Things You Might Not Know About Me
May 7, 2018
…Or care to know!
Family is my favorite thing. I have three big brothers. They gave me three sister in-laws and three nephews, and two nieces! I love being Aunt Hannah. My parents, three brothers, and all my aunts and uncles live in Buffalo. My family is super supportive of all the crazy things I do with my life… they are THE best.
My family at our wedding in Spokane, Washington.
Just 2 years ago, I had 2 nephews and a niece. Today, one niece and one nephew have joined the team. That picture of all us Woody's was from January, but little Noah couldn't make it. That's him as a baby and at his one year cake smash! 👆
I am the luckiest girl in the entire world. The boy I would’ve married since I was 14 (if that was allowed), is the same boy that ended up choosing me! I totally was the one that pursued him at 19, and it was the most shocking and surprise-filled time of my life when he made it clear that he liked me back.
Engagement photos by the one and only Sarah Bridgeman.
A few years later, we are loving doing life together and I am very happy to be his wife. (We just celebrated 2 years of marriage on May 4th).
Wedding photos taken by Buffalo's own Nicole Mason who currently lives in Portland!
Caleb is an enthusiastic and talented web developer who blows me away often with the things he can crank out. I am so proud of him. His secret skills include film-making (he’s really good behind the camera), woodworking, leather crafting, all things camping, learning/teaching financial knowledge, singing and playing guitar, Super Smash Bros Melee, and he enjoys my super good peanut butter pie.
We are very fortunate that his side of the family is also located in Buffalo and is actually close with my family. I gained another brother and sister when I married in. I can’t say enough great things about his welcoming, supportive, helpful, care-free family. They are wonderful and it’s such a blessing to not have crazy in-laws… I’m not sure he can say the same about my family ;) 👋 If you’re reading this...
I try to live according to God’s purpose for my life. I trust in His perfect timing and can relax knowing He’s in control. Jesus set a wonderful example for us while on this earth, and I try my best to put that into practice. There was never anyone more loving, kind, and welcoming. Caleb and I work together to keep those virtues at the center of all we do.
Cats are my favorite. I seem to make a friend wherever I go. My bestest friend, Stitch, is the best and worst cat you will ever meet (he’s the angel and then he’s the devil… that’s why “Stitch” is the perfect name for him). He lives with my parents because Caleb is allergic :( I also get plenty of cat time in by volunteering at a local cat adoption center once a week. Yay cats!
This is Stitch! 👆
I also love ducklings, chipmunks, tiny fat birds, puppies, teddybear hamsters, and teeny tiny bunnies. I wanted to be a zoologist when I was a young teenager but zoo camp never lined up with my schedule. Ha!
Speaking of summers… my dad is the camp director at Camp Hickory Hill. It’s a christian boys camp in July and girls camp in August. Every year since I was born, I have lived at camp for about 6 weeks out of the year. It’s truly a second home and holds a very special place in my heart. I also met Caleb there!
That's us 👆 with my dad! Notice the plaid shorts on the left and the bangs and braces on the right... those will be talked about later.
You might have already noticed my family’s odd obsession with Disney World. We are pretty passionate folk. I’ve gone to Disney World 10 times, but I have trips 11, 12, 13, and 14 in the works. Not kidding. My brother, Aaron, and I are Annual Passholders right now. It’s pretty serious. We stay at the cheapest hotel because the only time we spend at the hotel is to sleep. We are out the door by 7:30am and ideally not back until past midnight.
Nothing makes me happier than walking towards the castle, smelling fresh waffle cones and seeing Mickey. It’s a magical place. Here are some of my favorite things; Magic Kingdom, Splash Mountain, area music, pineapple dolewhip, ice cream cookie sandwiches, Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada of Epcot, Wishes fireworks (RIP), the peoplemover, safety spiels, Soarin, Dinosaur, Tower of Terror, hidden mickeys, Fantasmic, and the France Bakery.
If you are ever planning a vacation, talk to me! I’d love to chat and give you some tips on making the most out of your trip! PLUS, I’ll take your pictures!! It’s pretty much my favorite thing in the entire world.
I love to travel in general. Besides Disney World, I have been many times to Washington state, Chicago, Arizona, and Haiti. We went to Jamaica on our honeymoon. I’ve been on shorter trips to NYC, Washington DC, Philly, Colorado, and Montana. Places I want to go include; San Antonio, more of Colorado, Utah, Paris, Venice, Peru, and New Zealand.
I’m a kid. My favorite foods are ice cream, pizza, and mac and cheese… I enjoy warm bread at restaurants, tiki drinks, mexican food, and eggs benedict. I discovered that Aldi has their own version of the Girl Scout peanut butter patties for $1.39 and they are the best thing in the entire world. Seriously.
I really love plants. I want to love succulents but I kill them all. Our apartment is full of plants because they make everyone happier.
👆 That's not my apartment... that's the Botanical Gardens.
I am a little bit of a runner. I semi-enjoy running. I ran/walk a half marathon in 2014 (cough cough in Disney)... and then this past January I ran my first ever half marathon without stopping… of course it was in Disney.
My family runs, too!
I was never into sports even though my brothers all adore football. (One brother even became a college football coach for a living.) I sat through countless modified, JV, and varsity games for THREE different brothers. I paid my dues… I enjoy it when I watch, but I never willingly watch anymore.
I am a recovering perfectionist. I graduated high school 6th in my class. Since high school, I think I have found a good balance between crazy freak and carefree freak. But, I guess I should hear what others have to say…
I love decorating. I find it so fun to achieve a style you like and make it your own. I think my dream job would be a live-in Disney World travel agent, who interior decorates homes, and photographs weddings and families only in warm places while petting cats.
I have dabbled in watercolor painting, pottery, filming, and boondoggle-ing. ;) But, by far, my favorite art is photography.
I think I’m hilarious. I don’t need anyone to laugh at my jokes, because I will do plenty for all of us.
My favorite noises are birds chirping outside my window, waterfalls or even indoor water features, giant raindrops hitting the windshield, and seagulls. I tell people that my favorite restaurant is Applebee’s, but it’s actually Rainforest Cafe. My favorite smells are chlorine from an indoor pool, waffle cones, pineapple, and the smell after it rains.
I enjoy thunder and lightning except when I’m trying to sleep. I love looking at the stars. Palm trees are my favorite. I like to hike and explore, but bears and sharks scare me. I hate gorillas. I do not like to eat fish, and I despise pickles. I used to hate mint and used Kids’ Crest bubblegum toothpaste until I was 20 (this was the same time I discovered Niagara Chocolate Mint Cookie bars and Thin Mints). I’m mildly allergic to cats, dust, trees, and cockroaches (don’t ask). Black raspberry ice cream with oreos is secretly amazing. I pulled out all my eyelashes when I was little. I am squeamish about blood and body things. The only time I went home sick in all of middle school and high school was the day we were learning about umbilical cords in health class. I have never broken a bone. I have two piercings in each ear, but you’ll never see me wearing dangly earrings. I always have chapstick on me. For years, I was known as the girl who wears bright colored sneakers (before they were cool), plaid shorts (after they were cool), and a band or Disney t shirt (never cool). I rocked braces and bangs for a number of years. My husband prefers if I don’t wear makeup. And… I always try to see 5:24 on the clock because that is my birthday time (month:day).
I would never ever ever talk this much about myself… but you insisted by clicking on the link.
Hop on over to my website and say “hi!”
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I’m offering mini sessions this week with the Cherry Blossoms! 😍 I’m also coming to Rochester’s Lilac Festival on the morning of THIS Saturday, May 12th! Let me know if you want photos! Apparently the lilacs may not be in bloom, but the magnolias should be!!! 😍
Take a look at my travel calendar and let me know if you want photos anywhere!
Also, if you have a Disney trip planned, message me regardless of your dates, you bring me there and the photos are yours! Yay! (And I’m happy to set you up with some tips and advice before your trip if you’re looking for help with anything!) And yes, that isn’t a typo on my travel calendar… we will be “snow-birding” near Disney World in Florida for SIX weeks next winter! And I’m available to take photos all around Orlando! Introduce yourself… I love making friends!