Paisley Skye is Turning 1

So, once again, the blog has been negleted due to the phenomenon of Facebook.  It is just so much easier to post a quick little something over there and be done with it.  Well, today I thought about a little post on the blog.  On March 2, Paisley will be turning 1.  And as a tradition in our family, we always host a big birthday bash for their first birthday.  I can still remember Kalei’s 8 years ago.  Or is it 7?  Either way, life was a tad bit more simple and my mind was not ALWAYS on such a creative overload.  Thus, her party was a bit more simple, more laid back.  Then Brighton came along not too far after her, and we did a super fun and rather elaborate “Under The Big Top” party.  The kids LOVED it and had a blast although mine were probably too young to remember. We had games, popcorn, tickets, etc….. it was so much fun.  Even if an unexpected COLD front moved thru Arizona that weekend.  It was like 40 degrees out or something.  Then once again the 1st Birthday Bash Bug struck again when Reesie turned one.  We had a “polka dot” party for her.  And the most time consuming task for that event was the Topsy Turvey Cake I made and my friend Lou helped me roll out the fondant for the top of all the layers. Let me tell ya, the years of pie making has surely helped her rolling skills.

Well, now sweet P is turning 1 and originally we were going to do a Luau theme, but after some thought, I decided that since she shares her birthday with her big brother, why not host another “Under the Big Top” party?  But this time, my plan is to do it with a little more flair and forgo the tradition circus colors and do more of a vintage circus theme- French circus- Cirque Du Paisley!

Of course my mind is going CRAZY with ideas and thoughts.  But I am keeping to a tight budget and I am trying to do things with what I have.  I am spending some money and loving how my thoughts are finally coming together!!!!!

Here are a few things of inspiration:

First found on etsy ( a digital download) by Itkupilli.  There are two of their that I like, I have to decide which on to purchase.

And some FUN fabrics that I will be making a pennant flag from.

There is so much more, but I just wanted to give a little sneak peak!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Nate {Age 8} Freestone Skate Park, Gilbert AZ

Nater S8er turns 8.  Wow. Does Time FLY.  I always have a great time with this family.  They know just what I like…..photographing kids in their element, environment, doing what they LOVE!  Nate even got to miss a little over an hour of school on Tuesday morning so we could head to the skate park while no one was there.  That was our hope and we were alone for a little while until two older “boys” showed up.  They were great, gave Nate a few pointers and tried to watch their mouths.  I did hear one of them slip and the other was quick to correct him.  Nate had a great time and I was loving how he just rolled with the shoot and skated away.  Toward the end of our shoot, he suddenly had the idea that Sponge Bob on the bottom of his board was not so cool, and he started ripping it off.  Gotta love an 8 year old boy, who is still exploring who he is and discovering all the thrills life has to offer.  Nothing like it.

Thanks Nate for a fun morning.

Katey & Stephen Spach

She is a lover of horses, a rider since age 5.  He is a lover of sports, a pro ball player.  Together they are a gorgeous couple who are so genuine and sweet.  As I watched Katey care for the horses, and as I chatted with her, it seemed as we had known each other for years- that is how down to earth she was and how easy going she was.  When Stephen showed up, and I started chatting with him, I felt as though I was looking at an old friend (he looks a lot like his sister- who is an old friend of mine).  He too, was just as sweet as Katey- down to earth and easy to get along with.  Katey had recently got a new horse, Chaz, he is a 3 year old Oldenburg gelding.  Chaz is massive and an absolutely GORGEOUS horse.  Because he was new, Katey wanted to be sure to get some images of him with her.  So we did, along with her other horse Valentina and their horse of a dog, Baxter.  Baxter was such a good boy and secretly I wanted to take him home with me.  At first Chaz was not happy having Baxter around, but we took sometime to introduce them slowly and after a few minutes, Chaz had found a new best friend.  It was so sweet.  I had such a fun time, and I have decided that I am just destined to photography horses, dogs and other animals with their people.

Thanks Katey and Stephen, here are a few of my favorites.  There were so many awesome ones, I had a hard time choosing.