Shakin' Up Jersey and NYC

For Spring Break Kris and I decided that it was about time we went up to New Jersey to see my Dad and the family. While we were at it, we thought what better way to spend our Spring Break with Ethan, than to spend it in New York during St. Patrick's Day (one of our favorite holidays). I took well over 900 pictures with my Canon 50D, but when I didn't have time to grab it, I snapped some pics with the ShakeItPhoto ap on my iPhone. It pretty much is the closest thing to a digital polaroid and I LOVE it. So, here's a very brief summary of our trip, polaroid style. Enjoy!

Best,
kelley denby photography

 Dad and Kerrie with their exotic birds that they foster.

 Ellie the dog - sweet, but a little "off" as are all rescue dogs. :)

 You wouldn't believe it by looking at him, but this guy from Jersey 

who is obviously and unassuming middle-aged white man 

knew everything there was to know about The Jersey Shore. 

I mean down to where Snookie was actually from (not Jersey, btw) 

and how much Mike "The Situation" made last year. 

He made our train ride from Jersey to NYC memorable.

 First step into the streets of New York - Amanda, 

that's your mini-cooper up there on the billboard.

 Ethan not so amused with my ShakeItPhoto ap

 Our "view" of the building across from us.

 Eating the BEST pizza across the street from The Majestic 

Theater - John's Pizzeria (rec from a NYC cop)

Central Park on St. Patty's Day

 Kris, who is also not amused by my ShakeItPhoto ap

 The perfect resting spot in Central Park

 Figuring out our next move

 Did you really think that he wouldn't bring his kilt to NYC?

 These guys were amazing - yes, I tipped them

 Grand Central Clock

 Empire State Building

I took this while Kris was busy playing detective - he 

was convinced this couple was picking pockets and that I was 

their target. The guards thought he was right. :)

 Green in honor of St. Patty's Day

 Grand Central Ceiling

 I WANT this chandelier in our dining room!

 Our hotel lobby

 I heart the Subway

 These guys outside The Met were fantastic

 We could have spent the whole week at The Met

 Chinatown

 Ethan wanted us to eat Dim Sum and we found 

some at Golden Unicorn - hope that wasn't 

on the menu and I didn't realize it.

 This was a good day

 Little Italy = Love

 Italian music playing for our table

 Brunch with Lorraine and Brian on our last day

 Bus ride to the airport

Someone was very happy to have us home. ;)

Sherwood Forest Faire | 2011| Austin Photographer

Kris, Ethan and Kris' friend Andy decided to camp out this year at The Sherwood Forest Faire in McDade, Texas. I, on the other hand was happy to meet up with the boys and Kris' family on Saturday and managed to have a really good time. For those of you who aren't aware, this is a much smaller, cleaner and more wholesome version of the Texas Renaissance Festival in Montgomery, Texas. I'm glad to say that I didn't have to look at any chain-link thongs at this faire . . . thank goodness. Kris wrote about the Sherwood Forest Faire last year, if you would like to check it out here.

This chick kept freaking us out by the way she was creeping around us. 

 Circa Paleo performed and they were amazing - my favorite is the "Last of the Mohicans" cover that they perform.

The Fox scared me a little, but he reminded me of Lucy, so I had to take a few of him.  

 My niece, Abigail Ruth - cutest pirate we saw that day.

 Kim, James, Kris and Ethan

 Happy little pirate family. :)

 Deby and Charlie - best in-laws in the world.

 The grandparents with their grandchildren.

 Cousins - Ethan and Abbey

 Andy and Kris

 It was a good day. :) 

Love,

Kelley Denby

Rae Rae

I've been thinking a lot lately about my relationships, especially my friendships and the first person who always comes to mind is Raegan, my absolute best friend in this world. We haven't lived near one another since we graduated and I pretty much had given up all hope that she and Wado Potato would ever move to Austin. However, the next best place that they could live is in San Antonio. This past December she called with the best news imaginable, Wade got a new gig and they were going to move them to San Antonio as soon as they could sell their home in Montgomery. How could I be so lucky?! Even better is that they're probably going to have to build a home and it may be in the New Braunfels or Gruene area. Can you say river time? Not only will I get to see her more, but I'll get to see my God son, Whitt more often and their new baby who is due in June. Words cannot express how happy and excited I am to think that our kids will get to grow up with one another (Please Note: I am not pregnant nor do I plan to be pregnant anytime soon). Haha. 

Just to give you an idea of how unique and amazing Raegan is, my own two sisters refer to her as their own "sister". Yes, they refer to me still as "potluck", nice huh? ;) I'll never forget the first time I met Raegan, I was 20 years old and with my new boyfriend; we were meeting his friends and their girlfriends out on Lake Bryan. I had just had a roller blading accident (that's right, I roller bladded and it was an amazing workout, what about it!?). My legs were all torn up and awful looking . . . it was gross. When we arrived at the lake, they pulled up the boat and there was Raegan. I luckily made it through and passed her 20 question interrogation. If you know Raegan at all, then you know that she puts everyone she meets through this experience. It's intimidating to say the least. I was scared of her, but more than anything I knew I really liked her and I wanted her to be my friend. Needless to say, we both ended up dumping the losers we were with and quickly moved in with one another for the remainder of our time at A&M. 

Raegan is my lifeline, my blood, and my best friend. She is gorgeous inside and out. She loves life and lives life to the fullest and makes no apologies for who she is or what she does. She is the best, most disciplined Mom - sort of like my mom is . . . a Drill Sergent to Whitt, but loving. That boy will turn out to be an amazing man because of her. She loves Miller Lite dressed and with lime and drinking beer on the river in chairs, which we will do a lot of once that baby is born in June. She taught me how to give the best hugs and she is in love with all old people; the thought of them makes her cry every time and that just shows how big her heart is. She's disciplined and still runs even though she's six months pregnant. She loves Texas Country music and has never understood my "other" taste in music, but never judges me for it. She's got a temper, so be sure to not piss her off, because she WILL put you in your place and WILL not apologize if she knows you're in the wrong. She's a lot like my husband, so in a way I got to marry my best friend. Haha. No wonder they get a long so well. 

I just feel so blessed to know her and call her my friend. Because of her, I was able to find myself and grow into who I am today. She taught me so many valuable lessons - lessons that stay with me every day.  Here's to many more memories with Rae Rae . . . at the river of course.