Families
kiddos
Babies
Mommies
Weddings
Seniors
Lucy’s World…and her images of the week!
Posted on February 23, 2010
I love everything about my daughter, her laughs, her cries, (even her screams and yells, though I admit I don’t love those as much). I love that everyday for her is an adventure, full of possibility and nonstop fun! Oh how I wish that adults could see the world like that.
She asks, “Why?” more than any other human I’ve met, it is cute…until it gets tiring…My aunt told me once that I used to ask, “Why?” all the time, and she’d tell me to write down all my questions and she’d answer them later, she told me this was payback! Ha!
One of my greatest hopes for my daughter is that she never ceases to marvel at the wonders of the world and the people around her…and that she become a doctor (just kidding, I had to throw that in for my aunts).
Last Monday, President’s Day, while the rest of the nation was shoveling snow off of their driveways, we visited the tidepools in Newport Beach. Lucy, Mario, and I dug our toes into the sand, searched for hermit crab, collected shells, gasped at the millions of mussels stuck to the rocks, giggled and squealed as we chickened out of touching the urchins (okay, that was just Lucy and I).
As the sun started to come down, Mario and I sat on the sand and watched as Lucy plopped herself down on the shore. She got drenched, but didn’t have a care in the world. We watched her dig in the sand with a giant mussel shell, sang songs to herself, and just enjoyed being. It was a great way to marvel at the unending blessings God has brought to our lives. Boy are we lucky! Here are some images from our afternoon. Enjoy!
My universe…
Daddy snapped this next one of Lucy.
Pretty good, I tried to convince him that we can be a husband and wife photog team. He declined.
Our last view before we headed home…
Why we celebrate February 13
Posted on February 13, 2010
The story of our family is in 2 parts. We have Lucy’s homecoming, April 11, we call that Family Day. Then we have today, February 13. It’s a special day in our household. Last year, February 13 fell on a Friday. Friday the 13th. An ominous date for most, but a lucky, special one for us. It was on this day, February 13th, of last year that a man in a robe shook our hands and said, “Congratulations mom and dad!” We rejoiced, we thanked God, we wept, we hugged. Mario and I, held Lucy tight, and we kissed each other knowing that this marked a very important time in all our lives.
We weren’t in a hospital. We were in a Riverside County Courthouse. The man in a robe wasn’t a doctor, he was a judge, a commissioner actually. It wasn’t the day of Lucy’s birth. It wasn’t even the day that the three of us became a family, because Lucy had been home with us for almost a year. It was the day that the County of Riverside, the State of California, the United States, the Earth, officially recognized us, Mario, Lucy, Lindsay – the Chavez Family. On this day, February 13, 2010, we celebrate the finalization of our adoption.
Here are some images taken by friends and family of that blessed, blessed day.
Here’s us waiting outside the courthouse to open. Nervous, anxious, excited. I love Mario’s silly face.
In the courtroom, surrounded by family and friends.
Our family story is one that we are extremely proud of, thankful for, and often celebrated. We have a fun day in store for the three of us, heck, we have a fun life in store for the three of us.
Filed Under Fun Stuff | 7 Comments
Lucy’s Photo of the Week!
Posted on February 10, 2010
My little girl has been on adventure after adventure lately. She learned to appreciate the classics, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and such. She got her very first photo ID card (in the form of a D-land pass). She visited her first private university. She watched her very first live play, Peter Pan. She’s getting a bit feisty and insists on doing everything herself, which makes getting ready in the morning take forever. She also assisted me at a photoshoot for the first time! She was great! Especially in making the little babies smile. We had a great week. Tune in for what she’ll do next! I love Lucy, and I love being a mommy.
We heart kisses!
Posted on February 9, 2010
I have been a fan of the site, I Heart Faces Photography, for a while now. They do weekly photo contests and challenges, and I’m not really sure why, but I’ve never entered one of my photographs. This week’s challenge is “We heart kisses!” The moment I read it, I thought of one photo. I’m telling you, just remembering the day I captured this photo makes me smile and tingle, it’s one of my all time faves.
So even if I don’t win this week’s challenge, capturing this sweet moment feels like a win! Happy early Valentine’s Day!
Filed Under Fun Stuff | 8 Comments
The Great Outdoors
Posted on February 3, 2010
Last Sunday, I attended Matt Saville ’s natural light workshop. Despite the unexpected freezing temperature, I had a blast, and met some really cool people who are equally obsessed with photography. Matt decided to take our little group on a little adventure to Silverado Canyon, which, if you don’t know, is a quaint town off of the city of Orange with gorgeous hiking and mountain biking trails.
Now for those of you who know me, I’m not the outdoorsy type, I don’t like to get dirty. Up until my family got into wakeboarding a few years ago, I was known to say that I don’t like submerging myself in natural bodies of water (I know! It’s sad, and I grew up by the beach, too). Over the last few years, I’ve been slowly transforming my misguided preconceptions of nature. (Matt, if you’re reading this…I’m sorry, but read on please, because it gets good…I promise!)
During the workshop, Matt mentioned how much he would love to take a bridal couple for wedding photos up to Silverado. He said that it would be a great location for the couple who are lovers of nature and shoppers at REI. Secretly, I thought, “That is definitely not me!” But as the afternoon continued, and as I saw the images from my camera…I was getting hooked. My mind was transforming. Everywhere I looked was overwhelming beauty. Yes, true, great location for a photo session, but really…just a great place to be!
Matt is so knowledgeable about all things photography. I learned so much that I’m still processing it today. I appreciate him imparting his knowledge of this art that so many people enjoy and are passionate about. I also thank Matt for introducing me to some great people and this great location! Silverado Canyon…can’t wait to come back. I may not bring a mountain bike, or have the proper hiking boots, but I’ll be there enjoying it all the same with my camera!
Filed Under Fun Stuff | Leave a Comment
What Lucy’s been up to…and her image of the week!
Posted on February 3, 2010
Okay…you must be getting sick of all my Lucy photos. Well tough! She’s my muse so here’s a quick recap of her week in my new segment…Lucy’s Image of the Week!
Here’s what she’s been up to:
She watched Sleeping Beauty no less than 8 times.
She finally got introduced to Tinkerbell.
She fed a lorikeet.
She chased after a deer and proceeded to try and hug him.
She came face to face with a lion.
She went to a Speech and Debate meeting. (gotta start them young)
She ate lots of popcorn.
And without further ado…here’s the aforementioned photo of the week!
Filed Under Fun Stuff, Kiddos | 5 Comments
My Lovebug
Posted on November 20, 2009
Joy
Laughter
Giggles
Tears
Hugs
Kisses
Love
Buggie at 2 years and 10 months. I love you forever and ever.
Filed Under Fun Stuff, Kiddos | Leave a Comment
Lazy Saturdays
Posted on October 18, 2009
Fridays are usually the most anticipated days of the week because of the promise of rest and relaxation to come over the weekend. Weekends have been busy and full lately, but yesterday was a great day because our little family had NO plans! None! We had nowhere to be and nothing to do. It was a little slice of heaven presented to me on a little plate with cream cheese frosting on top!
Here is what day of nothing looks like:
Lucy and I played in the yard…
We hung out on the porch…
this is her “Mommy, no more pictures” smile…
I just had to squeeze one more, glad I did too, it was my favorite shot of the day!
Then we made princess necklaces…
then she and daddy painted a horse…
I had the best day with the loves of my life!
Filed Under Fun Stuff, Kiddos, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Change is good
Posted on September 11, 2009
My sister and I were, and still are, huge fans of The Brady Bunch. We are the queens of Brady Bunch trivia. I’m sure we’ve seen every episode at least 4 times. One episode that I’m thinking of right now includes a song by the kids with a special “solo” part for Peter Brady. Sing along if you know it…
“When it’s time to change you’ve got to rearrange (insert cracked voice here)
Move your heart to what you’re gonna be
Sha na na na na na na na na
Sha na na na na.”
My dear sister, Audrey, is going through one of the most exciting times of her life. She’s making some big decisions, taking risks, moving up and on. Instead of fearing it…she celebrates it! I was not about to miss out on the opportunity to capture her image at this exciting period in her life. I’ve known her since the very day she was born and I am proud of everything she’s accomplished and will accomplish. Meet my sister…
This is a girl who has a clear picture of what she wants and knows exactly what needs to be done to attain it.
This is a girl who is honest and true.
This is a girl who makes a to do list and actually is able to check everything off at the end of the day.
Try looking up “Go-getter” and you’ll probably see this picture next to it.
She’s a wonderful Auntie and a great role model for her beloved niece, Lucy.
I admire you for always knowing what you want, for always being so sure. I’m with you every step of the way.
I’m sad that San Francisco is so far away, yet excited for all the dim sum we’re going to eat when we visit. Every time we visit, which will be often, will be such an adventure for Lucy. You’re going to have the time of your life, I know it!!!
I love you so much! I hope you like your pictures!
~Ate
Filed Under Fun Stuff, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Endless summer…or so I hope, and some fun with the cousins.
Posted on September 9, 2009
I am one of 27 cousins…I think. It may be 25 or 30…I really don’t know, I’ve lost count. Anyway, get a majority of our cousins together and there is nothing but laughter, loudness, silliness, loudness, games, laughter…you get the picture. All I know is it is a ridiculous amount of fun. My dear Lucy is blessed to have 3 cousins (for now), they are a very special group of girls who, when together, enjoy laughter, loudness, silliness, games…I wonder where she gets that from?
This Labor Day weekend was one that is going to be really hard to beat. You can’t go wrong with sand, surf, sun; it was a fabulous weekend at a gorgeous beach house in Newport Beach, CA.
Here’s what you see when you open the back door.
Lucy was ecstatic!
She had to begin exploring immediately…
She couldn’t wait to get into her suit and chase waves…
She also couldn’t wait until her cousins arrived! As soon as they came, the party began!
here’s adorable Abby…
pretty Paige…
cute Claire…
and my beautiful little beach bum, Lucy…
We didn’t want to go home…but alas we did, and took home about 25 pounds of sand for each family.
What a great way to celebrate this endless summer.
Filed Under Babies, Fun Stuff, Kiddos, Uncategorized | 1 Comment