It was one of those bi-polar winter days in Southern California. While it’s supposed to be the coldest part of the year, it felt more like 80 degrees out and I felt the beginnings of perspiration on my forehead as we hiked at Bommer Canyon Park in Irvine. Jeff, Cindy, Ellie, and I walked slower, taking in the beauty of the canyon and we chatted about the strange change in weather. The boys ran ahead, gathering rocks and chucking them into the bushes to scare away the bears their dad, Jeff, had told them roam this part of Irvine. (Note: there are ZERO bears in Irvine, in case you were wondering) It was just a wonderful November afternoon, one that brought back nostalgic memories of the long walks with my dad in the orange groves. The boys’ carefree and imaginative play reminded me of the  many rocks I had found when I was a kid, convinced I had struck gold in the  most unlikeliest of places–my backyard. I just knew history books would tell my story for decades to come…. the little girl who found gold in her own backyard. It’s imagination like this, and like that of the Matsuda boys, that I wish I could retain now as an adult.

We had a wonderful time hiking, playing, taking some pictures, and allowing ourselves to get lost in the wonder of it all. Jeff, Cindy, Jaren, Logan, and Ellie…. you have something special with your family. I really enjoyed watching you all play, smile, laugh, and love on each other…. and I left the park that afternoon with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. Thanks for letting me capture such a special time in your family’s life! Here are my favorites from the afternoon….

It was one of those bi-polar winter days in Southern California. While it’s supposed to be the coldest part of the year, it felt more like 80 degrees out and I felt the beginnings of perspiration on my forehead as we hiked at Bommer Canyon Park in Irvine. Jeff, Cindy, Ellie, and I walked slower, taking in the beauty of the canyon and we chatted about the strange change in weather. The boys ran ahead, gathering rocks and chucking them into the bushes to scare away the bears their dad, Jeff, had told them roam this part of Irvine. (Note: there are ZERO bears in Irvine, in case you were wondering) It was just a wonderful November afternoon, one that brought back nostalgic memories of the long walks with my dad in the orange groves. The boys’ carefree and imaginative play reminded me of the  many rocks I had found when I was a kid, convinced I had struck gold in the  most unlikeliest of places–my backyard. I just knew history books would tell my story for decades to come…. the little girl who found gold in her own backyard. It’s imagination like this, and like that of the Matsuda boys, that I wish I could retain now as an adult.

We had a wonderful time hiking, playing, taking some pictures, and allowing ourselves to get lost in the wonder of it all. Jeff, Cindy, Jaren, Logan, and Ellie…. you have something special with your family. I really enjoyed watching you all play, smile, laugh, and love on each other…. and I left the park that afternoon with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. Thanks for letting me capture such a special time in your family’s life! Here are my favorites from the afternoon….