Photography by Bianca

Lego party

2012-01-30T14:44:00.005-07:00

We celebrated a birthday this weekend! It was legos from morning 'til night, and we loved it every minute! There were:

**colorful candy (including the you-can-really-build-with-it block candy), fruit kebabs, and juice boxes covered in construction paper to resemble lego bricks.

**kirigami lego minifigures cut from construction paper, balloons, and lots of lego for decorations.

**chocolate cupcakes with a (surprise!) chocolate cookie inside and vanilla butter cream, sprinkles, and a chocolate lego minifigure on top.

**a party favor designed by the birthday boy himself from the pick-a-brick section at the lego store. Then we packaged them individually and added a little 'thank you' sticker (not shown - how did I miss that?).

**the rest of the time was filled with lego inspired party games (see links below) - but to be honest, they were most interested in running around and popping balloons.

We finished off the day with him building all his new lego sets he got from his friends. A successful and fun party! Happy birthday to my boy - I'm so proud to be your mama!!

Lego party links:
Lego invitation - from the handmade home (we made something similar)
Lego kirigami - from zakka life
Lego party inspiration and games - from delia creates
Lego party inspiration and games - from my many colored days
Lego minifigure coloring pages
Lego minifigure mold
Chocolate cupcake with cookie - from bakerella (I used a different cake batter which is why my cookies didn't float to the top like hers - oh well! Still cute and yummy!)

Slow down a little

2012-01-13T22:56:00.002-07:00

"We would do well to slow down a little...focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

A little thought for the start of your weekend - on slowing down (something that is always on my mind - as I am always having to remind myself this). Take a few minutes this weekend to gaze out the window, watch your children play, read a good book, write a letter, or give thanks to our Father in Heaven for the beauty around you. Whatever you choose to do, just make sure to slow down a little.

Little one

2012-01-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

My family and I have been feeling a bit under the weather this week. It's been a good excuse to slow down from the busy-ness of the end of the year. There are certain things in life that seem to force us to slow down a little. Sweet little babies are definitely one of those things too. I was so happy to take photos of my friend's new baby girl before the Christmas rush. Since we have cancelled pretty much everything on our schedule for the next couple of days to recover from our colds, I finally have a spare minute to share a picture with you. Hopefully we will be back to our regular selves and schedule soon, and we can get on with the fresh start that a new year brings!

Waiting on the sun

2011-11-23T00:09:00.000-07:00

We've been enjoying a rather mild and lovely fall this year. Of course, the one cold and rainy weekend we had last month would also be the same day I had arranged to take the pictures of this sweet family. We decided to wait and reschedule and I'm so glad we did. This time the weather did not disappoint!

Side note:: I am no longer accepting sessions for 2011 (except for newborns - if you are having a baby, call me!) Please contact me if you are interested in scheduling a session for 2012.

Family photographs

2011-11-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

If you're a procrastinator like me, you are probably only just starting to think about your family photo for your Christmas cards, right? Even though the days are getting shorter and Thanksgiving is fast approaching, there's still time! You don't even have to do a full session - a quick mini session is great any time of the year, and is all the time you need for a couple cute shots of your family to wish those you love a Merry Christmas. 25 beautiful press-printed cards are even included. Prices start at $75. Contact me for more details.

Goodbye Summer...

2011-10-13T00:54:00.001-06:00

...see you next year.

Tall trees

2011-09-22T14:16:00.000-06:00

I knew the redwoods would be amazing, but what I didn't expect was the feeling - the awe and quiet grandeur - while walking through these groves of GIANTS. My photos just don't do them justice, but they do remind me and that is the best part of these kinds of little family vacations of ours - the memories. Oh how I love all the memories!

Fern Canyon Trail and Gold Bluffs Beach

2011-09-06T21:54:00.000-06:00

{also Rim Trail, Agate Beach, and dinner}

Fern Canyon Trail is hands down one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen.

After a long day of walking trails, roasted hot dogs and s'mores never tasted so good.

Big Lagoon, California

2011-09-01T22:32:00.002-06:00

Big Lagoon, California. Some of the best scenery. Anytime I am by an ocean, I feel at home. And what exactly is it about tinfoil dinners that make them taste so good? It's the food that makes camping so awesome for me.

August

2011-08-31T11:47:00.005-06:00

Our summer went by in a flash. Did yours too? We had that one week of "summer laziness" (see previous post) and then it was go, go, go. Earlier this month we made a quick weekend camping trip up the coast and to see the redwoods.

Wow. There just aren't words to describe the beauty of that part of our great Nation. More (lots more) pictures to come.

Summer reading

2011-07-11T09:56:00.001-06:00

Seeing my children learn to read has been one of the greatest joys I have experienced so far in parenthood. I look forward to many more summers with stacks and stacks of books, and lots of trips to the library as we wile away the lazy days of summer...reading.

My babe is an outside boy

2011-07-07T16:15:00.000-06:00

It was raining so we couldn't go out, but when I tried to walk away from the door he would just start to cry. So I sat him down where he could look out and he stayed there for a time, not moving. Just staring out. Listening to the rain. Watching, and waiting. And that's when I realized, he's my outside boy.

Play Ball!!

2011-07-06T17:10:00.001-06:00

We've spent a couple of nights at the ball game this summer, and totally loved it.
Play ball!!

Utah Poppies

2011-07-03T17:17:00.020-06:00

We were able to do and see a lot on our trip to Utah last month:

Friends, family, lots of good food and even a (very long) day at Lagoon. There wasn't much down time. I didn't take my camera out nearly as much as I was hoping to, but at least I remembered to take it out for this...

We were there just in time to see the poppies! I've been waiting to see these for a long time. Only a few of them were blooming, but I was just so glad to finally see them!

They were so beautiful. I can't wait to go back.

If I could hold him all day...

2011-07-02T23:36:00.000-06:00

But he would rather crawl and play now.
So I take as many chances as I can to snuggle him while I still can.

San Francisco::May 2011

2011-07-01T14:04:00.000-06:00