As the weather warms up… people are planning their summer family portrait sessions. The question I get asked the most is “What should we wear?” So… every month I’m going to start posting some ideas to answer that age old question. I love when families, or couples, come coordinating – same colour scheme and feel to their outfits – but not the same outfits. Here are some sweet ideas… love this great colour combination! The pops of pink liven things up and is so sweet!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

9 and a half years ago, I became a mom for the first time. I had always loved kids – probably due to the fact I never fully grew up. But when it came time to have kids myself – I realized how clueless I was about children. Fortunately, Mark is one of 11 kids – and one of the oldest – so had lots of kid experience. But I can still remember when… after Mark’s time off when Madi was born he went back to work. Up until that point, I was the one who had worked while he went to school. What in the world was I to do all day with a baby? And then when Madi was about 6 weeks old and starting to stay awake longer and want to interact more… calling my mom to ask “what do I do with her… she’s awake!?” And so on.

What I have learned in what I can hardly believe has been almost a decade of parenting is this… I really don’t know what I’m doing. I make mistakes. But, I am learning so much. I am learning how to love with a reckless abandon (have you seen Eden’s wild running, leaping hugs? They’ll knock you off your feet!), I am learning to see the world with fresh eyes (why mom? why?), I am learning what I value most as I try to share my heart with my kids. I’m learning to laugh more, love more, play more, read more…. simply LIVE and embrace life with wide open arms.

This Mother’s Day I am so thankful for my two munchkins. It is such an honour to be their mom. The other day, Madison asked if I could take some photos of her. This is rare in our house… so I leaped at the chance. Eden had no interest… until she got bored of waiting for us. She joined us for some too! They wore what they had on… I let Madi choose the poses and locations around our yard. And we had fun! Here are my girlies…

Meet Madison. She is 9 years old, in love with horses, dogs, reading, climbing trees, and is at that fun age between starting to act grown up… and playing with Barbies. She is my sensitive girl who can tell instantly if someone is down or having a bad day. She’s quick to cheer you up with a thoughtful note, or impromptu gift. Madi has got a quick wit and I love conversing with her. She sees life and people in the best possible light. Love this kid.

And then there’s 7 year old Eden. Eden is a wild child. A free spirit. You never know what this girl is going to do – and I love her random, quirky ways. She is quick with her cuddles and compliments. She loves music, dancing, drawing, fashion, reading, and just being with people. Eden can make anyone laugh! Eden has a way of sneaking into your heart within seconds of meeting her. Probably because she’s already climbed up on your lap, wrapped her arms around your neck and told you how wonderful you are.

One thing I know… both my girls are passionate about finding ways to help people. To change the world. To make a difference. I can not wait to see where their paths take them.

This Mother’s Day I’m reminded what an amazing responsibility – and gift! – I have with my two girls.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

As most of you know, my business name of “edison” came because of two very important people in my life. My girls. Eden + Madison = edison!

I haven’t posted pictures of the munchkins in awhile – we had an impromptu photo session tonight around the house here… for now here’s one. I love these two so much!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

It is always so fun to be able to follow along documenting a family from engagement, wedding… and then baby! It was fun to catch up with Kirk and Lyndsay again… and meet baby Abigail! I loved how Lyndsay wanted to remember her chubby feet, and elbows, her habit of putting her feet in her mouth, her red hair, her cute little leg rolls… all of it! Such an amazing, precious time in life!

Kirk, Lyndsay and Abigail came over to my place. We started in and around the yard – before heading in to my studio. I always say I’m not a studio photographer… but it was fun to photograph in and around my work space! I’m not into backdrops and studio lights (natural light pretty please!) but having her on the couch and bench and such was a lot of fun!

So without further ado… introducing Miss Abigail! Prepare to fall in love….

Abigail wasn’t too keen on being on the grass. ha ha.

Got to love a daddy’s girl though! And a GRandpa’s girl too – I LOVE that Abigail’s child care when Lyndsay goes back to work is her Lyndsay’s dad. How special!

Mommyhood completely suits Lyndsay!

This is the sign it’s time to go inside!

First a behind the scenes look at what mom’s and dads do…. here they are both singing and dancing and… I love it!

Got to love perfect baby skin – gorgeous girl!

And I have to share a funny story. If Abigail got upset at all, all they had to do was play the Will.I.Am Sesame Street video, and she instantly cheered up. I mean INSTANTLY. And if I needed her to look somewhere, mom or dad would simply hold their iphone in that direction. It was hilarious – and so helpful!

I’ll leave you with Abigail’s favourite song… be forewarned though it gets stuck in your head!!!

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.

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 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

One thing I am often reminded of when I travel to a big city is the people. Not just the masses of people EVERYWHERE. But the person as an individual. The fact that each of these many, many, many people has a unique story, a family, a reason they are here in NYC at this moment… this intrigues me. I don’t like to be in crowded places – but for some reason, the crowd, the hustle and bustle – it always makes me pause and think how each of these people has a story. That is overwhelming.

I love driving in cabs, and getting in the front and listening to their stories. Our cabby’s were always shocked we were talking to them. But it was so fascinating to hear their tales of coming to the United States, leaving family, building a new life… Stories of struggle, hope, and perserverance. Beautiful.

Enter Victor.

Victor was our cab driver on Saturday afternoon and he was so full of joy.

May I always remember that each person has a unique story that deserves to be heard. May I listen and not just whiz by. May I treat each individual as an individual.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

One thing I believe is that I’ll never know it all. In any area of life. I can always improve, learn more and be inspired. So, when I heard about Jasmine Star coming to New York City for a workshop… well, a chance to learn from one of our industry leaders and a trip to New York City? Didn’t take much to convince me!

I was thrilled that Kathy, Katie and Beth were game also! So, we piled in my car on Thursday and headed down to NYC. I love road trips – and you know you have good company when you realize you’ve driven for 16hours there and back and never turned on music once. Such good conversation!

Here are a few glimpses into our trip…

Thursday night we got there about supper time and then headed down to Time Square.

Friday morning, we had tickets to see Live with Kelly. We slept in but managed to quickly get our acts together and run over there. We were back of the line though and by the time we got in they had run out of seats and we had to sit on the stairs! Fortunately though they taped part of a future episode for when Kelly is on vacation and we got to stay and found front row centre seats. And if you watch on March 21st you’ll see us as Katie won the draw!

Here we are on the stairs!

After Kelly, I stumbled across the line going in to see Anderson Cooper and they had standby tickets and…. well, I went for it! I love that Silver Fox! Unfortunately they did not allow photos or cell phones… but I have to say it was an awesome experience. Anderson is so funny and adorable and brilliant. SWoon.

And then Friday night was Jasmine Star! Always inspiring to be with a room full of passionate people.

Saturday we spent the day wandering around Soho, Macy’s, and the city.

Sunday we went down to Ground Zero before heading home. Always a sobering experience.

Glad to be home!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

We are always thrilled to be featured – and so it was so great to have Josh and Trish’s wedding featured this week on Wedding Obsession. They have such a great story… friends since they were little kids, called off their big wedding – and simplified it right down to just what matters. A boy and a girl in love wanting to get married. You can read their engagement story HERE, wedding story HERE, and see them featured HERE.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista