I'll admit it, I have favorites ;)

Okay, well maybe I can't choose a favorite child- they're just all so darn cute, but when it comes to Valentine's shoots, 

THERE IS ONE I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Up until now, I've only showed snipits from this shoot online- if you've been to my house, you've seen a little bit more.

But now, for the first time in THREE YEARS, I am able to show you the whole lovey shoot.

And, I think you'll see why it's a fave!

Of course, we have since added 2 more little loves, and I will show you some lovely pictures of them at some point, but for now, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to show you these 4 in their Valentine's best!

Aren't they just the cutest?!?!  From the most biased part of my heart, of course! 

I hope your Valentine's is full of love and happiness!!

Thank you for checking in!

Love to you all on this sweet holiday!

xoxo

LooWho

It's Great to be 8!

What is there not to love about turning 8?

Free rent, unlimited popsicles and summer vacations.  I wish I was turning 8!  Your whole life ahead of you without a single regret behind you.  The world is yours for the taking!

In the Mormon faith, we believe this is the age of accountability.  

The time in a child's life when they must draw a line in the sand.

One side right, the other, wrong.

It seems so juvenile to think the world can be so simplistic, so easily divided into two categories.  And yet, as I sit and ponder, it is.  It is that simple.

So easy it is to ride the fence, to walk the line, teetering between the two choices.  When really, deep, deep down, we know.  We've always known, at least since we were mere children.

Some are born with a pursuit for righteousness, they never falter.  Others find the course of mischief more appealing.  

On this day, I took pictures of a sweet young man.  A young man bearing a green crest of honor.  One that promised he would not board the ever-appealing side of no-good, but try earnestly to do what he knows in his heart he should: CTR.

It seems acronyms have gained a lot of popularity in the last few years, but this one, CTR, it's been around ever since I was a child.  I remember putting on that same ring, making that same promise to Choose The Right.

What better motto could one strive to live by at the tender age of 8?

I love the willingness in his eyes, his passion for life!

What truths do you hold to?  What badge do you wear?

Thank you for stopping by!! 

Here's looking at YOU!

xoxo,

LooWho

Viva Las Vegas!

As some of you may have noticed, my family went MIA for about a week.

Where on Earth did we go, you ask?

Las Vegas.

Yep, me, my husband and five kids hit up sin city.  Why in the world did we take our young family to Vegas, you may be asking yourself.  No, it wasn't to show them what not to do.  No, no.  We find Vegas oddly relaxing.  We stay at a resort and relax in the sun while our babes roam the water.  

There are actually a lot of fun things to do with kids in Vegas that have nothing to do with alcohol, gambling, or strippers... gasp.

First, there's Circus Circus.  There, you can either go to the adventuresome to get in some fun amusement rides, or go over to the circus land and see a free circus show.  

There are also FABULOUS parks in Vegas.  Our favorite happens to be located near some pretty fun shopping, double score!  The Town Square Las Vegas boasts a fabulous splash pad complete with a play house, a unicorn, a stage for those dramatic rug rats AND a hedge maze.  Leave your husband behind to play and scoot on over to an array of shopping!  LOVE!

Of course, our visit wouldn't be complete without a stop by the M&M factory- check out their cute 3D movie and grab some M&Ms in your favorite color!

Of course, there's plenty of sight-seeing.  My oldest declared he didn't need to go to Paris now that he's seen the mini eiffel tower- "this one's tall enough!"  The fountains set to music at the Belagio are always a fun sight and the Volcano at the Mirage never disappoints, though, I will caution that it is loud and hot, so it may send a shiver or two down some spines.  

Other fun things to do that aren't on the inexpensive list are: Serendipity3 at Caesars (we were lucky enough to get spoiled by the table next to us who got our family the full dessert platter that included a huge chocolate chest filled with ALL of their desserts, we can attest- they are the BEST!), the dolphins and lions at the Mirage are amazing- I've never seen lions so large and majestic- we were even spoiled by a private tour by Siegfried himself.. he just happened to walk out and ended up getting the lions and tigers to get up and do a couple of tricks while we were there!  

But, my favorite part of this particular trip to the busy city was actually just outside of Vegas in a small town called Nelson, NV.  A small, preserved Ghost Town in Nevada that has been amazingly maintained.  It has old cars, busses, and even an old plane perfectly placed in the side of hill.  Add to that an array of old buildings and barns, and this old mine town is an EXCELLENT stop.  My kids LOVED just exploring all there was to see.

Of course, being a photographer, I have to say, words cannot do this town justice!  Let me show you what I mean about the amazingness:

You can see how I was in photographer's heaven, right?!  I NEED to own a town like this someday!  Until then, I will get my fix each year when I visit good old Nelson!

I had intended to spend a week away from work and responsibility, but as soon as I saw this place, I knew I had to capture it!  

I hope you enjoyed my recap of Vegas!  Would you ever take your family there?  Do you enjoy a jaunt to sin city every now and then?  What's your favorite thing to do?

Thank you for stopping by!!  Be sure to comment below and show some love!  ;)

Here's Looking at YOU!

xoxo,

LooWho

A Kenty Cake Smash

Who doesn't love cake?

Ok, you're right, there are probably a number of people who don't love cake...

My Kenton, however, is not one of them.  Thankfully!

The youngest of my five beasties turned one this passed weekend.  By now, you know, there is nothing in this world I enjoy celebrating more than the birth of my children.  

Kenton is no exception to this.  He came into this world one year ago, bringing with him a light and love that made even the darkest days brighter.  (read more about that day and see his first pictures, here)  His laugh is contagious.  He loves each one of our family members so wholly and without end.  His kisses are slobbery and sometimes violent.  But his cuddles, his cuddles are the very best part of him.  In fact, we've named them: Kenty Kuddles.  Ya, you see what I did there?  I know, I'm obsessed.

As with any proper celebration, I had to come up with a theme.  Kenton has two nick names in our home: Kenty Bear and Little Mr.  Thoughts of teddy bears and picnics ran through my mind.  But, then I remembered how much I dislike stuffed animals.  (I'm sorry, please do not take offense if you are a fake-furry-friend-loving-person, it's really just a personal issue with dust mites and creepy eyes..)  Then, I remembered the day we found out the gender of the precious baby I was carrying: 

Bow or Mustache?  Well, obviously, we found out we were having a mustache.  We had so much fun with this pic and this idea.  It was then and there that I realized a Little Mr party was a necessity!

Of course no theme of mine is complete without somehow turning it antique.  Little Mr to me meant mustaches, of course, but also bow ties, suspenders, newsboy hats, rustic, old.  Of course, in true Looky Loo fashion, it also meant the need for a huge chalkboard with an old barn wood frame- we will get to how much my husband loves building random things for kids parties later AND how much he loves me and does it without complaint! 

Theme- check!

Now, to make it personal!  I knew we would have the party back on the central coast where our family was, but I wanted to do something special in our new home and on his actual birthday weekend, plus, I'm a photographer, so there had to be pictures involved!

In keeping with the theme of vintage and Little Mr and trying to find something he loves to do, I remembered our last trip to Tilden Park.  Kenton rode the Carousel there and let out the sweetest squeals of joy I have ever heard.  If you have not seen this operating, 1800's carousel, you cannot possibly understand the joy it brings me.  It combines my child's love of whimsy with my love of photographing vintage things- a combination that does not come along very often!

So, stop number one on the Kenton Party Train: old Carousel.

 Now, Kenton has been known to ride other carousels, but none give him as much joy as this particular one.  This thing hits top speeds- perhaps because it was built long before there were limitations in life like safety and height requirements that suffocated the fun out of things keep us out of danger.  Or, perhaps, its this studly black stallion he loves to ride that happens to be dressed in his party colors.  (ok, maybe that's just me that likes that last point).  Either way, he LOVES it, and, as his mother I must oblige the birthday boy!

Our next stop on the birthday train consisted of Fenton's.  If you've never been there, stay away.  One, because the apple crisp will haunt you it's so good, and two, because the line is already long enough and I don't want any more people cramping my wait time.  Jk, but seriously.  This is where Kenty bear gets his one true love: Strawberry Malt.  I've never seen anyone love anything as much as Kenton loves Strawberry malt.  I kid you not, if you take that straw away from him, his nick name takes on a  whole new meaning, as he GROWLS for it back.  

While in good spirits from his favorite ride and snack, I decided it was time.... (cue dramatic song)  Time for the piece de resistance of a first birthday.  Well, at least for the child of a photographer... 

THE CAKE SMASH SHOOT.

Although not the messiest cake-smasher I've seen, Kenton knows his way around a cake!  At least, after he stopped trying (and succeeding) to push it over.

For this shoot, I wanted a subtle reference to the party theme.  I found some fabric from a quilt I made for Kenton, scrounged up a bow tie and diaper cover pattern, and voila!  Add in some suspenders and WHAM, outfit done!  For the location, I wanted something with simple colors and a rustic feel.  My friend had been raving about this old barn that I just had to check out.  IT. WAS. PERFECT!!  Light peeking in from behind, brown and red tones to compliment the birthday boy, and, well, let's be honest- she had me at rustic barn!  You know me so well!

AND HIS EYES!  I'm sorry, but, I'm his mother, so I will gush.  I have wanted to get a close-up of his eyes for a while now, but it just hasn't happened... until NOW!  I never want to forget the distinct shade of blue they are at this exact moment- they are the type of eyes you could get lost in!

I love my Little Mr!

Thank you for sharing this special occasion with me!  I hope you enjoyed walking through some of our celebration!  Follow me on instagram @cindylookyloo to catch a glimpse at the chalkboard El Jeffe built for the party and all the details of our Little Mr Soiree!

Until next time, my Looky Looers..

xoxo,

LooWho