It was so fun to document Mike and Miranda’s wedding last weekend. I love small weddings – it’s all about the marriage! They had a beautiful day at the gorgeous Auberge-du-Pommier for a late afternoon wedding and reception surrounded by their family and closest friends. These two just radiated love – they were beaming from ear to ear the entire time. They have had such a busy couple of months… Thursday of that week Miranda finished her teaching for the year, then Saturday was the wedding – 6 days later they were moving… and in a couple months their little girl will join their family! Crazy busy! But as Miranda’s mom said numerous times that day “this is such a happy day.” ANd it really was!

Just after they were pronounced husband and wife… Mike asking if he can kiss her now! Too funny!

Always love seeing couple’s interact after they walk out of the ceremony – that moment of “we’re married!!!”

A little touch up – love mom watching her girls.

These were some very happy friends and family!

Miranda and her sister are the same age difference as my two girls (22months) – so watching their bond was very special to me!

Their speeches to each other at the reception were so sweet and heartfelt!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Years ago I babysat my little cousin Kathryn and her siblings. Since then Kathryn and I have moved to a close friendship. It has been great to watch (and document!) Kathryn and Aaron as a dating couple, engaged, wedding, newlyweds, maternity, newborn and now their little family. They have also become fast friends with our kids and they have so many good memories of weekends with Kathryn & Aaron playing tickle monster, watching as Aaron and dad built their treefort, enjoying Kathryn’s yummy cake pops and so much more!

Well, on Tuesday Kathryn and Aaron (and Hudson) are moving to Thunder Bay. Close to 1500km away from us! We’ll miss them so much! They came over yesterday so we could say goodbye. Here’s a few photos from saying goodbye yesterday.

Hudson not so sure about the kiss from Eden.

Eden reading him some Harry Potter.

Madi snuggling with Hudson.

Hudson’s so shy with all this attention….

The family!

Hudson waving good bye!

Madi chasing the car down the road… we’ll miss you!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

This week, I saw this great video and had to share it with my mom…. if you are a mother, grab a kleenex and watch this. I loved it. And bawled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NScs_qX2Okk

When I posted it, I didn’t realize it was the day before the 4th anniversary of my mom’s mom passing away. I can not believe it’s been 4years since the world said good bye to one of the most phenomenal women who ever walked it. Today, I stumbled across this and thought I’d share it. At the funeral each of the grandkids were given the opportunity to share – my sister and I shared what we learned from GG (my Grandma – GG is for Grandma Grace or Great Grandma). I needed to be reminded of these lessons today and thought I’d share with you!

All I needed to know I learned from GG….

GG taught me that it is important to give others the spotlight, and to sit in the audience cheering them on. Being a cheerleader and support is just as important (if not more) than being the star of the show.

GG taught me that love is more than words.

GG taught me the art of remembering…. names, what someone is going through, and what someone likes. To pick up on comments casually said in conversation of something the person needed, and remember it come Christmas. To inquire after people and their specific situation. To remember people by name. To stock the fridge with your guests favourite food.

GG taught me that life is full of simple joys – a garden in full bloom, a shore launch, fresh picked strawberries, catching a big walleye, a walk on a beautiful day.

GG taught me to laugh often and much. But never at someone’s expense.

GG taught me I am a part of the world I live in and need to be informed. Staying up to date on current affairs – both politically and culturally… from the evening news to Dancing with Stars.

GG taught me that it is better to listen than to speak. Then when you do speak, everyone is all ears.

GG taught me how to live life to the fullest.

In the words of my Grandma “That’s enough of that mush.”

Here’s a snapshot of her with my mom and my daughters – 4 generations of us together that day. SO glad my girls got to know her and also two great grandgrandpa’s on Mark’s side!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I’ve blogged about these guys before…. my two close friends from high school (Cherie and Carolynn) and I have kids around the same ages. They only see each other a few times a year but are so close! We like to try to do these photo shoots of the kids in the orchards at Cherie’s place – but it’s tricky to schedule as there’s only about a week of blossoms. So glad it worked out this year! Here’s the kids enjoying playing in the orchard last night!

Caden and Aliah – Cherie’s munchkins.

Paige and Chloe – Carolynn’s kidlets.

And my two darlings… Madi and Eden.

And they’re off and running!

Aliah had made a BFF card with a picture of them all – here she is sharing it with them. Just a note – pretty much all of this session is unscripted, the kids just played and hung out. They were great! Much easier than when they were small! ha ha

Caden trying to knock the girl’s out of the tree – ha ha!

Paige said “I just love being in trees!”

Madi said “it’s beautiful here – even without people in it!” SO true!

Such a boy! ha ha

Cherie brought these great lollipops for the kids!

And the kids trying to fit their fists in their mouths. CLassic.

Just ignore the boy – ha ha. Step over him.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Yesterday I posted about sweet little Kaley at the Ronald McDonald House. Today I have another little guy to melt your heart. Meet Mr. Riley. And speaking of hearts…. this little 6 month old has already had a heart transplant. Amazing. Just 5 days after finding out he would need a heart transplant – he received his new heart. Living several hours away from a hospital (near Pembroke) that does transplants – or even cares for transplant patients – they have been living as a family of 6 at the Ronald McDonald House. Even though his transplant went well, there are doctors appointments nearly every day so they need to stay in Toronto to be able to attend all their appointments. Again – so thankful for RMH so this family could all stay together.

Riley is such a little munchkin!

I absolutely love these bravery beads! The hospital gives a bead for each procedure – Riley’s parents have kept them and strung them together. They are longer – much longer! – than little Riley’s body. The red paper is the legend as to what each bead represents. What a story for this little guy! And a great way for the siblings to see and understand a bit of what Riley is going through.

And meet the gang!

And a special shout out to their guardian angel. This 16year old has come with them to help watch the kids and help out while mom and dad take care of Riley. Awesome!

Sweet little Riley – love this little guy.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

We are home from a great week away in Florida visiting family! Such a great time… here’s a little video to share our adventures! This trip I left my “real” camera and just relaxed…. and now I feel rejuvenated and ready to go!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I love going to the Ronald McDonald House to photograph. The families are always so inspiring… I photographed two families this time. First, let me introduce you to Kaley and her family. They came from St. Vincent in the Caribbean. Their hospital at home was not even able to diagnose Kaley’s leukemia. Again – we are so fortunate to have such great health care so accessible to us. Kaley and her mom and big sister camer to Canada and have been here several months during Kaley’s chemo treatments. This is a huge cost to their family – and makes the stay at RMH house all the sweeter. Kaley’s Grandma has also come down to stay with them now too. One of the many things I love about RMH is that they recognize how important family support is and have apartments so the extended family can stay together. Makes the journey so much better to have loved ones with you.

Meet sweet little Kaley. She was shy at first…

But soon was pulling out her model moves.

Kaley surrounded by the women she loves. Big sister. Mom. Grandma.

It was her sister’s 12th birthday that day! SHe also coordinated all their outfits for the session and did an amazing job!

It was a gorgeous day to go outside….

What mom wouldn’t want to see their girls so happy together? Love the pride on mom’s face!

Blessings on your journey Kaley!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Over the last three years I have photographed Mike and Christa’s engagement, wedding, first pregnancy, their first son Andrew, family photos, some fun projects with Christa (like Marie Antoinette!), and recently their second pregnancy and now their newest addition…. Matthew!

When I got to the house little Mr. Andrew greeted me. Love him!

ANd found signs of a new baby boy around the house!

Finally get to meet the new arrival – and what a happy sweetheart Matthew is!

Matthew’s parents are just smitten… with him and each other!

This is the type of of photo session I love… in their own home, enjoying real moments. Capturing memories that are actual memories.. not just poses. Love this little family!

Dad and Andrew cuddling.. until Andrew escapes to go find mom and Matthew. Love these moments.

Christa’s Anista designs store on etsy is beyond amazing… and she also purchased a few etsy finds we had to document! Like these shirts! And the baseball items for this baseball loving family!

Matthew was so content – what a munchkin!

Some more loving with Matthew!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I am loving my time with Miss Meera each month and her family. They are such an amazing team! If you’ve been following the blog you will have met Meera back in December (http://edisonphotography.com/2011/12/miss-meera/), in January we visited her at her local hospital (link) and in February at her home (link). You can read her story through her mom’s words HERE.

This month, I met up with them at Sick Kids hospital in Toronto as she was to have her “big chemo” that day. She has chemo treatments regularly and then a “big” one about once a month. Now – I have to stop for a minute and talk about Sick Kids. Every time I go, I am amazed by this place, the staff, volunteers, kindness, love… and so thankful we live so close! I have met kids from China, England, the Caribbean, Nunuvat, Nova Scotia, and more as they come from all over the world to this top notch hospital. I too often take it for granted. Melissa – an awesome child life specialist – shared with me this story about Sick Kids (I apologize if I get some facts a bit off… going from memory!). They had a special board of directors at the hospital made up of kids, and asked them what they wanted the hospital to look like. They answered “a shopping mall!”. So, the man who designed the Eaton’s Centre designed Sick Kids. And it is beautiful! But it’s not just the beauty of the building – it’s the people. As you will see below – you bump into awesome people around every corner. Volunteers there just to play with kids. Nurses who are beyond amazing (and I’m fortunate to know a few and they are incredible people). It’s really amazing.

But back to Miss Meera.

When I met up with them we first had some good news! They just had the results from the previous week’s MRI that everything is looking good! Yay!

Then we began the wait for her to get hooked up for hydration and her chemo. As we waited, Meera spotted a new friend…. a clown! I believe the woman is a child life specialist, but what I know for certain – is she was amazing with the kids. She entertained them with bubbles, danced with them, gave them stickers, and had them laughing and forgetting – even for a few minutes – where they were and why.

Okay – I have to stop and mention the shoes! They were those sweet ones that have squeakers in them and make a noise when you walk. Let’s just say Meera was bringing a smile to everyone’s face as she squeaked along.

We then wandered over to one of the play room’s to wait. So much fun for her!

And let’s not forget little Ameena. This girl gets cuter each month. And seriously could not ask for a better baby to spend hours and days up at the hospital, and simply smile and coo and charm everyone within a mile radius.

Finally it’s time! They have a room for Meera!

First, more tests. You know… I can not even imagine being poked and prodded so much. I think I’d react the same. Meera was just sick of it all.

Fortunately moms and dads are awesome comforters.

But then, in a blink of an eye, a nurse asks if they can take her weight and all is forgotten and she cheerfully says “yep!” and all goes honky dory from there. She’s an amazing trooper.

Meera has been through this so much – she likes to help out too. SHe knows just what to do – either for herself, or for checking out her favourite toy… her baby sister.

Love how Meera is checking out Ameena, and Ameena is checking out the nurse’s badge.

Oh Ameena… let’s just stop and love on her for a minute. These two sisters are awesome!

Such an amazing family – and such an honour to document them all. I’ll leave you with a family snapshot – can’t believe how much Roy & LAura’s hair has grown since they shaved it last month!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I really enjoyed meeting Mike and Bonnie a few months ago – perhaps it’s because not only are they both pilots (like most of my family) but they both fly the same plane my dad flew for years before retiring. So cool! We had hoped for a snowy engagement session but snow never happened this winter! So instead we went out on a gorgeous Spring day in and around their neighbourhood in Liberty Village. I love images in your own neighbourhood as they tell part of your story. If you move away, you can look back and remember your favourite hangouts, your home, your memories. Love it!

People are always so nervous at the start of an engagement session. But these are the very first images from the session – they were that relaxed and amazing for the camera the whole time!

I love to have my sessions around 5:30-6pm. Such gorgeous light!

A quick wardrobe change and adding a family member, Saya before heading out again. Here they are at home.

And we’re off to the park! Saya was so excited!

And I’ll leave you with one of my favourites!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista