So, Bob and I had a little argument. Should I switch to a Mac or should I just upgrade the crap out of my PC. Well, he won out and we did the latter. It is MUCH faster and fancier, but it is a little glitchy. Glad to see I’m not the only one who thinks so.

I’m sorry the blog has been slow this week. I am swamped with processing orders, etc. I promise it will be busier next week. Promise.

So, the images say it all…Jack was the first person chosen to be player of the week on his team. It is a pretty big deal for him. He has improved so much that you would all be shocked!!! And, of course, he won it because of his attitude. Pays to be a good kid.

The kids lay on the ice and pound the wall…then, the winner gets a free family pack of timbits and a free drink. Once Jack ate like 10 timbits and a large chocolate milk, he decided that he must be allergic to milk as he didn’t feel all that good. I told him it was the sugar. What do you think?

They put his picture up in Tim Horton’s…above a trash can. How Canadian are we????

Pretty big week for Jack–he got a haircut(since these images were taken). I’m sure I’ll be showing it off soon. And, he should have a visit from the tooth fairy any day now. Our baby boy…all big now.

…make fun of yourself, then who can you make fun of????!!! This is me. Today. For my kids. We had a little halloween gathering with the usual gang…I just rolled on the floor when I saw this one and had to share it with you all.

 I have a feeling this week the blog is going to be really spooky

So, hello! I feel like talking today which means that I am trying to decide should I say everything in this one blog post that I want to say or should I create a new, seperate blog post…hmmm…one post. So, here’s the thing…I am almost booked out for the year. Over the past few months, I have been playing with my workload trying to determine what the best mix is for me and for my family. I have tried everything from 10 shoots in a month to 6 shoots in a month. And, well, as with most things in life, less is better. Better for me, better for my clients and most definitely better for my family. And, while I CRAZY LOVE BIG BIG CRAZY LOVE my job, I love my family more. And, I need some time with them after the craziness of the past few months. So, from now until the end of January, I am taking limited sessions. I’m not going to say the number…but it isn’t very high. If you were hoping to get in on a session with me in this time frame, please contact me. I already have some bookings, I have a few inquiries which very well could turn into bookings, and that leaves very few spaces I’m afraid. This is just to let everyone know. So, the days in my availability calendar are days I am available to take a session, but it does not mean that I am going to take a session on all of those days. And, I know there isn’t a whole lot of openings in December, but if you are having a baby and want newborn or maternity images, I’m willing to fit you in…so contact me anyways.

I’m partially slowing down for me as I have a few projects I want to work on that always seem to get put on the back burner and now seems like a good time to tackle them. I’ll share them all with you–promise. One of the things that I am doing is an online workshop. It’s got weekly assignments. I am not going to say what they are(I don’t want to bore you all with excessive photog talk), but I will share the images that come from my attempts at getting them completed. Yesterday, Alicia and I went out to complete one of the assignments. And, guess what? We found the most amazing chair just sitting there. So, we took it. That’s right. We took it. It was outside…in a park. I don’t think anyone will miss it. But, now we are going to give it the greatest life! We are each going to do sessions with the chair. It is really fabulous to look at the different images that come from the same thing being shot by two photographers. A fabulous learning experience. So, here are the ‘we found this cool thing’ images. And, some other ones…because I was doing homework.

The last image feels me with glee! Georgia is a unique child and it is fabulous that she has a little friend who puts up with her quirks. I also love the dress she is wearing and her Uggs. Geogia needs a pair. Thanks for helping me with my assignment   Should I post my assignment? The finished product? I might…maybe…we’ll see. later skaters.

This weekend I had the pleasure of watching three brothers tease each other endlessly. Seriously. I have never actually witnessed three brothers’ antics. It made my insides smile

The youngest…

The middle child…with a capital ‘m’ I can say that because I’m one, too…

The oldest…

First, we hung out at their house getting to know each other and we walked down the street for a treat. When I heard their ages, I was all ready to talk up the whole Bakugan, Pokemon, Star Wars stuff. As it turns out, the key to getting these boys to smile was talking about their girlfriends!!! All three of them! Watch out world

And, one of my favorite group shots for last. I love this…it’s so me, funky crop, converse, good looking clients…and someone just got teased about a girl Happy Monday everyone!!!

BOO! Did I scare you? Ha! I think this image of Jack is hilarious!!! I love how he has started acting up for the camera. I just wanted to share some recent images of my gang. I still take more than I will ever have time to edit. I’m actually looking forward to a short break over Christmas so I can play catch up on my own stuff.

Bob is going to give me grief if I don’t point out that he took this swing image. I edited it. He is getting pretty good and when my new camera comes I might just let him play with my current camera more. Oops…no I didn’t just say new camera. Oh yes I did. Can’t wait…

And, I know I’ve been bad about posting favorite blogs lately…I should never make promises that I might not be able to keep. I can’t believe how busy this fall has been. I still think Bob and I need to get away–we almost had a plan to escape to Denver for a weekend, but now Bob is going alone(he had to go for work). I will be pushing NY again as I am being pulled that way. Lately, when I see images or video of NY, I dream of living there. That’s not a good sign.

So–FAVORITE BLOGS–I am going to give a big shout out to Red Leaf Studios  out of Regina, Saskatchewan(Canadians rock) whose most recent post of the wedding with an unexpected snowfall left me so moved and excited to shoot in the winter that I ran out and bought some gear(B&H thanks them as well). I actually have some outdoor sessions already planned for right around New Year’s, but it’s got the creative juices flowing. So…anyone want a shoot in the snow?? Stay tuned for a snow day special

Happy Friday everyone!

Looks can be deceiving…

See the beautiful blue sky in this image? One would think that with a sky that lovely it was a beautiful, warm, fall day. Well, if one made that assumption one would be wrong. Welcome to fall in Alberta. Where clear blue skies mean cold weather. It was freezing. So, we spent 15 minutes outside. We got this cool mcskool shot:

Then, we sat in the family vehicle and wondered what to do. And, I thought of Tara Whitney…because–well, that’s what one does when one finds oneself in a bit of a bind. WWTD?(what would Tara do)…so I suggested the library. Do they go to the library? ALL THE TIME!!! They say–in fact, they had books that were due! Perfect. So, thanks to the inspiration of the all mighty one, we headed inside where it was warm and there were books to read…and all was not lost.

This is the library in St. Albert(I grew up in St. Albert). That tree used to be in the McDonald’s there…it has been in the library for probably more than 20 years, but I’m old enough to remember when we used to climb on it once we finished our happy meals. I like it better in it’s current home.

Their mom said that they loved the water fountain. And, I remembered when my own kids couldn’t get enough visits to one. So, we took a series of images at the fountain. This is my favorite.

I should say that these twins are close to my heart. The first time I saw them, they were literally little peanuts. And, now….look at them. And, for close watchers of my blog–they had a session last year at this time. And, one of my favorite images of all time came from that session–dad giving the little guy an airplane ride. Their mom also designed my fabulous logo!!! Thanks for hanging out with me guys!

This is the most anticiapted sneak peek of the year. Well, at least as far as my favorite blog stalker is concerned(my mom for those who can’t keep up). This is my sister’s family. On the streets of Edmonton. Literally. She gave me free reign to do as I please and I did. The lovely Andrea Hanki was kind enough to share with me some of her favorite locales up there….and, I just have to say that I am totally jealous!!! Edmonton is a cornocopia of fabulous spots for fabulous photo shoots. We even had ours done while we were there. Anyhow…on to the sneak peek:

Guy Smiley aka my nephew!

Hard to pick a favorite…all I can say is that it was darn cold when we took that first shot, but, by the end of the shoot–after eating and considering shooting in WEM and then driving to another spot, it was a fabulous fall afternoon. So, for those who have asked…this is an urban shoot. An urban shoot with a family I love who could ask for anything more?

Two more sessions left for guaranteed Christmas delivery!!! That’s right! Act now! Well, that’s not entirely true as I have a few spots left for my urban mini sessions on October 18th, but after that it will be slim pickings! I will take a couple more sessions in November and then, I’ll be done for the year. The only exceptions I’ll make are for newborn sessions and maternity sessions–but if you’re interested in one of those call me soon as I may close those as well!

So, I feel like I haven’t been giving my blog much blog love lately. I’m sorry. I promise it will improve towards the end of the year. Next week, I am super busy. I still hope to blog as I have a cool urban session this weekend in downtown Edmonton and another session with a family I captured last year. Yes, I occassionally take shoots in Edmonton, but the truth is…I used to live there and so I often have a bit of a list of people who are interested. If you want on the list, you need to contact me and then I let you know when I can work it out

So, last week I missed favorite blogs. And, I’ve been thinking…I think it will just be my favorite things as my online viewing is constantly expanding. Thanks to my friend, Christine out in Vancouver(speaking of Vancouver, should I do some sessions out there??? Anyone interested in that??) for sending me the link to this FABULOUS clothing brand Tea. I think Georgia needs the green Hanne Sweater dress. Speaking of dresses for Georgia. We are getting our family images done tomorrow. We are going urban baby…I found this dress for the fabulous Miss G:

From The Baby Boutique here in Okotoks. You can find them online at Rockyourbaby.com. This with a black sweater and black boots. I have yet to decide which sweater from Anthropologie I will wear. Guess we’ll soon see   I can’t believe how nonchalant I have been with people about what to wear!!! I’m going to work on a whole new guide soon as I realized how stressful it is while preparing for my own session! I’ve been crazy!!! Seriously!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Best sandwich ever–turkey, cranberry sauce, and brie on a rustic whole wheat bread–heated in a panini grill. Trust me. It’s the best way to eat leftovers EVER…

Indeed…look at her!!!! She is definitely short and sweet I think they came to the right place-ha! Especially because I thought that she looked like Cindy-Lou Who(from the Grinch–keep up people) and we call our house ‘Pughville’. In fact, when I read that book to our kids, I always say ‘All the Pugh’s down in Pughville, the big and the small’…it was meant to be.

Private parking for Sweetapple & Co…I think that’s them

Okay…funny thing, the magnet he is holding says ‘I hate everyone’…ha, ha, ha…that is his dad’s beer fridge. Seriously. Nothing is off limits with me

So, I like to get shots of mom and dad cuddling. I told them to sit together on the couch and this is what they gave me:

Somehow, we worked our way through to this:

That was more like what I was looking for Thanks guys for the fun day. It started raining as I walked out your house. What luck that it held off until then!!!