Off to the Circus!!

We did our first family trip to Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey's Circus. It was everything the kids had imagined and wanted. Clowns were everywhere causing mischief. While elephants and tigers did amazing tricks. The kids quickly discovered that everything is bigger under the big top.....that includes the food!!! Yes, my kids dined on the endless supply of junk food. OMG the box of popcorn alone was almost as big as Lauren! As you can see from the picture above...lol. The cotton candy was also enormous and Maddie ate it so fast I thought she might get sick. As you can see from the pic of her enjoying her cotton candy feast. The show was full of energy and never dull. My kids sat mesmerized thought out the entire show and never made a sound. We will make sure to go again next year!

Our little Olympics!

Lauren and Maddie had their gymnastics expo this past weekend at Fun & fit Imagymnation. The expo is an event where the kids show off their skills on the balance beam and double bars. Madison is a very talented gymnast and it comes naturally to her. While Lauren is one who really has to work hard to achieve her goals. I must admit I was very impressed by both my girls. The fact that Lauren was able to reach her goals shows she has really worked hard. Madison has terrible stage fright and didn't want to perform for the large group of over 60 parents. However, with tearful eyes she went out into the arena and did her routine perfectly. Their coach , Ben, is an amazing guy! We are so lucky to have him!! His positive energy and constant motivation draws the kids into the challenges. They don't give up because he is right beside them cheering them on and telling them they CAN do it. That is Ben's motto we never say "I can't do it" and we always say "I can try"!

Confessions of a SAHM

Yep this is it...this is the life of a SAHM. What is a SAHM, you ask? Well it is a job that requires you to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are no days off, no vacation time, no bathroom breaks, no lunch breaks, and yes ....no pay! I am a Stay At Home Mom!

It is a thankless job really, as no one comes along as says "Gee you are doing one heck of a job raising those kids". It's a job that has its perks and downfalls you could say.

There are however what I call....." the moments"! I get to see the moments my children grow just a little bit older. The moment they learn something new, The moment they chose to do the right thing over the wrong, the moment when they have done a great job! Yes, I'm right there beside them in those moments. I'm there to hold them in my arms and tell them "I'm so proud of you" and "I love you very much"! How lucky am I to share in the those moments. How lucky are my children to have a mommy that loves them so much to want to be there. How lucky are my girls and I to have a husband & father who takes such good care of us that we have a SAHM!

Hiking in Malibu!

Took the girls and my mom on a little road trip today. We arrived at Malibu Creek just in time for Maddie to get "car-sick" outside of the car. I know.... sounds like wer'e having a blast huh? Then we started out on our hike and it couldn't have been better. They kids spotted a deer and it was a beautiful day. We stopped for a snack when a Russian boy, about Maddie's age, came along . Their group were obviously tourists enjoying a hike. The boy kept trying to talk to Maddie in Russian. Maddie kept laughing and gave herself a case of the giggles. Out of nowhere she blurted out....."At last you have rescued me my handsome prince". We all started to laugh and the boy laughed too.... although he looked confused. We left the picnic area continuing on our hike. The girls wanted to play in the creek before we went home. We headed over the bridge and the girls had a blast splashing in the cool water. It looked so nice I even took off my shoes to soak my feet. Suddenly the Russian boy appeared at the top of the bridge and was waving to Maddie. We all looked up and he said "Farewell my beautiful princess"! Maddie didn't miss a beat and called back to him "farewell my sweet prince". Nana and I stood there dumb founded. We can only guess one of the adults in the tourist group translated what Maddie had said to the boy. In turn we guess that same adult must have told the boy how to reply in English. Either way it was super cute!!!! Here is a few picks from the day!

The Aquarium!

We are members of the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific and there is a good reason for it. My daughters just LOVE it here!! Somehow looking at the fish is relaxing and fun at the same time. For my kids its a game to find a certain type of fish in each tank. To their surprise this trip they found a diver! What really freaked them out was when the diver started talking (via microphone) to them from inside the tank. Once the diver mentioned something about Lauren's beloved "brown bear" it was over. Lauren was sure her precious bear was in danger and we had to evacuate the area....lol

Beach Babies!

We took the girls to beach this last weekend and had a blast!! It was a perfect day and there was a wonderful breeze coming off the water. When the girls sat on the blanket to eat lunch and I took a picture of their feet. I love how the picture turned out. How cute are those sandy feet sticking out of the towel. I think its pretty cute that Lauren still has "baby feet"! Her lil toes are so plump and sweet!

Summer Hiking!

Here are some images from a recent hike I took in Thousand Oaks, CA. It was super hot out and there wasn't a cloud in sight. However the super blue in the sky make a perfect backdrop for the dry landscape. These are a few of my favorites!

What a happy couple!

Did an engagement session this last weekend at my favorite secret beach. Keith & Kelley are such a great couple. They're relaxed and fun.......so great to photograph! I love the footprints in the sand which was Keith's idea. Thanks Keith! I will be shooting their wedding in September!

Lets Play Catch-Up!

Okay all my loyal blog readers, I apologize for being super busy and neglecting my blog. But I will be posting a bunch here to catch things up. First I want to share some great pics. These are from a recent shoot. This little cutie was a doll to work with!

Ballet Recital

I had to post some of the cute pics from Lauren's first dance recital. She is a natural on stage and really works hard to do her very best. I have to share that in her final number "The dance of the Fairies, Lauren was the youngest performer on stage. This was an ensemble number in a cast of over 50 dancers in a age range from my 4 yr old Lauren up to 22 yr old pros. She has only been dancing for 3 months and was selected by the school's owner to dance in the ensemble number. which is a huge honor since not everyone got to dance in it! My baby held her own up there with the "big kids" I am so proud of my lil dancer!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

This weekend we celebrated Madison's 7Th birthday! We had our little event at Olivia's Dollhouse and Tearoom in Thousand Oaks. The kids loved dressing up and having a tea party!

Here are a few of my favorite shots!

The Bridge

Shot this the other day of Lauren at a park! I love how the lines of the railings curve down and the dappled lighting falls through....so pretty! I'm keeping this place in mind for the future... I had some great ideas here!

Too Dog gone cute!

Just had to share this shot of our dog "Mr. Itchy"! I swear there isn't a sweeter droopy faced puppy around! He was taking a nap in the grass today when I got this shot.

A Little Western Style

Howdy Folks!!! Today was Western day at the kids school. Hats and boots were flying everywhere as I got the girls dressed for school. Lauren was really into dressing up saying "Yeeeha" every five minutes. Where as Miss Maddie was a bit wary of the whole idea. She doesn't like to be uncomfortable at school so I had to "make it work" for her! Anyway hear is a pic of my Lauren doing a little cowgirl booty shake. I have to say Lauren was the cutest dang thing this side of the Mississippi! Sorry but there isn't good photo of Maddie to share..due to her lack of excitement over this theme she refused to pose.

The Carnival!

This Friday Lauren's class had a field trip to the local Carnival. Although she has been to many theme parks she has never been to a carnival. This has to do with the price gouging and over crowding of these local events but I digress...lol We piled on the stinky school bus full of kids and headed out. Lauren was bouncing in her seat by the time we arrived. The event was sponsored and everything was free for the kids.....but here's the rub......we only had an hour and a half to play and it was super crowded......so we spared no time.

First, I got her on as many ride as I could.

Rides= smiling kid!

Next we did a Carnival food pit stop and loaded her up with pink cotton candy and popcorn.

Rides+ junk food= happy smiling kid!

Finally we hit the "try your luck" games and she won a few prizes.

Rides+ junk food+ prizes= ecstatically happy smiling kid!

It was really hot and we were exhausted by the time the bus arrived to take us back. Lauren passed out asleep on the bus holding her carnival prizes. Here are a few favorite photos from the day! Lauren was so sweet and gave one of her prizes to Maddie...what a nice sister huh! I felt bad that Maddie had missed out but she was so happy with the puppy Lauren gave her that she didn't care. I don't think the pink cotton candy we brought home hurt either!!!

Engagement Shoot!

Here is a shot from a recent photo shoot! A great couple with an adorable little boy!! I must say I love this look! The sun was hitting the beach just right to give it that glow and silhouette shading. it all timing here! I will be shooting this couples wedding next month. I must confess I can't wait! to see their little boy all dressed up!

Beach Baby!!!

We took the girls and cousin Kali to the beach this last weekend. We hit our favorite spot and enjoyed the sound and sights of the ocean. It was a day full of surprises. We saw a seal on the beach, dolphins playing in the waves, and helped the kids find sea-stars and hermit crabs. The day was simply perfect. I know in the weeks to come we will be spending more and more time there. Here is a shot of Madison with cousin Kali! Madison really looks up to Kali and adores her! Its so nice that she could come along with us.

Little Dancer!

Lauren had her first dance lesson this week. She was so very excited as I put her hair in a perfect ballet bun. She had visions of beautiful ballerinas as we headed to the dance studio. There my little diva pranced in a tutu on her tip toes. Then she put on her tap shoes and "shuffle stepped" her little heart out. I know I am biased as her mother but the kid did great for her first time. She kept up quite well and made me so proud. She has wanted to dance for months now and I am so happy it is everything she wanted it to be. I love my little dancer! MWAH!

Waiting... takes a really long time!

Its been super warm these last few days...90 degrees! So we picked-up a kiddie pool for the girls. They were dancing around the yard in anticipation as the pool was pumped up. "Is it ready" they would yell ..."Just wait" ...I would reply. Then the hose began to fill the little pool with water. "Is it ready now" they asked...."just wait another minute for the water to fill up" I answered. They watched and waited. And waited... and waited. For at any moment it would be full enough to start sliding in! I hear a loud sigh! Then Maddie said "Mommy this waiting is taking a really long time". Ain't it the truth sweetie! BUT ....good things come to those who wait!

More to get your Getty on!

Here are a few more from the Getty....I know, I know but i can't resist sharing!! The first is the Getty building from the view below in flower sculptured trees. They are really cool iron coils formed into trees and then flowers are planted inside. The patio over-looks Los Angeles and has stunning views. The second is another looking through the garden back at the museum buildings.

Birthday at The Getty!

Its my birthday this weekend and to celebrate I wanted to go to the Getty Museum! I love it there..... its so beautiful and relaxing. I bought a new super-wide lens and had it on my camera to play with. These are a few of my favorites: The second images is.. "the Getty Gardens" aren't they just incredible!! I love the scale of the design as well. The buildings flow down into the gardens so effortlessly. The first is "A Window to the Sky" amidst the museum towers coming together! The clouds had broken and the sky was super blue!! I'll post more soon!

Spring Break!!!

Took this shot at the beach today...what a stunning view. All the yellow daisies were in bloom and covering the hillsides. The kids had a blast and loved playing with cousin Amee. They spent most of their time searching the tide pools for sea-stars and shells. The waves where enormous and Amee (and myself) watched the surfers rip.

Bunny Eggs!!

The Easter bunny came today! Although the kids had an amazing day hunting for "bunny eggs" (as they are called in our house) things were not as I wanted them. As many of you know my mom was hit by a car on Monday and is still in the hospital. We celebrated our traditional Easter brunch but it was lonely without her. My mom is very outgoing and full of life. A room is always filled with her voice and laughter. Its was so quiet without her, so unsettling!!! After the kids hunted for eggs we visited her at the hospital. I brought her this pic of her three grand-daughters.

The Tar Pits!!

We spent this Sunday at the La Brea Tar Pits. Maddie is a big fan of "The Ice Age" movies and this was a chance to see it up close. If you have been before as a kid I can tell you that absolutely nothing has changed since the 80's...lol! However for the little ones, who have never been, it's a fascinating journey. Both my girls had wanted to see the enormous Mammoth and they weren't disappointed. Here is a pic of Maddie posing beneath him. The other skeleton is of a Saber-toothed Cat..very intimidating!

Extremely Sweet!!

Here is my little Miss Madison! Always silly and full of surprises. Things to know about her: Organizes a game of hide and seek at the drop of a hat, loves dalmatians and favorite pastime is eating ice cream!

THE CUPCAKE-INATOR!!!

Here is another cute one from the other day. Lauren is "my little cupcake".......so sweet and girlie! This shot is Lauren is showing off her muscles....whoa baby!

Together we go!

Here is another from my mini shoot the other day! The sun was beginning to set over the ridge. My girls are walking off together hand in hand! Cute huh?

Everyone loves flowers!

Spring has arrived and the flowers are blooming everywhere. The other day my friend Alex and I went to a local park to play with our cameras. The hillside was overflowing with yellow flowers and I couldn't resist taking my girls back later for a mini-shoot. Miss Maddie was "not in the mood" to have her portraits taken. I was bummed since I wanted pictures of them together. Well I gave in to Maddie's refusal since my Lauren was up for the shoot. As you can see they turned out lovely and I can't wait to frame them. The funny thing is that half way through Maddie got jealous of Lauren and wanted to be in the pictures too. Its great when that reverse psychology works. I'll share more of them later!

Little Cupid!

Here is one from my latest shoot. This little angel was born on Valentines day! It's very fitting that she is wearing wings, she was hitting everyones heart strings with her "Cupid" arrows. Gotta love that delicious deep red these roses have going!