I hail from an Italian Catholic family on my Mother's side and I have nine cousins.  Of the twelve total cousins there are only three girls: my sister and I and my cousin Cassandra.  The grandchildren are fourteen strong (and growing all the time) with three girls.  Needless to say, the family is full of boys, which might be why I had so many guy friends growing up.  My cousin Patrick is one of those guy-friends.  I only wish we lived closer because I know we'd be best friends.  :)  Of all my cousins, he and I were born in the same year and are close friends even though the closest cities we've ever lived in are Barstow, CA and Flagstaff, AZ. We visit each other each year and always have ever since college.   Pat met Brooke a few years back at one of his friend's weddings in Mexico and they've been an item ever since.  The moment I met Brooke, I knew she was the one for Pat and I am probably the family member who is MOST excited about this marriage.  Pat was in Afghanistan for most of 2008 and during his tour Brooke and one of Pat's friends created a website called the Russo Rapid Response.  Every WEEK a family member or friend signed up to send Pat a care package and he received lots and lots of love while he was gone all because of Brooke.  She is a great girlfriend, a proud fiance and will make an incredible wife.  I really look forward to having her in the family -- YEAH!  Another girl!  Luckily all my male cousins have married awesome women so we are very lucky! Pat did the engagement just right and took Brooke on a surprise trip to L'Auberge de Soile in Napa, CA.  A TOTAL SURPRISE ENGAGEMENT story.  Let's just say it made me cry.  Blah blah blah, now onto the photos.  Brooke and Pat were driving cross country and stopped off in Flagstaff on their journey to TN, where Pat is stationed right now.  Brooke moved from San Diego to TN so they could be together.  I suggested we do an engagement session while they were in town.  Done and done.  Here are my favorites.  Brooke's RED high heels really made this session pop.  Go girl. I couldn't decide between the last three train shots... so I kept them all for the blog.