Jeremy was able to capture the little flower girl retreating.  She decided there was too many people looking at her and I just love how classic this photo is.  Here are some more of our favorites from their day.  To see more photos from their day check out their slideshow by clicking here.

And then of course Flamingo made his move.  I’m learning to deal with the embarrassment of the party crasher.  I have to admit he can get any party going.

We had such a great time doing Christina’s senior session. She was so fun to work with and I love that she loved to laugh. See those serious looks she’s giving us. It took a lot of self control to get those shots. She is a such a beautiful girl inside and out and she was a joy to work with. To see some more of her images check out her slideshow here.

What an amazing two week vacation I just had and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.  There is so much to catch up on so start looking for a lot of post over the next week or two.  There is a bunch of exciting news that will be released over the next couple of weeks.  I told someone I need at least 8 hours of blog time to catch you all up.

I just got back from 10 days of camping in Upper Michigan and it was wonderful.  The only bad thing was it was hard to stay in contact with the world but what are vacations for?  At the moment I’m living on 3 hours of sleep from the night before because small town Michigan believes it is ok to scheadule flights for 5:30a.m.    I will post some photos soon but it was a great family reunion.  I hadn’t seen some of my siblings in over 2 years and I was introduced to 3 new grand nieces and nephews.  How very fun.  I have one more coming in December.

My family has been coming to this campground for at least 40 years and they spend the same 2 weeks every year.  It used to be a ton of families but now my family alone is around 50 people so we take a lot of the park and beach up.  It was a great time to sail, tube, and wave runner by day, and lots of good food, campfires, game playing, and of course trips to the Dairy Queen at night.  Looking forward to sharing and of course Flamingo went to!

I know!  I know!  It was weeks ago but I can’t believe how busy this summer is.  There is so much going on and so much to share.  But I just wanted to get some of these posted.  I think I’ve told you before but  I totally have the coolest neighborhood around.  I swear that I when I come home I feel like I’ve stepped back in to the twilight zone.  This neighborhood is like how all neighborhoods should be. We get together all the time and there are so many kids.  Summer is the best in the “hood”.  If the weather is good everyone is outside then everyone is in the front, hanging out, and watching the kids.  This summer the big thing has been to play kick the can at night.  I started it with the kids and they love it when we can play.

One of the greatest things all year is our annual Fourth of July block party.  We have so much fun and each year it has been a little different.  (We’ve only had two).  But none the less.  Here are some highlights of the big day and I have a couple more to add.  Especially one of Flamingo.  He scared my neighbor girl to death we he took off in the car.  The other highlight is the Fire Department stopped by, let the kids hop in the truck, and then they sprayed all the kids in the street with the big hose on top.  It was a riot.  Other great things you’ll see is the decorated bikes, dad race on kids bikes, etc.  All very Norman Rockwell but memories that will last for everyone for a special childhood.  We are just so blessed with our neighbors.  God Bless America and the freedom we’ve been given.

Here’s a picture of my niece Kimber and I.  It is fun to have family around especially when almost everyone lives back in Michigan.  Last check out the sign over our door.  My neighborhood got them all at the dollar store.  Do you see why they cost a dollar?

Annie and Jon started their new life together at Los Gatos Presbytarian. It was a beautiful ceremony held at a church with historial family significance. Annie had the most amazing dress. It had the greatest train and veil. It was so large she arrived at the church in a limo bus. I had never seen the limo bus and I had to admit it was really nice. After watching brides and bridesmaids try to crawl in to a regular limo this was really comfortable, fantastic, roomy, and very classy inside. It really made it comfortable.

After the wedding the couple finished the celebration at Cinnabar golf course with family and friends. To see more of their day click here.

I just love this picture of the two of them walking out the church. Later, Iasked if they had planned that because it was just to funny. They said “no.”

Then last but not least Flamingo made his move. I turned around heard laughing and at this point I have to say I wasn’t surprised of found him there. I just can’t figure out how he’s getting to these weddings.

Here are a list of their vendors:

Flowers Heavenly Blossoms

Cake A Piece of Cake

Invitations JAX at Santana Row

DJ Music Now

Cinnabar Golf Club Monique Young

Dresses Elegant Lace

I can finally check this one off my to do list of life.  I’ve always wanted to see Sting in concert and seeing him with the Police last night was just a bonus.  We had so much fun and it was a great concert.  I love summer concerts, sitting on the grass, etc.  Sting still looks fantastic and sounds amazing.  You know their good when they sound as good live as on your radio.  One of the things that struck me about the whole concert was STINGs bass.  I swear it is his original bass and the only one he has played. It was so worn and rubbed down it was cool.  Now that I”ve seen him I would go again in a heartbeat.  There are many concerts I go to liked them, but after I’ve seen them I wouldn’t care if I saw them again.  Here are some of artist that I’ve seen that I would see again :U2, Billy Joel, James Taylor, and then Sting bada Bing.  I know this probably tells you my genre of music but these kinds now how to put on a show.  There are other people I’d go to see just because I hear there shows are amazing!

Finally! After months of  preperation, agonizing over which images to pick, how to design, and all the little bugs that need to be figured out it is finally up.  I”m so excited to unveil the new jill johnson weddings site. I can’t wait to hear from all of you on what you think.  There is still a couple of things to do that are in the making but I love what is up now. Plus, I’ll be adding to the highlight real in the gallery.  Keep coming back because over the next couple of months the blog will be updated, and hopefully the jill johnson photography site will be up hosting all the fun new portraits.

I love spending time with the Kliewer girls.  In fact, I photographed their mom and dad just a little over 4 years ago.  In fact, Shannon their mom, wore my pearl earrings on her wedding day.  She forgot hers in LA and had nothing to wear.  But I love to follow the lives of my bride and grooms and to photograph how their family changes and grows.  For the Kliewers their party of two changed to party of 5 really quick.  Look at the photos of their precious girls by clicking on the link here.  It was a wild a crazy hour but we had a lot of fun.