Sometimes Pinterest gets a bad wrap. ” It’s too time consuming, it makes people feel bad about themselves.”  That’s silly.  You find out how it can benefit you and you use it as a tool.

In this case, I needed something fun for Valentines Day.  And I found it.

Original links are here and here. Thanks for wonderful ideas, ladies!

My and the kiddos collaboration.

How long? 45 minutes.  We squeezed in right before dinner.

How much?  The cost of a box of broken crayons (which most of us have already), some cutup card stock, heart silicone tray (which we luckily had for another project), little bags or you could use string), and some microsoft word or photoshop skills, doesn’t take much.

And the idea….FREE.

All in all…I would say less than 50 cents each!

It doesn’t matter if you and your cousin did the same exact Valentines Day Project (which we did, right cuz?  What matters is you were shared valuable information to help you get the project done and that you had a wonderful time doing it with your kids.  That’s what really matters….even if the Firecracker did pour the whole stamp ink onto the table, but we won’t talk about that.

Seriously, my KIDS LOVED it.

I am telling you Pinterest is a valuable tool. Use it.

If you need an invite, let me know.  You can follow my boards here.

I have so much to share…

California Adventures

Blue Lily

Princess’s 5 year  birthday bonanza

Pinterest

Tons of Photo Shoots from California

Tutorials

Giveaways

Ack, my to do list is too long!!!!

Hopefully it won’t be another month before I get back to sharing those things, right now it’s been just family time and lots of editing.

In the meantime, here are some photos of a recent trip I took with 2 of my favorite people, my mom and sister.

Warning, photo overload.  This is from the 9/11 Memorial in Jersey City, NJ. The two walls line up directly in the view of where the Twin Towers used to stand. The walls are meant to mimic the towers on their side. Inscribed on the walls are all of the victims of 9/11 who were from New Jersey. It was very moving and a must visit.  We were lucky to get there at a time when there was no one around and the fog had just rolled in.

The way they play with their toys.

They way it makes them happy when I hang up every little piece of artwork.

The way their pillow pets have a party.

The way their daddy takes them out for adventures.

The way they love to smile, laugh, and be goofy.

The way they are them being them.

I am feeling very blessed with these happy things.

I had soooo many. But in the end, I love the emotion of this little guy.

So here is my pick!!

For more great photos from 2011 go here and check them out!

Meet my new BFF. Isn’t she a doll?

Thanks my new friend. I look forward to capturing that smile on camera for lots of years to come!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered. I really wish I could do photo shoots for everyone. If I get enough interested people, I may be coming home for a bonus Cali-Work trip. Message me if you are interested!

Happy Monday everyone!!

2011 is gone.

But it didn’t leave without our family making lots and lots of amazing, wonderful memories along the way.

At the beginning of the year I signed up for a 52 week photo challenge. And although I only blogged and submitted 6 to the group, I did not fail at my goal of taking a photo a week.

In fact, it was probably a lot more than that. This grouping of photos adds up to 52 and if you are really anal and check the dates….no…these are not from every single week.

But these are some of my favorites.

52 photos representing the 52 fabulous weeks that I have been blessed with spending with my little loves and my honey-do.

 Happy New Year everyone. I hope it is healthy and happy; filled with memories, blessings, and lots and lots of LOVE.

I do! I do!

Not only do I love it because it is a fantastic State, a great place to live and raise family, but it’s also my child-hood home. And I miss it, I long for it. There is just no place like it.

That’s why I am so excited to come home!  Yep, in a couple of weeks, I am heading to Cali. Unfortunately, I will be solo…but for good reason.  I am attending the Blue Lily-goPro workshop. You can read all about that excitement here. I won’t bore you with those details today.  Today’s post is to focus on one thing and one thing only.  A giveaway!!!

Usually when I make a scheduled trip home, not only do I see all of my family and so many of my wonderful friends, but I squeeze in photo shoots too.  That brings me to the bad news…I don’t have any extra time this trip to squeeze those shoots in. I don’t want to sacrifice my family and friend time on such a short trip.

Wait, but how can I come without photographing someone or something?  Especially because I am going to be soooo eager to shoot after what I know is going to be an awe-inspiring workshop.  I decided that I needed to do at least one shoot, but for whom?

That’s what I am giving away!! A full photo session—a one hour shoot plus a DVD of all chosen edited images from the shoot.

Who wants in? Who wants me to practice my new mad skillz on them?

The Rules:

• The giveaway is open to anyone but the shoot will either be in Madera County or the City of Fresno, CA.
• One entry per person.
• The shoot must take place one day between Monday, Jan 16th through Wed, Jan 18th.
• The shoot will last 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Expect a 3 week turn around time on your photos.
• Winner will receive a DVD copy of all edited images (of my choosing).
• Winner will be picked via random generator at random.org.
• You can tell all of your friends but then less chances for you, so you might want keep this one on the DL.
• The family must be limited to immediate family members only. Sorry, but just not enough time on this one to be bringing in multiple families so tell your brother’s, brother’s, cousin’s, sister…that I just don’t have time for that on this trip.
• And finally, the only thing you have to do to enter is to tell me why you LOVE California too?

All right, let’s do it.

Giveaway closes at 11:59pm on Sunday, Jan 8th (Cali time). Winner will be announced on Monday, January 9th.

Good luck!

And because I can’t have a post with no pictures.

Here are tons of photos that I did over the past couple of  years in California, some of which I didn’t have a chance to post.

Thanks to all of these wonderful family and friends who gave me the opportunity to capture their families on camera.

Why?

Because in less than 3 weeks I will be spending a full weekend with Wendy and Tyler of Blue Lily in San Diego, on the beach, for a PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP!!!!!!!!! Their goPro Workshop.  I mean, I am so excited I can’t even contain it anymore.

photos courtesy of Blue Lily

Wendy and Tyler are one of THE most inspiring photography duos in the World. They travel the world, with their two beautiful kiddos, photographing families, and they also take time out from their amazing, crazy, busy schedules to teach!!! And I am SO lucky and feel SO blessed to be a part of that teaching experience.

photos courtesy of Blue Lily.

I have been a crazy person getting ready for this conference.  I sent all of my equipment into Canon for a full service and clean. I have been writing down a gazillion questions that I have. (Sorry Wendy and Tyler…my list is long.)  I have been shopping for new clothes. And for those of you who know me well….I LIVE in sweatpants and ball caps. For me to actually put effort in my wardrobe….BIG DEAL. I mean big.

I cannot wait to meet all of the other conference go-Proers. I cannot wait to party with them in a house…ON THE BEACH.

I have been dreaming of a workshop ever since I started this little blog. And finally I am taking the plunge. I cannot wait to LEARN all that they have to offer. I cannot wait to see them IN ACTION.  I cannot wait to be on the BEACH in Jan!

And to add to the sweetness, right after the workshop, I head to see all of my family in my childhood hometown. I get to snuggle with my nieces and nephews. I get to hang with mom, dad, sisters, and brothers.  I get to chill with old and dear friends. Oh how I LOVE going home.

It’s going to be a sweet start to a sweet New Year.

Thanks Wendy and Tyler for bringing your AWESOMENESS to the rest of us in this big ol’ World. I cannot wait to meet you. I am sure you are as cool and lively as your art.

photos courtesy of Blue Lily.

I think there is still room, if you want to come?

Did I make my point. Did you feel my excitement?  Did I use enough CAPS and !!!!!!

I think so……..

I think the only that would top this if Wendy and Tyler take me to Padres Stadium (have I ever shared my quest to see every stadium in America? Another post for another day..) and shoot an engagement session inside the stadium.  Cough, cough.  Alright. I know, beggers can’t be choosers. But it doesn’t hurt to ask?

Hehe.

Oh and thanks to Meg Duerksen of Whatever for pointing me in this direction. Meg, as always, you are the best.

She is so beautiful and could melt anyone’s heart.

Don’t you think?

Happy post Holidays, I am looking forward to bringing in the 2012 with family and friends!