hi mcbloggies,

Happy Valentine's Day! & Gung Hay Fat Choy! (Happy Chinese New Year) & Happy President's Day Weekend!

So many reasons to celebrate this weekend, including NBA All-Star weekend & the start of the Olympics - 2 things that both Micah & I enjoy very very much. We're also both half Chinese, though we're not doing much to celebrate the Year of the Tiger today.

I have always loved Valentine's Day - and I know there are some who do not love this day, for whatever reason (too commercialized, not fun if you don't have a significant other, etc etc etc). I think I've always enjoyed it because my parents made it special for me growing up. They would always have a card and a special gift for both my brother and I, & to this day my mom still gives me Valentine's gifts. I loved the little cards we would exchange with our classmates in elementary school, & even in Jr. High & High School I'd bring candy to give out.




You see, I think I love it because it is a day to celebrate love! I didn't associate it with "having a valentine," when I was younger, so to me it became a day to celebrate those who I loved & those who loved me. In college, I lived with a few roommates who (at the time) did not love "v-day," but I wanted to change their minds. For three years I had fun planning special breakfasts, desserts, or dinners, complete with gifts & flowers & special food so that we could celebrate each other! And you know what happened?? Now they make cookies to pass out, or send cards & gifts to other people for Valentine's!



Today Micah & I are celebrating by grilling up some special steaks (courtesy of a bday gift we've held on to from miss licoreen) & enjoying some fondue...at home. Our tradition is BBQ, since BBQ=love to me, but since it will be extra crowded today we'll celebrate at home. We'll watch the NBA All Star game & more Olympics. & to top off the romantic-ness, Micah gave me exactly what I wanted this year - a fixed light switch in our room! I gave him lots of sour gummi candy & lots of highlighters, & a paper towel holder. As silly as this sounds, we're both REALLY happy with our gifts - since they were exactly what we wanted *smiles*



So mcbloggies, our friends & family, we just wanted to let you know that YOU are loved by us. We are so thankful for the moments we get to be a part of your life - whether it's taking pictures of your family, your love relationship, your wedding day, serving with, or hanging out with you (with food of course!), we love you & we love growing with you. Know that today, we're celebrating you!

p.s. special shout out to the mcbloggies from our youth group! We love you guys lots, & thanks for encouraging me to keep the blog updated too!
*heart brownies made especially for my JEC girls, inspired by this project

Hey mcBloggies! (Micah here)

We arrived into Japan around 6pm on Friday evening and I don't have much time chat, BUT here are things I like about Japan so far, in no particular order...

#1 - A mountain named "Fuji"



##2 - awesome dorinkus(drinks)!  And yes, that's soda that looks like a tobasco bottle.



#3 - Yummy foods!  On the left is bacon wrapped in bread, on the right is a sweet bread with chocolate pudding inside.



#4 - Awesomely worded...everything. (this is a retail shopping store)



And #5 - we get to hang out with these two rascals.



We'll see if we can post some more through the week!  Have a great weekend!

-the gilmores

Hi McBloggies,

Here's another one for ya - Risa & Davey's wedding!


Started off the day with Davey & the boys ~ loved their grey suits!





Micah saw some perfect light, & Davey had the perfect contemplative look!


Some of Risa's bridal details -


Risa was so effortlessly beautiful - the moment she put on her Maggie Sottero dress (which was the first one she ever tried on!) you could hear her bridesmaids take a deep breath. It fit her - with the light flowers along the waist & the delicate way it moved. So pretty!






There were many familiar faces around us that day: Steph & Ivan, Sarah & Tosh, Kev & Michelle, and RayAnne & Elliot! RayAnne was one of the worship leaders, & Elliot was one of the groomsmen!


Davey & Risa wanted their first look to be when she walked down the aisle - here are a few of the first happy moments -


Their ceremony was full of meaning & laughter together~ you can see their water ceremony in their slideshow.







I love this one - I think it's my favorite!


Boom. Gorgeous. times 2.


Ok, this one (that Micah caught) is my other favorite.


Their invitations, programs, table cards, & even flowers featured the pineapple, which is a symbol of hospitality. It was the theme of their day, & so true of who they are! During the ceremony, Tommy, who officiated, commented at how much people love being around Risa, & how much people love being with Davey, & how much more people love them together!


During the reception, Davey & Risa gave each of their parents hawaiian leis of appreciation.


They also had a live hawaiian band, a traditional hula dance, & Davey joined the band for a bit too (& you'll notice he changed into flip flops as well!)


I love catching other people in love at weddings - as they celebrate the love between the bride & groom, I've noticed a lot of guests who hold hands while they rejoice too! Here is Risa's sister & maid of honor with her hubby.


Usually we don't post many group pictures, but these are some key people of the day - Stephen, Davey's brother & best man, who reminded Davey to "be a life giver" to his new wife; Paige (Stephen's wife) who helped the family shots go the smoothest & fastest we've ever seen; family friends (Lisa, that one is for you!); & the Dyo's: it was so good to see them again (Mika was our flower girl! & Noah caught the "garter"). While we're at it, just wanted to say hello to Kiki & Jackx, who were at the wedding & mentioned they were avid McBloggies ;)


And one more big, HUGE thanks to their wedding coordinator extraordinaire, Lilly! Thanks for making sure everything ran smoothly & on time (even early!)


Each name card was held in place by two wooden sandals, which were actually magnets as well...and they were all HANDMADE by Davey's Grandpa. A.MAZ.ING.


We'll end with a couple more that I love - the one on the right I felt bad about taking, but then I noticed that Davey marked it as one of his favorites! Davey & Risa, we had so much fun spending the day with you - thank you for your friendship & for always making us feel so welcomed & comfortable. Let's eat together again soon! Love, the gilmores




To see more of their wedding, watch their slideshow below!

On to part 2 of Frank & Cheryl's celebration!



After the ceremony everyone was rushing to give the bride & groom hugs! Micah stayed with them to catch some group shots & pictures of their handsome chauffeur & their fancy car for the day.



I caught a ride with these two over to CSULA, where the reception was being held. Yes, I used to give them rides to basketball games (or the one on the right to church), but this time they drove me! {Thanks!!}


Frank & Cheryl's coordinator, Katie, had everything under control & ready to go! She was the coordinator for Victor & Kelly's wedding, & we loved working with Katie again.  Frank & Cheryl have an obvious love for Disney & Disneyland (Cheryl works for them), & everything from the names of the tables, the seating cards, & the cake decor proved it! They also wanted a special way to symbolize their merging of two cultures - for favors they gave out Japanese chopsticks wrapped in a Mexican fabric!


We spent some more time with the bridal party. They were just so serious.




First dance as Mr. & Mrs!




Cheryl's dad learned a dance for their special father daughter time~


& Frank + his mom had an equally heartwarming dance as well (he was making her laugh & cry at the same time!)


After the Best Man & Maid of Honor toasts, there were 2 surprise toasts by their basketball teams (Frank's team pictured below).






Frank (& Cheryl) love to dance. Anytime. Anywhere. With all the camera's pointed at them, they decided have a little fun before cutting the cake!






Near the end of the evening Frank changed into a Japanese kimono (I think it's a yukata), & Cheryl changed into a Mexican dress.


And there was a little dancing - on a sidenote, their MC (top middle picture) was amazing! He made up a singing game with Disney songs for when the room clinked the glasses. Awesome job jwoo!


Had to include this picture because they are our name twins! We've run into them at a few weddings, & when they got engaged, I got a number of phone calls and emails either saying "congrats" or "why didn't you tell me?!" from mutual friends thinking the news was about me. What are the odds?


We'll end here, with one of our favorites from the day!


Frank & Cheryl, you two rock! Thanks for being up for anything, & for knowing the "Micah Gilmore Photography poses." You've blessed us so much, & we know you've blessed so many others as well. May you continue to grow in love together, & treasure each other. Thanks for bringing the joy, the fun, & the Disney Dream Package to us!  Love, the gilmore's

To see more of their wedding, watch their slideshow below!

Hi McBloggies,

Apologies for the "silence" lately here on the blog. Life has been good, & very full...& it feels like we've been experiencing the full life cycle condensed lately. We've rejoiced with friends tying the knot, celebrated with friends who are expecting a lil' one & navigating the season of pregnancy, helped friends move into a new home, kicked off the school year with our youth group, & also said goodbye to my grandma. {All of this within the last week & a half!}

That being said, we have so much to share with you still! Weddings, family fun, camp pictures (yeah, we still haven't put those up yet!). Thanks for sticking with us friends!

For today we have a fun engagement shoot with our friends Sarah & Tosh. Tosh & Micah met in college, & also went to Brazil together (along with Risa!) When we met with Sarah & Tosh to talk about photography, Micah asked me "hey so, do you know Sarah?"

I replied "um...yeah, since I was like 2." You see, Sarah & I were gymrats together, & we grew up playing in the locker rooms & hallways of gyms while our parents played volleyball. Sarah would bring all of her cool dress up jewelry, & we'd be princesses. When we got older, we would write letters, & she would sign it "lil sunshine" (which, if you know her, is COMPLETELY appropriate!). I remember sitting in my room when she was a high school senior, & she was telling me about this guy, Satoshi...& then what do ya know? Years later, they're engaged! Here's a bit of our day together~




As you can see, we started off the day at UCLA, where Sarah attended med school.


Sarah has been waiting so patiently to see the pictures - & she is a faithful McBloggie too! I think Sarah & Tosh win the award for being at the most weddings we have shot - we just saw them at Davey+Risa's, saw them at the Kitanji wedding, & Steph & Ivan's.






A lil' sunshine for you. Yes, that is on purpose.




Strike a pose...




Have some fun (this comes very naturally for them!)


I love the look of this one - can I say that about my own pictures?! I'm not sure why, but it jumped out at both of us Gilmores.


And I love this one too - it was hard pick between the black & white version or color, but I love the classic & timeless feel when it's b&w.

Fun windows!

The last light of the day...


Goodbye for now Santa Monica!


Sarah & Tosh - thanks for hanging out with us & for your friendship throughout the years. We really enjoyed our time with you guys & the yummy dinner afterwards too! We're praising God for bringing you two together, & looking forward to your wedding in January! Love, the Gilmore's