leah zawadzki

kids say the funniest things...and this kid seems to get funnier every day.  i am so grateful for the smiles he gives me...

the other day in the car he says "from now on, tell everyone to call me joe-fous".

joe-fous?  why would you want to be called joe-fous?

"it's a cool name.  i like it.  i love the way it sounds.  joe-fous."

"it's my long name you know."

your long name?  you mean joseph?

"yes, joe-fous.  from now on just call me joe-fous".

xxoo

my girly and me.  we had the day to ourselves.  a treat that rarely happens.  the boys had hockey tickets and we decided to go do something girly, christmas-y.  so we set out to have tea.  the tea house was full--suppose there were many others with the same idea.  so we went for mexican instead...then shopping and a finale stop at trader joe's on the way home (where the balloon came from).  we didn't get that special something for grandma...so she said "let's take her a picture". (which never happens anymore...she doesn't really like the camera much)  so i said "of course!!".  

if only she knows it was me she was giving the gift...just me and her and my camera.  xo

merry christmas!!

as camera girl.  my christmas gift from deb, artwork by erin.  isn't she sweet?...i mean look at how sweet i look :) thank you both so much!!  xo

an oasis.  this charming little inn located near joshua tree national park.  this is where we spent our thanksgiving holiday.  the food was amazing.  all homemade and organic--with most of the vegetables served right from their garden.  the thanksgiving meal was like homemade.  it was relaxing and reflective even with three kids!!  we had a wonderful time.  the kids loved the grounds and the day trip into the joshua tree park.  it is so fun with the kids approaching the age where outdoor activities such as hiking and rock scrambling are doable.

but we didn't just go for the holiday...i went to check it out for the wallflower friends retreat that deb schwedhelm and i have been planning for some time now.  she says i talked her into it...when the truth is SHE talked me into it!  well, who ever idea it was...i am super excited and can't wait to get back to 29 palms this march with my friends!!  it will be the perfect spot for our photographer get-away....

more shots from our trip...

i have traveled this road many times since i was a little girl.  it's a long drive from my home town in mariposa, ca to my new town in orange county--these shots were taken in october on our way home from a family visit and wedding.  usually i am too bored or half asleep to notice the beauty in the seemly uninteresting landscape. but this day i decided to look and i saw.  

that's what i feel like i need to do today.  stop and look and see.  xo