As most of you may already know, Cole is our only son, and my husband, Aron has been WAITING for the day that he can teach him responsibility in doing chores....AKA yardwork!!! We have always had a gardener to mow our lawn because it literally takes Aron a good 3 hours each week to tackle this chore, but recently he diverted back to tending to the lawn himself....and bringing Cole on as his little helper. It has always been hard for me to decide whether our kids should receive a monetary allowance for these "chores". As a kid myself, I had a set list of chores I had to complete every weekend before I could play with my friends. I also got allowance for doing them. While we are firm believers of learning responsibility and earning a reward for them, we also feel like our children shouldn't be totally driven by money as their reward...on the flip side of that, it is fun to see our children save their money and finally buy something themselves and feel proud that it was earned entirely by them alone. We do give our children a small allowance for doing chores, but they put it in their savings accounts, and they love to go online with us to check their accounts to see how much they are saving!!! Well, I kind of went a little off track here, but I just really wanted to show off my little boy helping out his daddy on Sunday morning! He is so proud of himself!!! And so are we!!! It's getting HOT!!!

Aron and I had such a blast in Vegas at WPPI. We were exhausted from absorbing so much information, but the networking and friends that we made along the way was absolutely priceless. I love this time of year when we get to go. It always brings new inspiration to carry throughout the year as I photograph amazing weddings and fun new children's shoots! I kinda blew it with taking pictures along the way....but only have a few to share! More next year! My darling husband, Aron! My friends, Lauren Hillary and Sara France. By the way, their Super Swanky Soiree was sooo much fun! Thanks, girls! One thing to remember in Vegas: don't get hypnotized! I thought it would be fun at the time, however, when I "woke up" I was exhausted and had to leave the BLU domain party because all I wanted to do was sleep! I guess I was flexing my muscles in this shot....yes, I am a little embarrassed!!! At [b]ecker's par-tay...always so much fun and fun to catch up! Can't wait until next year! Good times!

O.K photographers....so if you haven't checked out becker's [b] school blog, check it out! He has really been so helpful with his video clips filled with suggestions on everything from shooting... to taxes... to attitude...everything! It was fun to reminisce when I watched his slideshow from his [b] party from last year in Vegas. Every year at WPPI since I can remember he hosts a private party that blows the doors off any party i've been to there! Check out the slideshow! You rock, becker!!! See you in Vegas!!!

Exciting news! My fabulous clients, Tommy and Lisa,  entered a wedding giveaway contest with the wickedly talented and generous  Blue Orchid Design and has just found out they are finalists!  Please check out their story here and cast your vote!!!  They are an awesome couple and I am looking forward to shooting their wedding this July! Good luck, guys!!!

Friends are so important in my life...sometimes when I am feeling overwhelmed, it is nice to unwind with friends. Luckily, we have very good friends who live in our neighborhood, and it's very common for us to grab a babysitter to watch our kids (they love it!) and go downtown to our new favorite place, Casa 425 in downtown Claremont. It is such a great little boutique hotel to just hang out and relax! Aron, me, Kary and Tim This weekend I am doing some very sexy and fun boudoir shoots there...think Maxim. It's my Valentine's Day promotion!  It's not too late...I am taking appointments for next weekend, too!  Call me!  It's very classy (yet sexy) and soooo much fun!  I encouraged my clients who were interested to get some friends together to cheer each other on!  Even better, you already know me as your photographer, and this is another chance for us to hang out (NOT literally!!!) and have fun!!! Think:  Champagne w/ fresh rasberries, chocolate dipped strawberries, brie and crackers, more champagne...itunes.... lots of laughs...I can't wait to hear how their husbands or fiances LOVE their Valentine's gifts!!! Stay tuned, I may be able to blog some!!!