TIME OUT!

It behooves me to say that I was wrong. I know, shocker!! However I learned something this last weekend, VeGaS rOcKs!! (except for the heat, and smoke, and debauchery, and...)

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend the weekend in Vegas with my dearest friends ever, The Nocella's. T and I were able to attend Time Out For Women on Saturday while the boys took a Time Out For Bass Pro Shop.


An amazing time was had by all!!!

This was my fifth opportunity to attend this event, twice in Long Beach, once in Pasadena and San Diego, and now Las Vegas.
I cannot say enough good about these events! I come away renewed and invigorated! We went to Vegas because we missed the San Diego opportunity and I know one of the presenters. It turned out that she was unable to attend due to illness, but her replacement was Sister Virginia Hinkley Pearce. What an amazing woman! Her comments about living a joyful life hit me to the core, as did the other presenters. I absolutely love Hillary Weeks' music and she was the facilitator for the event. She is an uplifting and funny woman!
I think that the opportunity to attend with a terrific friend made it even more special. I was selected to tell about how someone in my life has made their life a joyful one, and I chose to tell them about T. She was selected and was recognized in front of an auditorium of about 1,000 women as one who lives a joyful life. I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful friend, one who is there through it all, is positive, funny, and honest! LoVe Ya!!

We took some fun pictures!!
My sweetie at the Rain Forest Cafe! Such a cutie!!


I thought that they said to just smile... duh! The penny squisher!!

Time, oh give me time...

Where has the time gone!??

This past weekend we were busy with a wedding and a 50th wedding anniversary mass and party. I must say that the one part of this photography business that is not fun is when we do the occasional Sunday shoot. We enjoyed doing the 50th party because they are friends of Gailon's from work, but it is still working on Sunday. Not my favorite activity, ya know?!

Nevertheless, we were able to get some amazing shots at the church and then at the restaurant. We are definitely going back to that restaurant for a date night too.

As a side note, when we were leaving the mass, a couple approached us and asked if we were wedding photographers. We replied that we were and Gailon gave them his card. They need a photographer for their wedding at the end of the month and we are setting up the appointment for a pre-event consultation. The priest had a great sense of humor, and asked if we were doing business in the church. I replied that we were not money changers nor exchanging funds, (not money changers, get it?), just discussing. His laugh resonated off of the high ceiling and walls. So cute!

We were blessed to have a good friend from church join us for the Saturday wedding shoot. Thanks Monica!!! It was so much fun having Monica along, we both learned a few things and were able to find some fun ways to take neato pictures. We are definitely calling you on the next shoot! It was neat to be able to work alongside someone who is teachable, willing to do the grunt work, and truly wants to learn! Plus, I had help carrying equipment and that is never a bad thing! Thanks again for a fun adventure on Saturday!! And for carrying the reflectors and lighting bag! you were amazingly awesome!!

Other than that there was not much else for this weekend. How could there be? No time... But that is ok, just nine more days for some R&R!!! With a little fun and spiritual uplift too!

The First Day of School

One down, 179 more to go!! Teehee!
I have a great class! There are 17 so far (a far cry from 35 last year!) Oh the joys of third grade! I am just loving it! I took my camera to school and forgot to take any pictures, but will do my best to do so tomorrow. I have decided to go with a garden theme and free-styled some flowers and a tree on the door. It is a very bright and friendly environment, if I do say so myself! Anyone is welcome to stop by and check it out!
Gailon came and took the first day photos of the kiddos for their “work wall”. He was also able to take the photos for another teacher too. The students enjoyed having Mr. Tucker there to hang out with and get to know. It will be fun to go to the L.A. County Fair with him too. I let the kiddos know that there first field trip was coming up and they got so excited! The timing of the Fair coincides with the theme we are starting with, Friendship and Charlotte’s Web is a part of it. (Friendship, hmmm…. I think that I could talk about that topic for quite a bit, but that is another post…….)
It cracked me up that there were some who were so excited that there was a leather couch in the room more than all the fun things that I purchased and put together for them! Oh the simple things in life. Several were completely jazzed that they had their own pencil sharpener and 2 mechanical pencils! Remember when it was that easy to be satisfied with something so small? I just love my job! It helps me keep things in perspective…..