Photography Exhibition

My Dad and I have decided to sell some of our photographs. But instead of just making prints we have taken it a step further and have enlarged our photos and professional framed them. Thus, making great pieces of art that we are quite proud of.

So Saturday is our first official Photo Exhibition. We have invited mostly family... but hope that they will pass our info along to others who may be interested. (Keep your eyes out for our new site for this soon!) Since we are barely starting with this new business venture we are limited to just over a dozen pieces but more are already in the works for our second phase. We are hoping people will enjoy our art as much as we do!

Also we are interested in taking custom orders so feel free to ask about that. If you'd like the info email me at michelleduckworth1022@yahoo.com

There will be refreshments and door prizes. And for anyone who buys a frame or places an order there will be a drawing for a photo session by yours truly! (Don't forget to check out my photography site michelleduckworthphotography.blogspot.com)

Hope to see many of you there! And I will let everyone know when our new site is up!

Sun & Mon:Going Home

Sunday I woke up dead tired. I was supposed to have gone shopping with the res of the girls to the alleys but since Jr had my wallet (or so I thought) I didn't go. He went with my Dad and brother-in-law to the Fabulous Fords Forever car show which is the whole reason why we were in California in the first place. But regardless, I woke up really weak and dizzy... most likely from lack of sleep the past few days since Arielle completely gave us a hard time every night and woke up bright and early. My body was physically exhasted and I couldn't take it.

But after a few hours I got up and the girls and I along with my cousin Rebecca and my brother and nephew Juanito ventured out alone to go have some tacos for lunch at our favorite taco spot. We go there EVERY time we go to Califonia and on this trip we had eaten there already 6 times. Yup it's that good.

After lunch we went to the Mall to walk around for a while. I shopped in the Disney store and got my kids some sunglasses for the summer. Alayna scored some flip flops too and Arielle got a towel and sippy cup from her Nina.

The rest of the day was spent napping and lounging around...



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Monday:

7:05am - Jr sripped me of my blankets and told me to wake up because we are headed home at 8:00.

7:30am - I am still laying down... but Jr and Diego have showered already. But it's kinds chilly out so we forego showering the girls and I just clean them up and dress them.

8:00am - We're supposed to be out by now... my aunt already left... I am barely showering but we're loaded up at least.

9:24am - We left! Gasing up at the gas station before we head on out. And Jr bought me a Cherry Coke without even asking for it...

9:39am - Okay... officially on the freeway... ::On the road again, feels good to be on the road again::



10:13am - First stop... breakfast at Gus Jr's

11:08am - In the car... breakfast was great. Full stomachs, empty bladders, and on our way. So far so good.



12:17pm - In Palm Springs for a little detour... man was in hard going up the steep hill to visit the Aerial Tramway. I swear I am deinitely out of shape. Almost paid $7 for a freakin Oange Juice... but didn't. Took a few pictures and now we're off again. I am riding in the Mustag with my Daddy now and my Mom took my place in the van.







12:30pm - Made it down the mountain wit no problems... stopping to check liquids in car... buying drinks. And now Jr is in the Mustang with me while my parents are in the van with the brats.

12:40pm - Okay restroom stop number two. Good thing we didn't leave Palm Springs yet... Alayna had to pee. WE WE'RE JUST AT A GAS STATION! So now we're at McDonalds peeing.



2:00pm - Nice little nap and now we're in Chiraco Summit. Just had some Ice Cream... bathroom break number 3... and channged Miss Arielle. I was soaked from the sweat and I am exhausted from the heat. No air means we have the wiondows rolled down and no back window means we have direct sulight on our bodies. Oy... I am tired. The sun really beats you up!





2:45pm - Back on the road.

4:48pm - We just stopped in Quartzsite to gas up again. Ate lunch at Chester's Chicken/Subway... bought the kids some snacks. Rested, hydrated, Oh yes... I napped again on the way in so I cooled off from all the sweat... (boy I probably smell really bad by now, good thing I showered before we left)... and bathroom break number 4. Drinking lots and lots of water...



5:00pm - Jr told me to get my screen out of the sun... LOL Uh okay! Blogging on road trips is fun.

5:20pm - Jr just got pulled over... long story short tailgaiting too close to my Mom and Dad.



5:54pm - Back on the road Dad is driving the 'Stang and it's a straight shot home...



6:45pm - Finally home!!! Yay!

Knott's Berry Farm

So Knott's Berry Farm was a rather eventful trip as always. On the way there we saw a Semi totally knocked on it's side! No one seemed to be hurt but I've never seen one tipped over like that. Crazy.



The day started off slow. We arrived little by little and started forming our massive group of about 26 people. Before we even entered the park the photos began. My camera had about 300 pictures on it which is more than I expected knowing that it's hard to pick up a camera when you're trying to ride rides, take care of kids, and just be in the moment. But my husband helped out a lot by taking my camera and capturing shots he know I would take. What a sweetheart right? I could just see it on his face... "Oh, Michelle would take a picture of that stupid statue in all that shrubbery... I guess I should... ::click::... Oh and that sign above our heads with the bugs on it... ::click::... And people's feet... ::click::..." Yup that's my man.

So like I said before we even entered the photos began...

Here is me and my Dad coming back from a potty trip. Gotta pee before you enter!

And my brother pretended to nap...

And here's the Hubby and I before all the fun. We never get pictures together after the day starts so i made sure we got one before.

Me and My Mama Chillaxing

My son Diego, my niece Brianna, my niece Tallynna, and my nephew Noe who is my husband's sister's son. He tagged along on this trip as well. And we loved having him because his birthday was (April 20th) so this was like an early birthday trip for him. Plus him and Diego are best buds!

I hadn't had a picture with both my nieces in a long time... so Jr took one for me. Luckily with Jr helping me on the photography front... I also got to be in a lot of the pictures which is rare!

I love that I caught this shot of Brianna making a wish into the fountain. She looks so sweet and innocent. But looks can be deceiving.

Once inside we posed everywhere. I love that there's so many picturesque spots!

My sister Nichole, my Daddy-O, Me, and my cousin Crystal

My beautiful sister-in-law Jennifer... isn't she gorgeous?! She's special in my eyes...

I love this picture. My husband took it... so I thought it was awesome when I first saw it and I knew it would be even awesome-r in black and white. Dramatic no? This is my brother-in-law twice over and my Daddy. (Twice over: For those of you who don't know... He's my husband's brother (1) but he's also my sister's husband (2)... and to top it all off he's my Compadre, meaning he baptized my daughter... yes... we're stuck FOR LIFE)

The first ride we rode was the rapids since we figured we needed to get wet early enough that we would dry off and not be cold later on. Got no pictures since there's NO WAY my camera is going near water obviously... I mean I came out drenched...

But here's some bumper car action... Loyiel and Diego in one car... Juan and Brianna in another...

We also ate lunch by this time. And everyone was feeling great seeing as the day had just started. But in an instant my Mom got dizzy and felt sick again. Everyone panicked. But we got her to a restroom and I requested a wheel chair for her. The people in the park were very accommodating and helped us get her out of the park. Her and my Dad went home for the day after being there for like a little over an hour. Seeing as she was okay everyone else in our pack continued on...

So we took the kids to Camp Snoopy! And we put Ducky and Alayna on their very first ride.

Our kids were the 4 in the middle (Diego, Noe, Ducky, Alayna)

The went up and the 2 little ones didn't know what was coming...

As they started to come down Diego and Noe started kicking their feet, throwing up their arms... Alayna (who I was SURE would wail in complete despair) giggled and laughed the entire ride.

Oh but Mr. Ducky... he held on for dear life and had a face like he HATED the ride. We couldn't help but laugh hysterically. It was the highlight of my day I believe...

And this was his reaction when we asked him if he like the ride...

Then it was onto other rides...

And these two seriously got on the huge giant swing, not once but twice. Man, that thing goes high... I couldn't do it...

Here's my aunt and uncle strolling through the park hand in hand... we saw them as we were resting on the side somewhere.

We watched these dancers perform native dances... pretty cool.

After a looooong day Jr and I took a time out for ourselves but someone caught us...

And by this time everyone was tired and felt like my nephew Juanito...

But before we could leave pictures in the picture booth were a requisite. I told everyone to pay me the money and I would take their pictures for them but they argued it's not the same lol... whatev... spend your lovey dovey time in that booth...

I still like mine better... See?

Roadtrip to California

6:00pm - Loaded up the car...

6:45pm - Just jumped on the freeway headed for California. Three cars in our caravan. In front, Kika, My Mom, Alexis, and Matthew. In the middle, My Dad and Diego. And at the end, Junior, Me, Alayna, and Arielle.

7:00pm - Arielle is already restless... this is going to be a looooong trip.

7:40pm - Junior keeps complaining that we're driving way to slow. (Sorry but under 70mph is too slow for him going long distances.)

7:55pm - Arielle is very uncomfortable now and probably hungry. She's driving us bonkers... so we pull ahead of the pack and speed to our next stop. By now the cookies that I had to hold her over are losing their effect.

8:30pm - We arrive in Quartzsite. Find out Alayna peed herself. Great. I feed Arielle while Jr gases up. He changes Alayna while I continue to feed the hungry hippo. Jr buys munchies for the other little one who is riding with my Dad. I take Alayna to the bathroom to wash up and I pee. Drive thru at McDonalds so we can shut the girls up with french fries.

9:04pm - Crossed the border... We're in California.

9:16pm - Junior turns up the music to drown out Arielle constant shrieks... good thing I have it on he country station. Who doesn't love my man Kenny Chesney? I was sure the fries would work...

9:21pm - Taylor Swift on the radio... yes! ::singing::

9:25pm - Sugarland on the radio... I love this station!

9:54pm - Finally caught up to the other 2 cars that left us in Quartzite and they had a good 25 minute lead. Hello Father, I see the the back of you Mustang now. Let's continue on as three, shall we?

10:12pm - Jr can't handle Arielle's crying any longer (poor baby all uncomfortable) and neither can I so we have left our pack and are now doing 75 all the way without stopping unless absolutely necessary.

10:22pm - (Hey my birthday is 10/22... why do I always catch the clock at this time. Well just passed the sign that says Coachella (11 miles)... what does that make me think of? Two words... and the thing that makes life worth living... Coach Outlet.

10:32pm - What do you know... we HAD to stop. And guess where? The exit for Coachella. Haha. Anywho HAVE to buy milk for screaming baby in the back... this drive is miserable. Why did we sign up for this again? Please remind me this is supposed to be a fun vacation...

11:15pm - Guess... what Arielle is still crying...

12:15am - What a great nap I had. Arielle finaly stopped crying the last 45 minutes of the ride and I've dozed off. We're exiting the freeway and we will arrive shortly. Yay!

12: 22am - We've arrived!

* Arielle hated the trip and clearly hates being here just as much. It's 1:30am and she is screaming her head off and won't go to sleep despite everything we've tried... Ughh...

Passing Time

How old will you turn in 2009?
I will be 25!!!

Would you date someone 8 years older than you?
Um No. Too much of a gap for me personally. I've only ever dated 1 person who's been older than me. My husband is a year and a half younger than me.

What were you doing at 4am?
Psshhh sleeping!

What were your first thoughts this morning?
Yay we're going to California today!

Are you a jealous person?
Nope. Not in my marriage and not in life.

Is there anything that has messed up your life?
Nope. There have been road blocks I've had to work around but that's about it. My life has no where near been messed up.

Do you have a best friend?
Besides my husband yes I do. One. And only like 2 other real friends.

Where was your default picture taken?
My Grandma's house

What is bothering you right now?
Nothing I am going on vacation... everything else can wait until Tuesday.

Is there any meaning behind your profile song?
Nope... usually just like it.

Do you believe what goes around comes around?
To a point yes. I believe for some people it does. But then again there's some of us who try and do good and constantly have bad luck.

Do you trust people easily?
No. Not at all.

One thing you're looking forward to?
Right now vacation. But after that... summer!

What was the last thing you drank?
Cherry Coke

Are most of the best friends in your life new or old?
My best friend I've known for 10 years... after that my next two closest friends I've known for 8 years and 1 1/2 years.

Do you like pulp orange juice?
NO! I hate it. But I LOVE regular orange juice.

Which could you tolerate more, a sleep walker or someone who snores?
Someone who snores.

Would you ever parachute off of a plane?
Probably not...

Is your birthday on a holiday?
Nope... I mean yes my birthday IS a holiday!

Do you want to hit something?
Right now? No... lol

Is your ex still in your life as a friend?
Not at all.

Would you ever get a tattoo?
Maybe. I am afraid of needles and of pain... not a good combo.

What's your mood?
Full. I just had a huge burrito from Chipotle. Excited. We're going on vacation and will be at Knott's Berry Farm tomorrow. Happy. To be married to the most wonderful man... who finishes packing my luggage and getting my electronics together (computer, cameras, lenses, cables, chargers, ninendo ds, dvd players...) for our trip while I blog.

Who's the last person you hugged?
Arielle right now before I set her down on the ground.

Day been rough?
No just long... anticipation sucks.

Is there someone you want to be with right now?
No. I'd just rather be with in california with the same people I am with now.

Plans for your next birthday?
I want to have me a Quarter of a Century party... but no plans on that yet...

Tell me about the shirt you're wearing?
It's a turquoise tank top... from Walmart.

Do you remember who you liked in 7th grade?
Nope not that I can recall.

What are you up to this weekend?
Tonight - Driving to California. Tomorrow - Spending the day and Knott's Berry Farm! Sunday - Shopping in Downtown LA... Nails... Pedicures. Monday - Coming home but possibly stopping in Palm Springs.

How do you vent your anger?
Usually I scream at Jr even if he's not the one who made me mad in the first place... sometimes I cry... but mostly I scream and yell.

Can you crack your knuckles?
Yeah but I don't like to.

What color is your mouse pad?
I can't remember it's like a Cox one or something...

What time did you wake up this morning?
7:30... same as everyday.

Have you ever left class to do anything naughty in the bathroom?
Ew no.

How many different people of the opposite sex have you REALLY cried over?
Maybe 2.

Would your parents be mad if you were in a relationship?
Um I am in one... I am kinda married...

What was the last thing you did before you went to bed last night?
I don't really remember... I was so tired I don't even remember falling asleep. But Jr said I yelled at him about something... LOL

Do you feel comfortable with answering personal questions?
Sure I don't care.

Do you think age matters in relationships?
It's all up to the individual I suppose.

What will you do after this?
Shower... load up the kids and take off.

Are you open about your feelings or closed off?
Eh... just depends. With Jr pretty open.

What are you listening to?
Arielle babbling away

Are you gonna be home alone tonight?
I will be in Cali will millions of family member in ONE house... okay so maybe only 20 people or so... but to me that's a million... in ONE house!!!

Is it okay if you kiss people when you're single?
Of course.

Would you go in public looking like you do right now?
I just did when I went to Walmart and Chipotle.

What's something that can always make you feel better?
Taking pictures. Or editing them. Talking to Jr.

Do you think your best friend and you will be friends in 10 years?
Yup.

Have you had any beer this week?
I don't drink.

Did you laugh a lot at something today?
Alayna she made me laugh a lot today...

Blogger Betty

How often do you get to meet someone who's blog you read? Well today I got to do just that.

I met a faithful reader of mine named Betty. And I say faithful because not many people read my blog let alone find it interesting enough to comment... but Betty does. I actually know her through my Dad. I am unsure of how they found each other in the blogosphere but soon she wandered over to my blog and has been coming back ever since. By the way, Thanks Betty!

She lives here in Arizona and not too far from me at that. So when she finally asked me if I wanted to meet her at a park where I could take my kids and she could take her granddaughters... I was thrilled to be able to meet her!

Betty and I have a lot in common especially the love of photography. No matter our age gap we can definitely relate on many levels. So it was wonderful to sit and talk with her face to face. After reading each other's blogs for so long we already felt like we knew each other anyway! She is a lovely lovely person and I am so happy that I got to spend the morning with her.

How cool is it that you can make such awesome friends over the internet?! It's a joy to meet other bloggers. And Betty and I will meet again... next time with my Dad.

P.S. Thanks for the Happy Meals Betty!

Izais' 6th Birthday

Told you there are always birthdays in this family... Really. I wasn't kidding. We have at least 5 a month on the average. April had had 4 already with 3 more coming...

Yesterday my cousin Chris called to say that he was buying a cake for his son Izais today and if we wanted to go over and sing happy birthday. But of course! So off we went.


Here's Daddy & Son!


Getting ready for the cake!




Make a wish!

He was so excited for his car!

I love this little boy.

Rear Ended

So this morning as I am leaving Diego at school in the morning I get rear ended by some lady.

There's only one way into the parking lot and one way out. At the exit there are 3 lanes. One for people coming in, one for making a left turn and one for making a right turn. I make a left so I get to the stop sign make my stop, and as I am letting a car go by before I turn... BAM! The lady smashes into the back of my mom's van! Now before you freak out and start sending me flowers (hey I can wish people would send me flowers right?) it was nothing hard enough to even make me like fly forward or anything. So I look in my rearview and she's trying to go around me because at this point I have put the car into park and am blocking the exit of the school. When I notice her trying to bail like nothing happened I get out and assess the damage... in a yellow long nightgown shirt that says "I'm not the smartest tool in the box" with no bra... my hair everywhere... and black mascara smeared under my eyes. Highly unpretty. Did I mention I was almost late dropping Diego off at school. Usually I am clothed and cleaned up a little.

So I realize we are totally blocking the exit and tell the lady to pul over to the side. She follows me and I get out again... embarrassed? She should have been, she was standing with an annoyed lady in yellow nightgown! Oh me? Nope I wasn't embarrassed. She gets out apologizing to me in spanish and trying to speak english too thinking I didn't understand her. So I cut her off and say, "Well thats fine but this isn't my car it's my Mom's let me call her and see what she wants from you..." I could tell the lady was shady so I immediately looked at what kind of car she was driving cuz up until this point all I noticed was it was white. And while the phone is ringing and I am waiting for my mom to pick up I look at her license plate number and memorize it. I get that from my mom... she always memorizes license plate numbers like a stalker or something.

After I talk to my mom I get the lady's name, phone number, address and I ask her for her drivers license number and insurance info. She hesitates and starts going on how this was not a big deal and the impact was nothing and that she was sorry and yada yada yada. So I cut her off again and say "Lady, I understand but this is my mom's car, not mine, just give me what I asked for and we'll be on our way..." She tells me she doesn't have her license with her or her insurance either because she just got it and it's a home. Hmm... a likely story. I am Mexican and I know mexican people... and that translates into "I don't have a license or insurance and I just don't want to tell you that." So once I have all the info I tell her my mom will call her so we can get this squared away.

As she starts to walk away I pushed dial on my cell phone (while on speaker) and right away a recording picks up saying the number was not in service. I had a feeling she was giving me the run around and I walk over to her door but by this time I am angry. My throat hurts... I am in a nightgown on the side of the road (well actually that wasn't so bad but it adds to my story don't it?)... and she gave me false information. So I knock on her window. She rolls it down and I say "Your number is incorrect" but I know she knew I was mad. She hesitates and asks "How do you know?" So I tell her I called the number and a recording picked up. She says they must have just shut off her service... blah blah blah. I tell her nicely to give me her real phone number because I already have her license plate number and I will stand there and call the police if need be. I explain to her that I was trying to be nice but now I am annoyed that she gave me false information... I can feel my voice getting louder... and that I have no problem involving the police since I wasn't the one who hit me. She immediately gets out of the car again

and looks at the bumper of my van. She apologizes again, gives me a new number, and then starts telling me that she doesn't even think that she caused the damage because her car is small and my car is big and that she can't even be sure that it wasn't already there before and that no one is hurt. Midway between her speech I start calling my mom again but she thinks I am dialing for the police. I say, "Lady it's plastic! Of course you can cause that damage... you HIT me!"

See Exhibit A:

And a close up:

My mom answers and I vent to her about the stupid lady. My mom is furious she gave me the wrong number and asks to speak to her. Right away I know my mom was yelling... and being the intimidating woman that she is... and the lady's face got pale and she changed her tune. After about 15 minutes I got everything I needed and took off.

When I got home my mom told me she told the lady that I wrote down her license plate number and we'd find her if she had still given us false information. And I knew the lady got scared. She told my mom she has insurance but wants to settle it between them privately. She's supposed to call tonight so we'll see what happens...