July 4th Celebrations Around LA and Orange County

The fourth of July is almost here and we are on the hunt for family friendly events! We love celebrating our great country's independence with our family and friends, as I'm sure you do too. On our search, it was important to us to find fun events in the area that are welcoming of families, have something for everyone, and affordable for all! Take a look at what Is going on around town on the 4th!

Photo: Grand Park LA

4TH OF JULY BLOCK PARTY

When: July 4, 2017 @ 2:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Where: Grand Park + The Music Center
200 N Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
USA

Cost: FREE

There will be two stages with with music for entertainment. There will be games for kids 4-14 will on the Grand Park Event Lawn. Outside picnic food is permitted, but no outside drinks allowed in. There will be plenty of vendors for food and drink available at the event.

More info: Grandparkla.org

Photo: Great American 4k & Bike Parade Facebook Page

The Great American 4K & Bike Parade

When: July 4, 2017 @ 8am

Where: 1 S. Grenada Ave. at Ocean BLVD, Long Beach

Cost: Free to Spectators

Participate in this classic 4K and get some exercise in before the day begins! Enjoy watching a fun filled parade filled with patriotic people of all ages, dressed up with their bikes decorated for the occasion! The 4K begins at 8 a.m. and the rest of the festivities start up at 9:15 a.m.

More info: Great American 4K & Bike Parade FB Page

Photo: HB4thofjuly.org

Huntington Beach 4th of July Celebration

When: July 2-4th

Where: Huntington Beach Pier

Cost: Free Entry and firework show(any activities through vendors may charge fees)

Huntington Beach is notorious for their 3 day long celebration leading up to the 4th of July! They will have music entertainment from July 2nd-4th. On July 4th, have a pancake breakfast from 7-10am, a 4k run/walk for all ages at 8am and their annual bike parade at 10am. All of these festivities leads up to the big firework celebration at 9pm by the pier. It's free to watch from the beach!

More info: Entertainment, Bike Parade, & Firework Show

Photo: City of Los Alamitos Rec Page

Los Alamitos 30th Annual 4th of July Spectacular

When: July 4th, 4pm (Fireworks begin at 9pm)

Where: Joint Force Training Base in Los Alamitos

Cost: Free to attend

Los Alamitos 3oth Annual 4th of July Spectacular is guaranteed fun for the family! There will be food court, kids fun zone, vendor booths, musical entertainment and a grand firework display, so bring your lawn chairs and blankets!

More info: City of Alamitos Web Page

Fullerton 4th of July Celebration

When: Tuesday, July 4, 2017, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Where: Fullerton High School Softball Field (located on Lemon between Chapman and Berkeley)

Admission: Free

Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. and last for approximately 20 minutes. There will be live musicby Soundbytes and additional entertainment. Fees may apply for activities (Approximately $2 to $5). Food is available for purchase in the festival area. All food is reasonably priced, and is being offered by local charity organizations as a fundraising activity (funnel cakes, popcorn, beef jerky, Mexican food, Thai food, ice cream, pizza and more).

 More info: City of Fullerton Web Page

Dana Point 4th of July Extravaganza

When: Fireworks begin at 8:45

Where: Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629

Cost: free to view from the beach

Have you ever seen Fireworks set to music before? Here's your chance! Head down to Doheny State Beach and bring a radio set to 88.5 FM KSBR to experience fireworks in a whole new way!

We are looking forward to spending the day celebrating our nation's independence with some good food, fireworks, and quality family time. We wish all of you a happy and safe Independence Day! Let us know what you have planned for the 4th of July!

Healthy Habits for the Whole Family

Fitness, it tends to be a love hate relationship for most. I feel like the majority of people fall into two categories, you are either really good at it or you are really bad at it. Something I hear a lot of(from mostly myself) are very good excuses why exercise isn’t a regular part of people’s routines. My whole life I have been able to come up with some reason or another as to why I am not exercise regularly. For the past almost 7 years, that excuse has always been “I have kids”. I look around and talk with others and it seems its a common excuse among so many of us parents. Why do we think that having a kid excuses us from exercise? Yes, we are tired. Yes, we are busy, and yes, it is hard to take them with you to the gym(AKA hard to stomach making a monthly payment for a gym membership that you never use because “you have kids”). Yes to so many of these excuses, but it has never been more important than now that you exercise on a regular basis. You have little children to teach healthy habits and they learn best by following your example! I have come up with some fun ways to not only get your exercise, but ways to include the family to make exercise a healthy habit for your whole family!

Walk. Walking is such a simple yet effective form of exercise and kids love it too! You can even make a ritual out of a pre or post dinner walk.

Ride bikes. Find a nice paved trail and get the kids out with you. It’s great bonding time and you can really get some great fitness in. Bonus is that it is easy on the knees!

Swimming. If its warm enough outside or if you have access to an indoor pool, swimming is such a great family activity! Kids play big time in the pool and just trying to keep up with their energy will have your heart rate on the rise in no time. Don’t be afraid to play along with them. You will be surprised how much of a workout this can be!

Watch TV. Wait a minute... WHAT? Yes. I said watch TV.(I know, I know...you’re thinking, this lady is crazy!) Who said you can’t turn watching TV into an exercise?? I say let’s do it! If you’re like our family and love a good Family Movie Night, consider making an exercise game out of it! Set an alarm for every 15-20 minutes throughout the movie. When the alarm goes off, press pause and everyone does a round of predetermined exercises. When everyone is finished, reset your timer, press play and get ready to go again!

Fitness Classes. Take a fitness class together. There are lots of different kinds of classes. Yoga, Aerobics, and, Zumba just to name a few. Even in classes full of adults, I’ve seen people bring their kids to participate and they love it!! Try finding a class that is fun for everyone and try it out!

Dance Party. I love the options that suggest you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home! Wear whatever you want, crank some of your favorite tunes, set a 30 minute timer, and everyone DANCE! The kids will love seeing that fun side of you and you will get some great exercise in burning lots of calories, not to mention all the stress relief from dancing!

Game night. We absolutely love games at our house, so this idea really appeals to me! Make an obstacle course for the whole family to tackle. You could also make some cards with family friendly exercises on them and everyone draws and does an exercise until all the cards are completed!

There are tons of great ideas on how to get your family active but the best idea of all is to lead by example! Your kids want to be just like you so give them healthy habits to copy.  Take the stair instead of the elevator whenever you get a chance. Help plan regular exercise times with your family and participate. Since we're on the topic of healthy habits, let them help meal plan and meal prep! They get so much more excited about eating healthy foods when they are able to choose and prepare them. I'd love to hear how you stay active and healthy with your family! Leave a comment with your favorite family fitness activity!

Downtown Los Angeles Family Session Dypiangco Family // Claremont Family Photographer

Photos can capture so many different emotions and looking through the Dypiangco's session, all I can do is smile.  I am sure by the time you have looked through it, you will be all smiles as well. Not only are they a beautiful family, each one of them individually are amazing!

Joe, M and Miranda, we are so thankful to have you in our lives.  Over the last months, we've not only become friends, but we are ohana.  [I've held back referencing a particular Disney movie, haha!] Looking forward to making more memories together.  We love you guys!

Kiara's Grow With Me Session at Hopkins Wilderness Park // Claremont Family Photographer

Yay!  Kiara turned 6 months and we are grateful to be part of this milestone.  She’s sitting up, loves her big brother Keanan, is a happy, happy baby, a total daddy’s girl and can’t wait to play dress up with Mommy and be her little mini.

It’s been such a pleasure to see Ravi and Dimple’s family grow.  We still feel like it was yesterday when  they surprised me with the news of Kiara’s arrival at Keanan’s 1 year session. 

Ravi, Dimple, Keanan and Kiara – thank you so much for putting your continued trust in us to capture these amazing memories and for welcoming us into your amazing family.  It’s been such a gift for us.  We are so excited to be seeing you again real soon as Kiara turns 1 year! 

Xoxo, Gina

Walnut Family Portraits at Snow Creek Park // Claremont Family Photography

Let me begin this post by saying that I love all my families equally.  We are so thankful that we have been trusted to be part of SO many happy milestones, made memories that we had never known were so important and made friends and family along this journey.  Thank you everyone for welcoming me into your lives.

Tus, Fatima and Dominic have to be one of my favorite families.  Well, to be fair, they are [just about] my family.  Before Dom came along, Fatima and I were sisters with a love/hate friendship.  We just loved to be mean to one another, but in a super I love you kind of way.  LOL Fast forward, Dominic has not only brought sunshine to our lives, we couldn’t think of life without him.  Isn’t my godson the most handsome? 

Tus, Fatima and Dom – love you guys!

Xoxo, Gina

Fullerton Family Portraits at Craig Regional Park // Claremont Family Photography

When strangers become friends and when friends become family. 

That’s what the DLaC-F’s are to us.  It’s been such a blessing to do life alongside these beautiful people.  In the short couple of years that we’ve had the opportunity to get to know one another, we’ve become part of the same family – our hula ohana.

With the pleasure of Jade and Eden becoming such amazing friends, watching Ava and Alyssa continue to blossom into strong, amazing women and being big sisters to both Jade & Jarron, it’s only natural that our friendships with Rachel and Keith continue to grow. 

Keith, Rachel, Ava, Alyssa and Eden – thank you all so much for allowing us to make memories with you.  Your beautiful inside and out and we are happy to have you in our lives.   

Xoxo, Gina

Book your family session today!

Ava's 1 Year Cake Smash in Long Beach // Claremont Family Photography

Ava was SO excited to be turning ONE.  Ava’s beautiful smile says it all. 

She totally loved her cake smash and we absolutely loved being part of it all.  We are so grateful to have been back to the F family house to celebrate another milestone in their family.  

Jason, Heather, Austin and Ava – we can not find the words to thank you and tell you how grateful we are to be part of your celebrations.  We love your family and can’t wait to see you again real soon.

Xoxo, Gina

Book your family session today!