CATALINA ISLAND

Every summer we take a little vacay to Avalon at Catalina Island. A few days is plenty of time to site see, lay on the beach, watch a movie in the old casino, snorkel, parasail, go deep-sea fishing, eat and have a cocktail at some of the yummiest restaurants (Maggie's Blue Rose is my current fave!!) The boys are starting to feel like this is home away from home. (Half of these photos are iPhone 5s photos, so please excuse the slight pixelation on some!)Our trip began with something we had yet to experience-The Cape Canyon Expedition, an excursion tour that heads more inland to Cape Canyon, Middle Ranch Canyon, Shark Cove (I think that was the name of the beach), and the Airport-In-the-Sky. The hummer ride was so much fun and Cesar, our tour guide was full of fun knowledge! Morning strolls are the best! This is our second year parasailing with the boys and Bryson's first experience! He loved it!!And our first time to head out deep-sea fishing. I had plans to stay at the beach house, but I'm so glad Chad talked me into going! We really had no idea what we were doing, but both boys caught less than 12 lb yellowtail that of course were to be tossed back in the water, and Chad caught a 20 lb yellowtail that we filleted and took to Lobster Trap where they cooked it for us that evening at dinner. Definitely one of the trip highlights. (He fought that fish for a good 15 minutes and I have video to prove it) :)Our last evening I pulled some teeth to sneak a family photo in. I was getting ready to set the self-timer when a nice family from Seattle stopped and took this for us!And what's a trip without a family selfie. We were sad to get on the ferry home :( But we will be back soon..

Amber

Just added a new "Meet the Photographer" link to my site and blog. It might be a bit too much, but I like it. In case the link doesn't work, I've pretty much copied & pasted the eeeennntttiiiiirrrrreeeee post here too ;Pwww.simplysmithphotography.com/meet-the-photogHow do I begin describing myself without including my family?! These boys are my life. We are together 7 days a week and the only hours away from the little guys are when they are in school until 3pm (that is of course if Grama hasn't stolen them for a sleepover, which happens more often than not).First off, there's my husband, Chad.We have been in a relationship for over 11 years now. We have been blessed with a marriage that begins with our friendship and the love just manifests from there. I would have to say, the number one thing that attracted me to Chad was his face, most definitely his big smile and then his ambition. He was a confident 17 year-old boy who knew he would somehow be successful and able to take care of himself and I absolutely *adored* that about him. It is being around him that I have developed the desire to work hard and chase dreams. You cannot help but be motivated when you are around him. Now on top of that, he enjoys a good margarita on any occasion and I could definitely live with that!This handsome young man is our first born, Landon.When we found out we would become parents we were 20 years young! I was a student at Porterville College chasing a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies while Chad was going through the final steps of entering the Academy of California Corrections. We were living in a two bedroom condo. During our pregnancy we found a larger home in Tulare, Ca so Chad would be closer to work (Corcoran State Prison). We brought Landon home from the hospital there and boy was I overwhelmed with love. I specifically remember an exact moment when I walked by him as he was laying in his swing at just two days old and having to stop and take deep breaths to compose myself of this feeling that I had never felt before. I still have not been able to describe that feeling, but I remember it all the time. This little boy has been the most agile, quick, competitive, athletic, flexible, and fun little boy I could have ever imagined. He takes life very seriously and is not quick to trust others.. if he considers you a friend, it is a huge compliment.When Landon was just a few weeks old we were able to buy our first home. *yay* It was something that we did not think would be possible for another few years, but thankfully we were given an opportunity that we just couldn't refuse. Chad was working full time at the prison while I stayed home taking care of our little Landon and was about half way finished with school. Landon and I would play during the day and I would do homework late at night. Life was simple, but my goal was to hurry up and get an education so I could work too! lol. It was during this time when Chad had surprised me with my first real camera! It was the Canon Rebel t2i I believe.. the perfect starter camera for any Mom who wanted to capture every single moment of her little ones. I began posting all of my pictures that I would take of Landon on Myspace. Remember Myspace?? LOL It was nothing great, just candids of him at the park, or playing baseball, or swinging on a swing. After a few weeks I remember getting messages from old friends and followers of my Myspace account asking if I would take some photos of their little ones. I was shocked. Never did I ever think that was thrilling. I wanted to be a teacher, not a photographer. But I tried it out anyway.. and I. absolutely. loved. it.Landon was just a year and a half when the surprise happened. We found out we would be expecting a second child. I cried. I felt like everything was happening so fast and I did not think I was capable of finishing school while raising while raising two children... all while starting my own little photography business! Mind you.. I was only 21 and Landon was not a quiet or slow child. He wanted to play catch, chase the cat, do summersaults off the couch, yell at birds from the window.. he was everything a boy could be. I was scared for two.But then came Bryson..Boy was I wrong.. Bryson came and lit up our lives. He was all smiles from the day he was born. Bryson lives for hugs and cuddles.. not backflips or baseball. He enjoys a good puzzle or craft. He gets along with everyone and lets you know when his feelings are hurt. God knew what he was doing when he put these boys in our lives. I was able to finish school with a BA in Liberal Studies from Brandman University and the photography venture has been one I would have never been able to dream of. All the tears and anxiety led to a ton of love and laughter.Before Bryson's first birthday in 2010 we were fortunate enough to upgrade to a bigger home in Visalia, CaMy husband is now a real estate investor while I run this business full-time. I have since upgraded the Canon Rebel, obviously! So much has happened in nine years, lots of growth, a ton of learning, great experiences, and leaps of faith.“What if I fall? Oh,but my darling,what if you fly?”- Erin Hanson