Category: ~ Babies & Kids

Morning Adventure: Gonzalez Family

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One weekend shoot in Disneyland and another at California Adventure – this annual pass is so useful, I just can’t stand it! =) I spent the morning at Cali Adventure with Lyle, Rea and Gavin a few weeks ago, and though little Gavin seemed shy at first, he quickly got over it with a little help from some snacks Mom and Dad had stashed. Parents are just always prepared, I love it!

We walked around Paradise Pier, my favorite part of the park, and when he saw the open space, Gavin let loose and looked like the happiest kid there. He walked around the shops like he was searching for something to buy, tried on some mouse ears, grabbed some candy that he handed to his mom and that Rea put back on the shelf, haha!

It was a quick, but fun shoot and I can’t wait for next year’s! =)

The Happiest Place: Lapaz Family

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So I finally gave in this year and invested in a Disney Annual Pass. I used to have one in college, but back then, with UC Irvine just 20 minutes away from Anaheim, it made complete sense to own one. After moving back to Glendale, however, and getting busier than the busiest bee, I just couldn’t justify the not-so-cost-friendly luxury. It wasn’t until this summer that I finally got my sign to have that special card in my wallet again – kids.

Not MY kids, but kids I love nonetheless. =) A lot of my parent-friends have gotten their annual passes to the Disney Parks and I couldn’t resist the chance to spend as much time with my godkids/adopted nieces and nephews (and my friends too, I suppose, haha!) as I could so I got mine this past summer. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, I spent the whole day at Disneyland with Chris, Iya, Charlie and Alex – four of the reasons I finally gave in to that pass.

When we took their first family pictures last year, Charlie and Alex were two 8-month olds we could sit on the grass and not worry about because they sat STILL. Now, well, they’re not 8 months and they certainly don’t sit still anymore, but I’d follow them anywhere they led me. They are two of the funniest little girls I’ve ever known, which isn’t a surprise since their parents are pretty hilarious themselves =) They speak lots,  dance lots (Charlie and Alex, not Chris and Iya haha!) and, though they may not know it yet, look like they’re lovin’ life…and who wouldn’t at their age? What I wouldn’t give to be 19 months old again.

The girls are such the bright spots in Chris and Iya’s lives – it’s very easy to see, and how could they not when they’re raised by two such awesome parents that I really couldn’t begin to speak the world of. I’m so glad to be able to watch Charlie and Alex grow up. Their very faces on Facebook, picture texts and videos do wonders to my not-so-cheerful days and make the already good days even better. Thanks, Chris and Iya, for being such great friends and for never allowing me to miss a moment of Charlie and Alex’s antics. So proud to be NinangTita =)

Extended Family: Morelos Family

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I met Iya in the 7th grade, when she moved to L.A. from Drexel Hill, PA. I’d never even heard of Drexel Hill until I met her, but all I can say is, thank goodness her family got sick of the east coast winters because I don’t know what life would have been had we never met.

Iya and I attended a relatively small Catholic elementary school, and because of its size, it didn’t take much for families to get acquainted. I can still remember the first time I met Iya’s mom. It was back-to-school night early that school year, and after our teacher was done speaking to the parents, Iya and her mom were on their way out of the classroom when we met by the door. “Marissa said you’re the smartest girl in the class,” Tita Susie said. Well geez, how could I not love her instantly? hahaha! All jokes aside, though, that was the beginning of my wonderful, familial relationship with Iya’s whole family and they are as fun loving a group of people as you could ever meet. For the last 21 years, they’ve included me in birthday celebrations, weddings, baby showers and even the not so happy moments when they’ve had to say good-bye to a loved one. Each time they welcomed me as one of their own and I feel so privileged to be in such a position.

To celebrate Tito Nesty and Tita Susie’s anniversary, the family thought it’d be fun to get together and have some pictures taken. We spent the afternoon at Frank Bonelli Park in San Dimas and, despite the chance of rain, I prayed all morning for at least 2 hours of sunlight and man almighty, I got like 3! Everyone was so awesome in front of the camera too!

Tito Nesty, Tita Susie, Kuya Dennis, Kuya Francis and Iya – thank you for 21 years of friendship and family!