Back in February, I got a crazy idea. We were planning our last family trip to Disneyland before our passes expired and two weeks before our trip I thought, “how great would it be to have our family pictures taken AT Disneyland!?” This past year, we had gone quite a few times. For Valentine’s Day & my birthday (the day after Valentine’s Day), Dave and I even took a quick no-kids trip and stayed at the Grand Californian. It was one of my best birthdays yet, and I’m determined to make it happen every year! Ahem, Dave. Disneyland became my happy place (happier than normal) for me after my Mom died. It was the perfect place to escape real life/little bouts of depression with the California sunshine, palm trees, and Disneyland.
So, I know this amazing photographer, Cherie Mask, that I thought would be the perfect person to take our pictures. I emailed her immediately to see if it was even a possibility that she could come (she lives in Arizona), and miraculously, it worked! She flew out for the day to take our pictures and it was so much fun.
A little side note: Cherie and I first became online friends after I stumbled upon her blog a few years ago. After a few visits to her blog I realized that I knew her husband, Jeff. We had both served as missionaries in Buenos Aires, Argentina many, many years ago. Then last year, Cherie and I met in real life for the first time. We both attended the same lecture at Women’s Conference here at BYU and met in real life. Not only did we end up in the same class, but when Cherie came in a few minutes before the lecture started, the usher sat her in my row! Out of tens of thousands of women, we ended up in the same class, and sitting in the same row! I do not believe in coincidences. I know we were supposed to meet, I know we are meant to be friends, and I feel so blessed by the influence of her goodness in my life. She is gorgeous inside and out!
When I got our pictures, I cried! I was so happy that she perfectly captured us at our favorite place. I will forever treasure them. So without further ado…
Dave, his girls, and a castle
I’ve got a crush on this guy
Making wishes at Snow White’s wishing well. My wish is for my double chin to disappear.
I almost puked on the teacups, which means I’m officially old.
I want to recreate this picture every year.
Our Nezzie Girl
One of our favorite treats that we get every time are (non-alcoholic) mint juleps. Inez enjoys the mint leaves.
Gwen, the heartbreaker…
…and daddy’s girl.
Our sweet Olive girl
She truly is our family’s biggest Disneyland fan. She would go every day if she could.
She wore her Minnie Mouse dress and HEELS every day on our trip. See? BIG fan.
Kisses from my Clara bug
The outfit on Clara is one that all my girls have worn and one of my favorites.
Dave LOVES kids on his shoulders at Disneyland
I can’t remember what she saw here, probably Small World.
It truly is our happy place.
Thank you, again, Cherie! Our whole family loves you and can’t wait for next year’s pictures!
*If you are in Arizona and need photography, you need to hire Cherie. She’s amazing and she didn’t even ask me to promote her, but I am because that’s how awesome she is. You’re welcome.
