Back to school!!

Today was the first day of school! NOW ..don't even get me started on what a chore it is to get the "back in the school" routine under way. Honestly it is just as painful for me as it is the kids. I have enjoyed this summer and....." that's right you heard me"...I don't wanna get up early either..."yuck"! The very loud alarm rudely awoke me this morning at 6am. I had to drag myself from my cozy bed and make lunches, breakfast, fed the fish, fed the kids, etc. Next I dressed the kids in their super cute new school clothes. Then piled those smartly dresses kiddos in the car for school. In tow with them were all the new backpacks, lunchboxes, pencils, etc that would be needed for the day! I guess it was worth all my juggling and organizational effort... cuz Maddie and Lauren looked good enough to eat!

Santa Barbara Zoo

My friend Jayna is new to California and I love showing her around the state I call home. Being members of the Santa Barbara Zoo made it a perfect excuse for us to go there with her. It was a bit hot a humid out but the kids didn't seem to mind at all. Lauren and Maddie had so much fun taking Jayna's daughters all around the park. The kids fed the Giraffes and rode the mini train. We even stopped to ride the antique mini carousel. After a yummy picnic lunch we headed back to the Zoo playground. The kids played forever on the anthill slide. The kids were so pooped out from all the fun they slept all the way home!

Day at the farm!

A few weeks ago we spent that day at the UnderWood Family Farms. Jayna and Jule joined us with their kids which made it so much better!! . Both my friends brought tons or carrots for the kids to feed the animals. Maddie and Lauren were in a feeding frenzy trying to disperse the carrots to all the animals. We had a few first-timers on the pony rides with Jayna & Jule's little ones. They told me Maddie was now too big to ride...how sad! Then we took the kids over to check out the rides. I loved how all the kids had there "buddies" for the day and played so well together!

Best Summer EVER!!!

We did so many things this summer and it's really been the best one ever! I have been so far behind on blogging all the fun things we've done. Then I had tons of pics with Maddie and Lauren's little friends in them..... which is a great thing! But first I needed to ask their Mommies if it was okay to put the pictures in my blog. Well they said "yes"!! So now I can share more of the fun we have been having. Honestly, I have been having a great time too. I have been hanging out with old friends and new ones. I started a moms club at cafe mom and have loved all the fun kids and moms we have met. My new friends Nicole and Jayna live so close and we hang out all the time. It's great to take the kids to the park and actually have fun myself. Heck I never want to leave cuz I'm chatting with a cool crew of mommies! I have also started a monthly scrap night with all my friends and its great to use some of the scrap stuff I have stored up! I could not have asked for a better summer and I am so sad for school to start. Here are some pics from our big Lemon Park playdate. You can see a few of the kidz from the summer playgroup regulars taking a rest and having snack! I will be posting more pics soon!!!

Pavilion of Wings!!!

We visited the Los Angeles Natural History Museum this weekend to see the Pavilion of Wings. It's a live butterfly exhibit that is running this summer. Last year we went to a similar one in Santa Barbara, which was done much better than this one. Either way the kids had a great time. Lauren wanted so badly for a butterfly to land on her I thought she'd die.....and sadly it never happended. However they seem to love Maddie and come right to her. I must admit the dinosaurs at the LA Natural History Museum were very impressive. I have never seen a real dinosaur skeleton and it was a treat to see two enormous ones ( a Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops ) on display in the entrance. They had tons of the typical "stuffed animals" on display in the giant dioramas. Miss Madison loved all the dioramas and searched out the animals inside. She made us look at every singles one as she couldn't pass any of them up. Maddie had such a great time that when we arrived home she a built her own "mini museum" for the dollhouse people to visit. We will have to make a trip here again!

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.