Portrait Party to Raise Funds for Reece's Rainbow

          My friend, Danielle Parker, a local photographer (Danielle Parker Photography), approached me in June with a very generous idea.  Inspired by John Michael and other kids with Down syndrome, she wanted to find a way to help families who were adopting children with Ds.  So she came up with a Portrait Party idea...  20 minute sessions for $30 and Danielle would donate the entire amount, including her time over one weekend in 100 degree Sacramento heat, to Reece's Rainbow in honor of the child of our choice.  For an additional $10, families could purchase a CD of their photos. 

          The idea became popular quickly, spots filled up and 12 families took advantage of the photo sessions.  $30 for a professional photographer?  Unbelievable!!  But she wanted to make it afforable.

We raised $360 for Reece's Rainbow and the money will be split for two adopting families in the Sisterhood... The Sheffield's adopting Vinnie and The Jaco's adopting Jaxon, both boys are in eastern Europe and both have Down syndrome.

          Here are a few of our shots...  keep in mind, only 20 minutes at naptime in 100 degrees of dripping heat (yes, that's John Michael fake "crying" because he didn't want to take the photo and we had to wake up Luke to do the shoot)...

 

Me and my sweetie... Happy 18th Anniversary (yesterday).  If anyone had said on our wedding day we'd have 5 children, I would've said they were crazy!  Now I know who's crazy  haha.  But each one is awesome and unique and wonderfully made...

 

I love how the boys are looking at each other here...

"John Michael, what does Piet in Holland do?"  He wanted nothing to do with that.  Anna looks like she'd rather be in a different family :-)

My heart.  The reason I started this blog... the reason I have more friends than I can count... more sisters on this journey than I ever thought imaginable...

My spunky little man.  Full of love and the biggest hugs a mom could ask for...
Pure boy.  Pure stinker.

The is decidedly "the family photo" of choice  :-)

Brothers, bookends, biggest to smallest... 6'4" to little man...

Who doesn't love Greta!

These two melt my heart...  These boys laugh, run, play, cry, fight, push, hug, kiss, and care for each other like no other!

Need I say more?

 

Sisterhood in Cabo San Lucas (May 2012)

Back in May, I spent 5 amazing days in Cabo San Lucas with 6 of my Ds mama sisters!  No kids, no schedule, no housework, no worries...  

The margaritas from Monkey Business Bar were so huge, we had to share!  And look at the garnish!  A lime inside a lime to make the sun.  Gorgeous!

You might recognize some of these awesome women from Blogland or Facebook...
L to R:  Gina, Lisa, LauraBeth, Irma, Debbie, Jen and yours truly.

Lisa and Irma on our glass bottom boat headed to the Arch and Lover's Beach.

Debbie and I soaking in the rays before getting out at Lover's Beach...

Can you see the horse head in the rock formation?

Here's Lover's Beach and the pathway to Divorce Beach.  The water is so wild over there, some don't return (or so it's said...)

I don't recall the name of this rock formation, but it was an upside down Baja...

The Arch. 
Wild, turbulent waters where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez meet.

Lands' End.
Literally.
I'm guessing the sea lion could care less...

Lisa making our mark at Lover's Beach...

2012 SISTERHOOD (T21).
Too bad it only lasted a few minutes...

Matching bracelets from a Mexican artisan shop!  I used to make this pattern from Wrigley's gum wrappers as a kid.  Who knew it would some day be art?!

Amazing brunch in Cabo del San Jose!  The food was so fresh and delicioso!

With my sisters.  Sadly, two had to fly home that morning...  :-(

After Mass in a Jesuit mission built in 1730.  I LOVED that the Mass music was a Mariachi Band in the balcony with full harmony and accordion.  Sooooo wonderful!!

Sharing an afternoon Corona with Jen on our balcony after a day of doing not so much  :-)

Monday morning... our time is almost done.  Spending our last few hours at the beach and swimming in the sea.

The perfect balance of relaxation and fun!!!