First Day of school…TOGETHER!

I’ve been fortunate to be able to have both girls in school now. It was time to give mommy a break after work, and let daddy have time to get his school work done. School leaves me with just enough time to go to the gym, clean the house, prep dinner, and have a snack ready for them when they walk in the door.

I’ve been looking forward to this day for a while now and I can’t wait to see how much my girls excel in school. I know Avery will do great, Arianna will do great but I can see her having a small problem with knowing Avery is in the same building but a different location. The first day we decided to take them once I got off work. I get off at 10:30am and I didn’t want to miss this for anything. Once I got home, I just had to get the girls dressed and it was off to school!

Once we arrived to the school, Avery was excited to meet new kids, and Arianna kind of didn’t really understand what was going on. She was excited but didn’t know why. I was only able to take a few pictures since I didn’t want to interrupt the classes. Once we walked in both Avery and Arianna didn’t know where to start. They loved everything and enjoyed all the teachers coming up and introducing themselves to them. Avery was walked into her class and had to introduce herself to her class. It was so cute to see the kids say “hi Avery” I wish I could have captured that smile on her face…it was priceless! We said good by to Avery and walked Arianna to her class. This was strange, she walked into the class as if she’s seen this place before. She walked it, asked to be seated on a high chair, and asked for a snack (since it was snack time). I couldn’t believe she was OK with all of this and when she seen us walk away she just said “goo by” and walked and sat in an empty seat at the table. I was shocked, sad, and happy at the same time. My little Monkey is growing up so fast and I’m thinking of how bad I want another one!

Avery’s Four!

My little girl isn’t so little anymore!

Although I enjoy putting together a fun Birthday party I have to say I’m always a little sad. I know growing up is a part of life and it’s something that can’t be stopped. I just don’t know how I’m going to top one party after the other, keep up with their new favorites, and try to make them happy for each birthday. On top of all of that, I’m sad to see my little girl grow up. Avery is an amazing little girl.

From the moment she broke my water, came out six weeks early, and latched on faster than I even thought possible, this little girl is still so full of suprises. I know I haven’t seen anything yet. She’s been talking since she was 9 months old, being able to repeat what everyone around her said at 11 months old, and actually knowing how to use the word shortly after. She’s so smart, bold, dramatic, honest, and fun to be around! All this, at the the young age of four? Oh my goodness…what am I going to do?

This year I didn’t have as much cash as I would like to have for her birthday, so I made it simple, fun, and affordable. I still decorated, everyone had goody bags, everyone left with a beach ball, and I even made the decorations on the cupcakes. Not to mention I also made the cake (after daddy baked it). I didn’t invite as many people or expect everyone to come since it was on a Sat. I was ok with sweet, simple, and fun. I had food, and just about everything ready on time. I was able to enjoy myself, play with Avery, and even hang out with my cousins after we all cleaned up. This was a party to remember! Avery got just about everything she wanted for her birthday. What ever she didn’t get she’s going to buy with all the cash she received. I know Avery appreciates more than anything in the world is being able to hang out with the people who love her the most!

Thank you titi Moni and Uncle Justin for letting us use your pool, and house again!

Splash….

This perfect little water park in the middle of La Mirada was found by an old friend. I was never aware of it, and loved it the second I saw it last year. I think I came about 5 times last year and knew once it opened for next summer I was going to have season passes for sure. I made it a point to buy our season passes in Feb. I couldn’t wait for summer to come.

Once we had time to go and the weather was finally at it’s best, we decided to take the girls to Splash for a few hours. I couldn’t wait to see the reaction on the girls face.  Of course, Avery has memories of coming to Splash with Olivia and Mya, so not having them there was a shock to her!  I didn’t think she remembered that far back. She remembered every little detail. Down to how many times her and Olivia went on the slide, the name of the water park, how many times she came, and who she came with. I couldn’t believe it!  Arianna was really little at the time so she didn’t get to enjoy it as much last year. But this year, she was running straight to the water. Both Arianna and Avery ran to the water before I even had time to put the vest on them. I had to run behind them, put the best on in mid run. Once I got them on, Arianna was a little scared to go too far into the water.  Avery was already running up to the slides.

An every day, or just a family outing isn’t a family outing with out mommies camera! I, of course took a few shots of the girls having fun.

Clare is turning two!

Today Clare turns the big TWO! It wouldn’t be a Drake/Vaughn party if Erin didn’t go all out. She had a pony ride, a small petting zoo, Dorothy, and even a photographer. My girls where super excited to get to the park and couldn’t wait for all the fun activities to start. Both girls got to pet some animals…LOVED IT! I made sure to have both girls ride the pony. Arianna wasn’t as big of a fan as I thought she would have been, but having daddy on her side made it a little fun! Avery of course loved it and acted as if she’s done this a million times before. I can say she’s been on a pony at least 7 times in her four years of living so I’m guessing for a child who doesn’t take classes that could be a lot. Although Erin had a paid photographer at the party I wanted to take a few snaps. I’m still working on my photography and any little bit helps. I know what it’s like to spend so much time making sure everyone else is happy you don’t have time to enjoy the party or even take a break. I thought it would be special to provide some pictures for her to have and do with them as she pleased.

Here are a few snapshots!

Happy 4th

This year was a little crazy. We had been invited to four different events and they all sounded so good! I was stuck for a while trying to figure out what to do.  At first, Kevin and I decided to do an old tradition I used to do growing up in Tustin. It became tradition for the whole family when I was young to go to Tustin High and watch the fire works, see the live band, eat some great food, see old friends and new friends, and watch everyone have a great time! But after getting invited to event after event we decided to do two out of four things we had been invited to. We couldn’t miss 4th of July with out seeing the Aska’s. So we stopped at titi Sheila’s house and got to hang out for a bit. After that it was time to go and see my cousins. I couldn’t wait to hang out with my fam bam! My girls have so much fun when they are with there cousin, not to mention it’s a plus because I have just as much fun with my cousins! So, it ends up being a win win for the whole family. We got to see some of our favorite people and really enjoyed ourselves. But wait…it get’s better, I got to take a to-go-plate from Sheila’s and I can never get enough of her deviled eggs, nor her mac&cheese. So I was in heaven before I even got to my cousins house!  Kevin has started to enjoy the company of my cousins more and more every year that passes. It does take some time for them to grow on you!!!

The girls had a great time, and of course I had to take a few snap shots of all of us having fun!

GOOD TIMES!

Destiny’s Luau

Having all these great ways to keep in touch with old and new friends is just another special way to know more about your old and new fiends. What I love about it the most is being able to keep in touch, know the new things, and help a friend out if you feel they need it…all with a quick easy click of a button on the computer.

Today I was asked to take some pictures of a good friends event. Her daughter was turning nice and boy was her mom Denay going to make sure she did it with class, style, and you can’t leave out fun! This party had everything you would hope for in a party and more. Since Denay is an old high school friend she of course wanted to meet my girls. I’ve been dying to meet her girls since our girls are more a like than we thought. The only difference between them is age.

Avery and Arianna had so much fun hanging out with Destiny and Desiray’s friends I was able to get a few great shots and really enjoyed being there. The fun part about my side photography job is being able to work with great people and enjoying the company.