Class Valentine's

 It's not an original idea but Issy wanted to come up with something with mustaches and lips.  Strangely we couldn't find lip candy molds and just ended up with mustaches.  I made the card in photoshop and we worked together to make the chocolate pops.  We had a lot of fun together.  

We searched pinterest for fun teacher Valentine's and this was Issy's favorite.  

Close up of one of the class Valentine's.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I didn't have time to put Valentine's together this year and wasn't even going to take a Valentine photo, but Samantha and Rhyden came over for some Valentine photos with this adorable prop and well I couldn't resist. 

 We called Isabelle's best boy buddy Trevor over to have fun with the photos too.  His Mom told him about the theme and he thought to bring a dollar for the photo shoot.  Of course both were concerned they would actually have to kiss... There will be none of that.  It's all just for fun!  Thanks Trev for being such a good sport!

 Here are Rhyden's Valentine photos.... Too cute! 

1980's

Last Friday, Issy's school hosted a fun family 80's night.  We all got dressed up and were excited for some fun!   I am sure I don't have to remind you how much we love the 80's around here... 

Family pic before we left for the dance.  

 Here are the pictures that school photographer took.  This is a few of Issy's classmates and their totally rad teacher Mrs. Roberts!

 Family pics! 

On our way to the dance, we made a stop at our friend's Natalie and Brian's house to pose for some pics next to their awesome DeLorean.... I forgot my camera... so we had to make due with some crappy iphone pics...

Here is Sarah (Audrey's Mom) and I all decked out! 

 

And just for fun, Here is me in 1988 and me today.  

Valentine's Tea

I really wanted to have a big Valentine's tea party like we did last year, but time got away from me this year. When I discovered Issy had a minimum day at school last week, I decided to do a small Valentine's tea party for a few of her school friends and their dolls.  

 Tea time! 

Even a little sandwich for their dolls.

The girls each spent a while making each other Valentine's...

Then it was time for some BINGO. 

Such a fun way to spend the rest of the day after a short school day.

Photography Retreat

In January after months of planning and praying I hosted my first photography retreat.  It was a faith based retreat for women photographers in the Sacramento area.  A few years ago I was blessed with the opportunity to attend a similar retreat in Oregon with photographers from all over the county.  I learned so much from that retreat and it really was an amazing experience.  After hearing this last summer about a terrible instance where other photographers in the Sacramento area were intentionally trying to sabotage other another photographers business out of jealousy I really felt God nudging me to do something.  

I really wanted to make this retreat my own and not be a copy of the retreat that I went to.    The retreat was a one day event held at the beautiful Vizcaya Mansion in downtown Sacramento.   Guests arrived and enjoyed a yummy breakfast and Starbucks coffee provided by Amy from Images from Amy.   Amy was an amazing help and encouragement to me during the entire planning process and retreat.  Thanks Amy! 

I had so many awesome sponsors to helped make the retreat possible and affordable. I was able to provide each guest with an awesome gift to take home.  Thanks to The Bible House in Elk Grove,  Shop Heroic Outlet store, Cheeky Lime, Kelly Moore Bags and Photojojo.  

We had a few discussion topics, with lots of great discussion.  Quite time for each guest to spend praying over their business, praying with color activity, devotions, delicious meals provided by the Vizcaya a fun trash the dress photoshoot and worship time together to close out the wonderful day.  I couldn't have asked for a better day or a better group of women to worship with and spend together praying and encouraging each other and our businesses.  

Here are some photos from the day.  Some are mine and some are borrowed with permission from some of the awesome photographers at this event.

Each guest got a little goodie bag, filled with treats and coupons from the vendors.

 My sweet friend and helper, Amy.

 One of the awesome gifts from Cheeky Lime.

 Discussion time.

 One of our guests couldn't make it at the last minute due to babysitting.  So we Skyped her in.  It worked out great for her!   Here is her view...

 And our view...

Our model Jada, she was awesome and up for anything.  Thanks Jada! 

Group shot! 

 Love this... Photographers will go anywhere to get "the shot".

Before...

 and the fun begins... yes we trashed a wedding dress.  Don't worry it was a cheap but beautiful dress we bought on ebay.  When I asked the other photographers before the event what they wanted to do for our photography time at the retreat... they voted to trash a dress, it's kind of the trend in photography right now.  I know lots of people don't understand it. But it was all in good fun and made for lots of great photos.

 Ending our time together with worship.  Thanks to Amy and Wes!