Images by Gigi

Kayla - First Look!

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:32:42 PST

Okay, yes, I've had blogathy (apathy about my blog). Truth is I took an office job last January and haven't given this blog a lot of time. But, hey, it's a New Year! I just may have a blogathon (updating every 30 minutes for 24 hours)!

Kayla's grandmother wanted to have a photoshoot for Kayla's eighth birthday. She said, "Is that silly?" NOT AT ALL! Does anyone still have a Gameboy? How about an Atari system? Does anyone even know what those are? But, how many still have photos of themselves when they were a kid? Best present ever, Grandma! I had a lot of fun taking Kayla's photos. Since it's close to Valentine's Day, I even bought a template for some Valentine's Cards in case she wants to pass them out to her classmates. Here's the First Look...

Here is Kayla with her favorite book.

Kayla was a great model!

I gave her a sucker for being such a great subject, but she left it at my house! Don't worry, Kayla, I'll give your grandmother another one for you.

Thanks, Grandma!

Crab Corner

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 06:28:32 PDT

We used to live in Maryland. We missed Las Vegas but we loved meeting new friends, visiting new places, and eating. We love to eat and right now we are on a diet. But we took a break from our diet to enjoy a new restaurant Veronica spotted in Las Vegas - Crab Corner. She kept telling us, "I drove by and it looks like a crab house from Maryland!" We weren't disappointed and the boys that own it are from Bowie, Maryland. Fun!

Roger and Veronica wanted regular fries, but I tried a favorite of mine...sweet potato fries!

We were all happy - first fries since January 3rd!

We had to get the steamed shrimp, too, with just the right spicing, just like we had in Maryland.

Ah! Here they are!! Jumbos!

We'll go back again!

Wine Tasting in Paso Robles

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 15:45:20 PST

What could be better than going to wine country for Valentine's Day? Well, Hawaii or France, but this was a much better option when you are on a low budget. We had so much fun with Roger's sisters and our brothers-in-law. Plus, I got a chance to take more photos!

Our first stop was Tobin James...the photo isn't the best, but I just got a new iPhone for my birthday and wanted to test it out.

The beautiful, spacious, living room/home theatre room where we got to stay!

We started off celebrating Don's birthday on Sunday morning and playing Canasta (first up - Roger and I playing against the Don's)

San Marcos Creek was Roger's favorite winery, but he kept saying that with each new one we visited.

I took pics of each of the glasses so I'd remember the various wineries we went to.

Two of the servers at J. Lohr

Susan made lunches for us everyday and we would look for a winery with a patio so she could pull out our picnic lunch.

At J. Lohr, we stumbled upon another party celebrating a birthday and they shared cake with Don.

I think his name was Chris, the other birthday boy, and he was with a big family group celebrating his 60th!

They gave us more cake...you can tell how delicious it looks and it tasted just as good!

Onto Le Vigne

We have joked that anything would taste good wrapped in bacon or covered in chocolate. Here they put the two together and I still can't believe we didn't try it.

Susan and Don

A little bit of wine and a whole lot of love.

Don and Phyllis

Roger and me

Okay, onto more wineries...

Since it was Valentine's Day weekend, a lot of people were also serving chocolate. Eos Estate was one of them.

We came back to get ready to go to Jocko's to celebrate Don's birthday. This was our sunset view at the house.

Valentine's Day!
I had decided to drink less wine and take more photos on Valentine's Day and have to admit that sometimes I wouldn't even get inside the winery before the rest of the party was done.

I believe the next one, Justin's, was the favorite of the bunch! It certainly was with me. They had a restaurant, an inn, a swimming pool (too cold for swimming on the day we went) AND a winery. Beautiful! The wine was also great. We all want to go back, but not unless we hit the lotto!

Justin's

Chris was our wine server and gave us the history of Justin's.

Next stop, Whalebone...

Our server is the owner's daughter.

Here she is with her dad in earlier days.

At Whalebone, they also had olive oil tasting. They were all good and the Balsamic Glaze was something I would have liked to bring home, too!

Next stop...Opolo's!

They had a patio, too, for our wonderful BBQ Chicken Salad, made by Susan. It was chilly, but they even came out and lit a couple of outdoor heaters for us.

This was a first for Phyllis, a whole glass of red wine, so we had to take a picture.

Yum!

I couldn't believe how beautiful the countryside was. We all want to go back in the fall before they harvest the grapes.

Our last stop (besides our stop at Tobin James on the way out to buy wine glasses) was the Donati Family Vineyard. The house above was outside the wine tasting room. I wouldn't be surprised if that is the Donati's home.

Back at the house, we celebrated Valentine's Day with a fondue dinner. By the time we finished the cheese, meat, and veggie courses, we were too full for the chocolate fondue. It didn't go to waste (or our waists, yet) because we got up and had it for a breakfast appetizer with strawberries and pineapple). Another fun evening on our last night in Paso Robles.

Don Dewey bought roses for our centerpiece.

Veronica and I had taken a trip to Ethel M's before we left and I got little candy bars for our placecards.

This was the last morning of our trip and my birthday was coming up in a couple of days. I got presents from both couples and this one was from the Dewey's...a wine cork cage that they saw me admiring in Le Vigne.

Happy Birthday to me!

Mac - First Look

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 23:08:27 PST

Mac is studying to be an actor and he's already has some roles! I took headshots awhile back and he called me to do some theatrical shots. Here is a sneak peak. I hope it helps him to get some more acting roles!

Jake and Carmel's Family of Four!

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:15:27 PST

I love having a big family! It just keeps getting bigger. Sona loves her little brother. We all do! Jake and Carmel wanted to replace a canvas I got them a couple of years ago with their new family addition! Which ones do you like best? Let's see if you picked the one they liked best. I think they need an album!

Colton #1

Family #1

Jake and Colton #1

Jake and Colton #2

Carmel and Sona #1

Family #2

Family #3

Carmel and kids #1

Family #4

Carmel and Colton #1

Family #5

Family #6

Carmel and Colton #2

Carmel and Colton #3

Jake and Sona #1

Jake and Sona #2

Jake and Sona #3

Family #7

Colton #2

Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun!

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:29:41 PST

Phyllis invited us over for a low-budget weekend - stay home, play cards, and take pics of Cj and friends for her winter formal. These young women are all so beautiful so it was my pleasure! Phyllis was so nice in making low-carb meals for us since we just started the New Year dieting! Here are a few of my favorites...

Can't remember ever being able to walk in this high of heel!

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park!!!

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 07:44:03 PST

This is always one of the favorite places for our summer cousin camp and since the cousins were here for Christmas, Danielle wanted to take the kids. I was invited, too, to take a few photos! I've jumped before, but actually have more fun when I'm the paparazzi! Not sharp tack pictures since I'm sitting on the sidelines.

Garett catching the ball in dodgeball

Chance and Jake each playing dodgeball, too.

and Gary!

Abby and Sona

Is Garett out?

Sona, Abby, and Jessi - love, love, love!

Veronica wants to play dodgeball

She got it!

Chance taking aim

Jake trying to bounce Sona and Abby AND film at the same time.

Chance is getting sweaty

Did Gary hold onto it?

Guess not!

I know these will be memories for the kids forever!

Jake showing the girls his skills he learned when he was a kid and had a trampoline in his backyard!

Danielle, too.

Veronica learning from Danielle and Jake

Danielle bouncing Jake

Looks fun, doesn't it?

Christmas with Danielle and Family

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 17:07:06 PST

Gary, Danielle, Garett, Jessi, and Abby came into town the day after Christmas. We had so much fun with them playing games and I finally got to have someone over during the holidays.

Yay! Got to have family over AND use my Christmas dishes. We've been using them all month but we had to find them first! Don't you love moving? Never could find my Christmas mug collection - I think they went to Goodwill!

The girls did their own shopping! Garett, too, he just couldn't find them until it was time to go home.

The girls got Chance "Fart in a Jar" and of course, he loved it.

There they go...playing with the "Fart in a Jar!"

Gary loves Alton Brown

Can you read that?

Pretend this is Christmas morning and this is why we look bad...just a few days later.

Roger looks nice because he had to go to work. The girls got him mints.

I got Jessi, Abby, and Sona matching aprons. I wish I would have taken a picture of all three of them together! Abby asked if she could wear hers as a dress!

Despicable Me!!!

Ooooh - wine in a beautiful bag - which Roger snatched right out of my hands (see below).

Another gift card!

Yay! A canvas for the family!

Family Dinner at Jake and Carmel's

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 08:34:33 PST

Yes, I know, we keep getting together and opening presents (Danielle and family's turn to open presents with Jeremy's family and Jake's family)! I hope some year Tony and Elizabeth will bring Izabel to spend Christmas with us. It was also very sad that Miranda wasn't here but she is taking every opportunity while she is teaching in Saudi Arabia to see more of the world. We miss her, but can't blame her! If you happen to look at the last photo - make sure you read the caption, it's not what it looks like!

Gary and I played against Chance and Garett in darts.

Chance and Garett were also playing ping-pong.

Gary and I won, but it was all Gary and this was his last turn!!

For baby brother

I wanna play!

Jocelynn gets a hat from Jessi and Abby

Like father, like daughter!

Gary looks puzzled - it's a massage roller from Jake and Carmel

Another present for Colton!

This was a big hit!

I wanna play this one, too!

I love Abby's flying hair!

and Sona's!

Look Mom!

Grandma Diane with Colton - isn't he so sweet??

Jessi wanted Uncle Jeremy to show her some magic tricks

This is not what you think! In October Jake seriously injured his fingernails at an orchard when he pulled some sweet potatoes out of the ground. Both nails on his middle fingers where ripped off and parts of a sweet potato were embedded under the nail of one of his middle fingers. OUCH!!! Carmel had to take him to the emergency room after waiting in a long line out of the orchard to pay for the crops. Fortunately, when they saw the blood, they let them go through without paying. Well, he held up both of his middle fingers to show us how they were finally growing back and we were all cracking up at how he looked like he was flipping us off with both fingers. So of course, I had to take a picture. Fortunately, his fingers are healing.

Colton's Baptism

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 16:15:19 PST

Carmel and Jake wanted to get Colton baptized before Carmel's family left town. Danielle and family came into town later that afternoon. More family fun!

I love that we took up two rows in church!

Dr. Mark said his kids didn't have that much hair until they went to college!

Barth side of the family

Gonzales side of the family

Danielle and family got into town a little later and here is Danielle with her brand new nephew!

Christmas Day 2010

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 15:49:07 PST

We started off by ourselves...Roger, Veronica, and I. We played our new games, then went to Jake and Carmel's again for dinner and more opening of presents. Veronica got her presents from Jake and Carmel that evening and Jeremy and family.

Family Christmas Eve

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 15:28:10 PST

Since Colton had arrived, plenty of family members from Carmel's side of the family came out to visit. We spent a wonderful Christmas Eve at Jake and Carmel's and Matt did most of the cooking! Before we left for their house, we did a little baking.

I was in charge of desserts for the Christmas dinners at Jake and Carmel's. Yes, it's Christmas, but my favorite cookie is still chocolate chip! I made a plate of cookies, Grandma Gonzales' toffee, pumpkin bread, and fudge. Want the recipe? Post a comment or send me a message.

I love our new (old) kitchen and seeing our family tree in the dining room as I baked.

Sona was so sweet when she got to church for the Christmas Eve service. I said, "You look so beautiful!". She said, "Do you want to take a picture of me?" I said, "Yes" and she said, "Go ahead!"

Our contemporary service was a little later, so we went to the 4:30 pm Choir service which was incredibly beautiful...physically and spiritually!

Milissa, Jeremy, Jocelynn, and Chance came ready to celebrate!

Sona loved having so many people over to visit.

Grandma Vivian, Carmel, and Sona

Uncle Matt holding Sona's precious baby brother, Colton!

Jeremy and family got Jake a massage roller which he said is great if you can convice the kids it's a toy.

Yes, we love chocolate!

Tinkerbell bows!!

Uncle Jake and Carmel got Chance a basketball!

A "poparazzi" from Gigi! Jocelynn got it, since my nicknames sometimes is "Paparazzi".

Sona tells her dad, "I want a poparazzi!"

More presents...

Milissa also likes to cook and Veronica got her the salad cookbook from Pampered Chef.

She finally got a poparazzi!

Jocelynn asks if her apron is supposed to be a smiley face?

Uncle Jeremy and Colton

Grandma Julie's gift was a HUGE hit with Sona

Jocelynn finally gets to hold Colton!

Veronica had to work her first Christmas Eve. She was disappointed but was off on Christmas Day. We came back home on Christmas Eve and had a little celebration with Veronica.

She got me the covered baker from Pampered Chef!!

Roger spied this in Veronica's room and he kept wanting to get it early!

New scarf from dad!

Believe it or not, this was one of Roger's favorite gifts - a butter buerre to keep the butter soft.

CLC Christmas Eve

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 11:59:08 PST

Our church has an awesome music program and they don't put people in a box insisting that they worship to one type of music. We have a very casual service on Saturday nights with a singer, guitar player, and a drummer; a very traditional service at 8:00 AM Sunday mornings with an organ; a blended service at 9:30 AM with a choir; a contemporary service with a praise team at 11:00 AM; and a honkey tonk service on Sunday evening at 7:00 PM. Needless to say, there are a lot of talented people at CLC. The three morning worship groups and the children's program each put on a concert with the Children's program scheduled for 3:00 PM Christmas Eve. Flo asked me to take pictures and here are a few of my favorites.

I love the church on Christmas Eve with all the poinsettias! They are delivered to nusing homes and hospitals after Christmas.

Steve, Erin, Noah, Emma, and Leila!

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 09:45:51 PST

I've only known this family for about four years, but they are like family to us. You may remember the cute little picture of all the shoes lined up at Lake Las Vegas when we did the maternity/family photoshoot. Well, now their precious little bundle of joy is here! Leila was born just a week or so before my newest grandson, Colton. Veronica thinks they should all be BFF's.

I see you, too, Emma!

"All these pictures have made me tired!"

Jake, Carmel, Sona, and Colton

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:16:02 PST

Jake, Carmel, and Sona got the best little Christmas present this year!! Colton! A bunch of people are looking forward to meeting him this Christmas! I love my family...

"Look at all these packages!"

"I wonder if any of them are for me!"

"What is this I'm lying under?"

"Look at all those lights!"

"Oh, here's my sister, again!"

"So far, she's pretty nice to me."

"I think I'm Sona's favorite package under this tree."

"Here we go, how would my parents like it if Gigi took pictures of their feet?"

"My daddy has strong hands and my mommy has soft hands."

"I'm super tired, but they've been waiting on me to take some Christmas pictures!"

"Wow, there's that tree, again!"

"It is kind of comfortable under here."

"I wonder when I get some lunch."

"Come on mommy, I'm getting hungry."

"Oh, my mommy is so pretty."

"She loves me so much."

"This is taking too long, I need a nap."

"I can sleep anywhere."

"As long as my parents are nearby."

"Oh, my daddy loves me, too."

"and my beautiful big sister!"

"My daddy got my big sister this pretty dress from Germany. I wonder what he got me?"

Jeremy, Jocelynn, and Chance

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:11:31 PST

My favorite of photoshoots - family. Got another one coming up, today!

Jeremy is a Las Vegas DJ and wanted a few pics taken with his headphones. We started out in a park, so I could get a few with the clouds before they went away. Funny thing happened during the photoshoot... Jeremy is my son and we always got on his case for wearing baggy pants. He still does. Jeremy started getting on Chance's case for wearing tight pants. Hehe - your turn, Jeremy!!

Father/son

Father/daughter

Next, we headed to Town Square at 9:30 AM on a Sunday morning before church - not many people there, yet, to bother me!!

Now, which ones will they like the best?

Christmas Caroling‟

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 11:29:34 PST

When we lived in our big house, we hosted a caroling party every year with the help of the Bonwell's and their trailer. It is a thing of the past and we will always treasure the memories from the parties every year. When our Children's Director at church invited everyone to go caroling, I gathered up the grandchildren and went.

Robert with Sonja's son on his shoulders.

Jocelynn with Sona on her shoulders

The whole group!

Sona and Jocelynn

The leaders sat on Santa's lap, too! Here is Pat.

and Flo!

I love this little girl giving Santa specific instructions!

Sona getting her treat from Santa

and Chance.

Later that day, we came back to our house and Chance wanted to rake our leaves. Who says we don't have changing seasons in Las Vegas? Of course, this was not in October, but December!

Unfortunately, Chance got blisters all over his hands after he was done. Honest, we didn't make him do it, he wanted to!

Ethel M's!!

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 10:36:45 PST

In December, Roger, Veronica, Jocelynn, and I went to a wonderful Christmas concert at our church! Afterwards we went to Ethel M's - our favorite chocolate factory - and got a free sample. The little Ethel M elves were hard at work. We also checked out the lights in the Ethel M's Cactus Garden. If you haven't been there at Christmas, you should go. It's very pretty and worth the trip just to get the free sample of chocolate!

We were calling dibs on the different quotes to use on our Facebook status!

Santa, please bring me some chocolate for Christmas!

We liked it so much, we went back again a few days later with Chance and Sona!

Chance, Sona, and Jocelynn

Waiting on Colton with Sona

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 10:04:54 PST

I love, love, love being a grandmother. Gigi stands for Grandma Gonzales and that is where my business name comes from. Well, we were waiting on a new grandson to be born and I volunteered to stay with Sona when it came time for her parents to go to the hospital. When we pulled out the Christmas decorations, I still had a Gingerbread House kit that I planned on making with the grandchildren but never got around to it last year, or the year before, or the year before. I thought it would be great for Sona and I to do together while she was waiting for her baby brother.

On her stool mixing the frosting - the kit was so old that the frosting was hard as a rock!

She got up and put on her jewelry - Miss Donna Reed - anyone remember her?

Getting ready - pictures first, Sona!

She loved doing this but I told her the candy was old so she couldn't eat it.

They are clip ons

"Gigi, I got frosting on my thumb!"

Ready for the day and Gingerbread House done!!

Now, waiting for the call that we can go to the hospital and meet baby brother.

The Making of a Christmas Picture

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 11:30:28 PST

I've only had my photography business for a couple of years, but I've been taking our Christmas picture for about 18 years...wish I would have started sooner! I start thinking about it in January, but usually don't come up with something until the last minute. I knew this year would be tough because last year was the best - our Homeless Alone picture that I still got comments on in April. Well, things have changed a lot since last Christmas. We did sell our house and our renters moved out of our bungalow. Veronica decided she no longer wanted to major in music business but wanted to be a pastry chef. We told her she couldn't go back to Azusa because they have the best schools right here in Las Vegas for the hospitality industry. So here we go...

We finally came across the star in the boxes in the garage!

Took a few to test the lighting and now I love this picture!

The original idea was kind of boring...just get in our Christmas pj's, with a plate of cookies, and have a greeting something like "Waiting for Santa."

Roger loves to travel, Veronica's favorite class is "Intro to Chocolate," and while I love both of those, I love electronics...anything Apple and anything Canon. So this was another idea.

Next idea...dogpile, but remember I'm taking the picture and setting up the timer so we didn't make it fast enough on this first one.

Move the Merry Christmas bag up closer and crop in...better, except Veronica doesn't like the hair in her face. Sorry, Veronica, you didn't tell me soon enough.

I got these funny hats at Wal-mart and they would make a great jib-jab video except they play different Christmas carols. They also light up and dance! Veronica couldn't stop laughing and her hat fell off.

Still wish you could hear the hats! Santa, could you bring me a Flip Video for Christmas?

Wish the older kids were home to be in the picture! Can't imagine how many outtakes we would have with 6 kids and spouses, plus 8 grandchildren! If you are one of the 125 people on my Christmas card list, you will see what we finally ended up with. If you aren't but want to be, send me a message and I'll add you to it! Merry Christmas! Y'all come back now, ya hear?

Colton is here!

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 10:54:16 PST

Colton arrived on December 9, 2010! Seven pounds 12 ounces and 20 inches long! We were very anxious to meet him and he was a day early.

Isn't he precious?

Proud daddy with Sona and Colton!

Tired Mommy produced another beautiful child!

Another grandchild...joy, joy, joy!!!

Uncle Matt

Grandpa Roger

Colton enjoying his first bath

Carmel and Colton

At home, now, and Auntie Veronica pays a visit

I made sure to take more pics of Sona so she doesn't feel like she's been replaced!

My Granddaughter

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:17:49 PST

I got to babysit one of my granddaughters today! She started out looking for pinecones with Veronica and then she let me take her picture in her pretty German dress that her daddy got her. I love grandchildren (children, too)!

Naughty or nice?

Gigi, are we through, yet? Just a few more...

Andy and Rosa on the Pond II

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:52:22 PST

Andy and Rosa went to Indiana over Veteran's Day Weekend and stocked up on their Boilermaker's gear! Even got some for Boiler himself! They came back for round two of their photoshoot. Love these people!

Eagle Scouts

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:53:28 PST

Last year, I took high school senior photos for Ryan and Quintin's older brother, Nolan. So I was extremely happy when their mothers called to say they wanted me to take photos for these awesome Eagle Scouts! What an honor - for them - and for me to take their Eagle Scout portraits. Congratulations Quintin and Ryan!!

Diana wanted one with her Eagle Scout - proud mama!

Family and Thanksgiving!!

www.imagesbygigi@cox.net (Images by Gigi) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 21:39:02 PST

You hear it all the time..."Grandchildren are wonderful!" It is true! Two of my granddaughters came over for lunch after church a week ago. Roger had made some awesome lasagna and we had some leftover so some of our family came over and the two granddaughters love hamming it up for Gigi!

Jocelynn asked me today, "Gigi, why haven't you put the pics from last weekend or the one from Thanksgiving on the internet, yet? I have to update my Facebook profile!"

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with old friends and new. I miss my friends at my former church, but I love my new church, especially going with more of my family.

Our deep-fried turkey. Don't you just want to pull off that skin?

Our friend, Mike, has deep-fried one of our turkeys every year for years.

Jeremy - I think he is stuffed - waiting for group photo.

Look at my drawings, Uncle Jeremy!

Family and friends - old and new!

"Take a picture of me and baby, Gigi! Will you send it to me on email?"

The not so fun part of Thanksgiving...

It was a tight-squeeze, but we managed to put 18 people in here!

"What! We have to do dishes?"

"Yay! We're all going to bed and doing the clean-up tomorrow." Veronica said, "Afterall, the world could come to an end tonight and then we won't have to do them."