This Valentine’s day I got the ultimate gift.  The gift of time alone.  Time alone to think, read, watch TV, sleep in!  It was glorious.  Baron got me a night at the Hyatt in Huntington Beach (so I didn’t have to go far) and allowed me to stay in a luxury room sans family.    Did I mention it was glorious?  I am a only child, so to say the least I have selfish tendencies.  I am not one of those that need to be around people constantly.  My batteries recharge with peace and quiet and alone time.  I figured that I hadn’t had 1 night alone for 5 years (after marriage, baby, no more working at a job that had 75% travel), I was about to loose my mind.  But my husband listened and sent me away (I thought to the funny farm) but just to a really nice hotel.  I plan on going out of town with my good girlfriends in March, but that wont be the same as getting some time to relax on my terms, in peace!    Our girls trip will likely be a ton of laughing and giggling, if its anything like our girls night out.  Classes begin at the Winery, right Ladies???  (inside joke, sorry)

So thanks babe, I needed it!  I love my LOVES with all my heart, but all this momma needs is a time out, here and there!

After I got home, it was go go go again.  We had a fabulous Valentine’s party hosted by this hostess with the mostess!  She outdid herself and she has a newborn to boot.  Though he is the most awesome baby ever and just sleeps most of the time, but whatever!  It was fun, here are only a few I caught that night.  I was stuffing my face with good food and drinks.  That’s how I roll!

“More Champagne Mr. Forte!” (Its a song from 1995, fyi)

Rollin with the HOMIES!

I had the energy of a 2 year old.

Reese had one heck of a weekend.  In 3 days, Reese went to Disneyland, the Santa Ana Zoo and Breakfast with Dora and Diego at the Discovery Science Center.  It never slowed her down.  She loved every minute.  Here is a peek at our weekend.

First up… D-land!  Baron took the day off work to go with us, which was a nice change to visit the park with him.  We hadn’t been to Disneyland together in years and that last time was just dinner at Club33 and we didn’t get to walk around the park.  Then we had Reese and well, no Disneyland at all together until this past year.  I love seeing Disneyland through her eyes, I can’t help but smile when we are there.

She got to meet her favorite Disney Character too!  Its was sooo stinking cute.  She went up to her and told her she was pretty!  Tinkerbell had a good day, I bet! 

Then Friday it was off to the zoo with her besties Mason and Ella.  They are so funny.

I don’t know what was going on in that egg!

Ella on the train… kicking it!

This is what happens when you say, “girls… look at me so I can take a picture!”  Oh 2 year olds! 

Then it was off to meet Dora.  Wow… I have not seen so many people in my life at the Science Center.  We don’t go there often, I don’t find it extremely age appropriate for 2 year olds, but that’s just me.  I’d rather spend my money elsewhere BUT Reese loves her some Dora, so we had to check it out.

Reese giving Dora a hug!

And naturally when you go to a Dora the Explorer party you walk out with some Backyardigans (Pablo and Tyrone)!  Oh my child and Nick Jr, its a sick obsession! 

There you have it… our weekend (well Thursday-Saturday) in a nutshell.  I’m still tired.  HELP ME! 

This week I went over to my good friends house to have some much needed “girl time” while Reese was with my sitter.  Tuesdays are my favorite day of the week.  Anywho… I was also going to take some pictures of her new kiddo.  Buuttt… it was overcast that morning (meaning not great natural light) and he had just went to the RSV clinic for his shots (meaning he was really REALLY annoyed at us).  LOL!   So we rescheduled to do it again the following week.  It was fun to visit her though and catching up (she is the mom to Reese’s BFF, Miss Ella).  So until then… here is a peak of Everett Cole!

Last week I got to reconnect with a good friend from high school.  We were neighbors (well practically, we lived down the street from each other growing up) and took the metro together almost every morning and afternoon, to and from school.  We did cheer together and generally annoyed her mom together with all the giggling we did when she would drive us around.  LOL!  During our visit, I took some quick pics of them.  So fun, its like time never passed, it was nice to catch up and meet her family.  So here are a few of our visit.  Be prepared, there is a cute baby (other then my own in this post… that was for my mom, so she doesnt get disappointed!  LOL)

This is Miss Anaiah.  Her name means “God Answered”.  Indeed, he did!

Thanks LC for driving all the way to Tustin and putting up with my “mom brain” and inability to use a calendar!  Its was so fun!  Hope you and Sam love the pics.

Wow… January has been busy.  But here’s a little peak at what we have been up too.  Alot of playdates with the besties, dance class, gymnastics class and just hanging out at home (destroying my new pillows, as you can see).  I’m exhausted at the end of the day, where does this kid get all of her energy?  I must find out and make it stop!  LOL! 

style n.  The combination of distinctive features of literary or artistic expression, execution, or performance characterizing a particular person, group, school, or era.

This past year I got the opportunity to work on 2 styled shoots with some fabulous designers, stylist and photographers.  It was so much fun, I learned so much on those shoots.  One was the Halloween shoot I did in Oct, which I posted on the old blog.  I will post them again in this blog post, but I also did another stylized shoot in May (I think it was May) and it was crazy fun.  I love learning about my camera and how to take fun pictures.  This hobby is like golf.  It isn’t cheap and you could have a REALLY off day, but its tons of fun! 

To creep you out one last time, here are some images from the GHOST SHOOT!  ooohhhhhh!  LOL!

Prior to the Halloween shoot, we hit the beach in May.  This is Justine.  Seriously?  I wish I had a body like that.  But I’m not 20 years old and unmarried, with no kids.  But honestly my body NEVER looked like this.  le sigh!   We thought we scared her from marriage with all the joking and comments we were making.  At least I hope we didnt!  LOL!  But she was a sweetheart, laughed at our old married lady jokes and now we are friends on FB!  LOL!  This shoot was fun, on the beach in Corona, CA!  Insert irony here!  Enjoy!

credits:

event setter uppers:  Kamee June and Amanda Jane

stylists: Katrina Kirk and Jessica Hale Fredricks

sorry mom, no pictures of Reese.  Its been a slow week! 

May your year be full of magic and joy!

Happy New Year!!!

Love T, B and R

The waters warm over here! Welcome to my new home! This is where you can find our happenings from now on! Hope you stay a while!

Merry Christmas to all! From our family to yours!

I love MINTED, love minted, love minted!    Worth every penny. (tip: get a groupon for 50% off when they offer them! Makes the cards more affordable)

So this holiday season has been so fun.  I was asked by a few friends to take their family photo this year.  How cool right?!?!? I love being able to get together with old friends and catch up and they get a few pics for their card.  win-win!    A good friend of mine from my old work (who is also a for reals photographer, check her out here) asked if I could help her out for a New Year’s card and of course I said yes.  We had a great time and I am sure that her husband was sick of us gossiping about Hoag by the end, but thats how we roll!  LOL!

Here are a few of my favorites of Astrid and her people.