HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

So it is the year of the OX... my husband is an OX... and let me tell you everything they say about them is true:

They're quite dependable and possess an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint. The Ox is thought to be the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. The Ox is a power sign, like the Rat, Snake, Dragon, Tiger, and Monkey.

Me.. I'm a dragon.. two power signs in one household? Need I say more? LOL!

Avila's school celebrated Chinese New Year by wearing Chinese outfits and making sushi! It was so cute!! Luckily Avila's favorite thing to eat (besides pizza and nuggets) is sushi!


Here is Avy with one of her favorite classmates don't they look simply adorable?

Baby Judah arrives as a Christmas gift!

So here he is the long awaited baby Judah... he is truly one of the cutest little babies ever!! The only thing is he is not little! He is a BIG boy already! I think he totally skipped the newborn stage and is heading right on to toddler years, better keep up with the photographs his going to be a teen before you know it! Here's some sneak previews from your gallery:



Here he is after he finally fell asleep, looking like a true angel!



Big Brother and Sister were so happy to get their pictures taken with their new baby brother. And you can see good looks run in the family!

I had to put one in of gorgeous mamma!! Doesn't she look radiant? I know you haven't been getting much sleep, but you are still so beautiful!

And here are a couple of the bigger kiddos... I've had the pleasure of photographing over the years, and I love to see them grow, each time I get to photograph they look SO different, its just amazing! They look the same but yet different. Little Miss N is growing into an incredibly GORGEOUS girl.

And finally Mr. E is giving me some smiles!! YAY!!! After all these years, I think he finally likes me taking his picture... I hope!! Look how a great poser he is now!



So I have been a little MIA! I've just had a really bad start to the year. My poor camera finally quit on me and had to be sent to Canon Service for some much needed TLC... my friend Kelli has been so kind to lend me her camera so I can still get some work done. Also my beloved Laptop that's served me well for four long hard working years, finally gave up too.... sigh... then my internet was down, and my photoshop.exe files got corrupted... so the office had to shut down until things got repaired. My hubby came through like a knight in shining armour and lent me his PC. So here I am catching up on things. Finally! I know you guys have been waiting anxiously to see these pics. I hope you liked them!

I may take some time off since I'm battling a cold, and coincidentally the rain came to postponed my shoots. I was so looking forward to starting my shoots again. But... I did join a new gym, and I have been 3 times this week! Woohoo! Here's to a better week next week, and a much healthier me in '09.

Thanks for still checking in.

Girls' Space

To start the New Year with a Bang, the girls and I embarked on a long awaited project: Redecorating their shared room. They helped out a lot, and I let them make decisions on color and layout. They were so great, they learned to compromise and share the space. Here is the outcome:

I just have to be resigned to the fact that girls have a lot of STUFF! Hahaha...




And they're not the only one enjoying the new space!





Coco's saber tooth just cracks us all up! Alannah says that's how she'll know that's her dog if we ever try to switch her out with one similar! Hahah...


The night lights... the girls painted these bamboo lights.. I still have curtains but I'm afraid to put them up together.


Okay.. last one of the baby of the family... she's so darn cute!! Look at those puppy dog eyes... gets us everytime!

The Ultimate Sourcebook 2009

Look how cool this little book is!! You have to pick up one today, Sacramento's Ulitmate Family Guide for all things mommy... it lists entertainments, shopping, local farmer's markets, dog parks... lots of good things to see and do for kids and families. A totally handy thing to keep in your glove box!


Not to mention the beautiful cover models I photographed this Fall Staci and Natalie. You're becoming local celebs! Their picture is also seen in "Gracefully Growing" in Old Roseville, but more about that soon.

Check out my latest ad design...


And Alannah is featured in Silverspoon's new ad design! Fun fun!!

I'm thinking *warm* thoughts...

One of the highlights of last summer, was our day on a houseboat at Lake Inglebright. Thanks to the generosity of our friends Andy and Joy who invited us to share a day with them riding jetskis and lots of water fun.

Here is a pic of the house boat. It was really HOT... I'm feeling warmer looking at these pictures, I hope you will too.

I am always amazed at how outdoorsy my girls are... since they're the most girly-lipstick-tiara-chickies you can imagine. But when I take them outdoors they roll straight into the dirt and play hard as boys! It was so GREAT to see them not on the computer, or TV or DS or bickering with one another, they really had a go trying new things... like kayaking, here is Alannah and her good friend Kelsey maneuvering around the lake like they've been doing it all their lives.



This smile just makes my heart happy. It totally makes me make the effort to take them out again.


Alannah loves jet skis... she's actually a real daredevil. She even got to steer... and later her and I jumped off the top of the houseboat! I was the only one sore the next day! heh...\



The girls had a BLAST being pulled behind the boat on the tube... can you tell?


Avila kept saying "Faster.. FASTER!"


And lastly we got some fishing in too... but we threw the little fishes back in.

Oh summer... love it. We still have TONS more pics to share from the summer 08 folder, so come back soon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

WOW! 2009.... I'm starting to get back into the office. Please be patient as I go down the to do list! But first things first, out now the January issue of Sacramento Parent! Packed full of educational options and things to do during this cold cold month!


Well, I'm excited for a new year. I've really enjoyed the past few weeks relaxing with my family and hanging out with my girls. We spontaneously decided to redecorate their room, the PINK was so yesterday! LOL! So now its citrus green and sunshine yellow, very cool. We're still putting the last finishing touches, and waiting for a nice sunny day to take pictures. Its been raining for days, but we've been busy, taking this opportunity to get organized, and rearrange a few things around the house, that made it flow better and less clutter.

I've also finally had a chance to look back at my summer photographs, which I can't wait to share with you all, we had a lovely summer, my and the girls working on our tans. LOL! They both love to swim and we had plenty of opportunities.

I am now taking bookings for Spring, and my schedule is filling up fast, especially for WEDDINGS! YAY! As you probably guessed, I don't specialize in weddings, but I do love to shoot them, they spice things up around here. So if you or someone you know is looking for a wedding photographer, I am available for outdoor weddings during March through to September.

More updates are in the works, ideas flying around in my head, and I will be sharing with you soon. Till next time, thanks so much for stopping by.