2 Brides!  I’ll get to that later!

Last week we went away to Disneyland Paris for a short break.  It was a kind of last gasp trip for Evan to be the complete centre of attention before number 2 arrives in January.  To say Evan had a good time would be a profound understatement.  There is little that compares to the feeling of seeing your kids eyes widen and look in amazement as they first enter “It’s a Small World” or get so excited at seeing Captain Hook or Mickey Mouse or Louis (from Jungle Book).  It made the experience just as magical for us as it was for him.  The only problem with EuroDisney is that its in….Europe.  This means pushy kids always trying to cut the queue.  Once you get as ‘European’ as they are it gets better :)

It wasn’t a cheap holiday…but if it got us away from all the ‘global credit crunch’ waffle it was worth it to me.  The bankers f*ked up, screwed everyone and got a Ferrari.  Get over it, fix the problem and put them on an hourly wage.  As you can see, I’m probably never going to be in finance!

Anyway…Disneyland.  Of course, poor Nicola, the thrill seeker, wasn’t able to ride any of the serious rides.  I was then asked to do this on her behalf and describe them to him.  I obliged…all except for the Tower of Terror.  I simply don’t like those kind of ‘puke’ rides.  If it goes fast, round corners and through loops I’m fine.  But up and down or simply round and round and I start getting woosy.  I did enjoy the Rockin’ RollerCoaster at Walt Disney Studios.  From a standing start to a loop, in the dark, in about 3 seconds.  As Thelma says in Scooby Doo…Jinkies!  Most of the ‘fast’ rides were empty as the demographic hitting the parks last week were younger kids with families.  On the subject of rollercoasters, as a kid I loved them.  As an adult, I like them, but as I’m on it I constantly think…”what would happen if this shoulder harness just let go”.  I want to see technical drawings showing me how it CAN’T happen.

We had a great time…Evan had a tremendous time.  We decided that we’ll start putting the pennies away now for a full blown trip to Disney World in Florida when number 2 gets to 4 years old.  Donations kindly accepted :)

In the queue for Dumbo

Getting cheeky with mummy … I felt like a right idiot riding alone in my own Dumbo

However, I did find this.  It says, ‘Please wear your seatbelt, watch calmly and NO STRICTLY COME DANCING!’

Round and round (barf)

Evan discovers the joys of a 2 double bed hotel room

Perhaps one of the biggest highlights of his week!

We all rode the tea cups…but we kept the spinning to a minimum

Evan passes his first “American” test.  This is his first burger!

As I mentioned earlier, the only thing better than a bride is 2 brides.  Saturday, I shot my first same sex civil partnership.  As a wedding goes it was no different to any other wedding I’ve shot…apart from 2 white dresses.  They both got ready in the same room…sadly the hotel gave them a small room so all of my previous brides will know how much space it takes for one bride…so imagine two.  I really enjoyed it and K&L were both fantastic….not an ounce of Bridezilla between them.  Thanks for an amazing experience and enjoy Vegas (baby!)

Katie and Lorna — Carys Manor Hotel — Saturday, 11 October, 2008

I’ve always loved the New Forest.  When Darren first realised there were wild horses…words can’t describe

Huh…look at that.  How did that happen?

Burning hair…its whats made me what I am today!

Katie was a camera phobe….this is her nervous look

Dress after dress after dress after dress

Lorna amongst the chaos

If the shoes go on first…YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!…..

….Dress Diving.  I get like one or two a year of over the head….

Both mums help with Lorna’s dress

….and then I get two dress dives in one day!

Katie masters the “whatcutalkinboutWillis” look

Katie’s mum went a bit mad with the glitter spray…at which point the only thing that could save the day was cellotape (scotch tape)

Lorna was less than gracious regarding the cellotape incident :)

Here are two images which exemplify that all light ain’t created equal…here its warm, lush and wonderful

Here its so direct that only a silhouette will do

Double Trouble

Of course the challenge is now to even out the ‘exposure’

Its the first time I really moved much in a civil ceremony

The happy couple shortly before take off

Yes…I know…it ain’t perfect

How to Win Friends and Be Removed from a Christmas Card List

Soft, blurry, out of focus….like I could give a toss!

A new twist on a old idea

Time for the double Bride gives Dad a look during his speech routine

Take 2

October?  You must be joking!

The next two are for Katie…who thought my choice of location was silly!

Not too bad eh?

Thank you for obliging me

I find the most interesting places

Lorna knew how to ‘work it baby’

Bling!

Steps have a lot to answer for!

EXPLANATION…for the past few weeks I’ve been graced with Chesney Hawkes ‘One and Only’.  Its great because everyone does the whole arms in the air, finger outstretched routine.  So I convinced the DJ to play it early…and the whole dance floor emptied.  I was mortified.  Here, Darren tries to make me feel better.

And a few from Darren, The Boy Wonder

Oh No….Darren hates shoes as well!

Nice catch…just as they walked into the ceremony

Darren learned the mutter those famous words that I say all too often “man, the light in this room sucks”

Pimpin’ someone elses photo…nice!

I set him loose on the cake.  Great shot!

Great connection!

Katie’s brother, and best man, gets the Darren treatment

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