The Secret is out!!!

We finally have a celebrity in our family! haha! My cousin Erik will be a castaway on the 19th season of Survivor: Samoa. The show already tapped back in June & July...but due to contractual agreements we don't know the outcome. Which is fine for us..because you know what we are going to be doing EVERY thursday night....SURVIVOR PARTY!!!! Only time will tell....

Wordless Wednesday

Ok..you know me..Can't keep my mouth shut. I saw this

picture and you know what would make it better????

My mom right there next to us.

PS...I have been noticing people putting copy right marks on their

pictures...Guess I need to join the band wagon!

Are we noticing a pattern???

My daughter inherited her Daddy's sweet tooth!!! Mommy doesn't have a say when Pa is around...Isn't that what Grandpas are for???

Sweet Moment

It is moments like this that....

* I truly treasure....

* That completely melts my heart...

* That I truly hope I get to experience this over and over again...

Last night we were driving home from Aunty Dana's house and the moon was shining bright. It was a crescent moon sitting out in the middle of the sky. I made notice of it to Greg and Ali was busy doing her usual..BUGGIN'. This is the conversation that followed...

Ali: Momma..Dadda...MOON!!

Me: I know...Do you see it?

Ali: Yup!! Get it..Get it Momma..Dadda!!

Me: I can't sweetheart.


Ali: Asin get it!! (By now she is pointing frantically at that moon and making a reaching sound)

Me: Are you reaching for it?

Ali: Huh hun...I tant (can't)..It's HEVY (heavy).

Me: haha..I know sweetie. We just get to look at it.

Ali: Why?

Me: Because Jesus put it way up high so we can look at it.

And the conversation ended there...as she now was asking for Alex and Leah (Signing Time).

I just love this little girl and the funny things she says!!

Don't you hate it when....

Mondays feel like this...

Wishing you a great week!

Pike Place Market

These are some of her favorite things....

Obsession...What do you think?

Is this becoming a SERIOUS OBESSION...hhmmmmmmm? Hi...My name is Alison Lu..and I am addicted to "I Preem"

You've Got To Be Kidding Me??

Do you ever have a moment in your busy day that you look around and think, "You've GOT to be kidding me?!?" . I'm sure you do. So, play along in Laci's blog carnival. It'll be fun...come on!

Well I didn't have anything to write about in regards to this carnival. During our visit to the Woodland Park Zoo, Alison spotted the "neighs" aka carousel. First thing..that is her favorite ride at "Din dee land", so of course she is fully thinking she is going to ride it. Second thing...she was with G-Pa, Aunty Jen, and Aunty Shell..that equals complete SPOILED. So Greg and I were lagging behind as we were trying to figure out the map when the following takes place...

Aunty Jen: Ali go tell Daddy you need some money.

Ali: DA DA DDA!! MONIES! (As she is now in a full on sprint towards us)

Once she reaches him...she yanks on his shorts and says: PAHH KIT (Pocket). Of course instead of giving her the money, Greg hands her his entire wallet.

CHA-CHING

She takes off running back towards Jen trying to open the wallet at the same time...and guess what she pulls out....HIS CREDIT CARD!! Not the cash...but the plastic!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! This generation skips the cash and goes straight to the plastic. We laughed so hard.

We continued on with our zoo visit and had a really nice time. We were checking out the elephants just before we left. When we reach their exhibit, the zookeeper was spreading out fresh hay for feeding time. Sweet! Sure enough..the elephants were let in and we were checking them out. It was completely slient as we were watching when all of a sudding Aunty Jen says, "Don't they eat peanuts?". ARE YOU KIDDING ME JEN?!?!? The way in which she said sounded like the zoo was feeding them the wrong thing!! Needless to say we laughed so hard at her!

Boy what a day!

Wordless Wednesday

Not Me Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

• I definitely did not raise my hand eagerly to answer the riddle that the pilot was saying over the intercom on our flight the other day. There is NO WAY that I cheated because I had heard the riddle before!!
• Therefore...I certainly did NOT enjoy the Cape Cod beverage as my prize for answering the riddle at 8 o'clock in the morning! Who starts drinking vodka so early...NOT ME!
• I SO didn't have to go to the bathroom so bad the other day at Kohl's...that my sister and I DID NOT use the family restroom at the same time. At the same time you say??? I CERTAINLY DID NOT USE the little itty bitty potty in fear of having an accident if I waited a minute longer! NO I would NEVER do that!!
• Of course..I would NEVER be stupid enough to let me sister take a picture so there is evidence to hold against me! NOPE NOT ME!
• There is no way that I would forget my "oh so nice" camera back in the hotel room during my cousin's wedding (mind you the whole purpose of this trip was that event). So of course I don't have a single picture of the beautiful bride and her gorgeous bridesmaids! Nope NOT ME....I remember everything! UGH!
  
  
  

Kinder

I can't believe my nephew is already starting kindergarten! I swear he was just born the other day! I hope he had a great day which I know he will.. We can't wait till we go see him!! Have a great day Braeden! Hopefully I will have pictures off the newest member of kindergarten later this afternoon!

See how fast they grow up!!! ugh....

Flashback Friday

With an upcoming trip to Seattle quickly approaching, I decided to take a look back at our trip from last year. I can't believe our Alaskan Cruise was over a year ago! My baby looked so young. We can't wait to you Nina Lisa!

You've Got To Be Kidding Me??

You've got to be kidding me...who would want to walk down the boardwalk at Venice beach so bad..that when they realized that they only had ONE stroller and TWO sleeping babies...they just squished them together in the one stroller!

There's No Place Like Home

I wonder what would happen if she clicks her heels together...

Christmas In July??

Humm....How did I do that? Do what...start a Christmas list in July!! Yes..my friends..Santa must have come early!! I have been wanting a new stroller for quite a while..so of course I started researching..and I found it!! It's a jogging stroller (ahem..yes I am going to attempt to run!)...and it can turn into a double stroller. NO..I am not pregnant! But I figured it would be easy if I have to watch Ella or my sister's have to watch Ali. So guess what's being delivered tomorrow??? My new stroller!! Whoa!!


Now we all know that cleaning isn't my forte..but everyone I know (two counts as everyone right?) was getting new vacuums...so of course..I quickly added that to my Wish List! Mind you..we have never bought a new vacuum since owning our house. Two were hamidowns and one was a Christmas gift...With all the dog hair..my vacuum takes a beathing. I can admit it...I am a copier! Thanks Laci and Dana for convincing Greg!! ;) We got a SUPER GREAT DEAL AT Kohl's and now I am in love with this appliance!

Even Ali loves it!!

Hmmm...what else could I add to my list???? :)

Lake Lopez

This past weekend we headed up north for a Cardona Family Camping Trip at Lake Lopez in San Luis Obispo. We ate yummy food, sat around campfires building family bonds, enjoyed a hilarious game of Balderdash, took a ride on a boat on the lake, attempted to fish, enjoyed freezing water at the water park, saw wilde animal in our campsite, indulged in way too many sm'ores, had surprise visitors, and overall had a GREAT TIME WITH FAMILY! We are already planning our next trip!!

Our surprise visitors

Greg relaxing
The WHOLE GANG

Beautiful Lake Lopez

Our tent tailer

Uncle Michael = Master Fire Maker
Mommy & Ali

7 years ago today....

I married my best friend. Why yes...today is our 7th wedding anniversary!! We have been through a lot in this short amount of time, but through it all...I can say I love him more today than ever! I appreciate all he does for us and the amount of love and support he provides is priceless. Happy Anniversary Babe!

200th POST

There are many things in life that inspire us to try to do different things or encourage us to pursue something that we never thought we could do. Photography has always been something that I love..I love to look at pictures (any time from anyone). I think each picture tells a story of not only the subject in the picture but the photographer as well. I have to admit..I have owned a "nicer" but not the best camera for quite awhile (it was a purchase after a failed IVF cycle..a pick me I guess you could say) but I didn't have the confidence that I could do anything great with it. After Alison was born, the desire to aspire to be a better photographer just bursted. Although I have taken quite a few classes and have clicked away over 10,000 pictures, I learn something new about me as a photographer each time I pick up my camera. Someone made me feel confident that I could pursue this passion and look at what it turned into...a business! It's not easy as your work is constantly being critiqued, but I love it anyways!! Although I may never be a world famous photographer, I know I will certainly enjoy what I am doing.

Now...believe it or not here are is my favorite picture that I have taken. I know..don't be so surprised because it's not one of Alison! hehe (but there are quite a few that are running in close 2nd!) I took this off our balcony on our cruise of Alaska last summer. I was still had a whole lot to learn but what I was so proud of was the orientation of the glacier in the photo and the fact that I was able to capture the true color of what we saw. I truly love it!


Being artistic with the picure...


Ok..on to what you are all waiting for... The GIVEAWAY! I want to start out by saying THANK YOU to everyone who participated!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED looking at each and every picture!! Check them out and you'll see why!! Each picture tells it's own story!

Here are the entries...

1. Krissy....." I just wanted to tell you about my favorite pic. It's a pic I took of Austin a few weeks ago. He was sleeping but he was smiling. He just looks so sweet and innocent in the pic and that's what babies are all about! My mom always tells me that when babies smile in their sleep it means that angels are talking to them, so someone must have been telling him a good story." Sweet Baby boy!! I love the smile!



2. Melissa...Um...you entered but didn't give me a picture!!!!

2. Diana Lindensmith..."The more I went through my pics, the more I found. Thanks for getting me thinking. And remembering..."
Aunties are so special!!! What a moment!!

3. Jen.....Um...you entered....but didn't give me a picture either!!

4. Jan....."I think this is one of my very favorite pictures I have ever taken. Dana, Laci ,and I went to the beach to take maternity pictures of Laci. This was in January of 2008, 4 weeks before her twins were born." Check out her picture here.
This is one of my most favorite pictures that you have ever taken! If I ever get the chance to be pregnant again....I'll have to ask your permission to copy it!

5. Beth..... "I love what you are doing and it really made me think about all the photos I've ever taken and I have on in mind that I just love...funny enough I took it on my cell phone...its a picture of Chloe (yes my puppers) sleeping with Anthony...you can't see him b/c all you can see is his hand holding her paw ...but there is just something about it that is so sweet and peaceful...and at that moment it made me the happiest person in the world.."
Puppies and Babies...there is just something so sweet and innocent about them!! I love it!

6. Brandi Anderson....... "I posted one of my favorite pics i've ever taken.. its of Paige and my grandpa laying on their tummy's looking out a sliding glass window.. they just happen to be looking out with their heads turned the exact same way and it turned out to be a pretty cute pic:)"....Check out this priceless picture... Here...

Grandparents are truly priceless gems. I don't really have many of me with my grandparents so you definitely helped to remind me that I need capture some with Alison and her grandparents.

7. Esther...."I love taking pictures of my Great Nieces and Nephews (Yes - "great" because they are my nieces and nephews' kids - - but they really are all great too!!!) Here is one that has always been a favorite - - and part of what makes it so funny is that we were at Popeye's Chicken - - Ha, ha."
That face speaks a 1000 words!! She is adorable!! What a great moment you captured! 8. Tabatha......."one of my favorite pictures is when i took a picture of cater when he drew his first happy face he was so proud of himself for doing it. And i was super proud of him that i wouldnt let him erase it until after taylor got home from work so that he could see it." Check out that piece of art..and a very proud face... Here
The look on children's faces when they realized that they have accomplished something great is priceless! I love that you were able to capture it!! I love love his smile!

9. Coreen
I have two comments for this picture..... 1. It is speaking volumes of truth..Parenting is a tough job! and 2..Who's really in charge...they are always! I love you Jadie!!



10. Jenny Bunyea...... "I chose a picture of Julia from Memorial day that I took in my parent's back yard. I used this picture for Julia's 1st birthday invitations." Check out a very adorable little girl.. Here..She has gotten so big over the year!!

I love love the background and setting. This is a great picture and I am glad you shared with everyone on the invitation!! So cute!!

AND THE WINNERS ARE....(yes you read that correctly!)...I appreciate you participating so I decided to choose not one and not two but THREE...yes.. THREE lucky winners!!!!

Here are the numbers chosen by random.org....

#10- Jenny

#8- Tabatha

#1-Krissy

Congrats!!!

Now I couldn't possibly leave everyone else empty handed..so I am offering you ONE 50% off coupon on a photo session for you to use.

**The coupons & winners must reedem their sessions within 30 days.

Thanks for sharing!!