Oceanside :: the welcome break ::

I never considered that I could adore the ocean and beach much more than I did before we drove off for Oceanside. But, now I do.

I really do love each of the following photos. By no means is it because they are of great technical and professional-photography quality. Like I would ever be the judge of that anyways. It's just that these photos mean a lot to me. That's it. Plain and simple.

The buildings, including the power poles, versus the clouds intrigued me. This alley ran behind the condo we were staying in. While I was taking this shot, a woman walking through the street was yelling at me to take a photo of the sunset. What immediately came to mind was 'Geez lady. The beach is my next stop.' Of course, I chose to smile and thank her. But, I am really grateful to her. I probably would have dilly dallied in the alley for too long and missed this.

One day ... one day ... I will be that surfer. One day. 

I enjoy snapping photos that provide a perspective relative to scale. Surfer in relation to the ocean and sky. Teeny tiny to humongously grand. One day, I will be that surfer.

Like the stairs. AND I am a sucker for reflection photos. Many people are and I am one of them.

Oh, these Converse shoes. On the stairs that I like a lot. These pair of shoes have danced me through some fun Zumba classes and walked with me to great places. Oceanside included. You know it. 

Long strolls along the beach. Barefoot or in shoes. Either way it's timeless and melts my heart.

I am loyal to my 50mm to a fault. It's become a weakness. I was making myself use my 28-105mm lens. Look at what this baby captured. Oh yeah! From the edge of the beach houses to the end (+ more) of the pier and lots of sky to people on the beach.

I saw a group of kids playing on the beach and it was at this point that I decided to go get the rest of the family to walk along the beach with me. 

These kids were having so much fun on the beach. I wanted to join them, but I haven't a clue about football. Upon closer examination of the photo, it seemed these boys didn't either--everyone's running and the football is nearly on the ground. Now, I don't know much about this game ... however ... I believe the ball must be in someone's possession, right? :) Look at me go all ESPN.

Thinking it might seem creepy to them for me to sit and take photos, I walked by and snapped a shot while my arm was down. AND this is what I got. I kinda love it. AND not creepy at all. Me pretending to just walk by and, in all actuality, taking a photo unbeknownst to them. 

I am speechless.

Ooooooh. This is unreal to me. 

I completely love the we that we are. US 3.

(Goodness! What a huge head I have!) 

We are always telling her to look at the camera. She is always choosing to look away from the camera. So. In. Spite. Of us.

Our own long stroll along the beach.

We LOVE these two endlessly. They are so good to us.

They're checking out the unbroken sea shells.

I love these two!

Right up there with the Disneyland tea cup ride, she could not get enough of her daddy running out towards the ocean, then, running away from the incoming waves.

Did I already say that I love these two?

Mad Tea Party :: teacup champs ::

We and Disneyland was the plan for the entire day of this past Thursday. It was a blast! What a FUN day!

My husband and I both agree that the best part of the day was seeing how much our little one loved that Mad Tea Party ride. She went on it 3 times! That was not enough though. I don't know what would have been ideal for her. I do know she would have been unsatisfied with 10 times. Please make note: ride #1 included the little one, grandma, daddy, and me; ride #2 was braved by all, but grandma; and ride #3 was only for the toughest of the tough--the little one and me! I had to catch and brace her a few times because we were spinning so fast. We laughed a lot. Priceless. Awesome. Unforgettable. And all the good stuff in between. 

Once we were in the Tea Cup, she exhibited an array of faces. Well, mainly just happy. (I guess it's to be expected at the happiest place on earth) :) You'll see that she seemed quite bummed at one point--that's only because the spinning did not start soon enough for her. I really do enjoy this ride at Disneyland AND I am so happy our little girl does to.

O'Melveny Park Family :: Grasteit Family ::

You might recognize these adorable kids from this recent post. These four belong to the two families I had the pleasure of photographing on the same day. Talk about being troopers. Putting up with my incessant cuing once in a lifetime is madness itself, BUT twice and in 1 day?! A trooper, you are. A martyr really. :) I started this particular Saturday by snapping photos of the Kuhn family and, then, ended the day with a photo session with the Grasteit Family.

O'Melveny Park was just as beautiful in the evening.

Look at how great (and happy wink) everyone looks. This family made me happy. Everyone was so cool and nice. 

To the Grasteit family--Thank you for allowing me to photograph your family photos. Remember the fire tuck that passed through the park? Then, the helicopter life-flighting a body out? (Yes, we all know it wasn't an emergency. C'mon, the firefighters were waving at the kids.)

Storytime Wednesdays

Wednesdays are fun because they are the days we host Storytime in our home. It's a great way to break up the week and is priceless for our little girl. We sing songs, we dance, we read books, we snack and, most times, we run around with the chickens. Fun!

Today we were graced with the presence of an especially little one. So stinking sweet. Oh my goodness. What an angel. You better believe that I got to hold her and I loved every second of it.

These three stood at the window watching the chickens and laughed it up ... this reminds me that I have it pretty darn good. 

O'Melveny Park Family :: lively playful close ::

To say that my own little family and I love the Kuhn family is an understatement. They have let us be "one of them" since day one. Although, they are much cooler and much more fun ... it's good to be in their company just for their influence. 

Cheryal, the mother, suggested that we go to O'Melveny Park for the family photo session AND What.A.Place! How is it that I live only 5 minutes away from this park and have never been to it? Now, I have and I love it! I'm already thinking that we might celebrate an upcoming family birthday right in O'Melveny Park.

To the Kuhns--Cheryal, I can't say enough for how grateful I am for your faith in me, my developing skills, and my love of photography. THANK YOU for letting me have the honor.