Patriotic tunes.  American flags.  Snow cones.  Trains.  Old men dressed up having mock gun fights.  Writing thank you cards to our soldiers.  Watermelon. Sunshine. Lots of American flags, laughter, sticky hands, and fun.

What more could we ask for?  I sure do love being an American.

Happy 4th of July!

We walked by what seemed to be thousands of tables and booths set up like $0.99 stores.  Then after an hour of being melted by the sun baking us on the blacktop of the biggest swap meet in San Diego, Daniel said, “Now we are in the section where people are just selling garbage.”  To which my response was, “Oooooo…..now THIS is what I was looking for!”

What seems like years ago now, I told the story of how I was stuck, stalled, and depressed about our white walls (read: out of money for decor).  That was until I had a client with the most FABULOUS HOME I have ever seen and I was SUPER inspired; it was literally a home out of a magazine (she said it had been featured a many times) and was completely decorated by two artists with a love for thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets/swap meets.

Ever since that first “Chronicles of Home Decorating on a Budget” post I have made a regular game of hunting Craig’s list, scouring thrift stores, slowing down past garage sales, and YES, made my first trip to the San Diego swap meet .  It takes a lot of time and a lot of patience, but I have to say, I am loving the game of the hunt.  Over the last 6 months I have collected some amazing finds and now I am dying to share them with you.  Without further ado I am excited to present to you:

Versace Taste. Old Navy budget. Item No. 2. (our swap meet find!)

Not one, but TWO orange chairs that look like they stepped out of the 1970′s (and in impeccable condition)! If you knew how much I like 1970′s decor and love the color orange, then you too would be leaping right out of your chair.

If I don’t get lost in a pile of dust at my next shopping adventure…..I see you here next week with another favorite find!

To all the dad’s out there…there are never enough thanks for all you do.

Happy Father’s Day!

How to get three people who don’t like being photographed to agree to being photographed?

Cupcakes.

The comfort of our own kitchen.

And a lot of fun.

There is a reason that Daniel and I are photographers, and a reason why we completely understand when you call us and say “I want to have some family pictures, but I HATE having my picture taken”.  Yeah.  Us too.  I had to tell myself exactly what I tell you when you call me, “Let’s do something fun, then we won’t think about having our picture taken”.   The smallest member of our family seems to have the biggest opinion (read: hates pictures +  stubborn + doesn’t fall for mama’s usual photographer tricks = big challenge), so it was definitely a fun challenge to find something that she would be excited about.  And you  thought you were the only one who has a kid who hates to get their pictures taken. Nope.  Us too. But we did it!  [And in case you have ever doubted your own family pictures, if we can do it, YOU CAN TOO!]

Our first family photo shoot!!

This is when we were laughing about what it is really like to be photographed… realizing what it is like for all of you on the other side of the camera. I said, “Remember, this is the most fun we have EVER HAD frosting cupcakes”…a usually mundane activity, suddenly hilarious and fun.

Then the real fun had to begin.

Dayla unaware of what is about to go down….

[Notice the sly look on my face in this picture.]

My husband has always (very sweetly) warned me, don’t dish what you can’t take…

Dayla now aware of how silly her parents really are, encouraged some licking….so what were we to do? I mean, isn’t parenting all about follow through?

When the silly subsides, the truth is revealed:  we just really really love each other.

[...and another truth: I sometimes want to be a 1950's housewife!]

So that is us.  Really us.  Now you know who is behind the camera of Sundin Photography: Cupcake Eaters.

A BIG shout out and a HUGE THANK YOU to my dear, talented friend Kristy who took all of these for us! Although she is not a technically a ‘professional photographer’ yet, stay tuned for the official announcement of her business grand opening…some day. Cause I think we can all agree that she does AMAZING WORK!!

When I start to see all the stores line their aisles with hearts and candies, I don’t think of love, I just think of my dad. I have always thought that it was a great gift  my dad gave me: his birthday on Valentine’s Day. I never once fretted for being single or was sad that I was alone on Valentine’s Day during my dating years, because to me Valentine’s Day was just the day that we celebrated Dad!

Although my husband is my love, a treasure to my life that I cannot begin to express in words, and I am thankful for him and love him with all my heart, today is still not about him.

It is about Dad.

Dad, I hope that when you see all the aisles with hearts and candies and flowers, you know I am thinking about you and thanking God for you.

I love you.

Happy Birthday.

*I love this picture.  It is SOO my mom and dad. I took it at Point Loma Lighthouse last year when they visited.  I can’t wait to hug them again soon.*