It's December!

A month has passed since I last blogged. November was a busy month for our photography business. I managed to squeeze out a card design for myself last night...so I may actually have my own cards to send out this year. :)

I have certainly seen the impact of this busyness on the kids. I have not had the time they have needed lately. I am happy to be slowing down and be more"present."

I have decided to do another photo a day album for December and am looking forward to documenting our December/Christmas traditions. The kids are getting so excited for Christmas which certainly motivates me to do the baking, shopping, and preparing. Day number one starts Nov 29th with our shopping day and their day with Grandma and Grandpa. Here is a shot from day two of what will be my album ;)

It is the annual Christmas tree shot after finishing the decorating. As always it was tough to get them all standing still (or in this case sitting) and cooperating. But we managed to get this one even though they don't look too pleased.

I will do my best to post some of my mini album creations. But with my busy life I won't be surprised if it doesn't happen before next Christmas. It is on my radar...trying to stick with it..if there were only more hours in the day.

I'm done!

I actually finished my August mini album on time! It was a push at the end...worked on it in between trick or treaters tonight! I think I will do another for December! This time I plan to create my album first and just add the pictures as I go. It would be so much easier if I had a photo printer at home!

P first took the kids out trick or treating and then I took my turn going out with the kids. They had a blast. R was introduced to candy and LOVED it! You can't see my striped tights in the pictures :(

1st snowflakes

I won't even call this a snowfall but there were a few flakes on the ground when the kids woke up on Sunday morning. They ran in to wake us up and asked if they could go out. Sure enough they bundled up and away they went! It was so fun watching how excited they were to see the snow and play in it! It brought back many fond childhood memories!

So Lucky!

I just visited a friends photography website and I learned about an awesome initiative of the Regional Fertility Program of Calgary. Giving couples hope as they attempt to build families! By reading about the program and following some links I came across this . It hits so close to home and reminds me of how fortunate and blessed I am to have my children in my life. After trying for a couple of years and finally being successful after surgery, I know how painful it was with each failed attempt. I lost my grandmother only days before finding out I was finaly expecting and had never felt so scared in my life. Scared that something would go wrong. Squeeze your children a little tighter tonight. Tomorrow morning, when they come bounding into your room at unruly hours...look into their eyes and remember how fortunate you are to have them. Nothing has fulfilled me more than sharing my life with these little people! Raising children is not our right but rather a privilege!

Lovin' This

Little T has taken over the older sibling role since her brother has been away at school! She has been SO loving and caring of her little sister. I love seeing this relationship develop. Any time R gets upset about something she looks to her sister for comfort in the form of a hug. The roles are also reversed if T is upset R searches her down and gives her a hug! So very Sweet!

Your Turn

Since I frequently go out to do photo shoots of other children and families I thought it was time my kids had a turn in the studio. It is a bit of a challenge getting pictures of the 3 of them together and I almost got everyone looking this time ;) This is the first time I have brought them all in to do pictures together (actually T is the only one who has been in). Here are just a few from the afternoon.

Isn't it too early

to be struggling with empty nest? S is in grade 1 which means full time school. I am happy for him that he is enjoying it but already miss the preschool stage with him. And then there was T off to preschool today. She woke me up this morning completely dressed, hairband in and her bag packed. Of course she needed to take her box along which houses her new gem that her cousin found at Grandma and Grandpa's. She rarely leaves home without it.

It was really strange to have only one child at home albeit only one morning a week. It is great for some one on one time with little R who has grown up so much in the past few months. She is watching her brother and sister and wanting to do what they do. She figured out how to play a favorite pre-programmed song on the keyboard this morning. I don't even know which buttons to press to make it work ;) Life is passing by too quickly and I am being given a glimpse to the future. Slow down guys...this nest will be lonely without you!

The Last Days of Summer

Here are my pics for the final days of the August photo a day challenge. A huge thank you to Laurel for all of the great challenges.

Aug 29 - a great close up of little R. You can see her red swollen ear after just being bit by a wasp :(

Aug 30 -I took TONS of pictures this day...I shot a wedding. My forearm sure was sore when this day was done (my new lens is VERY heavy). We had a blast!





Aug 31 - 1 or 3 challenge. There are many pictures with 1's in them throughout the day. Go-Karts with 1 in the number, mini golf hole #1. We started off our day at K's birthday party and then headed to Wpg with my parents to Thunder Rapids and out for Chinese food for supper. S was so proud of himself for trying some new foods (he typically only eats chicken balls, fried rice and consome soup). What a fun day and great way to spend one of the last days of summer.

Almost the last week

Only a few days left of August and I am proud to say I haven't missed a day of pictures and I have already started on my August album (I have only completed 2 pages but I am pleased that I have at least started).

Here are my pics for the week.

Aug 22 - I got a new lens today and I got to go out with a great friend (it's been WAY to long) So this is my double I want to see you challenge. I want to see everyone through my new lens :) and I want to see more of this woman!


Aug 23 - I woke up this morning with a fever. It was a tough day as P was out picking up our van (8 hour day) and I was fighting a virus with a fever, the chills, and body aches. S & T were very good and even sang me some lullabies :)

Aug 24 - Another sick day :( I did manage to get up and tidy up a bit. My Hard Work challenge is about asking my kids to clean their room. I get so fed up with tidying their room and then having it all pulled apart half a day later. So I told them if they do not put their toys and belongings away after playing with them I will put them in this garbage bag because it must mean they don't want them. I feel like such a militant mom some days.



Aug 25 - We celebrated my mom's birthday a day late. The kids love birthday parties! Happy birthday mom. We love you!
Look down challenge - the pic of T and grandma playing Guess Who.



Aug 26 - Good Night challenge - I can certainly tell that my kids are ready for some routine and new challenges of school/preschool. They have been fighting and acting up lately. I have been so frustrated some days but then I see this and wonder how I could let things bother me so much. I am so fortunate to have these guys! I love them to pieces and are they ever sweet (especially when they are sleeping ;) ).


Aug 27 - Still not feeling great, so I managed to sneak a nap on the couch while the kids played board games in the afternoon. It is getting a little tricky getting games out of the closet. I think I should reorganize ;)


Aug 28 - Morning cuddles on the couch. I was asked to take this picture! Wow, do I ever love these moments! :)

Week 3

Here are my pictures from this weeks challenges.


Aug 15 - on the highway leaving Albertsville. No idea we were not going to make it home this day.


Aug 16 - the loaner car from the dealer in our driveway. Home sweet Home, at last!


Aug 17 - On my plate challenge. All of the stuff I had on my plate this day. There is always so much work to do when returning from a holiday. The toughest part was everyone getting sick :(


Aug 18 - a morning walk to the post office to pick up the mail after a week. Hooray way fewer bills then I imagined :)


Aug 19 - my picture and my tripod ;) I actually do have a tripod but this worked just as well. An evening of putting our feet up and watching Olympics (oh yeah and eating nachos) after kids were in bed.

Aug 20 - August photo challenge. This speaks August to me...being outside and then eating ice cream (which replaced supper since she had a fever).



Aug 21 - a great end to a long day at the store. She recently was faced with the unexpected loss of her sister. She and her family have been on my mind daily. This is a friendship that withstands time! This is one strong, amazing woman. I love this girl to death and have been so fortunate to have her in my life. The smiles were less about posing for the picture and more about laughing at me practically belly flopping into the tub before the camera took the picture.

This is my week in review. Despite all of the illness in my house, the lack of sleep and no van/transportation...it has been a good week but I certainly look forward to the start of a new week without illness, on a little more sleep and having a van.

Happy Holidays!

We are back from our holiday. Despite an eye infection (US medical bill which will be covered by our Blue Cross), a fever for my other daughter and a leaking transmission we made it home in one piece. Our van on the other hand is still in Fergus Falls getting repaired. We currently have a US rental which according to the border patrol we cannot drive in Canada. I quickly edited a few pics for my picture a day August challenge. My zoom lens is in the shop so I'm using a portrait lens for candids which was REALLY frustrating and made for some not so good shots. But the good thing about this is it encouraged me to put my camera away and enjoy. Here are my shots for the week:



Aug 8 - What's on your feet challenge. What a great time for this challenge since baby DD has been wearing every shoe she can find. She loves the one that make noise when she walks! :)



Aug 9 - A trip to Winnipeg . A stretch for the put out the trash challenge going to Wpg to bring my lens in before my warranty ran out and my lens became trash ;0)


Aug 10 - at our hotel in Grand Forks. DS never plays with his Elmo or Cookie Monster but chose them as his toys to bring along on our trip. Guess it was a result of the Elmo Makes Music Show that we saw in Grand Forks this same day.


Aug 11 - A quick stop in Albertville at the outlet mall resulted in this...much more in the bags! This was only the beginning because we stopped on our way home as well.




Aug 12 - Mall of America. I wasn't sure if I should take the kids on this ride with me but went for it anyways. DS was pretty scared. DD was scared as well, but she didn't have much of a reaction. I loved it! In the above picture the kids are showing off their new build a bears!


Aug 13 - Como Zoo. I couldn't decide on one picture so did a quick little collage. My favourite thing was the Gorilla - very cool to watch. We even saw him pick his nose (Yuck).


Aug 14 - Valley Fair! GO, GO, GO challenge. The kids started off on the cautious side but then got braver as the day went on! They loved the monster :) I even went on the Wild thing
"Valleyfair's hyper-coaster, Wild Thing, features one of the world's largest weightless zones and a 200-foot, 60-degree drop!"

Go Team Canada!

A huge congrats to my cousin Brooks McNiven who is currently in Beijing for the Olympics. I can't wait to see him on the pitching mound at the Olympics...WOW, what an accomplishment. I love the Olympics and always waited for them as a kid. What a dream come true to represent your country amongst some of the best in the world! Go Brooks, we will be rooting for you!

Photo Challenge Week 1

Thanks to Laurel for putting on a great challenge over at Rhubarb Roots

It has been great getting that push to use my camera for taking pictures of my own kids ;) I am still missing some of the moments that have defined the day but I am generally remembering to get snapping a whole lot more!

Here are my pics from the first week:

Aug 1 - Good Morning Challenge. A great way to start off the morning with an oatmeal bath :) Teaches me for sneaking away to check email while the kids were eating breakfast.


Aug 2 - "These are a Few of My Favourite Things" (this was the song they had playing on the keyboard and were playing along. If anyone was walking by my house this morning they would have been graced with my fabulous singing:) I love the Sound of Music


Aug 3 - I want to see you challenge. This is just one pic from a fantastic day which all started off with this breakfast:





Aug 4- a shot of the moon at the end of a fun photoshoot. I came home to my kids dressed in one anothers pajamas and in each others beds.



Aug 5 - Swimming lessons consumed most of our week. It was nice to have a place to go each morning.



Aug 6 - Challenge A House Is a Home. The last coat of paint went on in the living room. These are the colours I chose, the grey for the kitchen, beige for the hallway and entrance and brown for the living room.



Aug 7 - Challenge Look Up. Practicing for the show they were about to put on. He found my old clown costume in our dress up trunk and decided to juggle as part of the act.