Richelle Jean is 18!!!

Just about every day in southern California is a gorgeous one, this particular day was no exception.

The house filled with music, excitement filled the air and the smell of delicious food cooking in the kitchen could be smelt a mile away.

As the girls got all pretty for the day with big hair and hairspray ...

the backyard got all pretty too.

Bring on the vintage, bring on the 60's and bring on the celebrating because the 'big day' was here.

One special little lady turned 18 and had herself a 'wedding sized' party to celebrate.

Meet Richelle Jean, or Rj if you will.

Rj is gorgeous, hilarious and truly one of a kind. If I didn't know any better I'd think her heart was made out of cotton candy, she's just that sweet.

Though all my memories of Rj are when she was just a little kid, Rj is no longer that little girl I remember but a beautiful young lady, and 'a {woman} after God's own heart'. The talents this girl has just blows me away, she paints, draws, dances, takes amazing pictures {as seen here or here}, she's truly an artist's artist ... along with the rest of her amazingly creative familia. I know for sure that the Lord has amazing things planned for her life and her future.

Out of all of Rj's amazing qualities, the biggest blessing has been seeing Rj stand steadfast and unmovable in her faith. In this generation, it is not an easy task but Rj manages to do it with amazing grace and perseverance, she puts the rest of us to shame. When I grow up I want to be just like Rj. Hehe.

Sigh .... Rj, oh how I wish I could have brought you back to VA with me, I miss your cuteness terribly. Thank you for having the most amazing party and for inviting me along to celebrate and capture this day for you.

Rj's cuteness is also fancied by some else, some one special.

Sorry boys, she's "taken like morning bacon", and they are simply adorable together.

These two are one amazing team!!! Andrew you got yourself one of the most amazing girls in the whole world ... don't ever let her go k!!! "Jean & Ho" = the best FOHSHO!!!

See what I mean? Adorable.

Rj promise to call me when you get married?!?! Not that it'd be any time soon, but call me k! Christian and I are gonna rock your wedding one day!!! YAY! Just take your time getting there k!

"The big 12"

Rj's family {+ the significant others} is one of my favorite families in the whole world. It's been an amazing and long 10 years since my very first visit to their wonderful home when I pretty much broke everything in sight {and after all this time still can't seem to live it down}, but I will always feel at home in their company.

Mama and Papa Navales treat me like their long lost 4th daughter, while Ruby, Ryan, Reinna and Rj treat me like another one of their siblings, what more could I ask for from my friends? Ben and Ruby and their two amazing daughters, Brave & True are like family as well and their love and support has been a huge blessing and driving force in all my artist endeavours.. Lastly the three significant others; Faye, Christian and Andrew are simply lovely and complete the 'Big 12" like no one else could.

I love you guys and miss you all terribly. Get ready because I'm coming back ... 1 more month and I'm there!!!!!

With just about every detail set in place, and as the guest began to arrive let me take the time to properly introduce you to some of the Big 12.

So Rj won't be mad at me like this:

Ekks. Just kidding. Love you Rj!

You've meet these two boys already. Christian Cruz and Andrew ho.

And you've already met this blonde bombsell whom I love dearly. She's like the the Filipina Tinkerbell she's so cute. Reinna is, call me bias, the most amazing hair stylist EVER!

Now meet Ben and Ruby. Ruby's the eldest of Rj's three siblings and Ben's her just-as-amazing husband. They have two daughters, Brave and True and a third baby cakes on the way.

They 'memory hunt' daily,

and get crafty with Mama Cakies all the time.

Now meet Ryan!!

Ryan's the only boy amongst his siblings and shares the same age with me, yet he forgets every time we see each other .. hehe. He is also a musical genius in every right though he'd humbly deny it and can pick up any instrument and make it sing ... no lies.

His girlfriend, Faye ... ohhh my ... she gets her own picture because she looked like she walked right out of the 60's movie. Faye why are you soo gorgeous?!?! Along with her good looks, shes a fellow Etsian and crafter check out: Faye & Faye Co.

Right before the party got started there was a quick practice during golden hour for one of the cutest performances ever ... I got to grab a few last group shots before the sun went to bed.

"WELCOME TO THE 60's!!!!"

Then it was game time.

Mama Lolit, as dazzling as ever, was the genius behind this amazing party. How she stays so young, so gorgeous and so wonderful ... only God knows because only He could make someone so amazing. I love you mama Lolit!!!

Party Time!!

The place was packed, because Rj is that kind of girl everyone and their mom loves to pieces.

OMG Reinna and Christian you guys give me butterflies .. i love you both!!

The night was magical, filled with singing, dancing, laughter and tears ... all because of one amazing 18 year old and the amazing testimony she lives. I couldn't help but tear up myself seeing how loved she is by everyone and how big of a blessing she's been to so many lives, all 4 feet and 10 inches of her!!

Ohh and this moment, this was unforgettable. Rj's special guy came up and gave the whole world a speech about how he likes Rj, then gave the best rap I've EVER heard all about Rj. It was too good to be true.

Papa Alex wasn't to far away from all of the fun. Heheheheheehehhe. No worries, he eventually broke in to laughter too don't let this picture fool you. Papa Alex is one fun loving papa!

In lue of the party's theme {The 60's} Rj and her awesome sauce friends danced one amazing dance that brought the house down!!!

Before you go on you better watch it for yourself. Do it!! You won't be disappointed.

You can't stop the beat!

Sooooo good!

Rj loves her parents "to infinity and beyond" as we learned through out the night. She use to write her parents letters when she was a little girl ending with those very words. It's still evident that her love and relationship with her parents is just as sweet, if not sweeter.

Daddy's baby girl is no long a girl but a beautiful young lady. I'm sure he's never been prouder.

I could seriously go on forever talking about how amazing this party, this family, and this girl are but I need to end this some how. I've never been in more awe of an 18 year old. It was truly an honor to be there to celebrate this awesome day with Rj.

Rj: I wish you all the happiness in the world, above and beyond all the happiness of Disneyland ... though it is the happiest place on earth. You've inspired me and blessed me with your life, your love and your friendship and I could not be more grateful for you. Continue to grow in Christ and in your love for Him and 'He will make your path straight'. I love you soo much and pray nothing but the best for your life and your family.

Ps. I miss you.

Thanks for bearing with me through this super long entry but hope you enjoyed, if you couldn't tell it was one of my favorite parties ever.