Today's Super Power

Ever thought about what super power you'd love to have? Well, today my would have been having the ability to float on a cloud - nothing really super about it I suppose, but it would have been great! The chance to just get above everything, look down and see things from another perspective, see what is ahead. To have that time completely alone, with the blue sky and sun above and the earth far below. Yup, floating would have been great today. The greatest dilemma would be where to float over. Perspective - reflective - objective - (okay I could probably get carried away with this so I'll stop!!).

Things may be getting a little out of control, not too out of control, but just a little and so before they spiral out of control it's time to stop (drop and roll?). Time to take some time.

Time for uninterrupted reflection.... how am I doing? Am I "getting it"? Do I spend enough time in the Word? Did I play with Tysen and Rylen today? How about Garth - did I give him my full attention? Does my family know how very much I love and adore them? Do my parents and sisters know that I miss and love them? Are my friends hearing from me enough? Do I give enough of myself or am I being selfish? So many questions to ponder, maybe it's time to look around and listen up.

So today would have been a floating day, but since I can't do that I'll just "put" myself in the clouds below and recognize that the cloud today reminded me of what's important.

Angels Again

Jill, Sabrina and Kelly - those were very popular names in my house growing up - when we played Charlie's Angels I always chose to be Jill. Even though the show was on long before we ever watched TV we knew who they were. They were a tight knit group that always had eachothers backs and so were we. The bad guys were put int their place in jail (or our little black and white play house) and we would save our little town for one more day. Our own little group has grown up but they have always been there, even if several provinces have separated us at time I knew that I could always count on them. We've been through alot together, shared alot laughs and tears together. We've gotten angry at eachother and had eachother's backs for forever. I know things about them that few people know and most of my childhood memories include one or both of them. I built awesome snow forts with them, rode bikes through all sorts of mud puddles with them, swam in grandpa and grandma's pool with them until our fingers were almost permanently wrinkled, shared a little orange pup tent with them, and did many many other things with them both.

Yup, I'm talking about my sisters, Nikki and Jenny, two of my closest and best friends in the world. Even when it's been months since we've visited it's like nothing has changed. The laughter and tears are still as real as they were 18 years ago when we all last shared a home. It was a rare moment last weekend to actually have all three of us together in a room. Even though it was for a short time I had a blast. My reason for heading down was to shoot a wedding, but everyone descended on Nikki's place for a visit.

I come by photography very naturally - I can't remember a family gathering that didn't include a photo or 200 being taken during our times together. Either Grandpa, Dad or an aunt was always taking someone's picture. So in keeping with tradition we had a few shots taken of my parents and us girls and then just the three of us. The sun was rapidly falling as we ran out across the road from Nikki's house and snapped these shots.

Bums were pinched, ears were pulled and bras were snapped as the three of us goofed around in front of the camera and the three angels were resurrected for another chance. This Jill was rather tired after all the running back and forth to the camera to make sure things were turning out okay. I know that in 30 years time we may be sporting grey hair and walkers but nothing will stop us from becoming Jill, Sabrina and Kelly one more time.

Long life the Ballantyne Angels!!

We did manage to get one or two "normal" photos taken.

Nikki failed to hear "Okay, now America's Next Top Model Look".

Check out that attitude!!

Again, why just pose for the camera when you can stick your fingers in your sister's ears? No bra snapping took place in the shooting of this pose. That and the bum pinches happened when the three of us were standing up.

It was actually a beautiful night, a typical prairie sunset which I never get to see living amongst all the trees and hills of northern BC.

Couldn't forget to have a Daddy Daughter shot!

Gotta have a Ballantyne girls shot - three of my closest friends - aren't they beautiful?

Alexis - Life

I was blessed with two boys whom I love so so much. There are times that I do feel a little alone in my house with 4 guys (we have a hockey player staying with us for the winter) and long for some girl time. I sometimes do need a break from all the wrestling, armpit farts, hockey playing so really, why wouldn't I take some time surrounding myself with some frills, girlie giggles, dolls and the color pink? Well, I got my fix the other day when I spent a couple of hours with Alexis and her mom. It was great connecting with Amanda and seeing her in a new role of mommy (which suits her perfectly!!).

I basically just followed Alexis' lead and she lead me around the park, thankfully she doesn't run too fast, but being 16 months old doesn't give one a great level of attention for any amount of time.

Thanks Amanda and Alexis, it was a great afternoon and I hope you enjoy your photos!!

Things look different!

Okay, okay I know things look a little different than they did earlier this afternoon. I was checking my blog and realized that it wasn't cutting it. Meaning that my photos weren't standing out like I wanted them too. And while this is doing a great stand in for what will be an awesome blog and website - I couldn't leave it any longer. So being the chameleon that I am, I changed it. Sorry if it throws you, maybe you don't care, maybe you're thinking - it's different? Anyways, I'll try not to change it up too much on you now, although I can't promise that the colors won't change, something still isn't right, but I am limited in what I can offer with this site.
Anyways, enough about that! Just wanted to say thanks for passing along my blog to others, I've gotten some good interest in my photos and love being able to help others decide what they want for their wedding photos -even if it's not me!!
Have a great evening! I've got to go and calm down the riot that is taking place in a bedroom in my house where two little boys are having armpit farting contests. Oh the joys!!! :-)

Sean and Adrienne - Wedding

As we drove to their first look, Adrienne was a little apprehensive about seeing Sean. "I know I'm going to cry when I see him" she stated.

"And that would be totally okay," I said, "you're a little tense right now, but trust me, as soon as you see him, all those little butterflies in your stomach will fly away."

We pulled into the park and I double checked that Sean was where we'd agreed. As we slowly made our way to Sean I could see the nerves filling up in her eyes. She was sort of biting her lip in anticipation and when I finally told Sean that he could turn around and see his beautiful bride, the tears were hanging on her eyelids. Those tears did fall amidst the widest and brightest smile that she gave the whole day. It was a beautiful moment and confirmed in my mind that the first look before the ceremony with just the couple erases all stress, nerves and butterflies and gives them a chance to enjoy the day all alone. (or almost, but I'm pretty quiet!!)

We had a great hour as we explored Confederation Park together, I sure wish it could have been longer, and I think they did too.

A surprise gas leak on the highway caused a few stressful moments as we figured out a new route, but we still got to the church with about 7 minutes to spare!

Sean and Adrienne, I had a great day with you both. Your love for eachother, your son and your family was evident. Thank you for letting me be part of your day. Enjoy your honeymoon!!

I'd love to hear what you think about these photos, so drop me a comment!

This may be my favorite from the day - at least it is right now, it usually changes as I edit. But this one gets my vote!!

I didn't mention her killer shoes - aren't they the best? I love love love them!!!!!

Takin a Road Trip

Well, I'm packing tonight for my road trip to Calgary. I'm very excited about it for a couple reasons, my sisters and I will be together for the first time in a long long long long time! The sad part is that I won't be able to hang out with them all weekend, because I get to shoot Sean and Adrienne's wedding! Woo Hoo! So the sad part contains a fun part! I'm super excited about both events this weekend. In fact if Sean and Adrienne weren't getting married, I wouldn't be seeing my sistas!

I'm hoping by the time I return home that a few more leaves have turned color. No I'm not wishing for fall OR winter, I just want some extra color in the background for my walks, bike rides and photo shoots (which will be in abundance I hope!).

So if you want some extra color in your photo shoots, give me a call and I'll fit you in!

Have a great weekend... I know I will!

Here's a little peek of a photo shoot from earlier last week that I haven't had time to post yet. Isn't she the cutest? I'll post more next week.

Sneakers Needed!!

I found myself in need of sneakers the other day as I took photos of Erin and her children. These three kept me on my toes, almost literally as I stupidly decided that flip flops were the right choice for the afternoon photo shoot. WRONG!!!! It was a beautiful late summer afternoon and I was dressed appropriately..... my feet were not. Now don't get me wrong, I had a blast I just could have used something that I wasn't tripping over trying to get photos of a 3 year old. What was I thinking? What 3 year old wants to sit still while I take photos? Anyways, shoe issues aside, it was a good time. Erin brought along some bubbles which you will see was a great idea as I got lots of fun stuff during the bubble blowing. It's always a good idea to bring things along that are important to your children or that would make the photo shoot go easier. Thanks Erin for the exciting afternoon, I hope you had as much fun as I did!

If you are wanting some photos taken before we lose all our lovely leaves and green grass, drop me a comment and I'll get back to you ASAP!

I'm off to enjoy the rest of this beautiful Sunday afternoon, either my swing and a good book or the tennis court is calling me. Hhhhhhm, which to choose?

The Picture Tree

There was a great tree at the end of the sidewalk at my house growing up. It had a great branch that hung over the walk, you could sit there and pester anyone walking by, or just hang out and think. I loved that tree. That tree is an integral part of my life when you look back over photos. You see that tree was the 1st day of school tree - yup - every September my two sisters and I would get all dolled up for that 1 hour and 45 minutes of school. But before we headed down the 1 block it took to get to school, we'd stop for a photo or 20. Mom would bring out Dad's Konica SLR (note no digital infront of that SLR!!) and have us each stand individually infront of the tree and then the three of us together. Those photos were full of smiles, big hoopy earrings, logoed sweaters, rolled up bluejeans, hugs and lots of memories. That tree was such an important part of my childhood that I had a few photos taken infront of it the afternoon of my wedding. You got it - there I was standing in front of that tree. Gone was the red Club Monaco sweater and huge green and red plaid hoop earrings and in place was a long white billowing dress with a bunch of tulle in my hair holding a bouquet smiling even more widely then I did as a child. That tree was huge!

And today I found myself on the other side of the camera taking photos of my two sons infront of our very own picture tree. I got caught up in the moment realizing that time had gotten away on me again and there was nothing I could do to get it back. Shooting infront of that tree gave me pause and made me evaluate how I'm spending my time with my boys. Now the tree doesn't have that great branch that hangs over the walk, but it's got it's own great qualities. It has great hiding possibilities and provides a different kind of hanging out. All in all, it's a great tree!

Time has moved quickly for me - I actually saw the old tree a few weeks earlier on a trip back to my childhood town. It's still there and still looks just as good as it ever did. I wonder if the new photo tree will stand as long?

Totally Off-Moded!

I grew up in a house of girls and since we didn't have any boys around I got my boys toy fix when I went to the Brown house. They had lego (and lots and lots of it!) and I would spend time playing lego with one of their boys in this great side room filled with lots of windows. So growing up I knew the importance of lego in a boys life and when God blessed my life with two little guys I knew that we'd have lego around. And do we ever!

We had an inside day earlier this week and I was asked to play lego with them. Sounds simple right? NOPE!! Inviting me to play lego means that the huge lego tub and lego table gets hauled into the living room so we have lots of space and so "Mom doesn't have to sit on the floor". Now the lego table was evenly divided between Tys and Ry and there wasn't a whole lot of space for me to build my stuff. So being the martyr that I am (sigh!!) I decided to rebuild some of the toys they had taken apart. But before I could do that I had go thru the whole huge tub and separate lego. Not an easy task I might add, but one I actually enjoy, because I am still legoing (I'm claiming that as a new word - "I legoed with my boys today, Hey do you to come over to do some legoing with me? - try it out and get back to me!!).

My first task was to find all the heads, legs, arms, accessories and tires from the huge tub, which took me about an hour! Every few minutes the boys would wander over to my pile and exclaim with joy that they had found something. They found it? HARDLY!!! Mommy sitting on her knees amidst a pile of lego found it.... but.... whatever, no big deal!

Anyways, I learned a new word that morning that has now been adopted into our home vocabulary. Anytime Tys or Ry found something cool I would hear ......."Wow! Totally Off Moded!!!". HUH? And it wasn't just once in a while it was everytime they decided something was what I used call cool, or wicked, or awesome, or sic. Nope toss those words out, we now use "TOTALLY OFF MODED!!!!!". Try it out, you may want to replace some of your other, totally out of date words and use it instead :-).

It was a great morning, afternoon and evening of legoing and I was told to take photos so we could send them into the lego people for them to publish in their magazine.

So check out these totally off moded photos of my guys and one of their passions.

Have a totally off moded long weekend!

I bet you didn't know that it wasn't just Jack Sparrow aboard the Black Pearl but the Skywalker family, Spiderman (in both his red and black suit), various storm troopers and R2D2?

I love how he crinkles his nose when he gets laughing. I hope he never ever loses it!

He has the sweetest smile and great twinkle in those eyes. Watch out girls!!

I love that this is what Tys loves to do with his quiet time, he can get really quiet!!! It's a great opposite to his hockey playing and bike riding!

Ry guy loves to build ramps and jumps with his lego, but rediscovered how great the pirate ship is when you can build ramps and jumps on it too!

Hanging with the G rents

Garth and I had to leave the boys for a few days and we left our boys with my parents where I knew they'd party hard! And I wasn't disappointed... neither were they!! There is rarely a moment of quiet or non-adventure (is that an actual word?) Anyways..... Hanging at the G rents for my boys is always a blast. And this time it was even more blastful (again, is that a real word?) because their cousins were around. I'm SOOOOOO glad that I packed their swords, because the driveway/street/backyard/basement of Gillespie Street was no longer in Houston, but it became...... NARNIA!!! Yup. My hockey playing, lego building, bike riding, baseball throwing boys set aside their equipment and drew their swords instead! I finally pulled out my camera the last day there and quickly grabbed a couple shots of the sword play. When we got home, the boys wanted to spend some money at dollarama and surprise surprise they added to their arsenal! So if you are ever heading into battle drop by my place and I'm sure we could outfit all the knights of the round table!

My guys got to go fishing with Popi and each "caught" one with their Spiderman and Superman rods.

The "warriors" of northern Narnia.

I'm loving Ry's intense face as he tries to wound Tysen.

Okay so my mom probably isn't going to be too happy with this photo but I love it! And the funny thing is that when asked to make a funny face mine is almost identical to hers!!

After 5 years of trying to keep everyone smiling for a photo with the g rents, SUCCESS!

Popi and his boys.

Nami getting some smooches from her girls.