Family Summer Getaway 2009

“The love of a family is life's greatest blessing”
Unknown Author

Finally, i got all the pictures uploaded to my computer and slowly uploading some of them online.
The one week vacation we had brought us a lot of joy and rejuvenation for a family who seldom go out of town because of the fast pace life in order to survive here in the US.
Yes, it becomes tiring by the end of the day everytime we head out for an activity but the memories bonding with the family is worthy of the time spent. Me and hub agreed, we wish life is always layback and carefree like this.
The family is already looking forward for the next vacation [better save up again, vacation is darn expensive].

Here are our week long vacation

Day 1

Knotts Berry Farm

Day 2

Santa Monica Beach/Pier California

Day 3

Redondo Beach California and late afternoon walk at Universal Studio Hollywood

Day 4

Revisited and Shop at Santee Alley in Downtown Los Angeles - great bargain [it's like the Philippines Divisoria] then head to cousins Birthday party --- Manong, Happy Birthday!

Day 5

Catalina Island

Day 6

Laguna Beach [Laguna Montage Resort and Spa] California

What a great summer to remember.

***

Credits

The Westin Los Angeles Hotel where we stayed for 4 days.
[what a great deal from Hotwire... way to go!]

Veloso Family
Thank you for allowing us to stay in your humble home the rest of our summer getaway. Also, thank you for allowing us to discover the wonderful place of Laguna Beach --- I can't get over telling everyone how grand and marvelous that beach is.

Gonzalez-Turla Family
Thank you for letting us tag along with your scheduled family day out.

And for everyone who in one way or another responsible to make this trip possible, Thank you!

All Things Bright and Beautiful

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

by Ce­cil F. Al­ex­an­der

We are back from our one week long annual family summer vacation [for sure i felt it that long when you don't get this opportunity as much]. We all came home very tired and a lot of catching up to do (that includes my blogger world) but along with it we had a lot of fun, food, moments, and memories worth remembering.

I'll be posting more photos and details of the trip next time. For now let me get some rest for work awaits for me tomorrow.


***

Photos above were taken at Redondo Beach, California

LifeStyling: S Family

“Let us make one point, that we meet each other with a smile, when it is difficult to smile.
Smile at each other, make time for each other in your family.”

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

My first official family shoot finally was done yesterday.

Here are some sneak peeks...

S family was awesome, especially little A and big bro G... I know mommy S can pull it off easy with her stunning beauty and bubbly personality --- she actually choreograph some of the poses. Big Bro G was very helpful while little A was just her normal self for being 2 yrs old, playful yet charming toddler. We just missed daddy, darn emergency work call... it could have been perfect --- until next photoshoot then.

Despite the heat [probably around 100F] I had so much fun. To the S family, thank you for letting me capture this moment.

*****

The photoshoot was done in the courtesy of the family's community golf course [literally behind their backyard] taken at 7PM pacific time.

Lucky Charm

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

Robert Collier

Just got this photo picked for this weeks Admins Choice Award in Joyful Simplicities Flickr Group --- front page viewing available just for this week.

I am honored they noticed my photograph despite the hundreds of pictures posted in this group everyday. It's so amazing just this simple plasticky and cheap litte girl bracelet caught my attention one evening and took few shots, posted it here and walaahhh made it to be pick for this weeks inspiration... just got Lucky *blushing*.

Thank you very much!

Family Love

Thought of the Day

“In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.”

Eva Burrows

My Ate L always love to scribble, draw, and color. Last night she gave this one for me and it touched my heart...
[it may not be addressed just for me but for the fact that she tried her best to write this down, with the correct spelling all by herself, it makes me proud]

Ate L: Mom, this is for you.

*** Mind you my Ate L is only 5 yrs old who's not officially in kindergarten yet [will be by mid August], so please don't mind her handwriting... it's the thought that counts *smiling*...

I gave her a tight bear hug and lots and lots of butterfly kisses and whispered...

Me: "I love you too baby".

Wii are Bonding

One of my colleagues stated once that they have a family day... What does that really mean?

I was On-Call at work yesterday, that means i really can't leave and go out just in case they need me at work --- i don't like to jeopardize the whole family's outdoor plan if in case work calls me in.
So most of the time we just stayed home and find an activity for the family --- so our family day yesterday was spend playing Wii, LOL.

*** More photos HERE. ***

From Wikipedia

Manufacturer Nintendo
Type Video game console
Generation Seventh generation

The Wii (ウィー, Uī?, pronounced /ˈwiː/, like the pronoun we) is a home video game console released by Nintendo. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of both. As of December 31, 2008 the Wii leads the generation over the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in worldwide sales.

A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and detect movement in three dimensions. Another distinctive feature of the console is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode.

The Wii is Nintendo's fifth home console, the direct successor to the Nintendo GameCube, and able to play all official GameCube games. Nintendo first spoke of the console at the 2004 E3 press conference and later unveiled the system at the 2005 E3. Satoru Iwata revealed a prototype of the controller at the September 2005 Tokyo Game Show. At E3 2006, the console won the first of several awards. By December 8, 2006, it had completed its launch in four key markets.