Will Rogers Park (& the Terminator)

I don't often get to enjoy mass with the boys but wanted to make a concerted effort this Advent, so, when asked by fellow special needs Mama from UCLA school to join them for mass and a picnic in Will Rogers Park, I could't resist.

The children's mass, kids invited onto the altar under the Monseigneur's outstretched arms, Callum, the littlest of the little tykes embedded in a sea of bigger tykes, and dancing, the only one dancing, mama laughing wholeheartedly, Callum knees bent, up and down, up and down, arms out to the side for balance to The Lord's Prayer.

Returning from Communion was the Terminator, I mean really, Arnold himself, a fellow parishioner, all tanned and fresh and smiling. Only in Los Angeles, hey. We have two things in common at least despite politics: Reuben and Arnie share the same heart surgeon, but I can assure you Reu's heart is a lot bigger.

Arriving at the great state park of Will Rogers, bequeathed by the man himself, his old family home the only settlement in the great rolling foothills of the Santa Monica Mts, we laid the blankets on the still-wet grass from last night's storm. Here I held my baby shower for Reuben and it'll always hold a special place in my heart. The summer hosting polo matches, the autumnal days perfect for hiking to the hikest peaks which boast panoramic views of Los Angeles. Today, a cool wind in the shade and bright sunshine beyond, the mountains fresh with snow in the near distance, the air so clear I can see Catalina Island.

Late this afternoon, I drove to the other side of the vast Santa Monica Bay for a great family shoot at Manhattan Beach, so brisk at the end of the day's dying sun, feeling that sun on my face, then a sharp chill under the pier, racing after two boys the same age as my own, enjoying every minute.

So in the midst of editing 100s of client images tonight from the shoot, and the twins during the week, I found this little candid gem of Callum, in love, climbing an information stand.

Edit: Really happy with how the client shoot turned out on first round cull/process, but it's 12am and I must get to bed.