Our Sweet Baby S

A few weeks ago I attempted to take some shots of my sister's little girl, Serenity.  I went in thinking it would be easy, but of course baby was born with the will of my sister and chose to fight me the entire time.  Also, like with my sister, in the end I won the battle and caught some sweet moments.  She is a little doll who already in charge!  Serry is a tiny little version of Brielle, both in looks and personality.  Look out Kal, you will have your hands full.  Think you are having sleepless night now... wait until this little monkey becomes a teenager!!!

Love you guys so much.  Here is my favorites of the first (of many to come) photo shoots with Baby S.

Logan Turns ONE!

Our very sweet, special friend Logan celebrated her first birthday today.  They had a Winter W(one)derland theme and it was terrific.  Great food, tons of fun games, some very special friends and a happy lil birthday girl!
It was EXTREMELY busy, but here are a couple fun shots that I got.

Sam working at the snowball toss!  Many cute activities for the kids: bowling, ice fishing, slide, and so much more!

Sam trying his hand at the speed bag... Uncle Bill would be so proud!

Birthday girl and her very own cake!  So gentle and girly (at first!)

YUM!

Sam diggin' in!

Logan and her dad read a little bit of the book from Sam.

Lo comes to share some secrets with Shaun.  Very cute.  She would bring him different presents, tell him a little story and then wander off.

The three amigos waiting for their turn to play outside.  It was a perfect day to spend a few minutes in the snow.  We took the kids for a little sled ride and then a couple runs down the hill.  There was also the opportunity to skate, but there just wasn't enough time to try everything!

Thanks for all the birthday fun Gordays!  It was a blast.  Congrats on making it one year... YOU DID IT!!!!  All the hard work, tears, sleepless nights are worth it when you see how sweet she is.  Here's to another year of adventures!

Best Buddies

The only thing more sweet than a sleeping baby is one snuggling his very best friend...

A couple more photos from this past week, when our friends Parker and Lillie came for a visit!

Game of "chase"!

He's closing in on you, Parker!

Sam loves P, there is no denying it!

Stuck in the House - Snowy Day(s)

It's snowed and snowed and snowed... we've stayed inside as much as possible but everyone (especially me!) was getting a bit of cabin fever.  We did get out this weekend for a trip back home to celebrate a long life well lived and capture a few moments in a brand new life.  Back to the point of this blog, last weekend we were trapped and got up to all sorts of stuff... here are a few pictures of our snowy day fun.

We started our next round a swimming lessons, so Sam is in Duck training.  He found Shaun's goggles in our swim bag and they have become vital part of his outfit on a daily basis.

Sam learned (and became obsessed with) Ready, Set, Go!  This weekend.  He'd call a name and then say 'ready, set, go' and then chase us when we ran.  Here's a shot of Shaun avoiding Sam's tag.

Hack sesh!

The boys played a game or two of pick a hand... Shaun always had something in both hands so Sam was always right.  What a good daddy!

The New Improved Version of 25 Things about Me

A friend of mine blogged her 25 Things list and I loved it.  I had done one 2 weeks before Sam was born, so I went back and read it.  Crazy that I laughed at somethings about myself that I forgot at one time how important they were!  So here is my new list... some the same and many different.  I make no apologies for how odd I am, and here is a little insight into me!

1) I cried when my doctor put me on medical leave... I really loved my job that much.  Then I cried when I had to return because I love my baby so much more.  I thought being a teacher was the definition of me, but it seems it is just a day job.
2) I could eat chocolate with/for every meal (and I have!)
3) I believe there are two phrases that can change the outlook of someone's day... "Thank you" and "I love you".
4) I like to shop at Walmart because there are so many interesting people to watch there and I never feel embarrassed about my baggy sweats!
5) I spend a lot of time thinking of my friends (old and new) and hope they know how much I appreciate them.
6) I have a fear of big dogs (I like them as long as they are no where near me.) If the dog is too big for me to punt away if I get scared, then it's too big.

7) I know a lot of really great moms.  I feel spoiled having them all in my life.  My mom, my mom-inlaw, my step sisters, (the newest one) my sister, aunts, granny, friends... all solid moms that I can steal their great ideas for my own life.
8) I wish that one day photographs I've taken will be somewhere for everyone to see.
9) Sometimes I wake up early enough that I eat breakfast twice in one day.
10) I am a proud Coronation Street fan (I've even got a teapot to prove it!)  Don't knock it until you've tried it... seriously!
11) Self proclaimed plant geek... I will catch myself checking the soil at other people's house to see if their plants need water.  What!?!  I care about them little critters!
12) I have a secret obsession with my hair, it can make or break my day.  It's like an untamable beast that runs my life.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I love a challenge, dammit!
13) My cousins are more like siblings to me. I love them sooo much.
14) I want to see Greece so badly... more than any other place in the whole world.  I've got a plan, a 5 year plan.
15) I still wear t-shirts that I won in high school sporting events as PJs. Does that mean I'm living in the past? 

16) The best feeling is laughing so hard I cry.
17) I used to love to dance.  My girlfriends and I used to have a 'mini dance party' every weekend while getting ready to go out.  It was the favorite part of my whole night.  Sam and I have brought back the mini dance party... this one sometimes involves Raffi, but I'm not complaining!
18) I truly believe I married the male version of myself... it's probably why I think he's so great!!  I was insanely in love with him when I was in gr 8 and he was in gr 12.  I thought he was movie star material, I knew at what time of day he would have to pass my locker to get to class and come hell or high water I would be there!  When I met him as an adult, all I wanted was to get to shake his hand and I could die happy.  8 years later here we are and he's even greater than my junior high dreams had imagined.
19) I only like to park to the left.
20) Doing laundry is my favorite chore. Anything to do with poo is my least favorite.
21) One time walking back to my table at a resturant I saw a can of whip cream on the bar. I (for some unknown reason) made the noise whip cream makes when it comes out of that container (go ahead, make the noise). At that very moment a server came around the corner, hearing the noise and said to me "Whip cream." Strange moment, but I felt like he understood me.
22) I might have a facebook addiction. Maybe.
23) I have a childhood memory of seeing an angel. I was 5(ish) and I HONESTLY believe I saw her.
24) I think napping is the key to happiness... not just for babies but everyone could do with a good nap.  The world would be a better place.
25) I have actually grown to like myself more over the past couple years than I ever have in the past. I'm surrounded with intelligent, genuine people who bring out the best in me. I have realized many life goals and see myself as a strong and successful woman.

2011... A Promise of New Adventure

I can barely remember 2009, but I do know that it was definitely a year of struggle and frustration as well as a the year Sam came into our lives.  It was the hardest year of my life.  
Fortunately, my memories of 2010 are fresh and more than wonderful.  A year of watching my babe grow into a little boy... walk, talk, laugh, jump, play, eat and dance.  He has grown from a precious, fragile baby to a silly, handsome boy.  He makes me smile and laugh with his antics.  Shaun and I have shared tears watching him play in disbelieve that he is simply no longer a baby.
Somedays I can hardly believe Sam is almost 2 years old.  How does the time fly so quickly and change happen so fast?  At the same time, I can not even imagine what life was like without Sam anymore.  He is the light of my life.  He has made my marriage stronger, my days happier and my life fuller.  The joy Sam has brought me has erased (or at least buried deeper) the tough days of 2009 and replaced them with nothing but proud, happy memories.


So I welcome 2011 with wide open arms with faith that it will be another year or fun and games, love and laughter, all sorts of adventure.


This will be the year of laughing more and complaining less.  Taking me time.  Being in the moment during time with my boys.  Living in today being comfortable believing that the future is going to be incredible.  The year I get rid of my bad habits and embrace the habits that make me, me.  Picking up the phone and not saving a hello for tomorrow.  A year of the potty (oh jeeze, hope it doesn't take quite a year!!!)  Adventuring in our VW Vannie... big adventures!  A year to love what I have been blessed with and take credit for all that I've earned.  Taking my photography to the next level (nearly 7000 photos in 2010, hooofta!) and sharing how I see the world. Bringing back nap time for me.  Trade in "I wish I would have..." for "I'm so happy I did..."  Date nights!  A year to let go of what really doesn't matter and embrace life's gifts.  I'm ready for the change and the challenge.  I'm ready to celebrate, enjoy and live my life to the fullest.  Come along for the ride if you want, I know it's going to be amazing!


Oh and the year that gonchies transform my little boy into a super hero!

The Last Moments of 2010

In the last days of 2010, we spent tons of time playing with new toys.  Sam LOVES all his gifts and spends his days going from one activity to another!  He got some really cool cardboard stacking blocks from his Auntie.  We've made many towers, we've talked about the letters and numbers and colours on the blocks.  Sam combined his love of towers and shoes to make...

Not only can we make great towers...

but...

they also are some AWESOME shoes!!!  Sort of like wearing two sliders in curling, not stressful at all!

New Year's Eve fun with Gramma Bee.

Christmas popper crowns for EVERYONE!  My brother and his kids, Creig and Maegan, came for a quick supper before flying home from their holiday in Alberta.