Day 165

"My Life"

I have to say I have been very humbled by the many inquiries for my photography services. I also have to say that I feel bad that I have to say no to some people. I wish there was a way I could "fit" it all into my life, but at some point I just have to learn to say no. I love my job. I am so blessed to have found ...something I love to do that allows me to be "home" with my kids. It truly is a dream come true and I am so thankful to the people who trust me to take their pictures!

So for those of you who have allowed me into your lives to capture some memories for you I say THANK YOU. And for those of you who I have had to decline my services to because I simply cannot fit anymore appointments into my schedule, I also say thank you and apologize for not being able to accommodate you. I feel guilty saying no, and wish there was a way to "do it all", but when I look into those three sets of eyes above and spend a beautiful summer day with them....I realize that saying no is OK, and saying no sometimes is the best thing I can do for them.

Day 165....a picture of each of my boys taken tonight on our picnic by the lake. They are truly "My Life".

Day 164

"Lance's Work"

So, I headed to Grandview yesterday for rehearsal. Yes, I said rehearsal. My sister-in-law signed me up to be in the Grandview Settler's Re-enactment play in Grandview for the Homecoming Weekend. She said we wouldn't have any lines, etc and it would be easy. Hmmmm.....she was mistaken! I suddenly found myself in a saloon girl costume trying desperately to learn the can can!! OMG....what have I (no, let me rephrase that, she) got me into!! A ton of work has been put into this production and it is going to blow people away....there are stagecoaches, horses, etc and I hope the people coming "home" and the residents come out to watch this play as the volunteers have doing a truly amazing job of putting this all together. Now, if I can just keep myself from falling on my face while doing the can can!!!

I was out at my brother's place and he took me to show me his mural he did for the new Grandview Kinsmen Community Hall. WOW. When he turned on the lights I was blown away. He did such an amazing job of this. He painted all of this free-hand (is that what it's called Lance?) and this all came out of his imagination. This mural truly represents everything Grandview is about. We are a farming community and proud of it! This hall is truly a testement to what small towns are about. The people in the community decided they needed a new hall and they all worked together to raise the funds and see it built. I know of a few larger centres that could take a lesson from this initiative! Everyone involved in this new building should be so proud of themselves. Just another reason why I am so proud to still call Grandview "HOME".

So, Day 164 are a few shots I took of Lance's mural. Well done Lance. I'm so proud of you....

The Lee Family

A couple weeks ago we had a memorial for my husband's Grandma Lee. She passed away in the winter, but she had lived in BC for many years so they waited and held her Memorial in Winnipeg in July. Some of the Lee Family I had never met until the Memorial so it was nice to put faces to the names. The Lee's are spread o...ut across Canada so the Memorial was like a reunion as well. After the service in Winnipeg, My Mother-In-Law hosted a family barbecue in her back yard in Portage. I had a session that evening so I had my camera with me so for posterity I decided to take a few group shots. Here is a sample of some of the Lee's. Nice to meet you all, and nice to see some of you again!

Jene, Rene and Boys - The Dufresne Family

Met up with the Dufresne Family last week to take some family pictures up here at Asessippi. We had a great time, despite the mud! Here are a few images from our family session.

Day 163

Adorable Reese

Spent the day with my sister and her beautiful boys. It's so nice being up here at the cabin, only minutes away from her and her children. Tomorrow I'm heading to my brother's place to see my other set of nephews. Life is good up here.....need to win the lottery so I can make this place "home"! ;)

I didn't take many pictures today, but I did take a quick one of adorable Reese!

Here is Day 163.....

Miss. Kassie

I was finishing up some edits for Vince and Michelle and came across these cute picture of Miss. Kassie....just had to share!

Day 162

"Summer Evening"

Hot day today! The kids spent the day exploring outside and I spent a great deal of the day inside finishing up client packages. I am almost caught up - one more session to complete and then time for some days off! I can't complain though, I am up at my cabin and enjoying the beautiful surroundings up here. I moved my laptop out to the deck later in the day and sat and edited pictures on the deck....kind of hard to call that "work", especially with a glass of wine by my side. ;)

This evening Danny was hanging out on the deck checking out the view and I couldn't resist taking his picture.

Day 162....Danny enjoying a beautiful Manitoba Summer Evening...

Jolene and Curtis ~In Love~

I spent last Sunday evening in Treherne with Jolene and Curtis taking their engagement pictures. These two were so fun and so easy to photograph. They are truly "in love". Congratulations on your engagement and I look forward to your wedding in Winnipeg at the end of September! Here are some of the many shot I captured of this beautiful couple!

The 'Best' Family

I had so much fun with John, Joanne and their two beautiful children. This family is all about cattle and horses and I wanted that to be reflected in their family pictures. The kids are the epitomy of what a farm kid is all about right from their Wrangler jeans to their cowboy hats and I also wanted that to show in these pictures. These photos are why it is so great to do on-location photography. I could never have captured the essence of this family had they come to my home for family pictures. I love how these turned out! Thanks John and Joanne....it was truly a pleasure getting to know you and hang out at your farm for a couple hours last Sunday!

The Van De Spiegle Family