Stoyka's Boys (A Family Portrait)

It took us time to post this set because we couldn’t chose which ones we should post. Almost all of the shots were so cute but we are trying to save space in our photobucket account  (to accommodate our future projects) so here are favorites from the favorites.

Little girls are sweet but little boys are fun. We really enjoyed shooting this family. These boys are just adorable! There is the one with the police car,

one who never stops eating

and the one who will grow up to be the next David Beckham.

It was quite a challenge shooting them as the kids never stayed in one place. We were all running around which was really fun. And we love how they react to the camera and how we have captured their natural smiles.

But we consider this set priceless. These photos will forever be worth a conversation.

We love how they were all at ease and we think we have captured their lifestyle which we aim in all our projects.

See more pictures in our website – www.melrish.com
We are on Facebook too.

Adorable Akina

We miss this little angel since we left for Dubai two weeks ago. She is my niece, Akina, who is half Japanese and her name means snow in Niponggo. Aki, as we lovingly call her, is a very sweet little four-year old who brightened our rainy stay in the Philippines. In the morning, she would come up to us and say "I love you". Sweet, ain't she?We wanted to take her everywhere we went because she is such a joy to be with. She is so adorable and cute. She would even volunteer to help me with the dishes. :-)
We did a series of photoshoot with her - sitting, standing, jumping, dancing and playing. She was so tired right after the shoot that she just wanted to lie down.
This picture looks like an ad for a kiddie vitamin.Four-year olds are so active. They seem to be on caffeine a lot...hyper mode!
We are so looking forward to seeing her again on Christmas. Don't you just wish that little girls stay as little girls?

Cassells Hotel and Resort

I just want to share pictures we took during the AWANA Honor Camp in Cassells Hotel and Resort, Ghantoot Abu Dhabi. They have very friendly staff and clean rooms. Amenities like the swimming pool, billiard rooms, sauna, tennis courts are available to guests. Room prices are very competitive and the place is not very far from Dubai. I don't have any commission in promoting the place...it's just a way to thank them for their services. :-)
There is a yacht dock nearby.
This was a view from the royal suite terrace.
Hotel grounds
View of the hotel from the beach
Swimming pool area
Hotel interior
And of course food!

AWANA Honor Camp 2009

We just got back from the AWANA Honor Camp today with Anushka and Reuben. They represented EBCI in this year's camp. It's all our first time to attend the camp and to my surprise, majority of the staff and campers are Filipinos and very few children from India. Well, that wouldn't have been a surprise if I have known that the organizers were from FCC (Filipino Christian Church). Hehehehe!
We made new friends and met old ones. Who would have thought I would meet my high school friend Joy there? She is the camp director, -- I'm so proud of you, Joy!
This year's theme was "I am happy I am me" derived from Psalms 139:14 " I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well." I will be blogging my own thoughts about the theme on my next entries.
The camp was held in Cassells Hotel and Resort in Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi. I will give more details on a separate blog dedicated for the hotel and their friendliness. Today, I will note more about the events that transpired during the camp.
Besides the usual Bible verse recitation, games and singing of the camp theme song, the kids were asked to prepare a presentation for the Talent/ Cultural Show for Friday night under the supervision of the staff. They were assigned a nation and present how this nation celebrate Christmas. Seems the Talent theme doesn't relate to the Camp Theme. Hmm?
Next day, our friend David, a youth Pastor from EBCI came and delivered a great message about being God's creation and how all of us are created to glorify our Creator. There were also video clips about Nick Vujicic. His story is very inspiring. I will be blogging about him later also.

Everybody was also given personal time to enjoy the other amenities of the hotel. We went swimming, some played basketball, some play billiards and others just strolled on the beach. Overall, most of the kids enjoyed though some of the older kids thought it was boring. I think this is quite normal for teenagers thinking they are all grown up.
We really appreciate the organizers for doing a good job though there are really areas for improvement. I just pray that the message of the camp sank into the hearts of the children who attended.