Feels like a Monday...

THIS is very normal. 

It happens EVERYDAY.

Sometimes I give you a timeout.

Sometimes I need a timeout.

Good parenting IN doesn't always mean good child OUT.

But these are just MOMENTS in the day.

The tantrums are a reminder that you need God…

Just as much as I need God.

God…give me GRACE…so I could reflect GRACE.

Life is not an emergency.

So I'll choose to embrace my Monday.

I LOVE you Alex! 

Trailering in April

Another family trailer trip :) We're getting good at this!

Happy New Year!!!

happy new year! a look back at some events from 2012...

january | birthday parties

february | just hanging out at ikea

march | B's first birthday

(photo credit Tim Park & face paint by Cindy from Up Up & Away)

april | long beach aquarium

may | cooking party for our 'little miss giada'

june | engagement

july | vegas with cedc

august | lots of time spent at the park

september | labor & delivery

october | collecting candy

november | blessed by family

december | new nickname: Diada!

Can't wait to see what 2013 has in store for us!!! God bless~

Merry Christmas!!! {Family Christmas Card Photos}

This year's Christmas photo shoots :) And a few tips/ideas from our experience when taking family Christmas card photos:

+ props. It's an easy photo shoot when you have props (SNOW!!!) for kids (and adults...as you can see here)...it doesn't matter where they look or what they do...they'll look super cute!!! Only downfall...I now have a bunch of white confetti on my front porch...

+ clothes. Bundle them up in colors/layers/textures...it helps make the image pop~

+ aperture. I'm always tempted to have it wide open...especially when my 35mm can go down to f/1.4. I needed the kids in focus...but still wanted the snow to look like it was coming at me (blurred). This was shot at f/3.2, 1/60 s, ISO 100.

+ location. This photo was taken at the base of Chino Hills State Park. I recommend it--though the sun sets early...you can still find lovely lighting!!! I love coming here...it was one of my first discoveries a couple years back. You know you love taking pictures when you drive around aimlessly looking for a good photo location :) 

+ level. Have parents get on their child's level...i love the picture of Team Lee (top right)...it's just cute!!! 

+ accessorize. Scarf & mittens, of course!

+ nap. Make sure the kids take a nap!!! ^ did not take my own advice...
+ colors. It doesn't always have to be so matchy-matchy~ Though this color scheme was not planned...I  just made sure everyone had a different shade on...sometimes it just works. (And don't buy new threads/outfit/anything for the hubby...he's just not as into as you are ^_*)
+ expectations. I kept telling Lynn {of L&M}..."just one good one." Be realistic...a photoshoot with a cranky toddler & uncooperative infant will not generate dozens of beautiful photos. We had 2 decent pictures...one I used for our Christmas card...the other on Facebook!



FROM OUR FAMILIES TO YOUR...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Trailer Trip from November

Better late than never...here are some pictures from our most recent trailer trip during Thanksgiving!

Trailering has become our new Thanksgiving tradition!!! Our dad is a camping enthusiast and recently upgraded his RV so that the kids could enjoy their stay in the 2.5 bedroom (not really a room...but more like sleeping space/pop-out tent) trailer. We don't go very far...it's been 'destination: Temecula' two years in a row. Nonetheless...fun fun fun!!! The girls are getting the hang of this camping thing...E enjoys making a 'things to take' list days before we actually go. Some key items have been Marshmallow for s'mores and her new bike. D gets excited over the fact that we'll be sleeping together in one vehicle! As for my kids (B and A)....still have no clue as to what is really going on....but I could tell he enjoyed it much more than last year's trip (2010's trailer trip)! 

Onto the pictures!!!

Here's a peek at one of the rooms...it's story time for D~

We've discovered that there's not much to do at the trailer site itself...time to get creative!!~ Ping pong!

Intense match going on here

Winner is???

A's first trip! We actually don't spend the night...can't imagine the kind of sleep I'd get (or won't get!) if B & A had to sleep there~

In a world of her own....love~

Our dad told kids that there was a park nearby...it was just an open space covered with dirt!!! They kept asking where the playground was~ 

It's nice to be outside--quality family time! Though there is a TV in the trailer...this site had horrible reception (which kept us off our phones). ^_*

D's world~

Wondering why there is an apostrophe...chicken's...

Love | Hate

Until next year...

Trailering...

Can't believe how fast the days are going...hope to show more from this awesome trailer trip we had over Thanksgiving!!!

Christmas Card In The Making

Our Christmas card in the making....

Our good friend Tim came over with an amazing studio setup inside our bedroom for these shots. (Tim & I started our photography journey around the same time. We've come a long way from this shoot!) Thank you for coming over and taking pictures of baby B. It was probably the hardest shoot you've had...subject was not cooperating very well. The pictures can do all the explaining...

Merry CHRISTmas!!!