Great Food, Nice Staff, and They Have a Tree in the Building!! {Fresno, CA. Child Birthday Party and Portraits}

The month of June brings the beginning of summer and summers in this area are usually unforgiving when it comes to the heat. June is also the birth month of my oldest child. The first three birthday parties we had for him, the temps were well over 100 degrees which was not very easy on his guests. As he got older, we (mom and dad) got wiser and chose to have indoor parties for him. This last year he had his birthday party at his favorite restaurant, Huckleberry's. He loves the food there, the staff is always friendly with us, and most importantly (in my son's opinion) there is a tree in the building. Now to a 6 year old that is pretty cool! Here are some shots from his birthday festivities~

This is his 6 year old portrait session we shot up and around our local river.



I had the hardest time finding some party ideas for this theme. So for party favors we purchased the small canning jars and stuffed them with chocolate cake crumbs and gummy worms to give it a look of a jar of worms for fishing bait. The invites I saw on the Oh So Beautiful Paper website and went with something similar.

Because his actual birthday fell mid-week we had his party with a few friends on the weekend and we took him for pizza and had a cake at home on his actual birthday.

Happy Father's Day

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty~ Author Unknown

I saw this quote and this idea on a great crafty blog that I follow. I loved the quote and their idea for a easy but very personal Father's Day gift. We did this collage and glued the picture to cardstock as a cover to a card, then my oldest signed the card from him and his brother. My Husband LOVED it!! Happy Father's Day to my amazing husband and to all you wonderful dads out there! Thank you for all that you do for your families!!

My oldest took the picture of me...yes I allowed him to use my "big" camera and he was soooo proud of himself! :)

Meaning {Sanger, CA. Children and Family Portraits}

Having studied art and earned my degree in the field, I have a personal appreciation for those who can create something from a blank canvas. So when my sweetie (aka my husband) wanted to get his first tattoo, I was supportive of his decision as long as the art he chose meant something to him...and he sure did. Not only did he choose to place our first child's name on the tattoo but my hubby chose something to represent his own baptism and having completed all of his sacraments to join our faith during that time.
I created this shot in my mind for many years but for whatever reason never shot it. I am glad that I am finally able to see in front of me the picture that I had envisioned many times in my head. So to my wonderful husband and devoted father to our children, I wish you an early Happy Father's Day!! Enjoy!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day {Children's Portraits}

When my oldest was in preschool, they did a song and dance on St. Patrick's Day that will now forever be burned into my brain every St. Patrick's Day. It really is a cute song which luckily is why it's not too bad that it gets stuck in my head for manys days after St. Patrick's Day has passed. Anyway, this is the song they sang to the tune of London Bridge Is Falling Down...the nursery rhyme that is not the Fergie version! Well hope all have a wonderful day!!

Let's wear green and dance a jig, Dance a jig, dance a jig, let's wear green and dance a jig, on St. Patrick's day
Let's hold hands and circle round, circle round, circle round, Let's hold hands and circle round, on St. Patrick's day
Grab your partner and turn around, turn around, turn around, grab your partner and turn around, on St. Patrick's day..

Happy Birthday to My Wonderful Little Man!!

I just wanted to wish my son a very happy birthday! I truly believe that God blessed me when I became this little man's mom! Happy Birthday!!


I remember taking this photo before this big guy could even crawl! It is amazing how fast the years have gone by!!

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful and loving husband and to all those caring dads out there! Many blessings on this special day!!

I got a shot of my littlest guy smiling but I really liked his expression in this shot! :)

People who make me smile

It is amazing how much these little faces make me smile!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from my family to yours!

Creative Gift Giving

My close friends and family that know me, know that when I get a gift for someone I always try to think of the person and personalize their gift in some way. I love those websites out there that specialize themselves in personalization and most recently within the last year or so, I have been a BIG fan of Etsy. It's an awesome site to find great handmade items! I actually purchased gifts for some of the children in our lives from an awesome artist and crochet expert on Etsy! Anyway, this last Christmas my boys were also blessed with wonderful gifts (both personalized and store bought) from family and friends that we all loved and appreciated! However, two of my very close friends had some personalized and handmade items made for my boys and they were so cute I wanted to share them and the hats I've had made with all of you! Thanks again guys, it's wonderful having friends that love my kids as much as you guys do! Enjoy!

This is the beautiful and creative baby block that was made for my little guy from this Etsy Shop. Thanks Court, we loved it!


And this is the adorable tool belt that she had made from this Etsy Shop. Again, Courtney and family you guys are great friends!



This was another awesome gift from our dear friend. She got this item from this store. Thanks Bees and family, we have been enjoying reading these wonderful books to the boys. Love you guys!




These are the adorable and creative hats I had my friend at CrazySocks Crochet Shop make for my one of my sons for his newborn session and for some of the kids in our lives for Christmas gifts that I also wanted to share! This artist is SO talented and such a sweetheart!

The "Little Guy" loves cold days and staying in!

YAY! The weather is starting to get cold!!

Happy Birthday To My Little Boy!

It is hard to believe that my little boy turned 4 today! I can still remember taking this picture (and yes that is my left hand in the picture....photography involves juggling too!) and creating this birth annoucement when he was only a week old. How time flies but I Thank God everyday for having him in my life! Happy Birthday to my little guy!

Happy Father's Day!

I know I only have a few more hours left before Father's Day ends for 2009 but I wanted to wish my wonderful husband along with all those great father's out there a Blessed and Happy Father's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day

I know I am a couple of days early but wishing you and yours a Happy Valentine's Day!

Merry Christmas!!

Wishing you and yours a healthy and blessed Christmas from our family to yours!

This is one of my favorite shots I got this holiday season of my little guy at Christmas at the Grove.

I got a lot of great and thoughtful gifts for Christmas this year but I wanted to share this one with you. This is my first camera ornament. It was given to me by a good friend of mine....thanks again Bee!

One holiday tradition that our family has is making my mom a birthday luncheon....yes, my mom is lucky to have a birthday on Christmas so we always get her a birthday cake. This cake was by Caroline's Creations....awesome work again Caroline!

Funny T-shirts

Since even before my son was born, I have loved funny shirts. My favorite one that my husband use to wear said, "I Eat Paste". So it is safe to assume that when our son was born he had a wide selection of shirts with silly sayings. Even to this day he typically comes to preschool with something interesting printed on his shirts. However, I'd have to say this one is my favorite....I wonder why??? I found this shirt along with a couple more cool ones on the website theretrobaby.com. Along with this one we own the Mr.T and Sloth from the Goonies shirts.

Happy 6th Wedding Anniversary!!!!

Gosh, 6 years since Kevin and I said "I Do". Throughout my years shooting weddings, I think before my own I only understood a wedding as an observer. However, after the experience of my own wedding I feel that I became not only a wife but a better photographer. It was after my own wedding, that I knew first hand the feelings that a bride and groom have on the day they are married and I now try to capture those small moments that make that day so memorable and exciting. Then when I became a mother, again my photographs of families and children began to change because my experience helped me have a better understanding of the important role of parenthood.

Thank you Kevin for 6 wonderful years! Because of these years, I love the couple we are, the family we've become, and the photographer I am now. I appreciate your love....your support....you.

All wedding, family, and maternity photo credit: E.Essman (aka my sensei)




I love the church we got married at....even though it was an hour away from home. The church is in the mountains and sits atop a hill and as you might be able to see inside there is a huge window that overlooked the beautiful colors of fall.