{Personal} I Heart California!

It was the start of our 6th snow storm in NYC.....6! I was at home with the Hubs when after watching the weather channel I knew I just had to tell him. It was a Tuesday night and we were flying out Thursday night except the storm was going to being Wednesday night...I had planned a surprised Valentine's Day getaway to California and what was kept a secret for well over a month was slowly starting to unveil itself because of this Polar Vortex. My hands were sweating because I really didn't want to spill the beans but I was running out of options. The conversation went something like this:

 

Me: Honey, there is something I have to tell you

Hubs: Yeah? What's up (completely distracted watching TV)

Me: Well you know how I told you I had something pretty special planned out for VDay?

Hubs: MMmHmm

Me: Well those plans are going to be ruined if you don't help me (sad face)

Hubs: Now if this is your plan how is this my issue now? (yeah, he can get snarky like that)

Me: Well the surprise was that I am taking you to California for the weekend

Hubs: Really? When?

Me: We are supposed to leave Thursday night but now this stupid storm is coming in and we may get snowed in if we don't leave tomorrow.

Hubs: (long Pause - his mind was at work here) What airline? Gimme the phone ASAP!

Me: Delta, but I already triedn and the hold time is 4 hours!

Hubs: Don't worry, we are going to get out of here one way or another

And just like that were able to get the first flight out on Thursday morning because everything else was booked. Any thought of an excited "oh wow Honey really? I love you soo much thank you" went out the window. I really wanted the "surprised" reaction but we were both so concerned about actually being able to fly out that it was forgotten. We got to the airport 3 hours early and boarded on time. We stayed on the plane delayed for two hours before we took off but people, WE TOOK OFF!!!!! Those snow flakes were the size of golf balls and we were still able to make it out. Once we were in the air I finally got my hug and kiss and endless thank you's :-) Mission accomplished. It wasn't quite the surprise I was going for but it all worked out for the best!

We were short on time and so were limited with where we can visit but I absolutely adore California and the Los Angeles area. Can't wait to go back!

Venice Beach was a site for sore eyes!






Los Angeles




Went for a hike after visiting the Griffith Observatory





Here is the Hubs taking a detour trying to avoid the trail




Our gracious hosts Jade and Shane


Seriously? Look at that view!!






This guy planked on a bar!


What better way to end the weekend than to hit up a Sprinkles Cupcake shop..Yummers!

Sweet Isabella

It was the sweetest reunion ever! I finally got to meet my baby niece Isabella and she was as cute as a button. Isabella and her mom live in Germany and so they came to New York to sepnd time with our family for the holidays. Isabella is by far the most "chill" baby I have ever met. In the time I got to spend with her, I never heard her cry or fuss. She was all smiles and giggles. I absolutely adore her.

It isn't easy trying to photograph a six month old since they move so much but I managed to capture these images and I love how her personality shines through!



She might have been channeling Miley here...lol.












Her daddy got her attention here :-)


Proud parents!


Happy Wednesday!

Judie

Noelle Grace - 5 Months

When my friend Denise asked me to photograph her baby girl Noelle I was elated. I had photographed her son Luke about 2 years earlier so I was happy to be able to capture the playfulness of her precious daughter.







I couldn't resist adding an image of Luke in here..lol.












Happy Hump Day!

Judie

Baby Annaleigh

Before the new year I had the chance to photograph this precious little angel. Annaleigh was a joy to be around and her smile was contagious!















Have a great Wednesday!

Judie

Anais & Family

I met Mara almost 5 years ago through a mutual friend. Through out these 5 years, I have always tried to stay in contact Mara and her husband Mach. Well, we lost contact through out the last 3 years until I found Mara on Facebook a couple of months ago. The last time that we had actually gotten together was for our mutual friend's daughter's bowling party and Mara's baby Anais was barely a year old.

It was great to go through her Facebook albums and see that her daughter Anais was already 3 years old. She also had a boy, Johnny, and Mara was pregnant with baby #3.
While going through her albums, I stumbled upon a few pics that showed Anais at a Hospital receiving Chemo. My heart crumbled to pieces when I realized that Anais had been diagnosed with Leukemia. Tears came to my eyes and I wanted desperately to reach out to Mara but what does one parent say to another parent with a sick child? I continued to look at the rest of the pictures and just prayed. She was so young, a full life a head of her and yet here she is fighting a battle that she didn't see coming.

At the ending of March, Mara reached out to me. She wanted to know if I would be willing to take pictures of Anais. She told me how Anais would be undergoing another round of vigorous chemo treatments in mid-April and since Anais had been in really good spirits lately, she wanted to take the opportunity for some photos outside. I immediately wrote back and said that I would be honored to photograph Anais.

We decided to hold the shoot in Prospect Park on Easter Sunday. J accompanied me on the shoot, his second time working as my assistant....LOL. It was a beautiful morning and when I met Anais, I was completely in awe with how much energy she had. She rode her tricycle the whole way down towards the pond. She was laughing and playing, she had a blast. I tell you, her energy was contagious. Despite the harsh sunlight (the trees in the park were still bare and so there wasn't much shade being offered by the pond) I was able to not only photography Anais at play with Little Johnny, but I took some maternity shots of Mara as well as family shots.

It was truly a humbling experience for me. To see such a beautiful soul filled with so much energy I just knew that Anais was a fighter. She isn't giving up her battle and I know she will live a long a healthy life. Anais, thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to meet you. I admire your strength and positive energy. Thank you Mara and Mach for making my Easter Sunday an unforgettable one.

Here are my favorite shots of the day!























I invite you all to visit Anais's website where you can read journal entries on her cancer journey, please take a look and pass on the site to anyone that may be interested in her story.

Big Hugs,
Judie