Yep. Hands down the worst month for many wives. It’s Movember.

If you haven’t heard of Movember yet – be thankful.

In all honesty…. I would take Movember 12 months of the year over cancer. Which is why I’m proud of Mark and all the other Movember boys. Prostate cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer – if detected early. My dad is a case of just this – early detection. Whew! Anywho – they are raising awareness and funds by using their faces.

Here’s a note from my computer-shy hubby.

This Movember, the month formerly known as November I’ve decided to donate my face to raising awareness about prostate cancer. My donation and commitment is the growth of a moustache for the entire month of Movember, which I know will generate conversation (if you don’t believe me, check out Krista’s facebook page), controversy (if you don’t believe me, check out Krista’s facebook page) and laughter (if you don’t believe me, check out Krista’s facebook page :-)).

I’m doing this because 4,400 men die of prostate cancer in Canada each year and one in six men will be diagnosed during his lifetime.

This is a cause that I feel passionately about and I’m asking you to support my efforts by making a donation to Prostate Cancer Canada.

To help, you can either:

· Click this link http://ca.movember.com/mospace/353870/ and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account

· Write a cheque payable to ‘Prostate Cancer Canada’, referencing my name or Registration Number 353870 and mailing it to: Prostate Cancer Canada, Suite 306 145 Front Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 1E3, Canada.

All donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

For more details on how the funds raised from previous campaigns have been used and the impact Movember is having please visit: http://ca.movemberfoundation.com/research-and-programs.

Thank you in advance for helping me to support men’s health.

Mark.

Mark is not only computer shy – he’s camera shy. I did manage to dig up a photo of him from last Movemeber in full country get-up for our goofy Christmas cards last year.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Roz and I share a mutual friend Leanne – so even though I don’t really know Roz… I’ve known about her for years. When Leanne shared that Roz had put together her wedding in only 8 days so that her mother who is quite ill could be there to celebrate with them – well, I wanted to do what I could. I just loved their story. So, one week after their wedding… we got together and they put their wedding clothes back on and we went and took some portraits that they didn’t have time to do on their wedding day. When I got to their house, I found some of their wedding details. In 8 days Roz was able to pull off a gorgeous vintage cocktail wedding. Her mom made the cake – making it extra special!

And I loved these boutonnieres Leanne made – so cute!

And Roz’s jewelry choices were perfect too.

These two are just gorgeous!

And so happy and in love!

Roz has the most amazing skin…

Mr. Alex looking all dapper….

his lovely wife…

They were game for anything… so in the cool of mid-November we went down to the water.

And this is the adorable couple when I congratulated them on making it to one week….

Alex and Roz – wishing you many, many years of happiness! Celebrating life and love, Krista

I always love winter weddings – probably because I was married in the winter myself. So I’m really looking forward to Noah and Courtney’s this January! We met down at the Beaches in Toronto last week and explored…. You’d never know it’s mid-November!

These two are so cute together!

Funny story.

Courtney brought Uggs to wear for walking – and then would slip into heels for photos. They had just put their bag and Uggs down and we set out to take a picture.. .and this random chocolate lab came up and stole one of her Uggs. At first it was funny. After a good half an hour of us, the owner, the owner’s daughter, other pet owners trying to get the boot… we finally got it. Moral of the story – don’t put your shoes down even for a second!

Once we rescued the boot from random dog… we laughed it off, and went right back to them cuddling. Such good sports!

Then we walked down to Queen Street and explored a bit.

Noah and Courtney thanks for a great morning! Can’t wait for your winter wedding!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Growing up, I loved dad’s bedtime stories. If he wasn’t reciting poetry from heart, he was telling us stories of growing up on the farm or his crazy flying tales. I loved hearing stories of dad transporting a Beluga whale from the arctic in his plane, waterbombing my mom’s laundry or car, and even the stories of crash landings and emergencies. My dad has been flying 50 years this year since he took his first flying lesson. It was a few years later he met my mom – a daughter of a pilot, and tehy took flying lessons together both getting their pilot’s license. I can’t imagine mom flying a plane now – and I cant imagine dad not flying.

So when dad retired from the airline a couple years ago – he did what any crazy pilot in love with flying would do… he started to build his own airplane.

After three years… it’s nearly done! So…. let me introduce my crazy parents and my dad’s newest baby….

Now I should give a disclaimer… I try to stay with true colours in my images… but these really needed a vintage feel to them so I played a bit….

After 43 years… still loving…

Then Dad pulled out one of his other stories…. the old car he bought for $50 as a 15 year old….

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

When I photograph weddings and engagements, I often hear “We have no nice photos of ourselves – this will be great to have some good ones of the two of us.”

Then at weddings, I will often pull the parents and grandparents of the couple aside for a nice photo of them as a couple. Again I hear “”We have no nice photos of ourselves since our wedding – this will be great to have some good ones of the two of us.”

Another comment I often hear is how a couple regrets not hiring a professional photographer at their wedding. “I wish I had known about you when we got married” is a common comment.

Enter James and Christy.

They have been married five years – and did a photo session “just because”. I love this! Such a great idea!

We started with their brand new puppy Jasper. A 9 week old dalmation puppy who is so adorable with his two different colour eyes and lack of balance. Always running – always falling. Jasper has only been with them for a week – so this was his first outing into the big, wide world and fun to see him explore.

Jasper felt quite big and strong being out in the world.

He was running, running, running….

Getting tangled….

And finding new things to eat…

Jasper is just so sweet!

And he loves his new family!

I love how Jasper looks away disgusted that his parents are kissing in public. Again.

Jasper took his parents down to the water….

Again – disgusted at the amount of kissing.

Then, Jasper went for a nap while James and Christy did some photos of themselves.

I love that after 5 years they’ve still got it! Christy said at one point “This is good for a marriage -we get to come and make out!”

It was great to meet you three!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Just before I took my moment of silence in honour of Remembrance Day I was doing some straightening up. My girls LOVE to draw…. and draw and draw and draw. I find drawings everywhere. I keep some that are extra special to me – like this one. Thought it was so fitting to find today.

Madi has atrocious spelling… so let me translate what she wrote….

“in my brain Canada is the best country”
“I’m thankful I live in a free country”
“Canada rocks”
“I ? my country”

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

This week in Sparks and Brownies, my girls learned about Remembrance Day. On the way home we talked about what it meant. Having done our family’s cross-Canada trip this year and watched the Olympics on Canadian soil last winter – my girls have become fiercely patriotic. We talked about how much we loved Canada and how thankful we are to live here. In freedom.

Over this year I’ve read a few books that really impacted me – Half the Sky, Three Cups of Tea and We are all the Same. In reading about the state of children in other countries – and specifically girls – I have discussed this with our girls. They need to know that they are fortunate to live in a country where as females they still have a right to education, healthcare, religion, and choices. The biggest thing that can hinder them from reaching their dreams is themselves. We will sit around the dinner table and talk about how fortunate we are to be Canadian women.

And in doing so – we are thankful. We are thankful for those who served and gave so we can live in freedom. My goal for myself and my daughters is that we will live in a way that these men and women will not have served in vain. We will celebrate our freedom.

Today I am overwhelmed as I reflect on Remembrance Day. Sa by the lives lost – but mostly a heart overflowing with gratitude.

Thank you.

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My mom emailed me this story about her uncle this week. Thought I’d share….

If you happen to watch the new film of “Storming Juno”, think of Uncle Clarence who was there. The story he told is that they landed in the rain and were very wet for several days. He and his mate had dug a foxhole and were still very wet. They saw a hay stack nearby and decided to toss a coin and the first one to flip tails had to get out and fetch some hay to help them dry off. Clarence said he lost and was sure his life was on the line. Trying to be a good soldier, he ran to the haystack and gathered some hay. His arms were full of hay and he turned only to see all his mates blown up by a German grenade thrown into the fox hole he had left. That is the only story that he would tell when asked about the war at least in my presence. Our family has veterans who helped save our freedoms.

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(I didn’t have photos of Mark’s Poppy and my Grandpa Hall in uniform to scan today. But thinking about them as well!)

Mark’s Grandpa

My Grandpa (with my mom in his arms and my Aunt Pat)

My great Grandpa

Mark’s brother Andrew

Mark’s cousin Bryan

Celebrating life, love and FREEDOM,

Krista

I fell in love with Jasper tonight. Can’t wait to get at these pictures! Took everything in me not to grab him and make a break for it…. so cute!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I was a little worried about Spencer and Caitlin’s wedding this past weekend.

When we first met to see if they wanted to book… I had a flat tire on the way.

When we did their engagement session… we got caught in torrential downpour!

They say things come in threes – so I was waiting for the rain or snow (it is November after all) or flat tire… but never fear it all worked out!

As Carolynn and I were driving to the wedding I was telling her a bit about SPencer and Caitlin. What I kept saying is they are just so sweet and Caitlin has the hugest smile! And she does. She just beams at SPencer… and he is equally as smitten.

At one point we were taking some portraits of just the two of them and I said “Caitlin your smile is so gorgeous!” and I heard SPencer say – “It sure is. It can light up an entire room.”

I loved that moment. Caitlin you could se felt beautiful land loved and radiant. Definitely lighting up the entire day!

The day started with the boy’s at the hotel. Spencer looked dashing in his tux!

We then went over to Caitlin’s and was greeted by the most stunning bride.

Caitlin’s mom helped her get ready – and now I know where Caitlin gets her beautiful smile from!

Loved Caitlin’s dad’s reaction when he first saw his little girl….

Then it was off to the church!

The flowergirl and ringbearer waving to their friend….

It was a beautiful ceremony – and these two couldn’t look happier to be getting married!

Mr and Mrs!

I loved this moment – as everyone filtered out… these two stopped to celebrate their new titles of husband and wife!

I like when there’s time to stop and chat with the family and friends.

And then it was off for some Fall portraits!

Trying to keep warm!

Caitlin said that after her mom had seen her engagement photos – she told Caitlin – “do whatever that photographer says. She’s a visionary.” I knew I liked her mom! Not every bride would lay on the cold ground in the leaves….

I just love how these two look at each other!

Well.. maybe not how they ALWAYS look at each other….

Thank you for a wonderful day! Watch for your slideshow to follow with images from your fun reception as well. Have fun in Hawaii!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

A few years ago I photographed Jeremy & Becky’s wedding and Martha was a bridesmaid in it. Fast forward a few years – and now it’s Martha’s turn! I just love Jared and Martha together – she kept referring to him as her miracle. They are so smitten!

Jared and Martha weren’t sure what look they wanted for their engagement photos – so I had suggested they look through my website for ideas. They decided they would like kind of an “urban” feel – fun coloured walls, alleys, etc. So off we went exploring London’s alleyways.

We met at the Grand Theatre in London – spot of one of their first dates – and the first place they held hands. Martha thought this photo with the person on the scooter was so fitting as both Jared and Martha are Occupational Therapists.

We then strolled around… these two just beam at each other. Love them together!

I think I heard Martha squeal when we found this phone booth. I love her enthusiasm! Such a great place for a cuddle….

This tree appears to almost be growing out of their hands in the image on the left…. seems so symbolic of their new life together.

We then went t Moxie’s – where they had their first date. A blind date only one year ago! When I mentioned how much can change in a year Martha got all choked up… I love people who are sentimental. Nice to not cry alone at moments like these.

A quick change of clothes – and we are back exploring London’s streets!

Martha said this is how Jared and her had their first kiss… he had picked her up and swung her around and on her way down he kissed her. Hello Hollywood movie. Sigh.

They said they liked fun walls… doesn’t get more fun than this!

They had noticed a fun blue wall and a wall with “1 Corinthians 13″ on it in my portfolio.. Guess what we stumbled across?

We then wandered over to another favourite hangout – a poutine restaurant. Mmmmmm…..

And you know what they say – the couple that laughs together – stays together. Love quirky people (and hats)!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista