Mother's Day 2012 Part 1

My mom had made her kids and grandkids all pjs for Christmas. She had hoped that we could take a family portrait but the kids were wild and the lighting wasn't great. So the photo op never happened. My mom's birthday was the day before mother's day and we thought it would be a fun gift to arrange a photoshoot with all the kids and grandkids and surprise her with this.

So with everyone healthy and happy, we were able to find a weekend where we could all get together and snaps some pics. Wrangling 7 adults and 9 kids is a feat unto itself! Thank you self-timer!

Here are some of my favourite shots...

And here's mom's reaction... (those would be happy tears)

Happy Mother's Day to all the women who have children, care for children, have raised or continue to raise children, and the women who support other women as they raise and care for children. We all rock!

The Baby Announcement

It's a good thing I'm not a professional photographer or my clients would fire me! I finally have the design completed for Jill's baby announcements based on a card seen. Here it is! Once I get them printed, I shoot one so you can see the tri-fold.

Now I just need to find time to post all the other things that have been happening in the last while...

Meet my new nephews

Welcome Joshua and Matthew! Such lovely, healthy and pink boys! Can't wait to cuddle you. Keep sleeping and eating for your mommy and daddy. I'll be back to take more pics with you both, your parents and siblings. For now, just keep sleeping and growing wait a bit before you start driving your mommy batty.

Jill, you rocked that c-section and you are an incredibly strong woman. So keep exercising those abs and you'll all be home in record time. Tim, get some sleep or start drinking coffee! Love you all!

Matthew is quite fashionable with his lovely green blanket.

Check out the size of his cheeks! This kiddo has some meat on his bones!

Joshua was sleeping so soundly (but facing the wall). He looks so much like his brother Nathan!

Sleep well little baby!

Les not-so-petit bébés

Joshua William and Matthew James made their debut this morning! Joshua weighing a nice 5 lb 7 oz and Matthew a hefty 6 lb 14 oz. Cute and pink and you just want to pick them up and breathe in the baby-ness. I do love being an Auntie!

Pics to come soon (after parental consent!) and I'm getting giddy over their newborn photoshoot once everyone is home and settled.

Yeah for babies!!

30 weeks and counting...

My sister Jill is still growing her baby boy twins like a trooper. She has already had a nice, long chat with them to kindly stay put until the New Year. We had the opportunity to take a couple of pictures... Don't you wonder how exactly those boys are squished in there?

Puzzled

The day after Tyler's birthday, Quinten decided he wanted to have a puzzle day. Tyler received an Iron Man puzzle and Quin was dying to try out his mad puzzle skilz. [Reminder to self: Remove kid pictures from background. They've been there long enough and they are interfering with some decent photos!]

When I concentrate really hard, I have an odd habit of pressing my lips together between my teeth. Quin sticks his tongue out slightly between his. We're strange.

Quin and I also love puzzles. Tyler loves video games but always wants to be where the action is (even if he's not paying attention).

I love this photo, dirty nails and all.

Tyler's 9th Birthday

It's hard to believe Tyler is nine. I don't feel like a mom of a nine year old... It doesn't feel like nine years since I saw the double line on the test strip.

Tyler, you are growing up into a sensitive young man. You have a good core group of friends and are very thoughtful and kind towards them. You have a contagious laugh that can put your father and I over the edge, laughing til we cry. You still play with your brother and sister and enjoy their company. And although you still have no desire to help us keep the house clean or make an effort to do you homework/home reading without being told, I'll still keep you. You love with your whole heart and are easily wounded, but you are resilient and try you to keep your tears hidden (until a pokemon game gets the best of you!). I love you tremendously Tyler! Though I do not want you to get any older, I'm excited (and slightly terrified) for the coming years.

Halloween 2011

I have had a couple requests asking when I'm going to post our Halloween photos (which is totally awesome... People are actually checking this out to see what's up with my peeps!). The last couple of weeks have be crazy with a capital 'c' and fireworks. My work has made a couple huge gifts to the tune of $1.5 Million dollars (which you can check out here) and today, while banks are closed, our credit union staff gathers for a day of Education (today was all about wellness in work, life, and play). These projects all require a bit of a hand in design so I've been hopping. I'm also volunteering as co-chair of our school council and last year we had to reveal our plan for the year. Again, a bit of a time commitment. I have to apologize to my freelance clients that I haven't had a spare moment to work on their stuff (except for DaCapo who had their NewWorks Gala last week and November concert this weekend). And then there's the little thing of my baby turning nine!!! His birthday is tomorrow but we celebrated with his friends tonight and will celebrate with family tomorrow (pics will be posted later). So this whole preamble is just to let you all know that I haven't forgotten to post Halloween, I just was lacking in time. Oh, and I finished the low-light shooting course from Karen's Snapshots of a Goodlife (which is the only reason I was able to take the pics below in our terribly dark house at night).

Okay. So Halloween... This year we decided to treat our kids with a themed meal which included Cheesy Crescent Roll Ghosts, Monster Veggies Kabobs (from Owl Magazine), a Green Ooze Drink (also from Owl Magazine) and a ghostly graveyard dessert.

Then we all dressed up and enjoyed the lovely night trick or treating. Tyler was Savage Ompress and Quin was a Clone Trooper from Star Wars. We accidentally recycled Addison's Super Girl costume (it was such a little bag, we think it ending up in our recycling box... happy day for whomever finds that one, tags still on!) but her cousin Meghan gave her a Cinderella costume so she was happy. Craig was Batman complete with expanding batwings and I was Wonder Woman (or at least that's what my shirt was).

So for those of you waiting with baited breathe, enjoy the pics! I'll try to keep up on the posting!

Fall Family Fun

My brother and sister-in-law kindly allowed me to shoot their first family portrait session. When I asked them what the pictures would be used for, they said for hanging on their walls, handing out to family, you know, that sort of thing. No pressure... really!

I was happy to be able to capture this happy and loving family with kids full of mischief and imagination. Andrew and Lynda, here's your sneak peek...

Little Miss Independent

What happens when you are rushing to get out the door to work and don't lay out clothes for your daughter? Addison was happy to show me the outfit she chose to wear to school today when I got home...