Mickey's world...

My sister and I decided (as Charger fans who could not decide who we wanted to lose more) that if the Charger's did not make it to the Super Bowl we would head to Disneyland for the weekend. My job required me to stay home on Saturday to photograph a winter formal so she took Cassi, Mac and Brendon up to Disneyland on Saturday and my niece Amanda and I would follow on Sunday morning.

Early Sunday morning (Super Bowl Sunday) we woke up to pouring rain...it was raining harder than I can remember in along time and we questioned whether we were making a mistake driving to LA and getting dumped on all day.

We decided to take a chance and made the drive (100 miles almost exactly from my doorstep) in the pouring rain. I loaded my backpack with 5 umbrellas, the trunk with tons of winter coats and brought along all the gloves, scarves and hats I had. While we were driving up there she told me a story of her friends who had the same thing happen to them but when they got to Disneyland...the clouds cleared and they had sun...only over Disneyland. We joked that we were going to have the same thing happen to us. And it did...



This is what it looked like in Los Angeles for most of the afternoon. (It poured ALL DAY long in San Diego that day!!!)



Amanda's dad had told her there was no way we were going to Los Angeles because of the rain so this is her proof to him that we had sun.



This is the only time we had out the umbrellas and I think everyone just pitied me carrying them so they each grabbed one for about two seconds and within half an hour they were put in a locker with all the jackets, gloves, scarves, etc...)



Cassi and Mac have been to Disneyland with me many many times and they know that there are a couple areas of Disneyland I always photograph to document the trip and I did not even have to ask them to stop for this shot! I think I probably have 20 trips with them in this spot and I love to see how much they change!



Tom Sawyer's Island got a makeover...


My absolute favorite ride at Disneyland is Splash Mountain because it is such a great mix of all things I love about a ride...water, big hills, Disney characters and that "Zip-A Dee Doo feeling" you get after the big drop and the music starts and you are soaking wet...if you have been there...you know what I am talking about!!!

We have a few traditions at Disneyland besides taking pictures at certain spots...we ALWAYS have the popcorn at least twice, we stop in Pooh Corner for chocolate covered marshmallow sticks, we always buy rock candy and cherry sours, (YES...we eat our way through Disneyland!), we most times buy hats and they usually end up being a theme of some sort (See below!) and almost all the time we stop at In N Out on the way home.







The pictures above are the hats that each of the girls got throughout the day at Disneyland...all the same style and they all pulled their hair in to two pony tails too!

This last picture below is what I LOVE about Disneyland...you can be anyone you want to be there...


These were all taken with my point and shoot camera because the "Big One" usually is not allowed to go with me...I am lucky I get to take the pics I do while I am there!!!

On a side note...(If you are still with me!) I love all the comments I have received
from David Baxter's fans...you guys are awesome! He really has surrounded his self with a great group of people and I can not wait to meet some of you! I went and visited your blogs and found myself getting so excited about what the future holds!! Thanks again David! You're the best!

Enjoy!

I am still alive!

Hi all!!!

I am sure it seems like we are missing in action but we aren't! Cassi and I have been taking turns being sick and if I haven't been the one moaning and groaning about everything wrong with me these last few weeks...it's because I have not had the time to think about my ailments while taking care of Cassi. She is just now recuperating from strep throat and the nasty effects of antibiotics (DO NOT ASK!!!). I have just finished my second round of antibiotics also so between her and I, there has not been much time for anything other than sleep and making up homework!!!

I do have many things to share with you and I will as soon as I get the chance...I have been working on some cool things lately and I can not wait to share them with you!!!

On a side note...I really love it when you guys make comments on my blog (It makes me feel special!) and the awesome Baxter's {their blog is www.sdohana.blogspot.com and I would give you the link but for some reason this post isn't allowing me to link! Sorry! Copy and paste it up top!!!} seem to be the only one who comments and I love that they do...THANK YOU Thank you guys!!! I swear at least two other people are reading, right???

I have never met the Baxter's but they have inspired me more than any other photographers out there right now. They are funny, fantastic photographers and have hearts of gold. I highly suggest you check out their blog and see all the awesome images they take! They also tell a darn good story too! They recently posted images their 9 year old daughter Rain photographed and they are incredible!

While looking at the images that Rain captured, I had an Oprah-like "aha moment". The light bulb went off for me...like the Baxter's daughter Rain...Cassi loves to use a camera. Her images from Hawaii were awesome!!

I need to embrace this passion she has and teach her everything I know. If she can learn a trade and be passionate about photography...maybe she won't have to work at McDonald's while in high school but can spend her time photographing senior portraits of her friends or assisting/second shooting for other photographers...

I have this skill that I can pass on to her and also be able to enjoy more precious time with her while doing so. She is as excited as I am about this and I can not wait to start sharing her progress with you guys!

So thank you Baxter's for your insight and willingness to share!!!