Lake Tahoe

Photo by: Charles Shaprio

We are heading up to the lake in a little while. I am very excited because I haven't been to the lake in almost two years. Considering I used to work up at the lake in Incline Village, and I made the drive everyday, it's pretty sad. We are going to meet our very good friends Justin & Liz and their two kids at Burnt Cedar Beach. Burnt Cedar Beach is so special to me. It's where Dean and I got married. My boss at the time, Keri, was kind enough to pretty much put the whole wedding together. She is so talented, and really knows how to throw a party. One of our clients was such a sweetie. She payed for the wedding cake. Dean's boss and Keri payed for all the food and beverages for the reception. The reception was a BBQ on the beach. It was so laid back and an absolutely perfect day. We had people come up to us for months after the celebration, telling us what a fun and special day it was for them. 

Dean and I were blessed to have both sides of his family attend the wedding. My only sadness about the day was that none of my family could attend. I really wish even one person from my family could have been a part of our special day. Most all of my family lives in Florida or Canada. It would have been so expensive for them to come out here. I am so excited to go up to the lake. It's Zoe' first time up there since she was a newborn & Aris' very first time to visit. It will hopefully be a special family day. I will post some pictures of our trip. Hope everyone is having a fun weekend also. 

"Little Miss Firecracker" Giveaway

So here she is! This weeks giveaway. "Little Miss Firecracker". She's ready for some fourth of July fun. In her freshly ironed favorite yellow dress, she is ready for all the fourth of July festivities. Her mom even gave her extra pocket change so she could buy some ice cream and sparklers when she and her friends go to the five and dime. 

All you have to do to win this little cutie is post a comment before 4 pm, on Monday, August 4, 2008. My girls love to pick the winners. This has become as much fun for them as it has for me. If you post about the giveaway on your blog, and link to this post, I will add 5 more chances for you to win (6 total). 

"Little Miss Firecracker" is an original, signed, one of a kind painting by me. It measures 6"x4". As always she will come in a cute frame to match. Good luck and can't wait to see who the winner is!

And the Winner is................

Thanks to everyone for entering the 2nd Artfulife giveaway. Thanks also to those of you who posted about the giveaway on your blogs. I hope that you will come and visit often & feel free to leave comments also. It is always fun to make new friends. I hope you will check back often for more giveaways and the grand opening of my Etsy shop.

Domestic Spaz you are the winner! Please e-mail me (my e-mail address is to the right on my blog) so I can mail off your painting this weekend. 

Sorry for the jumpy video, My camera only works so well when it comes to video's.

This Weekend in Pictures

Aris & Sloan

Aris & Wyatt

Goofy little Air Bear

I just found all the little tools you can use to enhance your photos. I really love the look of older photo's, you know the faded photo's from the 70's and older. So I played around with the those tools on a lot of the photo's below. I don't know much about photography. I think every once in a while I get lucky and take a good photo. This is one that may not be that great to most, but I love it.

I was ringing some bells and Zoe got soooo excited. Not a great picture, but cute to mommy.

This weekend there was a Pioneer picnic at one of my favorite parks in Reno. They have so many fun things to do at this park. Kids can pan for gold. There is a mine shaft slide playground. You can dig for dinosaur bones (pretend of coarse) and there is a petting zoo with horse rides. Oh and a log ride. Plus there are all these different gardens and many people use this park for weddings or receptions.

Zoe had a blast panning for "fools gold".

Sloanie

Sloan & Penny

I seriously think this is the fattest sheep alive. He was huge.

The petting zoo.

We waited and waited oh yea and did I say waited, to see the baby lambs fed. It was so worth the wait.

Daddy and Air Bear

We washed the car

My most favorite picture of Zoe. For now.

I took these on Monday, but thought I would include them anyway.

Oh how I love my girls. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Newest Link Artwork

The new and improved "Photography" link title.

This is the new link title for "Artists & Illustrators". Dean said he has a hard time reading it. I can see it, but it might be because I drew it. Please let me know what your thoughts are on this on both of the new titles.