Avi had so much fun working on a photo shoot for Live Tobacco-Free Austin. Please go "like" their page!! :-)
http://www.facebook.com/livetobaccofreeaustin

The photographer was the impeccably talented Thomas Pantin and it was such an honor to work with him!
http://www.pantin.com/

PHOTOS

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AGE OF REASON - My favorites of the junk yard scene

 

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She finally got to do her big "stunt"...her back handspring.  She's been looking forward to it the whole shoot and, as you can imagine, did a spectacular job!! :-)
Added new photos:  AGE OF REASON Filming Photos

Oh man...this girls is such a trooper! She has had a horrible stomach ache all day and is determined to make her shots great. I can tell it's really hurting but she is toughing through it. Hard for a mama to watch but know her resolve. :(

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Big brother gets to see her close ups. Tripp had the chance to come with us today and they have been so great with letting him watch her film even in this super crowded space. :-)

Added some more photos to the album (these are just a couple). She LOVED doing her own "stunts" and got to literally climb the walls...monkey! :-)
Age of Reason PHOTOS

She did it!!! 35.5!!!

She is officially Placement (needed to score a 35)!
She has mixed emotions going because she is thrilled that she got score but is upset because she was SO robbed on the beam. Wish so badly that I had been video taping because we could have challenged it. All of us parents and even her teammates were shocked at her low score. She got a 7.85 on what was, by far, her best routine ever and we thought for sure would be at least an 8.4 on the low side. :(
Rest was Floor - 9.3, Vault - 9.2, Bars - 9.15. Woo-hoo!!
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I forgot to post today but her call time for today was rescheduled for the end of the shoot. The lightning storm the other night threw off the schedule.

For tomorrow it's good news, bad news. Her call time for tomorrow is 3:00 pm on the other side of San Antonio which means filming will not actaully start until 4:30 or 5:00. Good news is that it's looking like it will be a not-so-late night for her which will be good for her gymnastics meet on Saturday at 11:45. Bad news is that she will miss practice tomorrow afternoon and a slumber party for a friend that night. :(

Listening to her disappointment AND reasoning is fascinating to me. She talked about the sleepover and that she was sad to miss it but knows that her friend will understand the same way she said that she would if her friend also had a prior comittment...good grief...the old soul.

Her gymnastics...well all those that have been by the house knows that one. Not much of a moment where it's not practice. She has been even more dedicated (I know...hard to imagine) this week since she was pretty sure she would miss Friday practice and had a meet on Saturday. I can tell she's worried about beam (her weakest event) but has been on her beam at home like crazy pushing herself. She is syking herself up that she has it down...that usually does the trick in her case. I have no doubt she'll ace filming tomorrow night but please think about her and send some energy her way about 12:30 on Saturday. I can't even express how much it means to her.

Whew. Isn't there a way to turn off all the mommy emotions?!? I want her resolve!

Night, night and will post photos tomorrow. :-)

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 Ha!!  Went to upload some photos and when I saw the time on her blog it was set for Pacific time!!  Want to make sure I have it right for her since she prides herself on her late night shoots. ;-)

Ok.  So I'm making myself and you guys a promise to learn to use my camera over the next few days.  I hate that so many of these shots came out blurry and from what it looks like, pretty much all her other scenes will be evening and night shoots....soooo....gonna get on my game on.

Added some more photos from the other night that production took and then the ones I took last night.  She was beaming since the director told her she did fantastic and he didn't even have any notes for her...couldn't have wiped that smile off.

The Age of Reason Movie Shoot Photos

And that's a wrap! Great night. Heading home.
Have some photos I'll upload tomorrow. :-)

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Oof. 9:00 pm call time. Even Miss Never Take a Nap agrees that a good afternoon nap would be smart. ;-)

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Gymnastics Meet at Flipnastics, Lakeway TX

Avi was pretty bummed yesterday.  She wanted so badly to get her score to a 35 which is what it takes to get to 4P.  She got a 34.65.  She had a fall on the beam. :-(  I keep telling her that she is still improved (was a 34.25) but she's not happy.  I'm super sinkin' proud though...goofy girl!!

Her next meet is at Powerhouse (10229 Culebra) in San Antonio at 11:45 on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Beam - 7.70 (had a fall)
Floor - 9.0 (looked so pretty)
Vault - 9.35 (her reach has gotten so good on this...almost too powerful so she's having to reign it in a little)
Bars - 8.6 (she overshot her split leg circle - a little too much power)

She is currently in 4A which means Achievement - compete against themselves for better scores.  Hitting their 35 would put them in 4P which means Participation - she competes against other girls.  She is dead set and determined to get it this next time. 

I am going to get someone to give me some lessons on how to use my fancy camera.  I took a ton of shots with my zoom lens but almost all of them came out blurry.  I have know idea how to shoot action shots.
These are the few decent ones I managed to get.  :-(
Gymnastics Meet at Flipnastics, Lakeway TX Photos

	Aug.	Aug.	Sept.
Vault	8.95	9.15	9.35
Bars	8	8.8	8.6
Beam	7.7	8	7.7
Floor	8.75	8.3	9
Overall	33.4	34.25	34.65

Pulled in home about 2:00 am and as always, she had a blast and was sad when she done even though it was only take after take of them riding in the car from all the different angles.  The girl really would just live on set (or in the gym...she is still beside herself excited that she gets to do her own "stunts" of some of her gymnastics for the film in a few weeks).

We enjoyed meeting the rest of the crew who are all wonderful!  It was especially fun to joke around and cut up with them while my baby was off riding around in the front seat of a vintage muscle car with her "big brother" driving...eek!  Actually I was fine.  I knew she was in good hands but couldn't help telling Myles to be sure to take good care of his baby sister. ;-)

Big brother Oz (Myles Tufts) & Little Sister Kayli (Avi Lake) PHOTOS

Here is a link to the actual movie blog for some behind the scenese photos of the first few days.  I'm assuming they will be posting some more from last night and in the future.
http://www.ageofreasonmovie.com/blog/

My heart feels good! Thank you Tam for the referral to the Boston Terrier rescue lady in SA. Once I told her all about him she said of course she would take him. He was somebody's baby. Great with kids, potty trained, inside dog and just the sweetest guy ever. Cried my eyes out to leave him but my heart feels wonderful knowing he will be inside, loved and adopted so quickly. :-)

Just pulled in from a great night of filming. Avi had a blast! Will post pics tomorrow...this mama's pooped. :-)

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Crossing our fingers that as people come home from work they will see one of our many signs and get this sweet doggie home. He has become one of the kids and is very well-behaved. I'm afraid we have a very mad bunny though since we don't feel safe letting him out. I think he would try to play with him but he's big enough that he could hurt him. :-(
Sooo...the animal shelter here (no kill) said they would take him tomorrow because he is so adoptable. Going to think super positive that his family will call tonight. :-)

Rachel Lake Well phooey. He did not have a microchip but is neutered. We've called every vet and shelter in the area with no luck. He is sitting in Tripp's lap in the back as we are about to go put up signs. He is someone's lost baby...such a great guy.

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Fwd:

Letting the princess sleep in since her call time is not until 7:30 pm tonight...will be working into the night. :-)

Meanwhile, this beautiful baby boy adopted us last night. He is so sweet and already has some training. We are going to take him in a little bit to see if he has a microchip. Keeping our fingers crossed.
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Excited to get the ball rolling.  We went to her wardrobe fitting and got to meet some of Avi's fellow actors and crew of the next movie she's working on today, The Age of Reason. http://www.ageofreasonmovie.com/blog/

Most of the main folks and actors are from California. So glad they chose Texas to film in. :)

Everyone was fun, super nice and very well organized.  She is so excited since this is a supporting role and to sweeten the deal, for all her scenes except one, she is in a leotard!  Her character, Kayli, is a gymnast as well. For the other scene she is in pajamas...can't beat that comfy-factor.

She was excited because they chose her favorite black and white leo.  She wasn't too thrilled with not getting to wear it for practice for the next month but tickled pink that it will be in the movie. They also chose the blue and red sparkly one (thank you Karen & Kendale for giving her that one!) and, best yet, her team leo (hooray American All Stars!).

So, her shooting dates in San Antonio for this month are: 8th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th.

Will update as I have stuff. :-)

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Sorry for the shamefully late delay in updating. We came back early and decided not to go back.
In an effort to stay professional and "nice" I will just leave it that I'm afraid it was just a very unorganized production. :-(

We could not stay up there and have her not work. It was heartbreaking for her to be there and not get to work.

We decided to not return before Luke Wilson got there so I'm afraid she missed seeing him again. :-(

Sooooo....we are chalking this one up to a very big learning experience and looking forward to her next film which will start filming next week!

Will update the blog as soon as I have

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We are still here. They called late last night and she was not called for today. Tomorrow is up in the air. Will know something this afternoon or evening. The casting director (they are not with the production but the agency in Louisiana that chose her) has apologized upside and down and gone on and on about how patient and professional we have been. I have told them numerous times that we don't blame them at all and appreciate the opportunity. They have let production know how ridiculous this all is. I appreciate them "sticking up" for us since it puts them in a weird spot. They have been great in dealing with all of this.

Sooooo....going to enjoy the family time since Rick took off for he and the boys to come up. So glad I trusted my gut and came home the other day...sheesh!!

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I wish I could report in that it's been fun but it's actually been a very stressful week. They have not needed the doubles as much as they thought which has been sad because you all know how badly she wants to work.

In a nutshell... to stay professional about it all, I came up with a compromise that they and we are happy with. I am especially happy about it because we are going to be able go home and then come back for a few days when they actually need her. As a thank you for our patience they agreed to pay her for the days they did not work last week.

Not what we had planned on but made the best I could of it and we're all happy. Besides getting to actually work, Avi is thrilled that when we come back in a few days she will get to work with Luke Wilson!! She is so excited to work with him again.

So...we are headed back to Texas in the morning. Can't wait to get our arms around all our boys!!!!

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It's been another vegging day.  :-(  They didn't need the kids so Avi and I spent the afternoon catching up on some movies and Glee.  It's been nice since these sort of days are so few and far between for us.

Afraid the entire crew and cast are off on Sunday and Monday.   Finding that out, I wanted to jump in the car and come home for a few days but figured up the gas and it was more expensive to do that then to just stay.  I especially wanted to get her back for her gymnastics meet on Sunday that she's missing but again, between the cost and logistics I just couldn't make it happen.  Sigh...missing our boys so bad.  Glad they will be here next week.

On the up side, we found out some cool news!  Luke Wilson IS going to be in it!!  He was still up in the air but is confirmed now.  He will be in next week and Avi is SO excited to get to see him again.  :-)

Well phooey. Toward the end of the night they had them (Avi & Nikolas - the boy's double) get hair done and brought wardrobe but wound up not using them. Those were some sad kids. :-(

It's a mixed bag because of course they want to work so bad but not using them means that shooting is going smoothly and they are getting the shots they need.

No call time yet but will have to be the afternoon since this was a evening/night shoot.

We're gonna munch a bowl of cereal and hit the hay. :-)

3:30 pm call time for tomorrow.  Good thing since, obviously, we are still up.  Going to bed...really.  :-)

They did not need the kids today so we doodled.  Slept in late because the girl and I have been staying up way too late. :-o  Explored the city a little, shopped for a couple of things we needed, worked out at the gym and, well, that was that.  Nice relaxing day after all of the hurry up and wait of the past few days.

 

Taking advantage of the time and getting some work done for her.  Getting her scenes together for her next film in Sept. and working on some new monologues she's needed.  She always has several dramatic ones but the funny ones are little harder to come by.  We've heard quite a few funny "kid" ones out there but are so tired of hearing all the same ones over and over so I'm writing her a few original ones.  She's excited and ready to work on some new material.

 

I said we were going to go to bed at a decent time tonight but just looked at the clock. :-o  Guess I better surrender the script, highlighter and keyboard to the table and actually follow through.  Oh, and I suppose I should stop her jumping on the bed doing her gymnastics while memorizing lines...sheesh.  :-)

Since they wrapped up earlier than we thought, Avi was able to get in a gymnastics practice with a team gym. They were very nice and it seems like a good gym but it's not home. :-( Luckily it is a small team and the girls were very welcoming.

She was so ready and had a FANTASTIC practice. The girl was on! After that, there was a workout gym right next door that were nice about working out something with me. It was so nice to get on a treadmill!! Of course, Miss Machine continued to work out on a treadmill and with weights while I ran (she was very careful with herself and only did light weights)...crazy child. :-)

Before and after hair

She loves it!  I was nervous at first but like it.  It came out bright, shiny and the color really compliments her skin and eyes.

BEFORE

AFTER

This is the before and after of the boy's photo double.  This is Nickolas and he is a great kid.  He is 11 so he and Avi goof around a lot like she and Tripp.  He is also a very good and hard working actor that is super passionate about it.  :-)

Hair time!

Super sweet Assistant Director brought popsicles for the kids.

Avi & Ursula hit it off right away.  Hoping to get a good side by side photo-double photo soon.  This was the first day and Ursula had come off set and Avi was hot, sweaty and had not been to hair yet.  :-o

Well, still no shooting today. They lightened her hair some more but they had to do a lot of work on the little boy's hair. So it was another hurry up and wait days but that's the way it goes some days. Luckily we got done in time to hit some gymnastics. Good thing because I can only take so much gymnastics in her trailer and in the hotel room! :-o LOL!!

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Woo-hoo! Just found out that it's an inside shoot today. Glad of that because it is crazy hot out there!!

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Sun in her eyes but a good hair shot. :-)

Blonder gal. I have a before on the camera I'll upload tonight. Didn't realize how dark her hair had gotten. She loves it!

Forgot that they also airbrushed Avi's arms yesterday since she is more tan than Ursula. She just asked if they were going to do it again today since she thought it was pretty cool. :-)

Long but fun day!

Oh no!  I just went to get a couple of photos from today off my camera and I left it in her trailer!!  So sorry, will have to post them tomorrow.

She and the little girl got a long great and were so excited to meet each other.  At the end of the day they were running around holding hands and visiting.

Most of the day for Avi was getting herself "doubled".  They lightened her hair several shades and it looks fabulous.  The highlight of her day was getting to visit with Anna Paquin in the wardrobe trailer.  She was so nice and sweet.  All the crew said how great she is to work with.  She and Avi got to visit about gymnastics since Anna was a gymnast too!  She said that in New Zealand the levels are different but that she was a high level gymnast until she got too busy with her acting....made Avi's day. :-)

We were only on set for a little bit today.  Avi had a fun day but was ready to WORK!  She was disappointed that she didn't get to even though it was hot today.  Those kids were earning their money for sure...it was hot and they were in a long sleeve dress and full suit for the boy.

We did get to go down to the set for awhile at the end of the day and the house they are filming at, holy cow!  BEAUTIFUL and HUGE!!  We got to watch Anna, Ryan and the kids work for awhile.  As usual, everyone was super nice and love her. :-)

Call time for tomorrow is not until 1:00 so it's going to be a late night for sure.  Looking forward to it!

Avi's off to Louisiana again!

So....Avi auditioned for a part in a movie called Straight A's staring Anna Paquin (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001593/) and Ryan Phillippe (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000202/).  She did not get the part but has been offered the part as the girl's photo double.

Here is the girl who got the part, Ursula Parker (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3425494/).  After looking up her resume, I see why.  She is from New York and has quite a resume going.  Probably the biggest plus was that she was in The Son of No One with Katie Holmes & Channing Tatum which was by the same producer as Straight A's. :-) 

As always with Avi, even though she was disappointed that she didn't get the part, she is SO excited to meet this young lady and completely understands what an honor this is without me saying a word.  She was beside herself excited!  She will be working with all the cast as well and, truthfully, there is a lot more acting to being a photo double than it sounds like.  Truthfully, she just loves to work!  I'm always in awe.  She will probably be in the movie in different spots that only we will know. ;-)

She has done a workshop with this casting director before and he is fabulous!  They have been wonderful to us and are thrilled that she accepted the role.  We are thinking it was meant to be since she will get back the weekend before she's set to start filming an independent movie in San Antonio.  I'm afraid she won't be doing her celebrity appearance at the San Antonio Horrific Film Festival. :(  She is a little bummed but made the decision herself.

We are heading to Shreveport on Monday for....here's the really hard part...18 days!!  Yes, 18 days.  I'm dealing with the fact (ok, truthfully, freaking out) that we'll have to leave Rick and the boys for that long (the longest yet). :-(  :-(  This is going to be so hard but we are all taking a completely positive attitude and know how great this will be for her.  The boys will be spending some time with grandparents and then Rick and the boys will come up for a while and then the boys will stay with me.  Casting said that they are welcome to be on set with us (normally a no-no).  I don't, of course, have any worries about this at all because, well, they've been along for the ride with her for years and know the drill on set and love to watch her work.  They are good energy for her.  :-)

Sooooo....we're going to enjoy the weekend and then hit the road. :-)

As for gymnastics, I am going to hopefully find a gym that will let her work out with their Level 4 team if it fits her schedule or at least let her come up and practice.  Going to pick her coaches brain about what I need to tell her...yikes!  She loves it too much!

And that's that for now.

Love you all!!!!

:-) Rachel & Avi

P.S. I know that everyone has been asking about when Meeting Evil will be out.  I still don't know.  :-( It was originally slated for the beginning of 2012 but we had heard rumors that it might be sooner.  However, from what we've heard now, it still looks like beginning of next year.  Her agency is on top of it and will let us know when we get to hit LA for the premier.  :-)