Family Photo Shoot

Commentary to come...

Moments to Treasure

This past weekend I had the chance to spend 2 whole days with my mom. We don't often have a lot of time together - visits are often snuck in between other life commitments. This weekend though was just about us... "mother and daughter"... and the moments we had I will treasure forever.

Our weekend included a visit to a local art gallery and a wonderful conversation with local artist Brian Dalton, exploring the town I grew up in (Ripley Ontario), a visit with the cousins at "wing night", shared laughter including a moment so funny I actually spit wine out my nose... yes, yes I did, you had to be there... lol.

The best part of the weekend was the road trip with my mom the next day - we spent hours driving around visiting all the things I remembered from childhood like the public school I attended, the house we lived in, the best ice cream cones in the county at a local mom and pop store among many other places. We even stopped so I could take a picture of the farm my Gran had when I was a child and a surprise visit to my favourite Uncle.

I remember as a child my mom packing my brother and sisters and I into the orange pickup truck we had and off we would go day-tripping. She would pack a lunch and we would hit the road. Every time we got to a stop sign my mom would give each of us (in turn) the option of picking the next direction. I'm sure sometimes we must have drove in circles but mom never said anything, just let us pick the next turn or go straight as we wanted to.

My favourite trip ever ended up with us in Clifford, Ontario - having a picnic near a small stream, such a pretty spot. And try as we might, we never found it again - such were these adventures... each one unique, each one filled with its own story, each one a memory that I will treasure always - just like the trip on Sunday... moments to treasure. Thanks Mom, I love you!



My Gran's farm - gosh has it changed.




Countryside on our road trip


The cousins


My gorgeous mum!


No post is complete without a fur baby making an appearance - this is my mom's newest baby. Aptly named Mr. Dressup (its a story - but I won't share, well maybe later... LOL)


We ended our road trip with a visit to my uncle, whom I've always called "Snookey". The story goes that when I was a small child he used to call me "Snookums" but I couldn't say that and in turned called him Snookey - which has stuck all these years. Still one of my favourite childhood memories - so wonderful to see him - thanks Mom!

A day enjoying the sunshine...

This picture is my favourite from the day.








A little nature shot at the park.









The next 4 photos are a series of a rock dropping into a stream - I love the details of the water splash :)

Happy Mother's Day

I am truly the luckiest gal in the world - a wonderful supportive mum and a great kid. Mother's Day for us, was supper cooked by my amazing kid... ham tetrazzini... yum, yum! Then mum, Andrew and I got to hang out and watch a movie last night ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - great movie and story line... i.e. life lesson stuff - but very, very weird ending... man to baby?? i don't get that... but I digress). Today was a photo session at a gorgeous old building in my town. Beautiful architecture and of course one of my favourite subjects - "my family". Tonight a little quiet time with the fur babies in my life - all vying for attention at the same time...lol. Truly, they are just grateful I don't have the camera in hand... wee Frankie mewing constantly for attention... too cute! Here are a few photos from the day ~ enjoy!

p.s. more pictures to come in this album... :-)


Mum and Andrew

Food for the Soul

Today was far too gorgeous to not be outside. Facing laundry, house cleaning, errands and other assorted domestic duties - I heard the call of the waves... turning a blind eye to the chores, I hopped in the car and headed to the beach. The waves crashing against the shore (not yet the pristine beach that it will be once graded - but relaxing nonetheless), the blue sky, wind in my hair (sand in my shoes), camera in hand... a little slice of heaven...






There is just something about drift wood that attracts me.






I LOVE that I was able to capture the wave as it rolled into the sand - the full res version of this shot is amazing (if I do so humbly say...lol)




Look at that sky - if that doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will...


Can you spot the spider? He was FAST and tough to catch - took about 8 shots to get him.






I think this is my favourite shot from the day.


Drift wood


More drift wood...


and yet, more drift wood

Family...

This past Saturday, April 25th, my son Andrew turned 20! My oh my, how time flies. I remember him as an impish young man with a grin and dimples to that would make you smile. Not much has changed - he's grown now (over 6ft tall!), but still has that great smile and is a beautiful human being - I am so proud of this young man.

For his birthday - we took his sister, her husband, their little one (his niece) and his dad for a photo shoot. A day spent in the company of family - heaven!






I love the smile on her face




I can't take credit for this photo - Manny became the photographer so I could get a few shots of my son and I on his birthday. I remember the days when he used to rest his head on my shoulders... sigh... enjoy those early days... they don't last long...


Andrew hamming it up for the camera




Andrew and his niece - hamming it up as usual


The "posed" family shot...

and the real family shot... below...


Thanks guys - I think the real present was mine... spending the day with family... a gift... one that I will treasure always. Happy Birthday kiddo - I love ya!