Website Face Lift

I have updated one of my senior galleries. Go check it out. I will be doing more face lift work to the website as weeks go by. So check in and see if your face is there.

Cristy Cross Photography

Wiley Family

We found new locations with the Wiley family. I love getting in the car and driving. Not sure what I'm going to see but maybe something will catch my eye for a new location shoot. That is what happened here with this family. I had a plan for their shoot, but my plans were changed. We found some inspiring locations that I plan on using again. Here are a few of my favorites . This family by the way is extremely fun to be around. They host our FCA group on Monday nights and Ben and I appreciate all you do for us and the kids.

Osburn Family

We had an energetic time with the Osburn family. The sun was a little bright for Aspyn but we were able to get some cute pictures of the girls and family. I think we got the best smiles when they were told they could jump on the couch and shout "Ice Cream."

Favorites

More Favs...
Sitting in the booth section at restaurants
Ordering from the kids menu at Arby's
Learning new info about photography
Stuffed flounder and shrimp pasta at Red Lobster
Brushing my teeth
Baking
Entering sweepstakes contest for Outdoor Photography Magazines (still haven't won)
collecting aprons

Favorite

B E N is my favorite!

Christmas Cards

Orders are already being made for Christmas cards 2006. Don't wait until the last minute to get your family pictures and greeting cards.

Special offer for families is $55 plus tax

1-2 hour session and 2 free 5x7s

Check out more greeting card designs in PRODUCTS.

Call and schedule today.

505.219.9312

Also, for more information on Cristy Cross Photography check out the website.

Hot Chocolate History

Tonight at FCA, we are having a Hot Chocolate Bar. While I was looking for a picture to post, I came across some very interesting facts about hot chocolate.

Did you know...

Drinking chocolate was originally a cold mixture of ground cocoa beans and water with the addition of spices such as cayenne pepper, vanilla and pimento. Later spices such as cloves and cinnamon were used. It was drunk from large bowls so its aromas could be savored. By the time it was introduced to Europe, the more pungent spices in the drink were replaced with cane sugar and it was served hot instead of cold.
After being introduced in England, milk was added to the after dinner treat. By the 18th Century, so-called "Chocolate Houses" were as popular as coffee houses. The first "Chocolate House" opened in London in 1657. Because it was so expensive, hot chocolate was considered a drink for the elite.
"Hot chocolate" is a retronym and the drink was originally simply called "chocolate". The subsequent popularity of the "chocolate bar" forced the invention of the term "hot chocolate" to distinguish it from "chocolate" which now means "bar chocolate".
By 1828, the first cocoa powder producing machine had been developed in The Netherlands, which generated a less acidic, more processed cocoa, now known as dutch-process cocoa. The new form of cocoa was easier to blend with warm milk or water.
Americans often use the terms "hot chocolate" and "hot cocoa" interchangeably, while others make a difference between "hot cocoa", made from a powdered mix of cocoa, sugar, thickeners and "hot chocolate" made directly from bar chocolate, which already contains cocoa, sugar and cocoa butter. A modern American concept is the addition of marshmallows to hot chocolate.

In the UK, "hot chocolate" is a sweet chocolate drink made with hot milk and powder containing chocolate, sugar, and powdered milk, while "cocoa" usually refers to a similar drink made with just hot milk and cocoa powder, then sweetened to taste with sugar.
Interesting isn't it?

At our hot chocolate bar we are having marshmallows but also Andes mints and Heath toffee to add into the tasty chocolate.

Favorite Things...

Week 3 Favorites Spanakopita

Don't knock it til you try it

Ben and I watched RV and Click this weekend. We loved these movies and want to buy them. They both have the same meaning in the end. Keep family first.

Water with Lemon

Hot Chocolate

Wrestling with my dogs

My new bobby brown makeup brushes I got for free

Getting cool stuff for free

Coconut Shrimp from Papadeux's and Rockfish-YUM-EE!

Giving gifts

I am going to do two favorites this week b/c I skipped last week.

Spa Party

I had a spa party at my house and invited moms and daughters last Sunday. My mom came, but when I would try and take her picture, she would put her hand in front of the lens. So I don't have any pictures of my mom to share.

It was fun being able to wear the products, laugh and relax. My cousin sells BeautiControl products and throws a cool spa party. If you are interested in having a spa party, let me know. 505.219.9312 and I will get you set up with her. She lives in Lubbock, and will travel. The very first thing we did was get our hands washed with a scrub that makes your hands feel like a babies bottom. Then we soaked our feet in warm water. We left them in for a while, and tried different feet products that made my feet feel so soft. A few favorites of the BeautiControl products is a salve for your feet, lip appeal (the white stuff on their lips), sand scrub for my feet, and the makeup. You have to call and find out more. I'm getting excited talking about it because my salve should be coming in the mail soon.

Thanks Kalah for a great party!

Be You

Jr. High and High School girls, there is an awesome conference that will be November 3rd and November 4th. This is a great time to get all your girlsfriends together and learn about being you. There will be worship, small groups with great topics about being a girl, food and tons of fun.

starts Nov 3rd @ 7pm

ends Nov 4th @3:30pm

It is going to be an awesome sleep over.

You will also get a chance to get your pictures taken with all your best friends on the cool red or purple couches in the FUEL bldq.

This will be a weekend you will remember forever.

Cost: $15

If you have any questions, call 505-762-4727

This is a conference for girls, put on by girls.

(If you cannot attend on Friday, you can still come on Saturday)

But you don't want to miss out.

"Our hearts are lonely until they rest in him who made us for himself."

Michael Caleb

Is it okay for the photographer to say that these pictures take my breath away? I mean that because Michael Caleb is adorable. This sweet, precious baby is just too cute for words. Matt and Shannon are blessed to have this little boy and he is blessed to have them. You may remember them from their maternity session back in September. And moving right along in life sharing with you the newborn pictures.

Feel free to leave a comment.

All you have to do is click on comments, below this post, and share your thoughts.

Reeb Family

This session lasted only 45 minutes. I couldn't believe it! It went perfectly and the kids were all smiles, except for this last picture. We thought he was ready to sit with his sisters, but he wasn't. We took the Reeb family pictures at their gorgeous house on a Saturday morning. It was a little foggy, but that didn't seem to bother us or mess up the pictures. These pictures are taken for their Christmas cards. If you need to get family pictures for the holidays, give me a call. Saturday are booking up very quickly.

505.219.9312

Bailey and Chevy-Large and in Charge

Come over and see the 30x40 of our dogs. I figured if I want my clients to buy a 30x40, then I should have one up in my house. It is very life size and very cool. I can't wait for you to see it in person.

Playing Dress Up

My mom, cousins and I went down to my grandmother's house a few weeks back to help her get ready for a garage sale. I wasn't much help because I found some great treasures and I had to try them all on. I was the entertainment for the afternoon. And I love to play dress up, even at the age of 25.

This is a hat from my grandmothers closet.

She used to wear hats to church every Sunday, and if you didn't wear a hat then you were not cool.

I feel like I could be Carmen San Diego in this hat. Isn't she/he a spy? Well maybe I should say, I look like I could be a spy or a detective. Or on vacation Florida.

This dress is very special. My grandad fought in World War II and when he was there he bought this dress for his future bride. He didn't know who she was going to be either. And then he met my grandmother. 60 years later she still has this dress in her closet. I only wore it for a second because it was so delicate and I didn't want to hurt it.

This lovely cake topper hat was a Sunday hat my grandmother wore to church. It is like a Jackie Kennedy hat.

This shinny jacket reminds me of something Michael Jackson would wear. I kept it because I could use it for skits.

I don't know what I was thinking, but I took a picture anyways. The necklace I'm wearing is from my great aunt, Canna. I love old jewelry. Especially when it is an heir loom.