Awhile back I posted about “Sisters” and my girls idea of a “Sister’s Day”. Well, recent;y my sister and I took my two girls and we went to Niagara Falls for our first Sister’s Day! We swam in the pool, jumped on the neds, strolled around the Falls, explored and laughed. A great time away!

Here’s a few snapshots of our time together…

We have always taught our kids that the first thing you do when you get to a hotel is jump on the beds!

Eden’s skirt was perfect for jumping!

Then the next thing you do is lie in bed and watch TV. We don’t let the girls watch a lot of TV (we get no channels – everything is by DVD or on the internet at our house) so it’s a big treat to watch TV at the hotel!

Then I couldn’t find Eden. Typical of Eden – she had climbed up on the counter to admire her beauty in the bathroom mirror.

The girls each had a present (a Webkinz) to give each other – and I forgot Eden’s gift to Madi! Bad mom move. I thought Madi would be upset, but I was so proud of her as she said “That’s okay, I’d still like to give Eden hers as I know she’ll love it.” Love this kid! Hre’s Madi’s card and gift to Eden.

Eden with some bad post-swim hair at the Falls….

I’m sorry – but the Maid of the Mist terrifies me!

Sharing secrets…

My sister Marcie teaching Madi new dance moves…

Eden has her own cool dance moves too..

The girls climbing trees…

and falling out of trees….

Madi is my environmentalist – and so she loved this photo that looks like the tree is blooming out of her arms. (Her shirt says “Take Care of my World”)

The girls love to cuddle!

On the way home we took the scenic route between Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake and we found a great field to stop at – full of wishflowers!

Nothing like dirty socks for hand puppets.

Not the best pic – but the only one of the 4 of us!

It was great to take time out to celebrate Sisters! Make sure to celebrate someone special in your life – if it’s a special occasion or a made up one like this!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

For the second engagement shoot of the day – we completely changed things up and went downtown for some urban photos. I smiled when I saw Andrea’s hot pink dress – the contrast of it against the bricks and decay of downtown would be great! I had not met these two before but was surprised how many mutual friends we had in common! I know Blair’s sister – and man! he is the spitting image of his little 5 year old nephew, Asher!

Without further ado…

Let me introduce Blair & Andrea!

On the way to meet them I had to drive under the railway overpass… I was itching to come back there to shoot and was glad they were game!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Saturday I had two engagement shoots and it was extra fun for me since I hadn’t had the chance to meet either couple yet! We had talked on the phone or email – but never face to face. It was also a fun day because in the morning we did a shoot in nature and in the afternoon was downtown urban grunge. Such contrast!

So – Saturday started off bright and early with Kirk and Lyndsay. I like to go as early as possible to get the best light – and they were game. Yay! Got to love people willing to do whatever it takes for good photos… like stepping in freezing cold water! Brrr…..

The first photos of the day and I was giddy…. cute couple, gorgeous light…

Then we found a field of “wishflowers” as my girls call them. I love Lyndsay’s cute reaction in this first one. So sweet.

Found this gate that had great lines!

Had to do a nice headshot of these two!

And these last few water photos make me happy. See what you think…

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Last weekend I was suppose to photograph Mike & Christa but it poured and stormed all day. So we rescheduled for the holiday Monday – and I’m so glad we did! A morning on a long weekend is nice and quiet! It was perfect for avoiding crowds and just to be able to enjoy the city of Toronto!

We went back to where Mike & Christa had their first date – at Madison Pub and then Massey Hall. We were pleasantly surprised to be let into the pub and be given free reign – sweet!

We started at the pub and these two were nervous! Mike wasn’t so sure about this whole photography thing – but they were soon laughing and we had a blast!

This cracked me up! Mike wasn’t sure what to do, so I told him just to talk to Christa. His dialogue went something like this “So, how have you been keeping? It’s lovely to see you today. Thanks so much for coming out…” he had me cracking up!

Then – they showed me this “LOVE” graffiti right beside where they had parked – good find! Christa has her ways of making Mike laugh (and blush)!

And on to Massey Hall!

Mike would do these “Crazy Eyes” and make Christa laugh… had to show at least one crazy eyes picture!

And checking out the alleyway behind Massey…

Now, I usually throw out something ridiculous to see how people will respond. So, I said “Why don’t you just go stand in the fountain and we’ll finish with that.” And they started to go into the fountain! I love people who are game for anything! I didn’t make them stand in the fountain for real – but still got some fun shots!

Can’t wait for their wedding in July!!!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

A couple of weeks ago I told you about photographing Irena as Lou Lou Magazine and Smart Set’s next “It” girl. She’s done awesome in the voting and is one of the few remaining! If you have a second – stop by and vote for her! You’re allowed to vote once a day….

Thanks!!!

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My mom just sent me this video – I laughed so hard! Thanks for the great pick-me-up, mom!!

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Today – on Mother’s Day – I just have to write to tell you I’m absolutely in love. In love with my family.

On Friday we went out for an early Mother’s Day supper as Mark would be away today. One of my pet peeves is when you go to something like a birthday party or engagement party – and the person(s) in honour are never honoured. Mark knows me so well, he knew this and at the end of supper he asked each of them to say why they love me. This to me is a real gift – the words of love.

Today my girls woke me up with cards. And then every 5 minutes Madi would leave my room to let me sleep in (“sorry to wake you up on Mother’s Day – you sleep in, mom”) and come back in with something else. A bear paw cookie from the cupboard, a noodle bracelet she just whipped up, announcement she had cleaned her room, and a basket full of her things she wanted to give me as a gift. She is so great – she wants to make sure I feel loved and will do anything… and everything!

Mark sent an email directing me to my gifts. He had framed a picture each of the girls had drawn me – I absolutely love kid art so this was perfect!!!! And then he left me instructions to look on my blackberry for his gift… he had loaded it with music! I’m clueless with this sort of thing and am thrilled to now have music to take with me everywhere I go. I love thoughtful gifts!!!! I didn’t want “stuff” and these gifts are perfect!

The one gift I ask for each year is a family portrait. So – watch for that to come in a few weeks.

So today I feel absolutely spoiled in love. And I hope to share the spoiling…

Go and celebrate life and love today – with a mother or just someone you adore!

Here are a few photos of the ones I’m in love with… (taken after our Mother’s Day supper on Friday)

Cutest boy ever… can not believe this year will have been 13 years of marriage. I’m a lucky gal.

Eden and daddy

Eden is such a girly girl

And Madi is such a tomboy – nature lover. Last night in a movie a guy pulled up a flower in a garden and Madi screamed at the TV – “you killer of nature!!!!” She posed for this photo and asked me to write below it as the caption “This is Madi, lover of the environment”

Seriously – these two are nothing alike in so many ways…

And one of my all time favourite photos in honour of Mother’s Day… my mom, me at a few days old and my sister.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

When I write on the blog here, I usually just sit down and write whatever comes to me – I don’t spend a lot of time searching for just the right word… I want it to be as if I was talking to you and try to write in my own voice.

But today I’m having a hard time. For the last couple days I’ve started, and deleted a post on Mother’s Day. I just can’t find a way to sum up how much I adore my girls and the honour of being their mom. I can not express how much I enjoy being a mom alongside such an amazing dad. And to put here all the thoughts I have about my own mom, mother-in-laws, Grandma and women in my life… it would be a novel.

My heart feels full as I think about the women in my life who love so well. I am thankful for examples of mothers that I can look up to all around me.

Recently I heard an interview with Kate Gosselin and she said “Every day do your best as it’s one day closer to your goal of reaching happy, healthy adults. If you make a mistake today don’t let the mommy guilt get to you. Wake up the next day and strive to do better.”

I love that. Reminds me of the line in Anne of Green Gables – “Tomorrow is another day with no mistakes in it… yet.”

I think this Mother’s Day that is what I am going to concentrate on. As a daughter, daughter-in-law and mother I have made mistakes. But tomorrow I can do better. I am going to celebrate life and love today.

Krista

Yesterday I heard an interview with Kate from “John and Kate Plus 8″ and she said something I loved. Let me summarize….

“I may not be the best mom. But everyday when I go to bed