Clint and Melissa Fiore ~ April 7th 2007

This is the wedding of one of the greatest couples I know. I had the pleasure of meeting Melissa for the first time in July when Clint brought he from Colorado to Prescott to meet all his old buddies, she is such a sweetheart! I just wished they lived closer! They poses more joy, love and passion for life and God than anyone I have every met.

Their wedding was in Colorado and we were all a little bummed when the weather took a dive for the worst and decided to be 30º and snowing on their wedding day. Although I don't think this phased them one bit, they were just ecstatic to be getting married. The ceremony was so personal I was crying and trying to take pictures at the same time. And the reception was hilarious and turned out to be more like a variety show than a wedding reception, it was awesome. I love you guys, you are amazing and you bless everyone who knows you! Congratulations!!!!




Melissa made all the bouquets and boutonnieres for the wedding herself, she did an amazing job!













Clint is so hilarious! He surprised Melissa by singing her a song and in the middle of it he runs to the corner of the room, grabs this umbrella and starts dancing about and flinging glitter out of his pants pockets into the air while singing. It was so sweet and funny.

Our New House!!!

Joe and I are so excited to finally be moving into our first BRAND NEW house!!!! They are still in the process of building it for us and it should be completed in mid July. This past weekend we went down to check on the progress, we are a tad bit excited if you cant tell. :)

The Bestest Coolest Little Slice of Arizona: Jerome

Ok, so over spring break I got to visit one of my favorite places in Arizona, with one of my very favorite people, my mummy!

Jerome is an old mining town on the side of a hill, it is actually slowing sliding down the hill little by little each year. Here's a little blurb I found at www.azjerome.com for those of you who are interested. If you ever have a chance to go, take it!

----------------------------------------------

Jerome, Arizona

"America's Most Vertical City" and "Largest Ghost Town in America".

Located high on top of Cleopatra Hill (5,200 feet) between Prescott and Flagstaff is the historic copper mining town of Jerome, Arizona. Once known as the wickedest town in the west, Jerome was a copper mining camp, growing from a settlement of tents to a roaring mining community. Four disastrous fires destroyed large sections of the town during its early history, resulting in the incorporation of the City of Jerome in 1899.

Founded in 1876, Jerome was once the fourth largest city in the Arizona Territory. The population peaked at 15,000 in the 1920's. The Depression of the 1930's slowed the mining operation and the claim went to Phelps Dodge, who holds the claim today. World War II brought increased demand for copper, but after the war, demand slowed. Dependant on the copper market, Phelps Dodge Mine closed in 1953. The remaining 50 to 100 hardy souls promoted the town as a historic ghost town. In 1967 Jerome was designated a National Historic District by the federal government. Today Jerome is a thriving tourist and artist community with a population of about 450.

Jerome sits above what was the largest copper mine in Arizona and produced an astonishing 3 million pounds of copper per month. Men and women from all over the world made their way to Arizona to find work and maybe a new way of life. Today the mines are silent, and Jerome has become the largest ghost town in America.

Jerome's personality has changed dramatically in the past 30 years. Once a thriving mining camp between the late-1880s and early 1950s, Jerome is now a bustling tourist magnet and artistic community with a population of about 450. It includes a modicum of artists, craft people, musicians, writers, hermits, bed and breakfast owners, museum caretakers, gift shop proprietors and fallen-down-building landlords.

What is the Town of Jerome like today? Is it worth your time to visit? The answer is a resounding yes! Jerome is an enchanting town, and a photographer's paradise. From its external appearances it hasn't changed much in nearly 100 years. Many of the buildings used by present-day business folks are those built after the fires of 1894 and1899. A number of the buildings have been restored and more are planned for restoration. Due to the 30-degree incline of the mountainside, gravity has pulled a number of buildings down the slope. To the delight of some, one of those buildings was the town's jail. Those buildings still standing make for interesting visiting and with a little research you can find their historical significance. One notable section is the "Cribs District." You will find this area across the street from the English Kitchen, in a back alley where all the buildings were are part of Jerome's ill-famed "prostitution row."

Make Jerome your destination for your next trip to Arizona. Being centrally located, a stay at one of Jerome's bed and breakfasts, inns or hotels is perfect for a home base to explore the entire northern Arizona region from. Drive from Jerome to Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff and even the Grand Canyon and then return to Jerome to relax for the evening and dine at one of the fine restaurants in Jerome. Then just relax to the peaceful surroundings that no other city in Arizona can offer.

----------------------------------------------

SOME OF MY FAVORITE PICTURES FROM OUR TRIP!


I LOVE photographing inside old hotels, I have no idea why but I just think they are so neat





Portrait of me and my mummy al la crazy mirror in a random gift shop.









Ok so we were taking pictures of this abandoned building and I had crouched down to take a picture through this hole in the wall when just as I'm about to press the shutter release button this cat jumps through the hole at me. Well needless to say it freaked me out and I screamed bloody murder... and so here in honor of that moment is the crazy demon possessed cat that scared me half to death.






Yummy creme brulé cheescake!






Here's an pretty good view of the little town from the Hotel/Resturant on the top of the hill.



My mummy in action!