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

#tellthestory

'Tis the season...

for yuletide carols, candycanes, pointy trees, big bows and family.. lots of family.

I saw a beautiful video called #sharethegift that pleaded for us to turn back to the humble, true meaning of Christmas.  To remember Christ and share His message.  Through love, peace, hope and charity we can share that first great gift.

"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD,

THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON,

THAT WHOSO BELIEVETH IN HIM

SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE."

                         -john 3:16

Ever since I first saw this video, my mind has been racing.  How can I share the gift?  How can I spread the peace and love this season?

I had grand plans of holiday tunes marched around town, baking to the beat of my own drum and "helping elves" spreading love not mayhem.  Then, with a week's notice I decided to move.

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."  Buddy was on to something, and usually we pack up the clan and sing our carols brightly.  But, being in a new town full of new people, our carols were lost.

Plan B, blissfully baking was foiled when, after many a box was unloaded, no Kitchenaide revealed itself.  It held hostage many of its other baking buddies, leaving me with no means to create culinary master-pieces.  

I came up with this lovely idea of little elves doing good deeds and spreading cheer through acts of kindness, but didn't know where to start in a new land of unfamiliar people.  The thought of my 5-year-old sweeping a strangers house made me a little uneasy.  

SO WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?  What monumental thing do I have at my disposal to share this great gift?

I was at a loss.

Then, at church, I heard these words:

"There is no story quite as beautiful, or which can stir the soul of the humble quite to the depths, as this glorious story can of the birth of our Redeemer.  No words that man may utter can embellish or improve or add to the eloquence of its humble simplicity.  It never grows old no matter how often told, and the telling of it is by far too infrequent in the homes of men."

                 -President Joseph Fielding Smith

Let me repeat that last part again, the part that really hit home for me:  "the telling of it is by far too infrequent.."

BY GEORGE, I THINK I'VE GOT IT!

Tell the story and share the gift.

Conveniently, I was able to put together a lovely nativity shoot last year, which is perfect as I use pictures, the New Testament and my favorite Christmas Carols to recount this precious tale...

It starts long ago, in a faraway land.  A young girl, of humble means and a true heart discovers her glorious fate-

 An angel of the Lord reveals to her that she would bear the great Christ child.  That this young woman would mother the "King of Kings," the Savior of the world.  As I ponder this revelation given her, and as I hold my own baby boy in my arms, it is hard not to wonder what she thought in these moments.  Could she possibly know the importance of her role, the gravity of her choice?

"Mary did you know that your baby boy will some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you." 

(Mary Did You Know, Chirstmas song)

Of course, life is not meant to be endured alone.  Neither was Mary's calling that of an individual sacrifice.  At her side, though it must have been hard and confusing at times, was her faithful husband.  He physically helped carry her load as he led her to Bethlehem and stood in to be the earthly father to this heavenly child.

Even on the Lord's errand, we are not freed from trials and tribulation.  Heavenly Father promises great blessings to those who endure, but endure we must.  Agreeing to parent the Christ-child did not bring with it luxuries untold, the King of Kings was not to be born in a mansion of gold.  On the contrary, this couple who sacrificed so much would be turned away at every corner.

We all reach points in our lives where the trials and burdens feel unbearable, where we feel that each turn brings us further from where we want to be, where the world beats its hand against us, where we feel we have nowhere else to turn.

"We need to know that in spite of all the troubles and ills which befall us, still the Lord is governing in the affairs of the earth and that if we keep His commandments and are true and faithful to His laws, He will bless us here and now and reward us with eternal life in His kingdom in due corse.."  (President Joseph Fielding Smith)

"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!" (Neal A Maxwell)

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass."

May we find our stable, our manger, our lowly and humble state as this couple did.  There, we will find the babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes.  There we will find our salvation.

"I now pray that at this Christmas Season, and at all times, we may center our faith in the Son of God and gain for ourselves that peace which passeth understanding."  (President Joseph Fielding Smith)

"O holy night, the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn'

Fall on your knees, O hear the angels' voices

O night divine, O night when Christ was born

O night divine, O night, O night divine"

(O Holy Night, Christmas Song)

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, 

keeping watch over their flock by night.

"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the 

Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you 

good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of 

David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

"And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the 

babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of 

the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, 

the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,

 and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, 

and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."

      (Luke 2:8-16)

"These were humble men who had not lost the faith of their fathers, whose hearts had not become hardened..." (President Joseph Fielding Smith)

Have our hearts become hardened with the harsh realities of the world?  Have we laid down our staff and wandered off alone, losing sight of the great light ahead of us?

Far to the East, the light of the great star beamed as a sign to the wise men that the Christ child was born.  Hope was restored and the eternities of mankind was to be saved.  

Wise men still seek Him. 
The humble adore Him. 
Hope is reborn, and new life is restored
To all who believe. 

(From the Christmas song, Touched by a Child)

Bearing the finest gifts of their time, the wise men rode to meet the great Savior of the world.  As these were, great tributes to Him, Christ does not require lavish gifts.  But rather, gifts of the heart.  The gift of a humble and contrite spirit.  The gift of a broken and changed heart, turned to Him.  

Seek Him.

Find Him

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn'
Fall on your knees, O hear the angels' voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night divine,

(O, Holy Night)

He is the Christ.

He is Christmas.

He is the Gift.

I hope you enjoyed my telling of this great and humble story.  I wish you the very best this Christmas.  May you enjoy peace and love.  May you be filled with the spirit of Christ.

I challenge you to #tellthestory  Whether that means you share my rendition, you read it from the bible, warm and cozy by the fire, or by your own words.  Tell it.  

Spread the word.

Spread the gift.

Merry Christmas!

xoxo,

LooWho

Candy Overload!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 

Looky Looers!

It may be cloudy, you may get wet, 

But make it a night your kids won't forget!

I happened to pick up the CUTEST umbrella at Forever 21 last month (red with white polka dots and frills), so the "cold doesn't bother me, anyway!"

What are your plans this Halloween??  Will you brave the bad weather or snuggle and watch Hocus Pocus instead?  Or are you the type that would rather mingle with friends than door knock with strangers?  

We like to do a little bit of everything.  We ALWAYS attend our church Halloween party decked in a family themed costume.  I know, my poor tortured children!  On Halloween we like to hit the streets downtown and grab candy from local shops then stop at a few local doorsteps of our fav friends.

It doesn't sound like a lot, but we still end up with LOADS of candy.  I'm talking chocolate coma for days status.  And, being the type of mother who enjoys her sanity, the responsible mother I am, I just cannot justify letting the crew gobble that all down!

So, what's a mom to do???

Well, first off, we let the kids choose a certain amount of candy to keep (10 pieces, 20 pieces, whatever we feel we can handle).  They then place the remainder in brown bags and leave them on our doorstep for Glenda the Good Witch to collect that night while they are sleeping.

HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU GET YOUR KIDS TO GIVE UP THEIR CANDY???

I know, here's the best part, sweet Glenda does not leave them empty-handed!  In return, she leaves them a little Halloween present to enjoy.  Some little toy or item they've been wanting.  

SO, YOU JUST THROW THE REST AWAY???

Oh please, have you met my husband??  Waste not, want not!  Here is where the creativity really comes in!  I have found several ways to use up that extra candy you have lying around from halloween and put it to good use!

First up, Reece's Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes----

Make chocolate cake box cupcakes, and as they come out of the oven, place a PB cup, upside down on top.  Them melt in perfectly and will score you some serious mom points!  Top with some peanut butter cream cheese frosting and you are in business, mama!

Next, how about COOKIES!!

I take any chocolate candy- m&ms, candy bars, whoppers, whatever, and crunch them up.  I then replace chocolate chips for these candy chips in my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe.  BUENO!

FROSTING!  

Yep, you read that right, you can use your left over candy to make frosting, and it's pretty amazing!

You just melt down the candy bars and they become the main ingredient in this genius frosting.  Check out the recipe via Betty, here!

Or, just crunch them up and put them over some ice cream!  Whatever you choose to do, know that your Halloween Candy can become a thing of culinary genius, instead of a dental nightmare come November!

I hope you enjoyed this walk down the candy isle!  Stay warm and dry this Halloween and enjoy a night of dressing up!!

What did you and yours dress up as?  What do you do with all of  your candy??  I'd love to hear all of your ideas!!

Until next time, here's looking at you!!

xoxo,

LookyLoo