Family Values Cast party, SAG foundation fundraiser

Saturday morning i picked TJ up from NIU to come home for the long weekend. He had a cast function he needed to attend. "Whisk Chicago" with "Living good coffee" sponsored a party for the cast and crew of Family Values. In addition there was a SAG foundation silent auction.

Whisk just opened 2 months ago on Damen/Chicago. Oh as it good!!

Yes, TJ had to sign autographs. So weird that he is at the point of making appearances. I wont lie, I love it!

  

TJ with Merverth from Emurge Magaizine that did a story on Family Values. I still need to order the magazine. Jayson the creator/Star was on the cover.
FV was also featured in the Glenview newspaper

 Just a fun shot of tj coming from the garden party

 The boy was under the weather when I picked him up, but handled everything like a pro. He always gets sick the first weeks of school it seems

 I was happy he jumped out of the car for a picture in front of cool wall. He did not feel good by the end of the party

Family Values Premiere

12 foot banners adorned the hallways and ballromm

After close to a year of filming the big night was finally here. The Family Values cast, family members, actors agents, press, casting agents and friends gathered at the Ravenswood Event Center  for a screening of the pilot.

Tj had to be there early to meet with press and do interviews. After a morning battling nerves TJ handled all of it with grace and ease. My father and some close friends were able to come and support TJ

TJ's agent and owner of his agency Lily Liu (Lily's Talent Agency) came to support Family Values

Tim and I with TJ...we were one set of proud parents. It was great to see TJ work a room. He represented Family Values like a pro, mingling with guests, press and the who's who of the Chicago acting world. All his years of auditioning has paid off as he was at home with all these important strangers

We are at that point that our son dwarfs us

My boy can wear a set of clothes....no one should look that good

The cast with  Rob Johnson of CBS News who mc'd the event. There was also nice coverage of the show and event on the 10 pm news

TJ and I with FV hair and makeup artist Joesph Robert. He has kept everyone looking beautiful and entertained during 12-16 hr days on the set

Cutest couple Callahan and Katie

True to form with Karrick as he always gravitates to the hot girls

If there's a chance to photobomb...he takes it.

I really didn't take many pictures which seems to be happening quite a bit lately...photo burnout I think?

Tim and I took none on the red carpet or with TJ in front of the FV banner.

Not 1 shot with my dad who at 77 years of age drove from the south suburbs to the north side of Chicago

 A great night was had by all, the pilot was a hit...left me wanting to see more!!!

Jayson the creator, producer and star of FV was summoned to LA to meet with 2 distributors interested in the series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

just a few days after the party!

Two 9 Productions launch party

Saturday night the cast of Family Values was invited to the Two 9 Production  launch party. As fate would have it the party was held in Bloomingdale a mere 15 min away.

Everyone walked the red carpet and there was a photographer to take photos of everyone.

There was live music, food and a raffle which I donated a portrait package.

It was really a good time as

our cast is absolutely hilarious to hang with

 Above TJ is standing with Shannon Brown a Chicago actor who also has a reoccurring role on FV. He and his wife Suzette own the two 9 production company.

 

 Tj ran into a girl he knows, so that was fun for him. Girl in red

 I printed out a bunch of 3 x 5 and wallet  size head shots of TJ to pass out...network network network! Chicago is so hot right now with all the TV shows and movies being filmed here

Merry Christmas from Family Values

                                       

Each day this week Family Values is releasing a new holiday greeting video

     Happy Holidays from Family Values

I love this group of people, what a gift to be part of this project

the Week leading up to Christmas-My Boys

The last week has been busy. TJ had a Christmas promotional shoot for Family Values. They made cards for seniors to be delivered to retirement homes and read to the residents

 Karrick had his annual Christmas sing at school. For the 5th year in a row Karrick is front and center...the peanut row

We made gingerbread houses and decorated our tree. Our amazing Concord fir fills our house with the smell of citrus and pine....just amazing!

I even cut off some branches and sent them home with Katie for her mom. She loved them and brought some to work. Crazy tree..love it

My Cal and katie. Cals been out with his buddies a lot...sledding and attending an all nighter game night. 
He took the SAT last weekend

 Karrick's dance classes are in full swing...7 a week all hip hop. He loves to freestyle around the house. We have our first competition in March in Madison WI

 The TJ got new head shots with Socko this week, he looked adorable and Im hoping the picture are just as adorable. After the shoot we stopped in at Lily's Talent Agency to pick up TJ's paycheck and the print agent says "Oh my. you're so tall I love it" Do you want to do live (runway) shows?" A giant YES! came out of TJ's mouth. That is exactly what you want to hear from your agent. This was the first time we met this agent as TJ does mostly on camera stuff

 A cute picture of all the hip Hop boys

We are all looking forward to the next 2 weeks of Christmas break