Free Family Photo Event for Eastside Families

Last weekend I coordinated a Free Family Photo Event for the families of my 'hood: the lower Eastside of Santa Barbara. It was originally planned as a Mother's Day event but due to the Jesusito fires we had to postpone the event to June 13th. I have to admit my excitement for the event waned in the time between Mother's Day and the actual event. We went to Phoenix and started a major yard renovation and we were making plans for a couple of upcoming trips...I just felt less 'into' it.

Anyway, the week leading up to it I started getting really excited again. Just thinking about the people who were going to be blessed by these amazing family portraits! Some of these families have never had a professional photo much less by the caliber of photographers who gave their time to this event. Amazing!!

Here is a group shot of some of the photogs on hand and mi familia (it is my blog!). I was just so blessed by this event and know that the families who participated (about 35 in all) will be blown away by their prints.

Thanks again friends for sharing your gifts. You're all spectacular!

i madonnari 2009

My favorite SB festival is i madonnari. In the 7 years I have lived here we've never missed this event...until this year. The event is always Memorial Day weekend but this year we decided to visit our precious family at Kevin's parent's home in Phoenix.

This year we visited the drawings a week after they were created and it was so great! No crowds. No pushing. No limited range of vision. Just casually strolling the grounds with the ability to see the entire plaza in a single eyeful! It was perfect. Brody could run wild -- avoiding the art, of course -- and we could still keep an eye on him while admiring the amazing work.

Don't get me wrong. If we can, we'll be there again next year. There is such a cool vibe to be amongst working creativity like that. The smell of chalk and sweat in the air, folk music being played live on the lawn, turkey legs and sno cones, checking in on the Meaney family. It's marvelous and only something as sweet and special as time w/the Sturms would make me pass up the opportunity.

But there was definitely something sweet about seeing all the completed works at one time. Being able to stand and stare at the art w/o feeling like you need to hurry along so that everyone else can have their turn. If you didn't make it to the festival, you really must check it out. Go be blown away...before the work is blown away...

;)

Big Waves!

We had some crazy big waves this past weekend. I love Santa Barbara. The smell, the touch, the look, the tastes, the sounds....all 5 senses fulfilled in one little beach town. Every winter we get rain - a few years ago it lasted a month straight. Santa Barbarians (as Tessa would say) are not fans of the rain. When you live in a town where all the fun stuff is outdoors, it's totally understandable.

There was rain this weekend but it wasn't heavy. I'm not sure where the storm came from but somewhere in the ocean a storm was a brewin' and the results were these amazingly huge waves. Surfers were warned, the pier was closed, a few people even got swept off of the Breakwater! It was gnarly and the smart folks stayed out of the water.

Sunday night we all headed out to the Biltmore wall to watch the show. There were many other spectators at the wall. It was cold and wet and smelled like ocean and was absolutely wonderful. These are the memories of SB that I'll cherish forever.

Viva Fiesta!

Santa Barbara has no seasons. We celebrate Independence Day in 70 degree weather. And we celebrate Memorial Day in 76 degree weather. But every summer there's Fiesta. And (to be totally cliche) - it's hot, hot, hot!!! VIVA! Fiesta is 5 days of non-stop party. Dancing in the streets, Cascarones, Mariachi bands galore, Mojitos, parades, picnic dinners at the Sunken Gardens and Mission, yummy churros and Flaminco dancers! I mean, people take off work for Fiesta! This year we have been able to participate in more of the city events than we have in the past due to Brody being older and the year before Brody was born I was randomly ill?

All day that Fiesta 2004 I was queasy and pukey feeling. I remember the outfit I wore to work because I just wanted to be comfy...like in jammies. I also remember sitting on my cube floor just wanting to go home but I couldn't because I was judging a Guac-off later that afternoon! I left immediately after the competition and slept. At the time, my apartment complex was celebrating our "2nd Annual Fiesta party at The 521". I kept trying to attend the parking lot party but just being so sickly that I had to keep retreating to my bed. Turns out, I was pg with Bubba. And getting to enjoy the events with Brody this year has been so much fun. My little Fiesta Baby. So for me...Fiesta will always be a very special season!

SB Saturday: Catch a Parade!

Listen....if it's a summer weekend in Santa Barbara there is a good chance you're going to see a parade on State Street. It's a beautiful thing! Unfortunately we haven't seen many parades in SB - Kevin's not a fan. But we caught the Solstace Parade this year and it was such a blast! And to make it a really special time, our dear friends Dave, Christy and Maddie Wold were in town. The kids were so cute watching the home-made floats and rando hippy people tumble down the street.

For a complete list of Santa Barbara parade's check out: http://www.santabarbara.com/events/annual_events_list.asp

SB Saturdays: Take a Swim!

What a Saturday! This morning Kevin let me sleep in (so awesome). He and Brody played and read books till 9:45AM when they woke me up (yesss!). Then we went to the Wicks' to GO SWIMMING! Now, not a lot of people have swimming pools in Santa Barbara but the Wicks actually have a community pool in their neighborhood that is awesome!

Then I went to Costco to prepare for The Sturm Family visit next week while the boys went to "Eatty Donalds" (McDonalds) for chicken nuggets and burgers.

Then, during nap time Kevin made a run to Ace Hardware and worked in the yard while I started putting together a my wedding albums!! Maybe I'll finish in time for our 5 year wedding anniversary! Brody - the little champ - slept for 2 hours (thank you, Mr. Swimming Pool).

After nap we played, worked in the yard, watched some of the new movie that I picked up at Costco, we started to go on a bike ride but someone decided that playing with the fire truck was more interesting, K dug up some dead shrubs in side-yard, we ate dinner (lettuce wraps and mac-n-cheese) on our awesome little patio, took bath, pee-peed on the potty and bedtime for Brody was insanely late (how did it become 9pm so quickly!?). While I was putting B down, Kevin was scrubbing BOTH of our bathtubs! I finished my (2) albums, ordered (2) more and started this blog while Kevin decided that he had to go to Scolari's for ice cream. He crazy. But he brought be back three magazines!!

If you don't have access to a private pool, check out one of SB's community pools. Or you could always crash at a hotel pool. Is that wrong? But do NOT forget the sunscreen...you should see K&B's shoulders. One word: OUCH.

Santa Barbra Swimming pool facilities include the newly renovated, 50-meter Los Baños del Mar Pool, Ortega Park instructional pool, and the West Beach and Oak Park wading pools.

SB Saturday: I Madonnari 2007

This year's Street Painting Festival was just as good as all the rest. It was a big more challenging this year than the others b/c little man is 2...and wild. We had to bribe, threaten and beat. Well...not beat but you get what I mean. I love this festival. It's probably our favorite of all the millions of festivals in Santa Barbara. Just the creativity and beauty of it all. This year my mom was here for it. My dad has been a couple of times in years past and last year Kevin's whole family was here during it. Oh, and Cara's first visit to SB was during this time. Weird. The past six years worth of I Madonnaris was marked by visits with loved ones!

Here are a few of our favorites. The tiger is amazing. Like you want to pet the thing! It's crazy.

Personally, I can't touch chalk. The fact that most these artists were literally covered in chalk dust gave me the heebie-geebies. Personal chalk predjuce aside, I am always so inspired by this event. I feel my creative juices flowing! Maybe I'll bust out the old scrapbook :)

One of our favorite artist is the man who created this masterpiece. Every year he chalks photos of his children. This year his plot had three columns each containing individual photos of three of his children. It's always a crowd favorite. So great!

You may have missed it this year but mark your calendar for next year! It's always Memorial Day weekend and totally kid friendly. http://www.imadonnarifestival.com/im.html

Santa Barbara Saturdays: HIT THE BEACH!

We don't go often enough but when we do it's always wonderful. Over Easter weekend we had such a blast hanging out at East Beach with Grandmama, MorMor, PaPa, Aunt Tammy, Uncle Jon and Cousin "Lena". Brody was much more adventurous this time around. Our little Beach Baby has always been a tad skittish around the ocean waters but this time was different. He let his feet get wet and let the waves chase him up the beach. And he had a blast running around with Daddy! It was a special time and as my in-laws would say: a "very special memory" (I love that).

East Beach is our favorite beach in town. There is a great little toddler playground and lots and lots of open beach. Also, East Beach Grill is here located in the Cabrillo Arts Center. It's for sure our favorite beach eatery.

Other SB Beaches include:
* West Beach -- busier beach with lots of activity
* Ledbetter Beach -- great beach to spend the entire day enjoying
* Hendry's Beach -- gorgeous, more secluded beach
* Butterfly Beach -- across from the Biltmore this beach is great for 'celebrity watching' (we saw Mr. Miaggi at this beach once)

There are a ton more nearby beaches but these are a few of our favorite local spots. So, grab your sunblock, beach blanket and a playkit and HIT THE BEACH!!

Santa Barbara Saturdays: Take a Hike!

What is the point of living in or visiting Santa Barbara if you don't spend as much time as possible outside!?! There are countless hiking trails in SB for all levels of hiker. My favorite is Cold Springs trail to the waterfall. It's a level 4 out of 5 (see Sweetie...no wonder I have to take so many breaks!!) and at one point there is this rediculous boulder-climb that is nothing short of hysterically funny to watch people navigate (Hello, Sarah!).

The Knapps Castle hike is one I hope we get to take soon. Neither Kevin nor I have ever been to the castle but most of our friends have and have all said it's a fun date. I'm more of a dinner-and-movie type girl but like I said...what's the point of living in SB if you don't enjoy the beauty and weather as often as possible?! Honestly. Hiking with Brody will be harder now that he's too big for the backpack but there are pleny of nature walk trails and beach trails. We've cruised the Butterfly Perserve a few weeks ago and he was great. Unfortunately the monarchs were asleep but it was still great to be in nature with him and we hope to encourage him to appreciate and love this planet and the surrounds God has blessed us with. Amen!

For directions, difficulty, and reviews on local hikes check out http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/. Take lots of water and your camera.

Santa Barbara Saturdays: Farmers Market

Santa Barbara has the best Farmer's Markets in the world. My favorites are the Saturday morning event on Cota St. & Santa Barbara St. and the Tuesday one on lower State Street. There are most amazingly gorgeous organic fruit and veggies; flowers and extra fun goodies like flavored nuts, oils, breads and juices! It's the perfect way to start your weekend on Saturdays and a great way to end your day on Tuesdays. Just a blast!


You can go to a FM every day of the week except Sunday. To check out the schedule: Click here to download SBCFMA weekly schedule

So fun!!

Santa Barbara Saturday: Merry-Go-Round

This gorgeous carousel is located at Chase Palm Park on Cabrillo Blvd. Do you know that I've lived in Santa Barbara for 5 years now - what?!?! - and had never been to the M-G-R area of Chase Palm Park. And now, I'm hooked! Brody had so much fun going round & round. It was, in fact, magical. He wasn't ready to mount the horsie just yet but he had a blast sitting on one of the mermaid benches! :)

I'm so excited about taking any and all of our future kid (and adults) visitors to the park! In fact, how fun would this be for an upcoming BDay party!?!

Location: 223 E Cabrillo BlvdSanta Barbara, CA 93101805 963-9463 Hours of Operation: 11am - 6pm (winter)

Also, nearby is the amazing Shipwreck Playground! Kids and adults can't resist jumping aboard! Hope you can make it to the park. You will not be disappointed. Oh - and the pier is right across the street!!

Santa Barbara Saturday: Alameda Park

I absolutely love this town. It is my dream town. The place I always wanted to live but never knew about. I seroiusly thought that the soap opera Santa Barbara was the name of a ficticious beach town in California. Isn't that crazy? I feel like SB is in the media all the time now. Maybe it's because I live here and so I notice it more but I really believe it has become more popular in recent years. I mean, Oprah lives here!


The truth is, I don't know how long we'll be here. As much as we love it we just don't know how long we can decide to pay the price (literally) to be here. I say 'decide' because it really is a choice. And a hard one.


So, once a week I want to highlight a place in Santa Barbara that I love. I call it Santa Barbara Saturday because they will mostly be family-friendly places that can be enjoyed on Saturday. I don't promise that they will be 'little-known' spots. In fact, they might be down-right famous. But they're places I love and would recommend anyone checking out if visiting our beautiful little town.



ALAMEDA PARK and ALICE KECK GARDENS
1400 Santa Barbara and across the street

These parks are amazing. Alameda park is a wonderland for kids. We were there this afternoon and Brody attacks it every time like it's the first time. There are always kids there and it's in a really safe part of town - huge open land surrounds the park. There is a toddler section but most of it is for older kids. There are several places to picnic, throw a disc, practice yoga or take a nap (a regular sight)! It's just a really fabulous park and I'm considering it for Brody's 2nd birthday. No reservations required but you also have no guaruntees on spaces.

Alice Keck is an amazing memorial of gorgeous low-water plants (you find flowers here). The trails and the plants are great but the real center-pieces of this park is the koi pond. The kids love this - HUGE fish, millions of turles flapping around and usually a duck or two can be found. This is also a great place for a private picnic or date night (I've heard of a Valentine date where a girl set up a table with linens and heat lamp and brought in catering and everything. Tre romantic!). There are a lot of weddings here as well but it's also a place that doesn't take reservations.

These places rank so highly on my favorites list that they were part of my last birthday which I consider to be my best birthday yet! So check it out. You will love it!!