A couple weekends ago, Brett and I had the pleasure of going out to the Southern California area for some photo sessions!  We had such a great (but quick) few days there, and this was our first session that weekend.

Random side note****If you follow us on Twitter, you may remember me loosing my phone while in Cali.  I actually lost it while out scouting locations for this shoot…I ended up finding it, and got it back!***End of random side note.  ;)

When we arrived at this family’s GORGEOUS home, Bella was ready to dance and make silly faces…

This child is beyond adorable.  I could hang out with her all day.  :)

So yeah, we got a few great shots of her! ;)

We ventured outside to their amazing garage doors….I think my most FAVORITE garage doors ever.  (They had an inkling I’d want to shoot there.)

Jaxson was not having this picture thing!  But isn’t he handsome as could be??!  :)

Then we took a ride over to another beautiful area.

We decided to check out the fountain on the square….

After this point, we won Jax over!  ;)  Smooth sailing from here on out, and it only got more and more FUN!!!

Brett snagged some great shots of Lorenzo and Viorika alone.  I love the light shinning through behind them.

Then down to the beach!

It was windy and chilly, so the kids were getting as CLOOOOSE as they could, without getting wet.

But of course, they got wet!  :)

Making sand angels….honestly I’d trade those for snow angels any ol’ time!

At the beginning of the session Jaxson wouldn’t have dreamed of letting his sister hug him, but they were so adorable by the end.

And I just love this photo of Mom and Dad.  We had rough weather that day, but a little glimpse of the sun came out for a moment.

Here’s a cute shot of Brett shooting…It’s so funny that we wake up sore the next day after shoots.  I wonder why??  :)

(and Brett’s bro Jason in the back, who was our chauffeur for the weekend!)

Viorika and Lorenzo, thank you so much for having us out there.  We had so much fun with your beautiful family!

Jax and Bella~you guys are great kids!  Next time we come out, we are getting some ice cream.  ;)

jess + brett

The kids were having snack.

I walked by to see Gabe making some kind of creation.  I heard him singing to himself, and the closer I got I heard:

“happy birf-day to Gabie, haapy birf-day to GABIE”

The kids and I all joined in the singing….which seemed to shock him a bit.

But then he got really excited, like it really was his birthday.  :)

Then he so adorably proceeded to blow out his “cracker candles” on his watermelon cake.  ;)

And continued to decorate away….

It’s these little simple things in life that I adore the most.  They remind me of how beautiful each and every day should be. And with all that I have going on, this is what I needed to be reminded of today.