we have been trying to organize this outing with papa jamie and grandma deb for months! the stars finally aligned and we both had a free saturday last weekend. they took the train with drew, nate, and anna from riverside (picked them up from my moms house) and we took the train from orange county with kenna. our paths met at union station in LA.
it was our first time using the metrolink train. we plugged kenna into her iPod and she grooved the whole way there.
she wanted to sit alone little hermit.
when we met up we walked over to olvera street, which is the oldest street in los angeles, (i think) and got some yummy mexican food. it was out first time seeing the kids in a week! its always so nice to come back together. they all looked like they grew five inches!
my only photo of grandma deb and the kids and its blurry. but i love it anyway! they followed her around just like her puppies at home.
then we hopped on the subway over to hollywood blvd. we walked around checking out the characters dressed up and the stars in the sidewalk. stopped at the disney store soda fountain for sustenance.
we walked across the street after that to check out the hollywood sign, and grandma deb and the boys made a bee-line for the tollhouse cookie shop for more ice cream! im starting to understand why they follow her around…..
someones balloon popped.
then we headed over to the el capitan theater to see wall-e. and i had a heart attack. because we lost anna for five minutes. ON HOLLYWOOD BLVD. i was running all over screaming her name, and when i finally started to truly freak out and start shaking and tears coming to my eyes i walked up to a manager with a walkie talkie and saw her coming around the corner with her silkie to her face and tears pouring out of her eyes. i shook for an hour after, holding her on my lap.
it was time to head home after the movie, we were all exhausted and hot and sticky and a bit cranky, but daddy made the subway ride a lot faster.
forgot to change my white balance on that one. oh well…waiting in union station for our train home was so cool. the place has the most amazing light ever. its magic. i was thinking how amazing it would be to do a couples session there, or even a family, when i turned around and saw two photogs and a couple of their own. i didnt recognize them, and i was bummed it was time to catch the train. i wanted to watch!
but just look at how pretty it is inside…
it was a super fun day. we havent done an outting like that as a fam for a long time it seems. everyone held up really well-even mckenna, who i was a little worried about with the heat and crowds and non schedule. but she did awesome.
the boys went back home with papa jamie and grandma deb-and drew was all, “is it like ‘see every grandparent’ week?!” because after getting being at my moms house for the week, then getting a sleepover with them, they were going to grandparents #3 (mima and papa ron) for another one, and disneyland yesterday. talk about double whammys!
everyone will be back in one place today around one pm. mima is coming out for drop off and a day at the pool. we have ivy today as well. summer is so awesome.
and yes, life is good.
oh MAN – that’s about the PERFECT day!! LOVE those taquitos on Olvera St. and what’s more fun than El Capitan? Makes me miss my old boyfriend from LA – always a good time there.
I love the shot of Jeff and the girls in the station. And that must have been the longest 5 minutes of your life. We lost Ben once when he was only 2 at a huge SF shopping center. He ran onto an empty elevator and as we leapt to stop him the elevator doors closed and he was the only one in there. And in an 8 story building. Luckily we found him pretty quickly and he was fine but we were wrecks.
Tara these photos are priceless. Love the one of kenna’s face peeking through the headrest. You caught the exuberant childhood joy that emanates from within when experiencing something new and exciting. What an outing-such fun! Trains and Subways–you are ubercool parents. I could feel your pain as I read about the anna incident–scary!! I have seen that gorgeous train station somewhere–“My Best Friends Wedding”? I loved the soundtrack to that movie–I still spontaneously blurt out the lyrics to — “If You Want To Be Happy”. Lyrics I have always had to explain to my young, impressionable lass as he hears the dissonance in its message. I guess I am one of those mothers who wouldn’t think of letting my child listen to derogatory music that flames or disrespects women–yet I sing it in his ear. Nice, eh? —–Wait a second. My phone is ringing. The caller ID says “Mother of the Year” Inc. — Gotta go.
I grew up in LA (well, Van Nuys) and we spent lots of time in the city so it was fun to see your photos!
i am laughing at Jefra.. .silly girl and Tara.. I love your little life shots and I want to know where you got your cute shirt/dress… I love it!
5 minutes away from me, missy!
:)
the boys are so big now! my heart was racing just reading about you losing anna! :(
thats awesome. That is totally on my blog list of things we wanted to do this sum as well….Love It.
What an action-packed day! Your story of losing Anna reminded me of our losing our 3 1/2 yr. old at the zoo in San Diego… we were there w/the grandparents, an Auntie, her daughter & our two girls, taking turns watching the kids. Well, the grandparents were out of practice, so on their watch our youngest disappeared!!! Frantic & ready to scream, we retraced our steps & fantastically she was still back absorbed in watching the parrots… to say the least, I was on duty 100% after that… Your picture-story of your day is so fun to see—the lighting in the train station is quite stunning—go back & shoot some photos again soon! The photo of McKenna, Jeff & Anna reminds me of a Norman Rockwell painting…
wow! that sounds like quite a trip. we were with a friend once who lost (and then found) her youngest son on the beach. that’s a crazy feeling. kudos to you for still seeing the movie though….i’d be a wreck a need to just go home. oh…great shots!
Oh my gosh Tara….If one day i could afford you Olvera street, union station, and the Murals in Boyle heights and East L.A is where I would want you to do my family photo shoot…I keep telling mu husband that I want to go to these places just for pictures and they all look at me like I am out of my mind…I only live 20 minutes from Olvera Street…One day when I win the lotto I’ll be calling you!!!How fun!!
lots of goodness in these shots!
Does Kenna like ABBA? I just downloaded Mama Mia and it is awesome!!
After your five minute heart attack, I thought you’d appreciate the link. http://safetytat.com/ They are a great product. Have given them as gifts to several friends.
that trip sounds like a fun one (except for the kiddo goin’ awol for a few min—how scary). love your work….even your family trip pics are cool. you’re my hero.
What a great day! I never think to take the metrolink into LA, especially since it goes to Hollywood now – I think my boys would love it. I spent a couple of hours at Union Station a few years ago, and someone was having a wedding there – very retro…
Is that the station that was on My best friends wedding? I am sure it is… yes a photo shoot there would be awesome…
Take care and I am glad your holidays are full and rewarding
Sarah
(Australia)
That train station looks gorgeous!! What a great idea…….I can just imagine how traumatic that was when you lost Anna……I am so glad it all turned out o.k…..we had something like that happen at Legoland for maybe one minute but it felt like 3 hours and I imagined all the most horrible things….overall, sounds like a fun family day!
this looks like such a good day. (other than losing anna…i have been there…it’s terrifying). i love to see the photo journaling. telling the days story in pictures. california looks more fun than kansas. do you think i am the first person to think that. HA talk about stating the obvious.
terri-i would LOVE to do that family photo session! :)
sue-mckenna loves abba-she already has that soundtrack! haha
alicia-thanks. i LOVE this top. it could be a dress on someone shorter. i got it at my fave plus size shop-called alight.com.
what fun! that shot of anna is adorable when her balloon popped.
glad you had fun – i wanna come next time :)
ange
Where, oh where, oh *where* did you get that top you are wearing? I think I love it a little bit. Or a lot Probably a lot.
oh my goodness…loooks so fun! i need some days out like this…even though we just got back from vacation! and i definitely need to send some kids to stay with some grandparents!!!
so scary. so glad you found your little sweet pea.
oh wow i would have had a heart attack losing my baby in hollywood! i cant imagine how scared you must have been. so glad you found her! and i love that disney ice cream shop. that is our must stop when in Hollywood :) wonerful photos as always. I might be in LA next Friday and was looking for places to take photos, you give lots of inspiration :)
I love the shot at the train station. Glad you found your little girl….couldn’t imagine the feeling;)
I really really adore the music on your website. Who is it?
Dont cha just love family outings like that. It always amazes me that something so relatively simple can be so special. My heart stopped for you when you said you couldn’t find Anna though-I’ve been there. We once lost one of ours (5 or 6 at the time) on a BUSY Sydney beach. Didn’t know if he was in the water or under it or just wandering around. It’s got to be one of the worst feelings ever. Turned out he couldn’t find our towel and then had got distracted by a Santa (it was just beofre Xmas) that was giving out lollies to a huge bunch of kids. I’ve never taken my eyes off the kids at the beach again.
That train station looks awesome-definitely do a shoot there. The tones of the place are gorgeous. And the light.
My favorite is the one of you and the girls. You look so beautiful watching over your babes.
you are just too cool! I love visiting your blog, here’s me at the next TWBAnon meeting, “Hi my name’s ali and I’ve been blog stalking Tara W. for 4 months now”…it looks like ya’ll had such a blast this day. I have some of those dress/shirts too. I had to hem them up a little but I wear them just like you do and they are great. Thanks for giving a newbie like me some hope. I heart your heart and wish I could meet ya some day :)
FUN fun day, except for loosing Anna…poor you and her! The station is gorgeous!
Fun post! Looks like a fun adventure. I’ve recently been “adventuring” in LA a lot and have fallen in love with the train and subway! And you’re right. Union Station is magical. I did a couples shoot there that was SO fun! Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out.
http://www.jendisneyphoto.com/blog/?p=421
union station, looks like something from a part of the movie *can’t hardly wait* yes? no? the photos are fantabulous!
jennifer-rad session! i definitely want to do this soon. :)
kristin-the station is in a lot of movies id imagine!
OMG..LOVE these photos Tara! I especially love the one of hubby and Anna on the subway laughing. Pure joy! I just can’t imagine though the course of those minutes when Anna was missing. I gasped thinking about that anxiousness and fear. Thank God you found her! So glad Alicia asked where you got your shirt…I was going to ask the same thing. ;) Now where did you get Anna’s skirt? Oh, and the idea of shooting at the train station…put me down…I’m on it!!! Tim will just follow our lead. ;)
Awesome! It looked like everyone had a blast and you got some great shots! :-)
This day.. exact day is like a dream. It is a perfect day. My husband and I talk about a day like this all the time. We were going to take the Metrolink to LA Union just for fun and get around LA. I just might have to copy your day with my 4 kids!
This is my 1st time reading your blog, and I will definitely be back around. I love how you share your story with amazing photos. Have a great end of your week! :)
love seeing these of your sweet, sweet fam! xoxo
Tara, I am obsessed with your top! You look so darling in it. I searched the alight website and can’t find it…I found lots of other dresses/tops which I purchased, but would love your top, too. Was it a recent purchase? As if you didn’t have enough on your plate – I think you need to model for alight! Love your blog and love your family!
Suzy
You have the most beautiful children! My husband loves the boys t-shirts. We found a Beatles shirt, but he’s desperately looking for a Clash tshirt that will fit a 10-month old. Thank you for sharing your family with us.
I **adore** the 2nd to last photo.
Kenna has a look I have not seen before in any of your photos.
She is the spit of you in that shot, well, I imagine you looked like that as a girl anyway :)
Our daughters are similar in many little ways and I feel so drawn to that lost little world they go to. Its wonderous but also heartbreaking to see those far away looks on their faces. its not fair, I want to be in that little head of my girl. Maybe one day she will thank me for the photos I take and tell me one fine day of the adventures she took whilst I snapped away; simply begging that I could read those wistful thoughts.
Hey! You were in my hood….wish I would have known, I would have quietly stalked you and watched you work your magic! Too creepy? Ok, ok I would have said hello–nice to meet you–you have a lovely family and been on my merry way.
Seriously, Union Station is one of my favorite places to go, we always take the subway down and then walk over to Olvera Street. I love it there, and you’re right, the light is amazing.
Glad you had such a nice time.
PS The pic of McKenna being her own girl is my favorite……..or maybe the little one’s sad face over a popped balloon…..or…..or
suzy you are a doll!
i did get it a LONG time ago-like two years or more. but they always have cute stuff. “blue plate” is the designer-my favorite one there.
pam-annas dress is from miniboden-its a dress/skirt if you pull it down. she likes long floaty skirts now. :)
Your children are just so fun … and beautiful.
The photo of your youngest and hubby is super cute …despite the white balance. They look so much alike when they laugh.
Your photos are absolutely INSPIRING. I especially like the candid ones of your family … flaws and all.
i look at your blog often and must say how i wish i could bring you along on our next family vacation. your documentation, perspective and the way you are able to capture the event is so creative and done with such flair! you inspire me!
keep up the posting, i love the looking!