Have a Very Merry....

Some times I need a reminder to take it down a notch, relax a little and remember the inherent good in all people. This was by all accounts a beautiful first Christmas for Lola and her two new cousins, Rowan and Amelia. The joy on my parents faces while they are holding all four of their grandchildren is priceless... not to mention surreal. But in many ways this is an odd (for lack of a better word) holiday season. The first without a big lumbering yellow lab and the first with out my grandmother who passed in October.   Everyone is truly happy despite all this and for many good reasons. (These babes are beautiful!) But I think it is important to remember that people are experiencing hardships, loss and disappointment here there and everywhere...

I guess what I am trying to say is that we must count our blessings, recognize the good times we have with our family, friends and (now for my siblings and me) our kids. Any way... enough contemplative rambling for now! Here are a few of the quick snaps from this bittersweet and beautiful Christmas with all the lovely new babies and their intrepid older cuz, Liam. I set up an impromptu photo shoot for the new kiddos... small, medium and large...  Cheers everyone! 

Long Beach Arts District Engagement: Amanda + Ryan

They are the kind of couple who seem like they have always been together. There are furtive looks, inside jokes and an abundance of admiration for one another. Amanda  & Ryan got engaged last winter and will be getting married in Laguna Niguel, CA. The couple enjoys art, architecture and lots and lots of video games! We headed out on a foggy afternoon where the sun was desperately trying to peak its head out. Nevertheless we strolled through the Arts District in Long Beach in search of some of the unique murals that decorate the town. We concluded the session in Shoreline Village where I learned Ryan shares my same (and probably irrational, at least for me!) fear of birds. Just as we headed out on pier to look at the vast Long Beach bay the sun finally peered through and gave us some beautiful golden light to work with! Love was most definitely in the foggy air... <3

Personal post: Lola's First Christmas

Can she get any stinking' cuter?! My little daughter is not so teeny tiny anymore. She is now a whopping six months old! Lola is sitting up on her own, scooting across the floor and growling like a dog (yes, growling!) in the middle of the night. She is a curious little human that is naturally happy. She brings Danielle and I so much joy and this year entire year has been such a blessing with her. Below are few photos of Lola posing in front of the Christmas tree! 

Seal Beach, Orange County Wedding: Jenny + Tim

Jenny & Tim eloped on a lovely Friday afternoon in Seal Beach, Orange County, California. Jenny got ready with close friends while drinking champagne and cracking jokes along the way. The couple did their first look at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos where they first met. We traveled to a private location on along the jetty where the couple was married by their church's pastor. After the couple said their "I do's" they popped some champagne and enjoyed their first moments as newlyweds by taking in the gorgeous Southern California Sunset. Such a beautiful, intimate ceremony and overall just an incredibly romantic day <3

Irvine Regional Park Family Session: Erin + Cody + Aubrey

She has their whole heart. From here to the moon and back... times infinity...

Cody and Erin are a devoted couple who adore their 9 month old daughter, Aubrey. She is the love and light of their life. Aubrey is a cheerful little bambino whose first teeth are peaking through in her ear-to-ear smile. Watching Cody and Erin play, laugh and love Aubrey is like watching the sun rise for the very first time. It is just beautiful. And for a new parent like me, I am jotting down notes, tips and words of wisdom from their invaluable experience. 

The three of us journeyed out to Irvine Regional Park on a gorgeous winter evening to watch the sun set and chase some golden light. We truly had a wonderful time hiking through the park and stopping to play with Aubrey while snapping some photos. I loved their outfit choices as it complimented the rustic park so well. Cody and Erin are doing a stellar job giving Aubrey a life of adventure and joy.  

The sunset was stunning. The light was perfect. And this family warmed my heart. Below are a few photos from their family session in Irvine Regional Park. 

Long Beach Family Session: Brittany + Bella

Brittany is an amazing person and an outstanding mother. Her daughter, Bella, is whip-smart, funny and incredibly imaginative.  Together, they are an unstoppable pair; a powerhouse mother/daughter combo. 

We headed out to a local Long Beach park for their family session. It was a rather foggy morning but not too cold. The clouds overhead gave us just the soft light we needed. The park had some beautiful variety like large-whimsical trees, vast open shade and a sunny meadow filled with wildflowers. 

Needless to say, I loved their family session and I love these strong women. Cheers!

A Dapper Los Angeles Wedding: Alonso + Stefanie

Ballast Point Brewery Engagement: Jenny + Tim

The first time he saw her they were at church. As she walked by him with a group of friends, she immediately caught his eye. Not knowing exactly what to say he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "I really like your tattoos!" he exclaimed.  Over the next couple months they began running into each other more and more, each time the conversation blossomed far beyond that initial exchange until finally they set aside a Friday evening to go on an official date. Tim and Jenny's first date ended on a lifeguard tower in Seal Beach where they talked from sunset to sunrise. The conversation is still going strong to this day...

Tim and Jenny are engaged to be married in November in an intimate ceremony with their pastor. I joined the couple at Ballast Point Brewery in Long Beach where Tim proposed to Jenny over the summer. After a drink or two, I followed the couple for a stroll along the beach as the sun was setting. Here are some highlights from Tim and Jenny's engagement shoot:

Almost There

Here is Dani at 37 weeks. I am just in awe of how beautiful she with the bump. Thank you to Priscilla Mora Floral Designs for this amazing flower crown. It really photographed quite well!

35 Weeks & Counting...

My goodness. Look at her. She is just glowing. I know we will look back at these pictures & cherish this incredibly special time. 

Turning Points

I am assuming we will all look back at certain moments in our life & claim "this is where it all changed. That was the turning point." Perhaps that is a bit hyperbolic but it is fun to look back at our journey & ponder the chain of events that brought us here. A few short months ago Dani & I were traversing through Europe & found ourselves in the little quaint town of Manarola in Cinque Terre, Italy. We jumped off rocks, swam in the deep blue Mediterranean, & ate a ridiculous amount of amazing seafood. We had ourselves a roaring good time getting tipsy into the wee hours of the night. Soon after this in our next stop of Barcelona we decided that we wanted to have a baby. All that rollicking fun put things in perspective (or at least I think it did...). We were ready for a little babes. I will forever look back that this image & be reminded of that time with Dani in that little Italian village where all we had to do was put food in our bellies & find our next adventure.