{Galaites Family} Ashley + Garon +Cayden + Maleah

Tuesday I took photos of the Galaites Family. They were ADORABLE!

Ashley had warned me that Cayden was getting sick and needed to cancel. I said it would be OK, but I'm pretty booked and taking my December break from Photography (to spend with my family). She wanted to stay scheduled anyway and sure enough Cayden was sick, and so was Maleah so we decided on shooting in the backyard of Ashley's father's house. The backyard was very nice, clean and plenty of sun and shade.

Cayden really didn't want to take pics and mostly ran around and just being a boy, Maleah on the other hand was an angel and was just a silent beauty, she didn't run around at all but of course shes only 6 months! However, being that both kiddos were sick and not feeling well, they were very well behaved!

Ashley and Garon were amazing to watch. The patience they have and the love they share is beautiful. The Galaites Family was easy to work with, I had a great time and the kids were cute and fun!

{Family Session} Melissa & Her Babies

Melissa found me on FaceBook a couple months back and really liked my work. She herself is an amateur photographer and can really appreciate photography. She asked me to take photos of her and her little ones and booked a session.

Her children are so well behaved and were just a tad shy to let lose. It took them the entire session before they really started coming out of their shell. Melissa begged them to smile and be natural but as well all know, kids just do what they want!

The Camarena family was easy to work with and they were real sports about doing what I asked them to do. As you can see for your self, the family is just adorable and I had a great time photographing this family. In the end, I was pleased!

My Christmas Tree 2010-

Every year and all year long, I am constantly thinking "OMG, I can't wait till Christmas".

Christmas is not only my favorite holiday because of the food, family and fun... but because of the "TREE". Every year when it starts getting closer to the holidays, my mind starts racing a million miles a minute about what theme I am choosing this year. My tree is thee most important piece to the Christmas Holiday... in my eyes anyway. I go all out for my trees because I ask for nothing else during Christmas.

It seems like every year I want to top my tree the year before and I am always in competition with myself. I am so picky when it comes to my ornaments and I don't even let anyone help. I spend hundreds on my trees to make them gorgeous. I'm thinking, since I'm only 29, can you imagine how awesome they are going to look when I'm 39?

My tree 2010... To see last years tree slideshow click >  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAnboiSBR_E

{Family Session} The Howards

Steve + Elysia + Cecelia + Natalie = Howard Family

Such a great family to work with. Not only fun but adorable actually.

Cece & Nat are lovely little girls, full of life & love but really didn't want to be taking pics that day, so not only was it my first "in home" session, but a challenge as well. They they wanted to bake cookies, play fun with stuff and go to Chucky Cheese. Mom and Dad promised them endless goodies if they could just take a few good shots but that didn't seem to matter, they wanted to do other stuff. However, Steve and Elysia held it together really well while they tried to pacify the girls.

One other family member is "Panda", Panda was only allowed to be in the family pictures because Nat was lonely without him and didn't want to smile for the cammy. In the end they had a good turn out.

{Maternity} Tiffany + Raymond + Belly

Tiffany and Ray... What more can I say?

These two are high school sweethearts. Ray and Tiff fell in love years ago and after Ray completed high school he left and joined the Marines. Leaving Tiffany crushed, they decided to call off their relationship thinking it would be better for each other. Ray continued to visit home and of course... true love never dies. The twosome kept seeing each other on his visits and decided to make it work. Well they did a little more than that and now are pregnant.

Tiffany and Raymond were married this past July and I was the lucky girl who got to document the event. The two of them are so happy, and excited about this little one and... shes having a GIRL! They were adorable, shy and quiet, all giggle-y and cute but some how they came out of their shells and really made it work!

JT's 50th Surprise B-Day Bash-

Johnny turned 50... & I was the lucky one who got to document that exciting moment... the surprise!

He had no clue, came in jeans and plain T, but had a blast anyway! He was told  he was going to dinner at the Elks Lodge in Santa Maria, CA with his sister-in-law for a birthday dinner. He was floored as he entered the room to see over 200 guests awaiting his arrival!

Johnny's smile can light up any room and looks amazing for his age. His 4 sisters had been planning this for well over a year. Johnny is a cowboy and the girls had no idea how to decorate this hall for a man. They have had PLENTY of previous parties... but for a woman. This party put their decorating skills to the test... and in the end, they went with the obvious choice... COWBOY!

Center pieces were Mason Jars with Candles... Mini Cowboy boots... Cactus plants & Handkerchiefs. I personally thought it was adorable and the place & decor fit the casual theme perfect!

Here are just a few quick snap shots of the JT's 50th Surprise Birthday Bash-