I met the Warrens in September of 2013 through my husband Chris. Chris and Rosa went to high school together, played music together, and have continued to be friends. Rosa is a HUGE Disney fan and I did a small family session with them at the California Adventure Hotel when they were visiting. Rosa and her family currently live in Santa Clara, so we set up a shoot during our stay over the holidays. I was ecstatic to take their photos again, especially with Rosa being pregnant! We started off the evening by taking some family portraits at a local park. The boys were dressed as classy gentleman. Here are a few of my favorite:
Rosa and James moved into this 900sqft house in September of 2011. In March 2015, they will be saying goodbye to this home but then saying hello to their new home in Cupertino, CA. In the past few years they grew from being two adults sharing custody of Cohen & Max, to gaining full custody, getting married, having their own child, and two canines. Now their next baby boy is on his way!
“It has been an amazing experience and has offered us a lot of insight into living humbly, loving each other, problem solving and staying close. ”
James and his mother set out to make ravioli with sausage for dinner.
This was the wedding favor James & Rosa gave away: a bag of coffee beans. They own their own coffee roasting company that James started in their basement. Check out Chromatic Coffee Co. on Facebook and Stop by if you ever find yourself in Santa Clara!
“We are a great team. Not just me and James, but all 5 of us. We each have a special role in the family, and we embrace what that is, and work together. Each component is very necessary. ”
“We are a family that talks about everything. There is no emotion to big or to small for us to have a conversation about. This is also the mantra for our marriage. James and I have an open book policy, and it’s so great, because it really keeps us each other’s best friends, and biggest critics. We aren’t afraid to fight or disagree. Where he’s made incredible sacrifices, I have made many as well. We keep each other accountable. We know that even when it gets tough, the only way out is through it. It makes the good stuff even better!”
Max, age 6, drew his momma a picture of their family. Only he and Leo had hair.
“Being a big family in a little space means that there’s a lot of fun to be had, I really do think it keeps us so close and connected. But the other side of that means there isn’t much “me” space or time for any of us. Feelings get hurt, people feel crowded and sometimes it can be hard. We all have to sacrifice some wants and desires sometimes, for things that are important to the greater good of the group.”
Max got a hand-me-down camera for Christmas and took some pictures while I was. Photographer in the making I tell you!
Brothers being brothers. They love each other, I promise!
And then James took a close up picture of me with Max's camera.
“We became a family in this home, I met and got to know my step sons and became a Wife and a Mother in this home, we had our third baby in this home, we all did so much growing here. It will be incredibly hard to leave. But we’ll take all these incredible memories, and valuable lessons with us. It will always be in our hearts! Well, except for the part where we have to share a bathroom - as a family of 6, I’m betting we won’t miss that at all.”