Please Take Me Home: January 30

Ok, so I know I say it every time I post some images from Wayside Waifs, but this time I really mean it. I was THIS close to bringing home a puppy or 4 (we'll get to that in a minute)

Before we do, here's some sweet little guys and girls looking for a good home.

I love tongue action :)

Now, just know that by the time you see this post, these amazing Puggle pups will be long gone. I know, I know, I shouldn't be teasing you like that, but, hear me out. I desperately want a puggle, I mean, DESPERATELY, and today I am faced with 4 cute litte 8-week old puggle puppies staring right at me, crying for me to take 1 or 2 or all 4 of them home, and Jenny peed in my Cheerios by saying no :(

So, you have to be taunted with cuteness too!!!!

Take a good look, Jenny, this face will HAUNT you for the rest of your life!!!!!

If that wasn't enough, here's 1 more!!!!

The A is trying to eat the M...

I know, I know, I've been posting a ton of images of my own kids lately, but I can't help it. This blog is my journal of my family's experiences. They are all growing up so fast, and I don't want to forget ANYTHING :)

Max: "I wrote my name today and the A is trying to eat the M! Cuz I made the A super-big to eat the M. And the A saw the M, and the A opened up it's mouth and started to eat the M."

I never said we make 'em big.....just cute

Lia had her 6 month check-up this afternoon and we found out our baby girl is in the 5th percentile for weight and 1st percentile for height. Basically, she's small, but she's a healthy, happy bundle of beautiful joy for all of us. Here's a few shots from out in Cali :)


I call this one...Peach Fuzz :)

2 Silly Monkeys Jumpin' on the Bed...

Veggies!!

Lia doesn't know what's about to hit her...

BAM...I love that face!

But she gets over it pretty fast :)

It's hard for Max to finish his veggies...he acts like it's the end of the world

Ava, on the other hand, LOVES her veggies!

What is a Boosie Boce?

Max: Do you know what a Boosie Boce is, Dadda?
Me: No
Max: They are like squirrels and snake-monkeys and they live in California by Great Grandma Bernice's house and they sting us if we look at them. So we don't want to look at them, because it hurts when they sting us. Did you know that, Dadda?

Dana & Matt: The Slideshow

Here is the slideshow from Dana & Matt's awesome wedding on January 3, the official first beautiful day of the year :)

Shelly & Tyler: The Slideshow

I am not supposed to be working while on vacation, but everyone is asleep, and I can't wait to share part 2 of Shelly & Tyler's story. Their emphasis on friends and family is amazing, in fact, nothing else matters. Jenny and I had so much fun with them on their wedding day (not that we don't enjoy every wedding), some weddings just have "IT"

Enjoy!

Engaged: Kristen & Brent

If you read my last post, you would have learned (if you didn't know already) that I am from southern California. We met Brad and his family in the last post, now we get to meet another one of my good friends, Brent (who lived across the street and 4 houses down from me). Brent just got engaged to a wonderful woman, Kristen. They make such a cute couple! I'm so happy for the 2 of them and wish that we could shoot their wedding this coming July :(

I found out that they loved to take walks on the beach with each other, so the beach is where we headed for some e-pics. Living in KC, MO, I never get to shoot at the beach (obviously), so I was pretty excited for this one. We had fun at Newport Beach chasing seagulls, playing in the water and just having a good 'ol time. Hope you like the pics!

Note to So Cal photographers: It is, I REPEAT, it is not supposed to be this pretty in January. 70 degrees with golden sun is NOT NORMAL. You all are very lucky :)

I loved the way they looked at each other

Palm trees! I would kill for some palm trees in KC :)

Again, the light is not supposed to be this amazing in January. And this is a favorite!

Just go kick water on each other :)

So sweet!

I remember when I was little and went to the beach, I always loved to run at the seagulls, so I thought it would be fun to see Brent & Kristen do the same :)

Snuggling up and watching the sunset...so romantic

Brad, Dawn, Luke & Bailey

Many people have heard me say that I'm "from" southern California...well, actually I was born there, but moved to Kansas City when I was 10. So, for the first few years of my life, I did live there, and when we moved, crazy as it sounds, I kept in touch with my friends. Still after all these years we all get together as much as possible when we make it out to visit.

One of those friends is Brad. He lived across the street and down about 5 houses from me when I lived in Anaheim Hills. Well, besides being the nicest guy in the world, he's now married with a 6 month old son (so cute) and a 9 week old chocolate lab puppy (again, so cute). So, I made it a point to do a few pics for them while I was out here. Enjoy!

I love these first 2 A LOT!!

Are those not the bluest eyes you've ever seen?

Look at this picture and tell me you don't want a lab puppy...

If you still don't want a lab puppy, you're LYING!!

Luke LOVED Jenny...all she had to do was say "Luke, Luke" in a really high pitched voice and he busted up laughing :)

Is that not the most adorable hat you've ever seen on a baby?

Look at that smile!

Get that hair!! I love Dawn's expression in this shot

Such a proud papa

The Happiest Place on Earth

Says who? We spent all day Friday at Disneyland, and I don't know if I would agree that it was the happiest place on earth, but it was still a good time. We had a difficult time because the kids were still trying to adjust to the time change, and having no nap didn't help. But, we managed. Here are some of the pics I got of our excursion.

Riding the train to Toontown, Ava was amazed at all the cool things to look at

Here's Minnie Mouse showing Ava & Max how to cause trouble...like they need any help :)

We come all the way to Disneyland and they just want to play on a playground

Then it was time for Max and I to drive some cars

The Nemo ride seemed like a good idea to Max and Ava until they shut the doors and it got dark

Even though Max and Ava screamed the whole time, Lia sure enjoyed it

The merry-go-round was more their speed

Jenny was out of it :)

Teacups!!!!

Lia didn't get to ride the teacups...

but she still had fun!

We bought her a hat :)

The Jungle Cruise was fun until Ava lost her shoe in the water (don't worry, we got it back)

Meet Luke. He's my buddy, Brad's son and you'll see more of him in a few days

This picture sums up our Disneyland adventure. Ava trying to take everything in, Max whining he's scared (it was the Winnie the Pooh ride), Lia chilling, and Jenny looking on in disgust :)

Kung-Fu

Our journey concluded with Max crying to meet Mickey Mouse, then crying when we met Mickey Mouse. I did get him close enough I could get a couple of pics.

Ava was pooped

Lia was not

Max saying good-bye to Disneyland