Day 105

"As Carrie would say....I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!"

If you know me at all, you likely know that my favourite show in the whole world is HBO's Sex And The City. I have been watching that show for well over ten years and I'm not lying when I say I have likely seen every episode at least ten times. I never tire of it, I love everything about it....the girls (Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda), the fashion, the shoes, the scenery (New York), and the friendship between these four 'soul mates'. I have seen the first Sex And The City movie about ten times now and was so excited to see the sequel.

I did something I never do today....something for myself. The boys were all hanging out with their Dad today so I decided to jump in my car and go for the Sunday Matinee of Sex And The City 2. At first I felt kind of funny going by myself, but as I looked around the theatre there were quite a few going "solo". I settled into my seat, popcorn and drink in hand and enjoyed every single second of the two hour and twenty seven minute movie. I have heard the bad reviews of this movie, but I disagree - I loved it. If you are a "true-blue SATC" girl, you will love it too!

Here is Day 105.....

Taylor....Prom!

I took Taylor's senior photos a few weeks ago and I told his Mom that if I was around on Prom I would sneak in and take a few quick pictures.  I never expected Prom would be such a miserable day. I never had a chance to catch Taylor at home so I met up with them at the Canad Inn (Prom location).  It was chaos and crowded so I quickly snapped a few pictures and left.  There were a few photographers set up for grads and I thought that was a great idea considering the weather conditions outside. There were all kinds of beautiful dresses and tuxedos and I would have liked to have stayed and just randomly shot pictures because everyone looked so beautiful, but I didn't want to look like a stalker so I left! LOL.  I also didn't want to stick around because ten minutes before I got there it poured rain on me and I literally looked like a drowned rat. I'm sure a few people looked at me and wondered why on earth I would show up at such a formal event looking like I did.  Needless to say...I quickly went in and fifteen minutes later got out of there!  I did manage to capture a few nice images for Taylor and his Mom! I hope you had a blast at our Senior Prom Taylor! You looked pretty darn sharp in that suit of yours.

Delaney - Prom

Well, Delaney and I had big plans for Prom Photos today, unfortunately Mother Nature had other ideas.  It stormed all day and didn't let up for even a few minutes so we could get some cool outdoor prom pics.  We ended up grabbing a few pics at her place and then heading over to her Grandma's place.  I was very disappointed that we weren't able to take these pictures outdoors.  She had a limo at her place and it would have been so fun to grab a few pictures of her and her friends getting ready to head to their Senior Prom.  Oh well, we had to make do with the time we had and we did manage to capture some beautiful images....not very hard when you're as pretty as she is!

Day 104

"Rain, Rain, Go Away....."

What a day today!  Wow!  It literally poured buckets all day long.  I was supposed to take some outdoor prom pictures today but the rain never let up in Oakville all day.  All day the clouds hovered over and it was just a miserable!  I ventured out to take a few prom pictures (unfortunately indoors) and on my way home had to take an alternate route because the roads were starting to wash out.  As I sit and type this it is still raining!  Hopefully I wake up tomorrow to sunny skies and no more rain.

Here is Day 104.....

Dream BIG!

Congratulations to the Class of 2010 in Portage la Prairie! Today is Prom for all of the graduates and mother nature is not cooperating. It's a rainy, windy and stormy day, but hopefully it doesn't dampen the spirits of all these hopeful grads! *it likely has dampened the spirits of a few photographers though! LOL....I am hoping the rain stays away for just a little bit this afternoon. I wanted to have four grads to post here, but due to the weather, I had to postpone one of my sessions last evening of another grad.

I was very honoured to take a few senior photos this year. I had a great time capturing some special keepsake photos for them to look back on in years to come. I never thought of doing senior photos, but I learned this year that they are lots of fun and hope to do more next year!

To the Graduates of PCI I will leave you with a quote that I love from Hillary Swank:

"As long as we dare to dream and don't get in the way of ourselves, anything is possible - there's truly no end to where our dreams can take us."

Another Danny-Boy

I loved this one too....just had to post it! He looks so much like my brother in this one - it's uncanny!

Day 103

"Danny Boy"

Well, I was supposed to be doing a fun senior session this evening, but the rainy weather forced us to post-pone. I had planned for that session to be my "Picture of the Day" for Project 365, but since it was postponed I figured I better find something to take a picture of. I knew the boys would have no interest in me taking their picture so I wandered outside to see if there was anything in walking distance that would be 'interesting'. Nope. Danny came looking for me and when he spotted me with my camera he quickly turned around and headed back towards the house! As some of you know though, Danny is my "good son", always so helpful and kind so when I looked at him and said "Danny, it's going to be you or a picture of another tree!", he said "OK, one picture Mom, but that's it!" Thankfully one out of the five he allowed me to take turned out just fine for Day 103!

Thanks Danny Boy....always there when I need you!

Day 102

"Simply....Jack"

Tonight was Jackson's Nursery School Spring Concert. He was so cute all dressed up in his new outfit for the concert. Before we left he asked if I could do his hair "like a dude". Having no idea what a "dude" looks like, he and I headed for my room to see what "style" he was looking for. I found out he wanted it "spiked up at the front like his Dad". I guess Kris must "look like a Dude!" LOL!! Anyhow, I got him looking all cool and we headed off to the concert.

If you haven't been to a Nursery School concert, I highly recommend you attend one at some point. They are adorable! These three and four year old kids are all up on the stage, singing their hearts out and so proud of themselves. I left there with a huge smile on my face....it just makes you realize how special moments like this in your children's lives are. I did take pictures of the concert, but I won't be posting them simply because there are other kids in the pictures and I don't have the permission of their parents to do so. Needless to say - they were all adorable!

Day 102 is a picture of my "little dude" all ready to go and perform at his concert. It was real sweet to finally make his big brothers follow him around for a change!

Day 101

"Adorable Boys"

My sister, Mom and my two nephews have been here for a few days. It is so nice having them all here. I apologize this is a day late, but we've been busy with all these boys around here the last couple days. I quickly snapped a few pictures of my nephews playing outside and didn't really pick up my camera for the rest of the day so these cute pictures of Mr. Maddox and Mr. Reese will do for my Day 101. Aren't they simply ADORABLE!?

Here is Day 101.....

Day 100

"Mr. Maddox"

So, what a windy day today was! I never even ventured outside until I actually had to. I cannot stand wind...it simply annoys me...if that makes sense. My younger son's baseball game was cancelled due to the weather, but my older son's game was on. My sister and Mom are here visiting so they came along with my sister's youngest son Maddox to watch Danny play. It was so cold and miserable so we put Maddox in my Mom's vehicle to stay warm. I didn't have much of an opportunity to take many pictures as the weather was not condusive to photography today, but I did manage to capture this one shot of Mr. Maddox in my Mom's mirror. I thought it was cute, I especiall love Maddox's little baby hands in this picture. He's so adorable....I'm so happy he's around for a few more days of visiting! While at Aunty Jodi's - I can guarantee you he will be spoiled rotten!

Here is Day 100! Luckily one of the very few pictures I took turned out today, otherwise I'd have nothing to post...thank goodness for adorable nephews!

Day 99

"Road Trip"

Well, today we packed up from a great long weekend and made the three-hour drive back to Oakville. I knew that when I got back home we'd be watching hockey, doing laundry and getting ready for school so I thought I might as well snap a few pictures of our road trip for Project 365!

Sometimes the drive seems very long, and other times not so much. Today's drive was one of those "long" drives. The boy's DS games lost power half way home and I didn't have a charger, I forgot to pack a movie other than "Toopee and Beenoo" so the older boys weren't impressed and the kids got a little more than restless!

Anyhow, we got home, and even though at times I think the commute to the cabin and back is too long, it's always worth it in the end!

Here is Day 99....the Road Trip!

Day 98

"Lovely Lilacs"
So, today was my 36th birthday.  I had a great day....started out opening wonderful gifts from my three boys.  Their Dad gave them each money and set them loose in Wal-Mart and I'm so surprised at how much they "know whay I like".  It was so much fun opening up their gifts - they were so cute!  Then we went for a bit of a drive to kill time before my parents & sister came over.   We came across this beautiful lilac bush and I had to stop and take a picture.  We had lilacs.....until my husband tried to burn around our yard, and long story short - no more lilac bushes.  :( 

My parents & sister's family came and we had a great time, kids played, we ordered in Chinese and of course, my sister made me my all-time favourite cake -carrot cake with cream cheese icing - Yummy!  All in all, it was a wonderful day....just a few important people in my life were missing, but most of them were here with me to celebrate.

So, on my birthday, my "picture of the day" is my favourite flower.....the lilac. 

Here is Day 98.....

Day 97

"Rainy Days"

So, today I woke up to a windy, rainy cool day at the cabin. At first I was disappoined, but then thought - well, perfect day for some reading and sipping coffee so that's exactly what I'm going to do.  I knew I needed to do my Project 365 for the day, and the boys have decided to stay in their pj's for the day and vegg so nobody is "photo-ready" so I just took a few shots around the cabin that I look at and make me smile.

As you all know, I'm a quote person. I live my life by quotes and sayings. Whenever I need a pick-me-up or inspiration, I turn to my book of quotes. Through happy and sad times in my life, I have turned to the written word to sustain me and guide me. My friend Andrea gave me Oprah's "Words that Matter" for my birthday and I have already read it cover to cover. It has now become my new "favourite book".

Here is Day 97, along with my favourite quote about rain.....

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."

-Dolly Parton


 

Day 96

"My Happy Place"

Yay! It's May Long Weekend! I have no sessions booked and am up at my "happy place" with the boys and Kris. I am looking so forward to a weekend of R&R. This will be our second summer at our cabin and I'm looking forward to packing up the boys on the last day of school and spending the summer here. I will have to travel back to Oakville for a few days during the summer for sessions, but for the most part I'll be "living" here with the kids. I decided to make the most of their "time off from school" so I booked all my sessions into a couple weekends so that I have most of the summer off while their off.  I'm very grateful I have the opportunity to do that.  I figure I can work full time when they're tired of their old Mom and want to hang out with their friends! LOL!

Not only is the scenery outstanding up here, I'm also twenty minutes from my sister and 30 minutes from my older brother and parents! I'm close to "home" and I love it! I have been bugging my husband for years to move to my "home", but that's simply not an option, so this is certainly the next best thing.

Anyhow, here are a few pics of my "Happy Place"! And as for my shirt  - if you're wondering....it says "Shopping is my Cardio"....a quote from my favourite show 'Sex And the City'....Danny bought it for me....love it!

May Long!

So, the long weekend is upon us.  I love May Long - always have.  My birthday usually always falls on the May Long weekend and it's such a beautiful time of year with the trees in bloom and knowing that we have months of beautiful weather ahead of us.

We're heading up to our cabin for a few days of R&R.  I had an inquiry for a family session this weekend, but I hesitantly declined.  I hate saying no, but it is something I am slowly learning it's OK to do. 

I thought I'd post this picture of Delaney that I just adore.  It is so pretty with the flowers, and of course her!  It just screams "SPRING".  So, have a wonderful long weekend everyone. I hope wherever you are, or whatever you do, it's lots of FUN!

Day 95

"When is it my turn?"

So, Jack and I headed into Portage with Danny for his ball game - yet again!  Poor Jack, he spends all winter following his brothers to a rink...and now all spring, following his brothers to a ball diamond!  He is a pretty good sport about it, but there are days when I think he'd just rather stay home....or be in the game. 

He looked at me today and said "when is it my turn?".  Luckily, I had my camera in my hand, so instead of answering him - CLICK!  Then I put down the camera and said "soon Jack, very soon".  What will I do when I have three boys to run with?  We'll be outnumbered?  Oh well - let the fun begin!

I'm lucky I had this picture because it was either this, or a picture of a beautiful dog I took.  And to be honest, I kinda like my 365's to be a bit more meaningful than a dog I'll likely never see again! (although the dog picture was likely a bit better composed than this one, but oh well)  I hope at the end of this to make a book for myself.  Great way to track " a year in my life"!

Here is Day 95....

Delaney - Senior Photos

I had so much fun last evening with Delaney and her Mom.  We toured the Oakville country-side and found some great spots to do Delaney's Senior Photos. Delaney used to babysit for us and my boys adore her.  She is one of the nicest, sweetest, most responsible girls I've come across and I was so honoured to do her grad photos.  Good luck with your nursing dream Delaney. I know that you have a very bright future ahead of you!  Hope you enjoy these photos and will look back in years to come with fond memories of this exciting time in your life!

Day 94

"Miss. Delaney"

Sorry I am a day late posting my Project 365! I couldn't decide which pictures of Delaney to inclue in my project. I decided to go with a collage of her in "vintage" tones. Delaney was so fun to work with, so willing to pose and do anything I asked her to do - even brave the long grass (eeeek woodticks!) I basically told her to just "be herself" and I think her true self shows through in the photos we have taken.

Delaney is my third "senior/grad" session I've done in the last week and I really enjoy them. It makes me think back to my grad, and that excitement that goes with your last few weeks of high school. I realized today, I have been away from "home" for as long as I was at "home" - 18 years! Time flies. Thank you Delaney for last evening - I hope you had as much fun as I did. And good luck in your future endeavours....you will be an amazing nurse!

Here is Day 94....featuring the beautiful Delaney!

My Little Superhero!

My inspiration for photography came when I became a Mom.  I regret that I didn't invest in better cameras when my boys were babies. I still have lots of great pictures, but not like the one I take now of other people's newborn babies.  I'm making up for it now.  Not a day goes by where I'm not clicking away at my kids, they don't even notice anymore.  Yesterday I looked out my window from my desk and saw Jack walking around the yard completely entranced in being a Superhero....couldn't resist....grabbed the camera and away I went.

Day 93

"Take me out to the ballgame....again."

Well, tonight was a treat for me as I was able to watch both my older boys play ball.  They were playing side-by-side in Oakville.  For the first time this season I got to see my little slugger (Dylan) go to bat - and he did very well!  What a difference between the age groups though.  Danny's team is three strikes & your out, real pitchers, etc.  Dylan is still at that age where they can hit off a pitching machine, and if they can't do that, they get to use the Tee.  Nobody goes "out" and it's all about fun.

To be honest, I like both....Danny's is a lot more exciting to watch and let's face it - they all have to learn to compete sooner or later.  However, Dylan's baseball is so cute and entertaining to watch.  So, today's photo features Dylan playing ball as I've already featured Danny a few weeks ago (which Dylan reminded me of today!).  I also included my little "fence climber" in this collage.  Jack goes from a Rink Rat to a Bat Boy and he's pretty good about following his big brothers around.....soon it will be your turn Jack!


Here is Day 93.....

It happens before you know it...the handprints get higher and higher...then suddenly they disappear

I was also very honoured when my husband's Aunty & Uncle asked me to do Bradley's Senior/Grad Photos. I remember Bradley at my wedding....this cute, red haired little boy running around the dance floor..and now here he is graduating from High School. Thanks Bradley for being so easy-going and letting me boss you around through this photo shoot! LOL....

Time Flies...

So, I have known Taylor for twelve years!  I have watched him grow up so when they asked me if I would do his Grad/Senior Photos I was so honoured.  Taylor is an awesome kid and my boys adore him.  He always makes time for them whenever they come and visit.  It's hard to believe that Taylor is graduating from High School.  Wow, time flies.  Here is a sneak peek of some of the many images we captured on Sunday evening.  Thanks Taylor for being so fun to work with!

Day 92

"Daughters are like flowers, they fill the world with beauty."

I went over to my friend Andrea's today to check out her beautiful blooming trees in her yard. I took a few pictures of flowers and was thinking that would be my Day 92....but her and Marae were far prettier than any flower hanging in a tree! So, Day 92 is of my dear friend Andrea and her "Mini-Me" daughter, Miss. Marae!

More of Mr. Dawson!

I couldn't resist just posting a few more of Mr. Dawson on my blog. He is utterly and totally adorable!

Love!

I just loved how these pictures of Candace with her boys turned out. I'm a sucker for Black & White....and the love of a Mom & her boys....

The Sullivan's

Couldn't have asked for a nicer day to take pictures of this wonderful family. There was a bit of wind, but we managed to work around it! It was great to meet you guys, I hope you enjoy these pictures!

Jamie & Candace

Whenever I do a family shoot, I try to get a variety of shots - just the kids, just the parents and the family. I loved how these pictures of Jamie & Candace turned out. You'd think they were in high school still! Lookin' good guys!

Brothers - Samuel & Spencer

I met Samuel & Spencer at the Fort La Reine Museum in Portage la Prairie yesterday afternoon. It was a beautiful day to capture some cute shots of this pair.  They were so good, and so cooperative.  It was great meeting both your you and thank you for being so easy to work with!