Laughter erupted from behind the current. A flash went off and then another huge burst from a small group of girls who were making funny faces into the camera. Once their photo printed out it was instantly snatched up. The girls gasped for air as their laughter could be heard over the entire party. This happened over and over again with each group that entered the photobooth. There is just something so fun about a photobooth. Maybe it's the fact that you can hide behind the curtain and be a goof ball with no regrets. I don't know....but, it's great!

We had so much fun at the winter formal this year! Our photobooth was a hit and the kids had so much fun too! Thanks Faith Bible High School for inviting us!








Portland Oregon Photobooth Rentals & Wedding Photography

I sat in the very back corner of the very dark gym, scooping through my vanilla ice cream and sprinkles. The rainbow kind, not chocolate. No one could see me in the shadows, but I was biting my nails and grinning from ear to ear. We were asked to cover the talent show for Faith Bible High School which is the same school where we coach track. I was so proud like a mother feels when they see their child pouring their hearts out on stage. I was so nervous for every single one of them and so incredibly excited for their amazing finishes. I wanted to jump up and shout for them or give them a huge hug, but I knew there was that coolness factor. So I clapped VERY loudly from my dark corner as Eddie lit up the gym with his flashes. I thought to myself that I have so much to be proud of. A great group of kids who actually listen during practice. A wonderful husband who loves to do things like the talent show or track with me. And the list goes on and on. I am blessed beyond my understanding and I love being reminded of that.

Everyday after school I would get off the bus in the warm Orange County heat and walk to my aunts house. A small bungalow shoved tight with 3 awnry boys, my bother, myself and 3 or more foster children under the age of 3. I would stay with them until my mom got off work and help out with the little ones. Most of these children were drug babies which meant that from the very start these children were already going to have a tougher life than everyone else. Nightmares, drug withdrawals and brain damage...it was all right there for me...that question of why them? Ever since I was a little girl I have had a heart for foster children. I have heard the statistics a million times and the thoughts on the failure rate of those children who are forced from one home to the next and never thought it was fair. I always had a hard time understanding how I got such a great life. Why do I have fantastic parents who love and care for me and some children can't even find a person to care for them? It has always been a tough questions for me. Always.
So about a year ago I decided that I would try and make a change in the lives of foster children. I started to pray about how I can help and after a while a very bright light bulb lit up in my head or maybe it was my head...I can never tell. Why couldn't there be a community where every family that lives there is a foster family. Parents who choose to live within a community with the sole purpose of being a foster parent with hopes of perminent adoption. A place that guarantees that the children in their care will no longer be exposed to bad environments and will be instilled with new hope and a fresh start. The community could live as one large family and care for each other and fit the needs of one another as brothers and sisters of the community. After months of praying about this concept I found a charity that is already doing that exact same thing. I guess the idea wasn't so dumb after all. In the heart of downtown there is a village that is currently being built. As soon as I found this charity Bridge Meadows I wanted to do whatever I could do to help. We found out that they were having an auction to raise money and so we volunteered the one thing that seem to fit. Our photography services. I plan to continue to look into building a second village at some point if that is where God leads me, until then I just want to get the word out about this amazing charity. It's incredible what people are doing to make a difference in children's lives.

The community had to raise over $11 million to begin building. They have since raised the full amount thanks to the 1,000s who donated.



Large local charity organizations donations like the Amy Roloff Foundation were present to give their greatest support for the cause.





I loved this. This couple had been planning on getting married and just hadn't set a date yet. They threw up their hands with gusto to win that trip to Sicily thinking that they would just get married there...if they won. And they did.



To find out more about Bridge Meadows please visit their SITE. They are always looking for volunteers, donations, and words of encouragement.

We have all been fifteen. With every year that passes by I forget just how amazing it was to be young and completely free. Just one day, one birthday it all came rushing back to me. All the girls were so beautiful and wearing brightly colored cocktail dresses in the latest fashions. Sipping on virgin margaritas, dancing around to "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" without a care in the world and jumping around on the balcony as the sunset dropped down behind them.
Photographing a quinceanera was a completely new experience for us. It's a coming of age party for girls turning the BIG 15. The party was exactly the same as most weddings that we do except that there was no handsome groom of course.

Frida's grandmother was giving her a bit of advice before the party. What a vivacious woman. Her salsa skills were amazing


Frida was such a gorgeous girl. We first had the pleasure of photographing the birthday girl when we did a photoshoot about a month prior to the party. She was such a quiet beauty and a natural in front of the camera.



Thank you for being so patient Frida! By this time she was so warn out from everything that had happened that day. We were so lucky to get her out in the vines for a short photo session.



Virgin margaritas! What a great idea. The sugar helped to get everyone extra hyper for fun photos later.


I have never seen the worm done so well.


I know...if there is a chance to get some action shots we take it. These girls were jumping all over the balcony wall with the sunset in the background...how could we resist!