I have so many ideas that I want to try out with my own kids, but never get the opportunity or the cooperation to do it.  I do have quite a few photos of my kids around the house, but not nearly as many as I would LOVE to have.  What I do not have, is a FAMILY photo.  It is soooo hard to be photographer and subject the same time… especially with three little kids!  Our friends, the Richards, came to California with us this last week and we had a blast!  Mandy has assisted me with many weddings over the last several years.  I have photographed her kids since birth and have talked her into several family shoots over the years as well.  Well, I think she finally really had her work cut out for her.  She had the responsibility to not only wrestle the attention of 2 boys and a baby, but to create the “perfect” family photo for me.  Granted, I’ve been doing this long enough to know that “perfect” does not mean sitting and smiling.  In fact, some of my favorites are of my family just being themselves.  The image is far from perfect, but a true reflection of us.  I have hundreds of images to go through… and client work a mile long.  So, for now, here is a sneak peak of our family on the beach (60 degree, cloudy weather, but oh well!).  I will definitely be getting more images online soon.  I just had to include this one of Kate.  She is a little beach baby.  LOVED the sand.  LOVED LOVED LOVED it.  I was so surprised and shocked.  I tried putting her down on a towel.  NOPE.  She immediately crawled right off to start exploring the soft stuff.  It was so fun to watch her explore.