Practicing my photography skills

I have a great friend, here in Beijing, that is an amazing photographer.  She has been teaching me and helping me to develop my skills.  This was my latest assignment.  I had some great subjects to work with.  Ella, my child that would never hold still long enough or be serious enough for me to take a decent photo of her, has become quite the little model. Julia and her buddies asked me to shoot some  photos of them as well.  I love being able to capture and preserve sweet memories of their friendships they have made here.  Here they are.....

Ella's Birthday Sleepover

Ella had a small sleepover to celebrate her 11th birthday. She invited 4 friends over for the evening and even came up with her own games for entertainment. ( I am not sure who had more fun, the girls or Kelly. lol)

They are really a great group of young ladies and Ella will deeply miss each and every one of them.  They even made a really great going away video for her.  I couldn't think of a more touching gift. 

Maya playing "chubby monkey"

Janie B 

Valarie

The Bean Boozled challenge.  This is really a disgusting game.  There are 2 of the same colored jelly beans. One is a normal "good" flavor, and one is disgusting.  EX) booger, stinky socks, barf, moldy cheese, rotten egg, skunk spray.  It was pretty comical to watch though!

Singing Happy Birthday!  Her amazing peanut butter cup cake was made by one of my dear friends.

The whole crew.

They blindfolded themselves and had to try to put lipstick on one another.  Oh boy!

Ella's school mates say goodbye!