Time To Get Back To Work

Well things have been really crazy lately. Jase was born and it was like life just paused for a while as we enjoyed our new baby boy and got situated into being a new family. We got lots of warnings about losing sleep and no time for ourselves and we did expect that, but no one told us that it mentally drains you. It can be difficult to run a business out of your home and also take care of a new born baby, but I would not change it for anything. Jase is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen, of course. But, now the end of the year is here and it's time to start planning for next year.

We exceeded our goals and had a terrific year. We launched the photobooth and it's been a huge hit from the beginning. We had more weddings this year than we have had in previous years. In 2007 I had this great feeling that 2008 was going to be a great year an IT WAS! Jase was born, I have a beautiful wife who treats me well, business is doing great and I feel so blessed to be where I am.

Now that 2008 is over, I am thinking about 2009. First is first and that is the big bridal show Columbus Bride puts on at Vets Memorial. This will be our fifth year and we are going have a huge display with The Photobooth and Encore Entertainment. We expect a great number of bookings from the bridal show so I decided to build a second booth. The goal is to have the booth up and running by May.

I want to thank all my family, friends and my friends in the wedding industry for all the love and support you have shown. We greatly appreciate all the things you do and love you being a part of our lives. Now let's get to work!

More Pictures of Jase

15 Days Old

I am so glad to be going into the slow season. This will give me much more time to spend with my new baby, Jase. Amanda is doing great! I can't believe how wonderful she is doing. Since we can't go out right now on our date nights, we just have our date nights at home. It's kinda cool! I'll go and pick up dinner and bring it back home to eat, then we'll watch a movie. It is a total 180 from what we are used too. But so happy to be doing it. Jase is doing absolutely perfect. We are happy with the growth and progress he is making. Here are a few pictures I took on his 2 week old birthday.

Jase Kyler McDowell (11-6-08)

Jase was born at 1:03am Thursday November 6th at OSU Hospital. Amanda was in labor for 12 hours and did an amazing job. Jase weights 6lbs and 13oz. He is 20 inches long and has the most beautiful face. We came home on Friday around 2:45pm and Jase has been so wonderful. He feeds when he needs to feed and sleeps a whole lot. The only time he cries is when we have to take his clothes off to change him. Of course Amanda and I will be woken during the middle of the night a couple of times to feed him, well, I mean for Amanda to feed him. I always get the honor of changing him. People always say that your life changes when you have a baby and they are not kidding. I know exactly what that means now. Amanda and I are so thrilled to have baby Jase home and are excited now to raise him.

A Great Looking Guy!!!

I surprised Amanda today and took her back to Ultrasona to have another ultrasound. We were very curious to see our little man. As you can see, he is extremely adorable. He is a great looking baby. Amanda and I feel so blessed and just can't wait for his arrival. Not quite sure when he will be arriving, but the lady at Ultrasona says the end of October. Either way, Just glad he is going to be here soon. Thank you to everyone for your love and support as Amanda and I totally change our lives with the birth of our son Jase.

Feeling Blessed

This year has been amazing! Encore Entertainment has had an extremely successful year. I have made a lot of new friends and both Amanda's and my family are doing very well. But, the greatest news has been the news of our new baby. We are only 6 weeks away and now patiently waiting for his arrival. We took the hospital tour the other night and wow, it really hits you when you are standing in the delivery room knowing you are going to be there in just a little over a month. We have finished the baby's room and are now receiving gifts from our baby showers. This is exactly why I feel so blessed from God. God does amazing and incredible things. I love waking up everyday knowing something new is going to happen. I have no idea what it may be, I have know idea if it will great news, bad news or even a life changing event. But, I do know that it has happened for a reason and that reason is God working in my life.







A few weeks ago my grandfather had his 65th class reunion. 65 Years!!! Wow! He has had a yearly class reunion since his 60th. It's amazing how most of these people look for being in their 80's. My grandfather graduated from Newark High School right before he went into World War II. He married my grandmother when he came back from the war and were together for 60 years before my grandmother passed away a few years ago. My grandmother was a Christian but my grandfather was not. When my grandmother passed away, my grandfather then found Jesus and now has been saved. Another reason I feel blessed. It's amazing how God has worked in my grandparents lives. My grandfather is a wonderful person. He is so giving and so generous to others. I am proud to have his as a grandfather.

Victoria Secret

This past Tuesday I had so much fun DJing for Victoria Secret. They held a huge party out in their parking lot with several hundred employees. They had corn hole, football games, a photo booth and tons of food. I had a great time mixing it up for them.

Nate & Jessica

Nate and Jessica were married on Monday August 25th, 2008. Yes, I said Monday. It was a beautiful evening and everything turned out so perfect for them. The ceremony and reception took place on the West Terrace of Franklin Park Conservatory. This was my first wedding there since the lighting of the Palm House. Jessica created all her programs and I was blown away on how amazing they looked. Nate and Jessica are such a great couple and I felt so honored to be a part of their special day!

I was also glad to work with my good friend Jim Hicks of Davis Photography. I haven't had a chance to work with him for quite a while. These three pictures are from him and he is also the photographer who did all my photos on my website. Jim is an incredible person and I have a lot of respect for him. He has a wife with three kids, operates Davis Photography and is also the president of Thirst Relief International, an organization providing clean drinking water to different areas of the world who are less fortunate. You can learn more about Thirst at www.thristrelief.org and if you can contribute, you will truly be saving a life. Thank you Jim for being such a wonderful person!

Thank God For Vacations!!!

This past week Amanda and I planned a trip to Myrtle Beach. We stayed in her mom and dad's time share condo in South Myrtle. We had an awesome time. I was so glad to relax and take it easy. Usually when I go on vacation, I will still take phone calls and answer emails, but this trip all I wanted to do was relax and enjoy a vacation with my wife. It was beautiful every day till the last day when we left. Of course we ate out a lot and when we weren't eating out, we were eating in with Kripsy Kream Doughnuts. YUMMY YUMMY!!!! I must have eaten a dozen donuts while I was there. This vacation is probably our last vacation for quite a while since our baby Jase is on the way. Here are some pictures from our trip.


Our favorite thing to do is just layout on the beach!!!



Our beach house....I wish! Just some colorful homes on the beach.



Amanda's niece Maggie playing under the pier. I thought this was a cute picture.



Our walk on the pier during the evening.



Our view from our Hotel Room we stayed at one night. Yea, it was like a vacation on a vacation.

The New Franklin Park!!!!!

B.E.A.utiful is how I can describe the illumination of the Palm House at The Franklin Park Conservatory. I had the honor of providing the music for both the "Zen Terrace" and "The Grove" which are the new rooftop gardens during the grand opening. Franklin Park has added three new spaces at their location. Well, actually four. They have the two gardens, the new Veridian (an indoor space), and a brides garden. This venue is absolutely amazing as you can see in the pictures. But seeing it in person is a total different experience. I too am excited to be co-hosting the "Cocktails @ The Conservatory" every Thursday night which will be a 21 and over crowd mingling and hanging out as they enjoy some create cosmos. I highly recommend Franklin Park to any bride or any person planning an event. You will be 100% satisfied with their staff as well as Cameron Mitchell, their in house catering. Please call Lauren, Jessica, Colleen, Brandon or Dave to schedule a tour of Franklin Park.
www.fpconservatory.com

Please join us at Franklin Park on Thursday evenings for cocktails on the new rooftop gardens.
1777 E. Broad St.
5:30-10:30
No Cover
Cash Bar
Small Plate Menu
Encore Entertainment will be providing the music with the best Acid Jazz and Progressive Trance

Running Into People You Know

Amanda and I were out shopping at Cosco's today and we ran into Jim Sanders and his wife Jane. We had a great conversation about our weddings we did this past weekend as well as a show we will be working together here in the near future. It's funny when you are working a wedding everybody is dressed up in their finest attire and then to run into them just out and about in shorts and a shirt. If your not careful, you may not recognize somebody you work with quite often. I always love running into other vendors and discussing wedding stuff. I know it sounds funny, but I just love my job! If you would like to know more about Jim Sanders, visit his website at www.jimsandersphoto.com

Another successful weekend!

I really do love what I do! I am extremely blessed and honored to have this wonderful business and to have wonderful friends assisting with me. This weekend I was at the Franklin Park Conservatory working with some of my favorite vendors again. Jim Sanders with Jim Sanders Photography, Chris with Blue Skies Video and Katie of The Cake Studio. Dave and Jeremy were also out at Brookside Golf and Country Club and Confluence Park. This has been a very busy and successful summer. I have had the opportunity to work with some wonderful clients which always make the job much more fun. Thank you to everyone (clients and vendors) who makes this business so much fun.

The Photobooth

Here is our new logo for The Photobooth. My good friend Donna with dk photographic designed this for us. But of course she made fun of me because I thought it would look cool in a circle which is also our logo for Encore. We are excited to bring this new style of photobooth to Columbus. It is booking up quickly so if you are interested, please give us a call right away.

Niagara Falls

Amanda and I just got back from Niagara Falls yesterday and we had an amazing time. This was both our first time there. It was so nice to relax and get away for a while. The falls were incredible and the food was outstanding even though service in Canada is kinda slow. We viewed the falls from both the Canadian and the US side. US definitely has a better view but there is a lot more to do in Canada. It was hard to get some good pictures close to the falls because water is just flying everywhere. I highly recommend Niagara Falls to anyone who just wants to get away for a few days.