Happy Sweet Sixteen Savannah Elise ~ It was so beyond special to be able to celebrate my daughters sweet city in the enchanting and majestic city of Love, Paris France!! My husband and I had always talked about doing special separate trips when our kids where old enough to remember and to cherish the memories made. A father son trip to Thailand and Cambodia backpacking for Devon's 16th and Paris France for Savannah & I when our two eldest turned 16. Dillon has staked a claim to the Bahamas or Bali with BOTH of us since he will be the last parsons baby at home ;o). Times are definitely more troubled now than they have in the past, which always carries extra concern, but there is never a more perfect time on my bucket list to travel to Paris than to celebrate my daughters 16th and my 50th birthday ... it was even more of a trip of a lifetime for her Golden Birthday, Sweet Sixteen on April 16th 2017!

Day One | April 12, 2017 ~ We arrived to Paris France via the Eurostar from London England where we had spent 4 days sightseeing (Buckingham Palace, Changing of the Guard, Windsor Castle, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral (rest in peace Lady Di), of course shopping at world famous Harrods (my dad bought me my first piece ...my addiction for purses/wallets ... a Gucci purse when I was 13 from Harrods on a business trip and lets just say, I will never forget that purse or my dads love of Harrods), Stonehenge, Trafalgar Square, Oxford University, Hogwarts filming, Using the Tube like good British city girls do and eating at Steak & Co where you cooked your own private steak at your seat on a heated stone plate! Savannah's favvvve :) We loved London and the Brits and was so hard to leave, but the Eurostar was so fun to go under the city in the tunnel while Momma Me was sippin champagne.  We ended up sitting next to a Mother Son from our hometown San Diego traveling to Paris for Spring Break too! We became fast a furious friends and will never forget that train ride with laughter along the way.

When we arrived to Paris & checked into our Millenium Opera Hotel (thanks to my amazing travel agent Sonja), the first thing we wanted to do was get to the Eiffel Tower and see it in person!!  We had arrived in Paris France (my bucket list) on the 4th Anniversary of my sweet angel mothers passing in April 12, 2013.  The exact day, almost at the Eiffel Tower at the same time she passed.  My mom had always wanted to visit Paris and was never given the chance, so it was a bittersweet and emotional day. We checked in our hotel, Paris Millenium Opera (fabulous in the 9th Arrondissement) and took the first 'green' taxi outside the hotel doors down to the Eiffel Tower.  I could not believe my eyes when we stepped out of the taxi literally directly under the Eiffel Tower at its majestic beauty and how tall she stood!  And then as we looked for a private place to say a prayer as we do every year and then we saw this beautiful purple liliac tree (ok so later I found out it was a cherry blossom tree just not fully in bloom so looked purple lol).  I shed a happy tear because I knew at that very moment, my angel mother was sitting right there with us under that Eiffel Tower.  It meant so much to me to be there with my girl on such a special day.  We stayed and took a few first photos but were pretty tired from the travel day and wanted to get back to the hotel to be ready for the next day which was a huge surprise Savannah did not know about.  After we said a prayer, I gave her a voucher for Disneyland Paris and told her we were going the next morning. It was one of the birthday presents she really wanted to see while we were there, having spent so much time in the states at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.  I wanted the trip to be what we BOTH wanted to see and do (not just museums and shopping (although that was crazy fun too))! So we decided to head back to the hotel to rest up since the coach would be picking us up early to drive to Disney the next morning. Our first night in Paris and the hotel was so special, we cracked the window to the atrium and listened to the hustle and bustle in Paris through the night.  It was like out of a movie and everything I had ever imagined it to be.  The City of Love!

Day Two | April 13, 2017 ~ We left for Disney Land Paris and headed to the Latin Quarter to pick up one more family, The Ryans, from , the Land down unda!  Little did w know when they got into the coach, not only did they speak English (total plus) but it was three lovely ladies, Mom Mabel (whSydney Australiao loves photography and does even more than i!!), her daughter Vivienne who was 17 and daughter Bridget, 9.  Omg we instantaneously became fast friends and spent the entire car ride getting to know one another and exchanging stories and all of our similiarities.  It was so nice to meet a family on holiday just like us.  What were the chances? My mom working her magic from above! Sav and Viv even had the same identical jackets on just in different colors and it was like they were destined to meet.  We got to the stop in the front of Disney Paris and it was AHDORABLE ... Our driver said to meet back just before the park closes at 6:30 for pickup, we hours almost at Disney.  We all decided to stay together and spend the day enjoying rides and each others company.  We were thrilled to be able to experience the magic of Disney with new found friends!! They were amazing and we promised to stay in touch.  Mabel was there with her Mom and Dad from the Phillipines and were headed off to London in a day or so, so we didn't get a chance to meet again, but promised to make a trip to Sydney one day soon! Loved everything about Disney Paris too.  It was only their 25th anniversary unlike our Disney is celebrating 60 years, but all of the paint was like band new and not dingy and exclusive rides like Ratatouille to Paris and character meet and greets everywhere! Even Mickey Mouse had his own house and theatre you could go to and have your own photo shoot.  It was so special! Love the Ryan Family!

Day Three | April 14 2017 ~ We were a bit exhausted so we opted to catch up on some rest and relax before we set off to tour more.  We had quite alot of one foot tours in London and didn't want to spend the day inside at a museum but knew we had so very much to see over the next four days. I started to realize how little time we truly had to see this magnificent city and all of it lights and opulence. So we rested and the concierge upgraded our room to a suite with a view of the front of Paris ... it was stunning and we loved having even more space to enjoy our trip! Savannah was treated like a queen in both cities! People were so over the top thoughtful and kind to her.  I checked into tours for Paris at our concierge and they set me up with the Big Bus hop on hop off tour and a dinner cruise with Bautex Mouches to see the Paris lights at night with dinner.  It was amazing!!!! So glad I bought this and we set off to dinner, drinks and amazing photos at the top of the boat.

Day Four | April 15 2017 ~ This was the day to shop and sight see on Champs De Elysees and head to Louis Vuitton of Paris France.  A Bucket List place for me and the Arc De Triomphe!! We took a green taxi to LV straight away and was greeted with our pwn personal shopper assistant carrying a glass of champagne for me and evian for Savannah. I mean seriously, how can you NOT buy something when they load you up with champagne?!! We met Sarah who came to be a dear friend of ours after two days of laughter, stories, snap chatting and indecisiveness on what to get Savannah and I as a treat from LV Paris.  We bought a few fun purchases and decided to come see Sarah the next day for free monogramming on Savs new wallet. We stayed at LV until the store closed ... They loved us lol We then went back to the hotel for some dinner and rest and woke up about 1030 pm to take the Metro to the Trocadero Eiffel Tower so we could be there at 12AM to see the Eiffel Tower at night time and for Savannah to turn 16 right there as it lit up at 12am April 16th!!

Day Five ~ April 16 2017 ~ Savannah's Sweet 16 !! 

Spent the day sleeping in and then went downstairs to breakfast for a huge birthday surprise where the hotel staff and concierge manager  created her own breaky eating nook area roped off.  The head staff came and sang her sweet happy birthday.  It was so beautiful and a GREAT buffet way to start her day;O)  (even if there was a little increased police staff being Easter Sunday in Paris >;(.  We went back upstairs to get ready for Savannah's photoshoot and a few side 50th smiles.  Much to Savs dismay, the curling iron she wanted to use would not hold the charge in the European outlets and started to smoke, so she had to air dry curl.  It wasn't the look she was going for, but she did all of her own makeup, eyes, brows and even her hair was stunning.  I was so proud of her! It was hard to be awake on your bday hearing nothing from back home because all of her friends were sleeping 9 hrs behind us, but we hailed a green taxi and off to the best spot to take photos, the Trocadero at the Eiffel Tower! Glammed up and Ready for Smiles! We got down there with a ton of people for the 10 mile COLOR RUN on Easter Sunday. Say WHHHattttt?? I will say (wanting the picture perfect spot, pose and picture) I was bummed to see this massive blue tent up and people jumping all around under the Eiffel Tower with color wands and plumes of color smoke being sent into the air.  But I got creative a bit with the perfect dress she had on.  We started snapping photos with thousands of people all around the area.  Once I started to take a few closeups of her I noticed that not only were there gorgeous clouds in the sky (it totally rained the day before and was to rain the day after her birthday) just how lucky we were to maybe have that smoke in the air because she truly looked angelic.  Like she was perched into the clouds and my Mom was up there in heaven sending her bday hugs! We took a bunch of poses, but there were so many people with paint walking all around the area, it was busier than most days we had been there.  We took a few hundred shots (lol) and decided to come back once the tent was down later before dinner. Off we were to Louis Vuitton to get Savannah's wallet monogrammed, have a glass of champagne and head to Ponts De Art to purchase a love padlock and leave one in Paris.  We had so much fun leaving a love locket for my mom, me and Sav.  They let you buy the locks there and even inscribe them with black sharpie.  We found the perfect resting spot for my moms and then Savannah noticed on her cell it was 4:16pm! It could not have been more perfect if we tried.  I told her to take a photo of her by the locks & right there was a lock with Dillon's name on a lock!!  Then, it was off to take a few more photos near Notre Dame and then Paris City Vision to meet our motorcoach to take us to the Eiffel Tower for her Sweet Sixteen Birthday dinner. The Motorcoach took us to the Eiffel Tower where we took the lift up to the first floor restaurant.  We had pre-arranged seats and sat with a couple from London, great gentleman and had us laughing most of the dinner.  Took a few photos and then the tour guide told us we could climb to the very top for photos, but it was 350 steps.  I had no idea you had to climb the steps and since we were straight from the photoshoot we didn't have a change of clothes.  Sooooo, I opted to schlep my way up 350 steps (I know my dear friends will not be surprised) in high heel boots huffing and puffing lol.  What people don't realize is you climb up the steps in the LEGS of the Eiffel Tower so wind is whipping though you the entire time and you are pretty much alone because NO ONE seems to climb the steps. LOL.  We got to the second level of the tower ( you can see the levels more clearly in the photos below ) and the photography was ahhhhmazing.  Very cold and windy and just after sunset so Savannah took a few fur photos and they were spectacular with Paris behind her!  THEN, you could pay 6 Euro to take a LIFT all the way to the top of the tower.  Now it was about 11:30 at night, my feet were killing me and cold. But we did it and it was the best experience AND to be able to say that we were at the very top of the Eiffel Tower eating a famous chocolate tower macaroon on her sweet sixteen was beyond beautiful & priceless.  I will truly cherish this night and trip with my daughter forever!!  It was a trip to be treasured, a time in our lives together that can never be replaced and a memory as a mother I will hold in my heart until the end of time.

Love you to the moon and back my beautiful baby girl, Savannah Elise!

~mom~

~ having someone to hold onto is the best feeling in the world! | Prom 2016 ~

   As summer comes to a close and the kids are back in school, I find myself watching them grow up right before my eyes ... making their own life choices, reflecting, evaluating their own friendships, relationships ... holding those they love close and those they never want to lose even closer.

   I am so beyond blessed to have three amazing children ...

   Devon ~ My oldest a Senior now in Highschool and so hard for me to fathom that almost 18 years ago he was born!! I am so excited to watch him grow up into a man, pursuing his dreams to go onto college (hopefully locally), then onto serve his country like his father in hopes of becoming a commercial airlines pilot down the road.  At 17, I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up & I am so beyond proud of my son who knows exactly what he wants! All while excelling in a sport he is passionate about, teaching himself the drums, guitar, started his own band plus his first part time jobs working at a paintball park & restaurant as a cook apprentice. I could not be more proud of the man he is becoming and his tender compassionate heart for those he loves.

   Savannah ~ My daughter is a ray of sunshine in our lives and started as Freshman this year overcoming some personal challenges & choices to continue her lifelong cheer dreams since she was a little Pop Warner Cheerleader and made the Varsity Cheer team as a Freshman.  All of her years of continued excellence at cheer coupled with major competitive Allstar Travel Cheer gave her the skills sets to be a leader in a sport she loves. I could not be more proud of the choices she makes, that she doesn't feel she needs those serious relationships at this point in her life to define who she is or to feel more accepted.  She is confident and resolute in her choices and her ability to be there for her friends, to show loyalty, and above all else I admire that in her everyday.  She is my savgirl who is not only beautiful, but an amazingly talented young lady with an amazing heart of gold!!

   And lastly Lil Dillon, my little itty bitty adorable huggable affectionate always there for me baby in the sky, my peanut pie, who is now 7 and in the second grade!! How can this be? To have had him at 40, so much later in life has taught me to savor every waking moment of their childhood. Reading them books at bedtime, tiny bare feetsies running through the house, nerf gun wars & always lots of laughter. He is my treasure in life, a true gift to me from heaven and there for me like nothing I could have ever imagined.  His heart is beyond huge, pure, filled with so much love & compassion for friends in our lives.  He never forgets a friend or an experience.  He checks on me everyday and says "how was your day mom?" OMG!! Who does that anymore lol.  There is not a day that passes that I can hear him around me or in another room in the house and he says "i love you so much mom".  Absolutely my sweet treasure from above.

   I hope to keep my blog up more often and share some family experiences and thoughts for those who love to blog and read them.  I am starting to plan and think about the next chapter and phase of my life and how photography will be such a huge part of my future and business. So grateful to those who support me through their kind comments about my work and photo sessions with your loved ones. I am truly honored and grateful that you continue to seek me out for amazing projects and on location shoots.  I recently had some close friends who moved to Arizona over 5yrs ago and asked me months ago to capture a special moment in their life (their 20th wedding anniversary (russ&diana love you guys) ) and this was literally the first session in years that I could not capture because we had a out of town annual family vacation planned. I was so disappointed I could not be there for them, but guess that's when you know, you truly love what you do and that your work & talent was missed so much. 

   As we head into fall, the preparations begin for photographing even more amazing cheer, soccer, wrestling sports days, school dances, senior portraits and prepping for my annual christmas card photoshoot/theme.  Happy Back to School Friends & Remember to Capture those Smiles, for one day those Moments will become Memories you will be soooo glad you have !!

   ~ m ~

“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.” -- Oprah Winfrey

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” -- W.T. Purkiser

"A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most complete prayer" - Gotthold Lessing

BE THANKFUL, BE KIND, BE LOVING, BE HUMBLE, SHOW LOVE

... WHERE MEMORIES ARE MADE ...

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA

I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT

TO OFFICIALLY LAUNCH & DEDICATE MY PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE

TO MY INSPIRATIONAL & LOVING MOTHER DEE (RIP 7.11.1947~4.12.2013). 

~ ON THIS DAY THE ELEVENTH OF JULY TWO THOUSAND AND TWELVE ~

IN HONOR OF HER BIRTHDAY, HER RELENTLESS STRENGTH , UNWAVERING COMPASSION & UNCONDITIONAL LOVE SHE GIVES TO OTHERS, MAY SHE TODAY MORE THAN EVER KNOW HOW VERY MUCH SHE IS LOVED.

TO MOM:

"YOUR ARMS WERE ALWAYS OPEN WHEN I NEEDED A HUG.

YOUR HEART UNDERSTOOD WHEN I NEEDED A FRIEND. 

YOUR GENTLE EYES WERE STERN WHEN I NEEDED A LESSON. 

YOUR STRENGTH AND LOVE HAS GUIDED ME

YOU GAVE ME WINGS TO FLY ...

AND

SHOWED ME HOW ITS POSSIBLE TO MAKE MY DREAMS COME TRUE"

I LOVE YOU MOM ... MAY YOU HAVE THE HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS FOREVER IN HEAVEN!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

AS 2013 COMES TO A CLOSE, I AM REMINDED ONCE AGAIN OF WHAT IS TRULY IMPORTANT IN THIS BLESSED JOURNEY WE CALL    ...  *LIFE*.  

2013 WAS A YEAR THAT VALIDATED FOR ME HOW FRAGILE LIFE IS & HOW TO APPRECIATE THE PRECIOUS NIGHTS THAT DID TURN INTO MORNINGS.   THAT A NEW DAY IS A GIFT AND TO TRULY TREASURE EACH DAY AS IF IT WAS YOUR LAST.  2013 GAVE ME THE GIFT OF LOVING MY MOM EVERY MOMENT UNTIL THE LORD CALLED HER HOME TO THE HEAVENS ABOVE ON APRIL 12TH.  I WAS GIVEN AN EXTENDED GIFT OF BEING ABLE TO TELL HER HOW MUCH I LOVED HER EVERYDAY AND TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE AND HOW WE WILL REMEMBER HER SPIRIT.  IT SHOWED ME THROUGH PEOPLES ACTIONS,  HOW MUCH THEY CARED & ARE TRULY THERE FOR YOU WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH.  FRIENDS WHO TOOK THE TIME TO SHOW LOVE, COMPASSION AND A PRESENCE IN MY LIFE, MY KIDS LIFE & THAT WE ARE FAMILY TO THEM.  NOT WORDS, BUT THROUGH ACTIONS FROM THEIR HEART.

LIFE IS ABOUT FAITH, FAMILY & FRIENDS, GIVING, EXTENDING LOVE, SHOWING YOU CARE AND BEING HERE NOW!  LOVE THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT BEFORE ITS TOO LATE & MAKE THE TIME TO CREATE THOSE CAPTURED MEMORIES.  TREASURED TIMES THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR AND THE SUDDEN LOSS OF MY ANGEL MOTHER, SHOWED ME THAT WE CAN MAKE CHERISHED MOMENTS INTO MEMORIES.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO MY SWEET TREASURED  FRIENDS & MY LOVING FAM.

FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS, HAPPY NEW YEAR AND I HOPE IT IS ONE FILLED WITH MUCH PEACE, LOVE, GOOD HEALTH & HAPPINESS!

“But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.
"Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad."
"How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, or you wouldn’t have come here.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland    

EMHS FB16_8105

A year ago today, my handsome smart son made a life choice from his heart to spend time with one of the most precious, loving, giving, compassionate, funny & beautiful girls ever ~ his 'breeness' as the fam bam has come to know & love her.  Life is meant to be spent with those who make us happy & laugh!! I can say meeting Bree has made my Devon James an even better young man. That my beautiful mommad asked to meet her before she passed away warms my heart & I know she is smiling on them both from heaven today!!

Fifteen years ago I was blessed with having my first child,

~a beautiful baby boy of joy~

DEVON JAMES PARSONS

I am so lucky to be his Mom

You are my sweet ray of sunshine on a cloudy day Devon James!!!

I Love you more Devon and am so proud of the young man you have become,  the amazing talented student, athlete you are & above all the best big bro in the whole world ! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEVON ~ Keep shooting for the stars cuz their all yours!! 

xoxo mom

... wishing my sunshine girl savvyloo a week of the most treasured memories and moments with her friends while she is away at sixth grade camp this week! ...

you are my sunshine love you more luvbug xo mom

Christmas is not in tinsel and lights and outward show.

The secret lies in an inner glow.

It's lighting a fire inside the heart.

Good will and joy a vital part.

It's higher thought and a greater plan.

It's glorious dream in the soul of man.

~ Wilfred A. Peterson, The Art of Living

It's Not What's Under The Tree That Matters ... It's Whose Around It!

From Our Family To Yours, Wishing You A Holiday Season Filled With Love, Joy & Laughter

... AND NO PLACE BETTER THAN AT A CHRISTMAS CARD PHOTOSHOOT

FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA!

Tis' the season and a special time to spend with family and 

Photomom Productions™ wants you to be able to capture those Christmas smiles with

your loved ones.  I am having a shared Christmas Photoshoot Day at a location in

Ramona for Families (approx 6 people) in early December. 

If you are interested, please contact me for date, time location & investment details.

Remember A Smile :) Happens in a Flash, But its Memory Lasts a Lifetime.

~ Contact Photomom to Capture Your Christmas Smiles ~ 

<3

contact info

   www.photomomproductions.com

www.facebook.com/photomomproductions

email: [email protected] / cell: 858.248.2698   

Don't forget to get pictures of your ghosts and goblins this trick or treat season! !

Photomom Productions is proud to offer a Mini Photoshoot of your Trick or Treater

Package Includes At Your Location:

Fee: $45.00 One Pose or $65.00 Two Poses

1 8X10

4 5x7's

( ** sitting fee included ** )

In their favorite halloween costume!

Contact me at 858.248.2698 for details!

Rest In Peace ~ Ryan Morgan

Giving many prayers up to the heavens above for Ryan Morgan's family, friends and a best friend V. Sharing a very special prom moment captured so quickly between Ryan & V when he came to see her off to the Prom.

Words are not enough to express my sorrow for everyone affected, but hope this captured moment in time brings comfort and much love ♥

I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Morgan Family & Friends. The world lost an amazing shining star, but the heavens gained a light that will shine forever.

God Bless Ryan Morgan, his Family, Friends & dear friend Victoria.

I am truly so grateful I had a moment to meet him and capture a quick happy memory that will be forever cherished. ♥ 

Photomom Productions™

is proud to introduce

"Perfect Pendants"

Custom handmade jewelry made exclusively with beautiful craftsmanship ... turning your perfect moments into stunning personalized jewelry pieces one pendant at a time! 

I am so honored to be able to share with you one of my longtime & dearest friends "photography art" made into jewelry.  She has a wide variety of personal pieces to choose from (see all of my gorgeous pieces above that she has personally made for me over the years) bracelets, necklaces, charm bracelets, pendants & stamped pieces!! Artistically created from personal family photos, scrapped photos or custom glass pendants.  Each masterpiece is made to order and customized with added touches of ribbon, beads or charms.

Feel free to take any of your Photomom Productions™ photos and order a beautiful keepsake pendant, where your memory can be worn and will last a lifetime!!

Visit www.perfectpendants.net for more detailed ordering information & make your treasured smile into a lasting cherished jewelry piece!

PHOTOMOM PRODUCTIONS™

is honored to photograph

2012 JAMES DUKES MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

of

"THE LITTLE MERMAID"

photography portraits of the cast coming soon!!

...  APRIL 16TH 2001 ... Our Sweet Savannah Elise was born and 11 years later she is celebrating her birthday in style, sassy, sweet fashion ... the HARAJUKU way!!

Harajuku  meaning comes from a fashion capital of the world renowned for unique street fashion.^[2] Harajuku street style is promoted in Japanese and international publications such as Kera, Tune, Gothic & Lolita Bible and Fruits. Many prominent designers and fashion ideas have sprung from Harajuku and incorporated themselves into other fashions throughout the world.  One of many districts in Japan. A popular hang-out for teens who are into Street Fashion or Gothic Lolita! One of many districts in Japan. A popular hang-out for teens who are into Street Fashion or Gothic Lolita style clothing.