Is it just me, or does "NINE YEAR OLD" sound SO "Big Kid"?

Today Mat turned NINE!!

I had a very hard time keeping his gift a secret because I WAS SO DARN excited about it!

I've been working a lot with Ross of [link]http://www.flosites.com=FLOSITES[/link] lately.
Flosites is sponsoring me at WPPI in Vegas next year, they created this snazzy new blog of mine,
and we're working on a few other ventures together as well.

Ross is in Europe and has family in the UK, and Mat is a HUGE Premiership Leauge fan,
ESPECIALLY [link]http://www.chelseafc.com/xxchelsea180706/index.html#/page/Homepage=CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB[/link].
His favorite player is [link]http://www.chelseafc.com/xxchelsea180706/index.html#/page/ThePlayers=Frank Lampard, #8[/link] He's (Mat's number on his soccer club, a fast midfielder, just like Mr. Lampard).

Chelsea FC has an online store, but the US store is pathetic, and the UK store won't ship to Yanks.

Ross offered to order a megaload of Chelsea gear for Mat and ship it over here in time for his birthday!!
The "parcel" (as Ross calls it) arrived last week, and I've been VERY GOOD at keeping it a secret until this morning!

Check out the video of Mat getting his suprise gift, and THANK YOU ROSS!!! You made Mat's birthday one he'll never forget!!



The Lampard poster we ordered is out of stock till after Christmas (bummer!), so he has to wait for that, but he doesn't mind!!

~Carey

PS: I have a blog game to play, so tune in tomorrow!
I can't post it today because I won't be here to post the winner -- I'll be at the Corvette Diner for Mat's party!

This week I had a great time with this adorable family in the park.

Little sister wanted to do nothing but find leaves and twigs to stick in her mouth.



Yup, she's teething.

Big brother was obedient -- awesome!
He obeyed because he COMPLETELY UNDERSTOOD that when he was done,
he was going to LEGOLAND!!

He had his map and was plotting out his day whenever he had the chance.



Enjoy!

~Carey

This is my favorite time of year -- so much so, that Jason & I were married in December in the midst of the Christmas greenery at Malibu Presbyterian Church.

There's a lot going on around here, and I'm excited to share it all with you!

First of all, my annual Christmas movie is ready to launch, and I'll be continuing the tradition of taking down my main website for the month of December. I've gotten quite a few emails from people saying they're looking forward to this year's movie because the last few years have been so touching -- no pressure!!!

On December 1st, be sure to check out [link]http://www.barefoot-memories.com=Barefoot Memories[/link] to see it!

Second, the [link]http://barefoot-memories.com/news/index.php?link=69&cat=1=Barefoot Memories card giveaway[/link] is in full swing!
I've been getting great cards in the mail. Some folks have found loopholes (perfectly legal loopholes) and submitted cards for the drawing even if they aren't Barefoot Memories clients!



The rules state:
Send me a Christmas card with your favorite San Diego Barefoot Memories picture(s),
and you'll be entered into the random drawing for an 8GB iPod touch!

So, hypothetically speaking, if you were to find a Barefoot Memories picture that you like, print it, and slap in a card & in the mail to me, you'd be entered! Huh. Interesting. wink wink

By the way, it's no big secret that I'm a Christian and my family & I celebrate Christmas.
PLEASE don't feel like you can't enter the drawing if you celebrate another holiday!
I LOVE getting cards from families who celebrate their own religion's holiday.
I smile from ear to ear when my Jewish friends and family wish me a "Happy Hanukkah" because I know it's from the heart, they care deeply about it , and they are wishing me well.
So bring on the holiday cards! Christmas & otherwise!!

~Carey

Have you checked out Mera's new site yet???

If not, you're missing out!

If you have a nice camera and can't figure out how to get off that boring full-auto mode,
or if you want to take your photography a bit further,
check out [link]http://www.refusetosaycheese.com=REFUSE TO SAY CHEESE[/link]!

The DVDs are GREAT, and wonderful stocking stuffers,
but if you want the ULTIMATE Christmas gift, go for a spot in our San Diego workshop!!
It's' going to be SO SO SO wonderful!!

~Carey

"Thanks for getting us Molly, mom!"
I think I've heard this at least once a day since the day I brought home Molly from the airport this Spring.

So, I could start waxing philosophic about how I'm thankful for so much (and I am!),
but Molly deserves a special Thankful blog post because she has been such a
little, fuzzy, cute, adorable, fluffy, loving, cuddly addition to our family.

We love our Molly (aka fuzzbucket), and we're very thankful for her.


Happy Thanksgiving!

~Carey