What I'm Really Like

This may come as a surprise to some people...okay most people probably. I enjoy silence and solitude. I'm actually rather introverted.  Being alone fuels me, especially being outside on a walk by myself or with someone that appreciates the silence as well.  I know I know....I give off a good impression of being extroverted....I'm a poser.  I love being with people and laughing and having a good time,(trust me....LOVE to laugh and joke around) but nothing fuels me more than a walk in the woods/park with my camera.  Finding time to slow down, reflect, quiet my heart, focus on what I love...... (ok...I've mentioned before I suck at being reflective, but when it's intentional I suck at it...on my own terms? I'm okay.).

I enjoyed sitting on a log in the sun this morning...just me, the birds and the sound of the Bow River at my feet.  Ahhhh...perfection. As I sat there I was reminded of how the Lord has blessed my life.  In spite of those pity parties that descend upon me I know that I am blessed.  I have been adopted and am the daughter of an awesome God.  I have an amazing husband that loves me and tells me every day.  I have two special little men in my life that have brought so much joy and fulfillment that at times my heart feels like it will burst.  I've been blessed with many friends (far and near) that love me in spite of who I am and are willing to put up with my randomness.  My family as crazy as they are....I'd be lost without them, they've seen me at my best and worst and have cheered me along the whole way! I've got a pretty good part time gig shooting people (and not in the Evelyn Salt sense!) and am looking forward to what's ahead.  I've taken a self imposed break from shooting the last few weeks with the exception of instagram...it's been good to look at why I do what I do and why I do it and I'll share more on that in the next week or so.

This scene below was just a little of what I grabbed with my camera this morning....definitely need to plan a few more Mondays like this!

I blame it on my Mom.

I can't actually remember how young I was when I first discovered my love of reading.  I'm certain it was while I was sitting on my mom's lap or snuggled up against her on the sofa while she read to me. My Mom was read to by her mom and I can attest her love of reading by the fact that Grandma has piles of books in her house too! I cannot remember a time when I didn't see my mom carrying some book around with her. Seriously, if you were to look inside her purse you'd find a wallet, tissues, some candies and a book.  If she's got a book, she's set! I never need to worry about bringing books when I visit her....she's got her own little library that I can borrow from.

It was providential that she landed a job at the public library in our little town of Unity. And even luckier for me that I had my very first job as a librarian's assistant.  What did that entail?  Stamping books, finding book cards, reshelving books and dusting the books...yup...dusting.the.books. When all my work was done on a shift I was able to read. Yup, right again...I was able to read while working! What a treat!  And read I did!  I don't think there was a book in the junior/young adult section that I didn't get to.  I loved the chance to drop into another place and time and walk through situations with the characters.

Now just because I enjoyed reading and still do, don't think that I'm some great literary genius enjoying books that are recommended by the uber bookish elite. Nope, not me. You'll never find me joining a book club to dissect a novel.  I'm all about being entertained by the fluff of fictional novels.  I'm sure much to Mr. Sego's dismay, his entertaining and engaging English classes never created a literary critic.  He made the class come alive with how he'd read aloud portions of a book, giving each character their own voice...keep in mind this was in senior high....not the coolest thing to do, but I think we'd have a hard time finding anyone that didn't enjoy it!  He made reading the classics interesting. So I may not have followed up on his challenges to dig deeper into a book, but I will always be grateful for him introducing me to one of my favorite books of all time...."To Kill A Mockingbird".

I have been looking forward to this time of the year for a while now. Things slow down a little bit photo-wise and I relish the time I get to read.  My library card is wearing out!  And Garth will often mock me about the stack of books on my side of the bed and why I need to add to it when it's already a couple feet high.

I'm excited to sit down with these latest editions to my pile and get lost in some stories.  If you've got a book to recommend, leave a comment and I"ll give it a shot, just don't expect me to dissect it!

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I. am. blessed.

2011 is quickly coming to a close and I have so much to be thankful for, but I think I'll reserve it for another day.  We finally got ourselves organized enough to grab 10 minutes for a family photo this year. I know, I know....I spout off how important photos are and yet struggle to get shots of my family!  When we were up in PG over Thanksgiving my good friend Lisa offered to snap a few shots of us....and I'm ever thankful that she did!  We had beautiful light, so much so that when Lisa suggested moving to a different location for some more shots I refused and said I wanted more at the same location from the same direction....perfect natural lighting for our family photos. Wowza!  Lisa has helped me out many times with weddings in the last couple years (here and here) and I'm so thankful for her skill and photo prowess!  Thank Lisa!


There is no better gift for me than some images of those I love the most in the world. My three guys.  They mean the world to me and my life is so much richer because of them and their love for me.  I am the princess in my house and relish those moments when I hear "I love you".
I. am. blessed.

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 What was supposed to be throwing leaves in the air ended up with Garth thowing them right into their faces....a leaf fight then ensued.

Another image to add to the sister file

Some things never change.  Like the sun rising in the east, cookies always taste better dunked in milk, Coke is waaaaay better than Pepsi and the Ballantyne girls always have a photo session when they're together.  Yup...some things never change.

Garth, Tysen, Rylen and I were blessed to be able to spend 5 days with my family at Ol MacDonald's Farm .  No...there wasn't a campground sing a long where we all sang a moo moo here or a moo moo there, although there was a petting farm!

My two sisters and I have grown up with cameras around us and I'd like to think we're rather comfortable around them and infront of them.  There is always time found for another image to add to the ever growing pile of sister shots.  Usually we pull out our standard Charlie's Angels pose, but decided to go with something new, something fresh, something.......different.  And different is a great word to describe my one sister who decided that all her nephews and nieces needed a new accessory.  Thing is?  It was us three girls who took a shine to them more than the kids!

It's always great knowing that there is a time every year when you can totally let loose, completely be yourself and enjoy those who mean so much to you.  My family has seen it all, the good, the bad, the not so pretty and we've stuck it through!  This last week was great and was sooooo needed!  We're already planning for next year and I'm wondering what accessory will be added to our latest. 

PS - there will be more accessory photos to follow, you can't think we just left it at this can you? ;-)

This is a tradition I hope we keep!

9 years ago I celebrated my very first Mother's Day.  I'd been a mom for one month....I was exhausted but still wanted to celebrate.  Garth and Tysen (although he won't remember!) took me to Peter's Drive In for a burgers and a chocolate banana shake.  We ate and then went home so I could have a nap!  Things have changed since that first Mother's Day, but one thing remains the same......I still find myself in awe of the fact that I've got two boys to love.  God has blessed me greatly and most of the time I find myself so thankful to Him for choosing Tysen and Rylen to fill my heart.

I love Mother's Day.  It's great, I get to celebrate the mother's in my life (from a distance) and I get to spend some time with my guys.  We've started a tradition in the Koop household.....at least I hope it's a tradition.  Mother's Day is now spent in one of my favorite places....Banff.  After church we get in the car, grab some drinks and drive west.  A late lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory, a stop at the candy store and chocolate shop, a dip in the Hot Springs and then a Starbucks for the drive home.  If we could guarantee warm sunny weather it would be more than perfect!

We started what I hope will be a new part of the tradition....a few photos with Mom....you see I don't exist in our photo albums, I'm the one behind the lens.  So Garth grabbed a camera and made sure that we got a few memories from the day.

I apologize for the quality of these photos....not too sure what's happening with blogger!

 

Tys and Ry both wanted to take some shots too....hhhmmmm...future second shooters?

Wouldn't that be fun!!

This is the after photo of all three bearing their chests for me to compare whose

was hairiest..... I love the laughs on the faces!!

How Great Thou Art

So....it's Easter Monday...I'd been tossing around a few thoughts to put onto my blog about how important this time of year is....the suffering, death and glorious resurrection of Jesus and then I came across this link.  If you've read my blog before you know that music plays a big part of my life. I love it....it's a big part of everyday, I've always got something playing.  Well....I could go on about how awesome my God is (which I will at another time) but I think that this clips covers what I was going to say anyways and she sounds a whole lot better than I do!!!

Introspective I'm NOT!

Sorry blog world and internet....it's been a while since I last spoke with you.  I decided to take a bit of a break after my wedding photography workshop and evaluate c koop photography.  And let me tell you that I am not an introspective person....AT ALL!!!!  Anytime I have questions asked that involve me having to delve deep into my experiences and pull out what I think they meant or how they have changed me today I usually clam right up.

I'm of the belief that I could spend my time more fruitfully if I just focussed on what is ahead of me...not what is behind.....forgetting that the past does teach me some things too!  Being reflective is a struggle for me even though I know the results can often be illuminating...I still avoid it.  So.....imagine coming home from an amazing 3 day workshop filled with great tips, new ideas, and hearing from seasoned pros and not see what needs to be changed.  Well....I honestly came home from the first evening with Mike Colon knowing that things needed to change.  I knew I was in TROUBLE!!  Saturday and Sunday completely confirmed it after listening to Perry Thompson and a few other photographers that I've been following for years.  These photographers have been in the business for years and had so much to share which was amazing as sometimes the photography community can be somewhat competitive and not want to share anything.  These guys shared.....lots.

I think the biggest thing I carried away was the need to value my work as a photographer and an artist.  And so I'm in the midst of that right now.  Do I value what I do?  Do I provide my best? And.....do I serve my clients?  The thing is....I can apply this to more than just the c koop photography part of my life.....do I value what I do as a mom? wife? friend?  Do I give my best to those around me?  And do I serve?  Lots to think about.  So that's where I've been the last 2 weeks....thinking, evaluating and making some changes.  So stay tuned for what's going to happen!

And because every post is soooo much better with a photo here's one that I love coming back to because it reminds me of what's ahead....SUMMER!!!!

Another concert in the car.

So....I consider one of my jobs as a mom is to embarrass my children on a consistent basis. It's not something I learned from my own mother (at least nothing I can share on the blog....she does read it you know!!) I learned this all on my own. Tysen was sick today and because I had made a meeting that I didn't want to cancel again I just brought him along. It was a short meeting, but a rather long drive and when it's a long drive, the road trip music comes out. I've got my music cranked and am enjoying myself singing along and I find myself checking my rearview mirror just in time to see Tys roll his eyes at me! It gets worse when he realizes that people in other cars can see me seeing my heart out in true Carly Koop concert format. Too bad buddy! If I'm comfortable enough to hold my finger mike up to my mouth and sing get used to it!!! Aaahhh, wait a minute, wait a minute...I'm now remembering my mom doing the same thing! Wow, the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree! You can bet that these concerts will continue and I'm sure the eye rolls will get bigger and more frequent.


On another note I'm a fairweather runner. Yup, once the temperature drops lower than -8 (ish) I call it quits until spring. But today's music selection has geared me up for the running season. I've found a new song to add to my play list for running. It inspired me so much that I've now pulled out the trusty sneakers and am ready to run!! Take a listen and tell me what you think....does it make you move?  Yup....what you see on the screen?  I totally see this video in my head while I'm doing my own concert.  Could totally happen.

 

I'm Singing Along

I think I've mentioned before how music plays a big part of my life.  I love to sit, read, run, bake, drive, edit photos while listening to music.  And right now I'm fighting the impulse to purchase this CD on iTunes as I sit here listening to it and singing along.  So far I've been okay, thank goodness for YouTube!

These guys are the real deal.....I mean they sound the same live as they do on their CD's.  Unlike some of today's popular artists who sound not so great when performing live.  I've really got nothing more to say today (surprised?).  So just sit back and listen to thes ong.  I hope to catch them live next time they drive through Calgary but I won't be sitting down then....I'll be singing along loudly, very loudly.

There will be a next time - playing in the river

I was going through some photos on my laptop the other day and came across these treasures.  I can't believe that I hadn't done anything with them, but was thankful to have the time to go through them and at least mentally warm up!!

I remember this afternoon very clearly, it was a gorgeous summer day with just the appropriate amount of heat for the average person. Me?  Not average (at least in this dept.).....I LOVE the heat, I could live in Phoenix in July I love it so much. Anyways, I like the summer, but right now it's the complete opposite.....I think my hands have been freezing cold for at least the last week.  I find myself washing my hands longer than the required alphabet song, I will sing it a couple times and make up a chorus or two just so my hands can stay nice and warm!

Back to that afternoon.  Our new friends Bill and Jacqueline invited us for a spur of the moment picnic in the park. So we grabbed some Arby's and headed to the park.  They found the perfect picnic spot and we parked ourselves and spent time enjoying the sun and the sound of the river gurgling beside us.  It didn't take the boys anytime to figure out how to cool off, not just a little sprinkle or splash, but rather wading out into the river and racing back and forth between the banks became the game.  Tys and Ry were following the lead of two young men that they absolutely love!  Bryce and Brent have become some important people in my boys life and so when they jumped into the river Tys and Ry were soon to follow!

What followed was a great afternoon watching all the boys (husbands too!) play in the river.  And being boys they had boat races (don't all boys like races?) made out of whatever they could find.  Jacqueline and I lounged on the riverbank taking photos, talking, laughing, and wishing for iced capps, but we were far too comfortable to move. 

It was the perfect afternoon with great friends.  Next time, and I sure hope there will be a next time, we'll bring boat making supplies and will pick up iced capps on the way. 

It's a stretch

"So Carly, are you interested?" 
"Am I interested?  YESSSSSSS I'm interested! And totally freaking out as I say yes I'm interested."


Yup....a stretch. I'm facing a stretch in my photography.  I'm welcoming the stretch and trying not to freak out about it either.  I've been given a big opportunity in my little photo world and feel like I'm up to the challenge....for the most part.


You see...I deal with insecurities.  I think we all face our insecurities at some time or another.  It's just that some deal better than others.  How am I going prepare for this in time? I'm going to have to learn a few new things in the next 2 weeks...I learn by watching and there is nobody to watch.....aaaaack!  I'm fearful that I'm going to mess it up big time, and yet in the next breath I'm so excited about what it means for me and for c koop photography.  As hokey as it sounds...this is definitely a door I need to walk through to see where it leads.

That's where I'm at today.....freaking out and then realizing that I need to go to and spend some time with someone who will give me peace...Jesus.  So off I go to read and pray...and find peace in knowing that I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. 

I Heart Faces - Smile

I decided to enter a photo in the weekly contest at I Heart Faces.  I've never entered before but when I saw this week's theme I knew I had to enter.  This photo is now hanging in my living room and I love it!  I have a matching one but since I could only enter one photo for this contest I had to leave it's partner out this time.   My boys are two of my biggest models....okay scratch that...they are my biggest models whether they want to be or not!


We went back to my hometown in summer and during one of our walks we went to my elementary school.  Not a lot had changed in 25 years, except that they'd added a killer playground!  I went crazy snapping photos of the boys on the playground and then pleaded with them to let me take one photo each of them up against this brick wall.  The same wall that I leaned up against waiting for the bell to ring for school to start.  It was a beautiful sunny day and Tys gave me this beautiful smile to match! This photo is one of my favorites!!

It's Christmas

It's Christmas. And this year it's certainly different for my family.  There will be no 3 hour drive to Nami and Popi's house Christmas morning to spend a few days with them.  Christmas Eve looks different for us this year too, this will be the first time in years where we sit and watch instead of participate.  Not that it's bad, just different.  I'm finding myself in a sentimental place right now.  And I think that in the midst of being sentimental I'm forgetting why Christmas exists.  I'm focussed on how things are different and mourning the differences.  And that's not what I should be doing.  This advent season has flown by for me and I'm now struggling to focus on what I should be.....the birth of Jesus.  So...as I make my way through the last few days before Christmas and 2011 I will be working hard on shifting my focus from me to HIM.

Click on the link below to watch a video with the music from a great group of guys.  Loving music as much as I do you know that this song is played frequently at my house and has become a bedtime favorite.  "Mommy, can you please sing how many kings?"  And I oblige because I love the song and the lyrics hit me each and every time.  I hope hearing this song will impact you too.

Merry Christmas.

The randomness that is Friday

Do you ever have those moments where you stand or sit and don't really do anything?  No? Well I do....and I had a major moment this morning!  After I dropped the boys at school I came home totally inspired to go inside throw on some snow gear, grab my camera and a peppermint mocha and shoot some stuff down in Fish Creek.  But......I got in the door where it was warm and I wandered around my house in my boots and jacket (please don't tell my boys I was wearing my boots....big no no in my house!!).  Took the jacket and boots off and just stood or sat or wandered.....for an HOUR!!!! Yup a whole hour of my life where I look back and say "exactly what did I do for this last period of time?"  Not even a tidy up or a dust or a quick read of something....just nothing!

This is really setting me up for the rest of the day I think.  I'm hoping having Tys and Ry around for the afternoon will bump me back to some sort of action.  Maybe today is the day to make some cookies....or not. I guess we'll see what happens when I reflect on my day later tonight....I sure hope it's got something of substance in it!!

Thankfully I spent a little time last night going over edits.  Here's a sneak peek at something I'm working on right now.  And boy am I ever glad I started this, I'm loving this little shoot we put together.

Give me a ringy ding.

I am indecisive. There...I said it....super indecisive.  Just ask Garth...or anyone who has ever made the poor decision to go out for a meal with me. It can take me a good 20 minutes to figure out what to order off a menu, so imagine how difficult it is for me to make bigger decisions?  I'm starting to figure out who I am as a photographer and what my style is (thanks to a few brave and opinionated friends).  I am still a LOONNGG way from ever getting my house to reflect that style nevermind my closet, but I'm slowly getting there!

So imagine my surprise when it wasn't too painful to order a business card. Finally after a few years of having my own business I finally did it!  It only took a promise to a new friend and fellow wedding vendor that I'd get them done before Christmas, and here they are!

I was super excited when I picked up the parcel from my mailbox.  Just ask Tys and Ry, I was dancing the whole way home anticipating opening the box.  And I wasn't disappointed!  I handed a few out right away, so if you're hanging out with Tys and Ry and photography comes up they will be sure to hand one to you!

My tastes are forever changing and what I like is constantly evolving so dont' expect to see these cards in a year's time.  But for right now they are c koop photography.

And as I practiced with the boys I'll say it to you...."need a photographer? Here's my card, give me a ringy ding." 

Following the party

I very clearly remember her 50th birthday....I wasn't there to celebrate with her, but made sure she knew we were thinking of her.  We were living in Prince George and the drive to Caronport was just a little too far even for a big event like a 50th birthday.  So...I had a few things taken care of for me by some good friends.  They filled her office with about 300 balloons and posted signs and posters up all over the campus stating that it was her 50th birthday and that she needed to hear how old she was. In no way was I going to let such an auspicious moment pass without recognition of it!

Another year has come and I'm not able to share any chocolate cake with her, but I will partake in something chocolately tonight to celebrate.  But I certainly do wish I could fill her office with balloons again! And some lovely pink flamingos on the front lawn would definitely compliment the Christmas motif that is most definitely present in her house and yard already.

I really don't know what to post here.  As corny as it sounds, words really can't express how thankful I am for my mom.  Her thoughtfulness, encouragement and sacrifices have been a part of my whole life.  She is a laugher, meaning you won't be around her long without hearing her or possibly feeling the thunder of it.  A party follows Mom and I've been fortunate to take that ride.  She's loved me,challenged me, supported me and championed me - a true mother and friend.

Mom, I pray that this year is your best yet, although it will be hard to cap the year I was born. ;-)  I pray that you make the most of every opportunity and that you take time to do nothing, that you continue to fall more in love with the Lord and with Dad. I pray that even though we are far apart that you will continue to send "sugar" our way, and that you keep laughing in spite of what life throws your way. And... I also pray that you get to sink your toes in a warm sandy beach!  So someday I will share a cake with you Mom and no matter where you are I'll be following the party to hang out with you!

This photo was taken earlier this fall and I think it is Mom.

=

Back to the basement

Growing up in our house meant that Sundays were always hit and miss as to where we'd be having lunch. Usually we didn't make it home for lunch, sometimes supper was away too.  After church somebody would invite us over and inevitably we'd end up staying for the whole day!  Yup, you invite the Ballantyne's over and it didn't just mean lunch, it meant afternoon snack, dinner and night snack!  No... we weren't socially awkward just really loved!  It was hard saying goodbye to us I guess!

More often than not we'd end up at the Brown house, play clothes would be borrowed and the fun would commence for the next 6 to 8 hours!  Lots of memories are tied up with that family, but one came to mind the other night.  Now you need to know my sister Nikki to know how easy a target she was when we were younger (actually both of my little sisters were!).  Nikki always reacted sooooo well and it always made it that more fun!  At some point in time we'd be in the Brown's basement listening to Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant or Petra blasting it as loud as we could.  On one such occasion we thought it would be fun to run around the basement in the dark but to make it even better we decided that it would be even better to scare each other. So we proceeded to do just that. And that consisted of putting the zombie moves on Nik which involved huge bug eyes and slow walking movements with our arms out straight infront of us. And what did Nik do? Yup.... she screamed and ran away. So it made complete sense to continue doing it because she gave us such a great reaction! Aaahhhhh....memories! ;-)

So fast forward many many years to Thursday night where the Koop family found ourselves at the Holloway house.  The lights were off, the cousins were running around trying to scare eachother and enjoying it. Now my boys are always asking for stories about when I was their age. So..... it seemed like the right time to share that story.  I gathered the kids in the back bedroom and shared how to scare their mom.  So they proceeded to walk slowly through the dark hallway and living room to the kitchen where their mom/aunt was.  Was she scared? It was hard to tell amidst her laughter! Sadly you do grow out of some things. Sigh.

Here is a photo of the cousins.... just imagine the bug eyes and zombie like walk.





Back in the Day

I love music.... it is a very rare time to be in my house and there isn't music playing somewhere.  And often you'll hear me singing along.  I remember going to concerts with my family from when I was about 12 until I graduated from high school. Yup... my Mom and Dad would load us up in the car and made the two hour drive to Saskatoon (where all the concerts were) and we'd sing along to our favorite artists.

Now... my ultimate fave? Hands down...Amy Grant. LOVED her!  Anytime she came to Saskatoon you'd find me figuring out anyway possible to get tickets and get there.  I was so into Amy Grant that I even looked like her as much as I could. Now thankfully I don't have a scanner so I don't have to embarrass myself as you compare how closely I resembled her.  I had the long curly hair thanks to Mom and her perming abilities.

Her last album really set me up great with my high school friends.  You see they didn't really get my music and so when Amy started having her music play on the radio it all of a sudden gave me some credibility in regards to music.  Thanks to Jason Emiry and his ever expanding plethora of music tastes my tape got played in the grade 12 lounge from time to time. Wahoo!!! You laugh, but that was HUGE for me back then!

I was taken to another time and place earlier today when I heard a song from my past.  Right back to sitting in the grade 12 lounge on old matted second hand couches eating my sandwich along with all my other classmates listening to Jason "spin records" on the stereo.  Aahhhh, the good old days when you could eat peanut butter in public places and ear buds were a thing for the far far future.  We shared the music together and enjoyed it together...back in the day.



Apparently I can't link this properly due to some regulations but you can still view it by clicking on the link you tube provides. Enjoy! And sing along!

Walking isn't all that bad

"I don't care if you don't want to.... we ARE going for a walk!  We are going to have some family time even if we don't have fun.  We are doing it!!"  That isn't verbatim but the idea is there.  It was a cabin fever kind of day and we'd had enough of the house, the sky had cleared and the sun was shining brightly.....time to GET OUT!!!! 

My idea of fun sometimes is to just head outside and go for a walk.  Thankfully we've got a HUGE park not too far away from us.  A quick little 3 minute drive and we're there.  Sure going on our bikes would have been fun too, but then it's no fun for Mom to lug the bike rack to the escape and then load up the bikes and make sure they are secured with like 50 bungee straps.  So what's easier? Loading up the boys and just driving with no bikes.

By the time we got to the park things had quieted down...."you see what happens when we leave the house and yard?  Sometimes it means fun!!!!"  We had a great walk and came home ready to face whatever else was ahead.    I think I'm heading out for a walk.  ;-)

Time for a change

I'm not a big Halloween fan... BUT... I did look forward to every year in PG because I'd get to decorate my van. Yup my van. Our PG church would hold a trunk or treat every Halloween night.  They'd have a few games, wagon ride, snacks and then all the kids and their parents would head out to the parking lot and go trick or treating from the backs of our vehicles.  It was a great way to get to know people in the neighborhood and gave the boys enough candy that we didn't have to hit the streets later.

But back to my van.... I am a theme girl and would theme out the back of the trunk.  Pirates, super heroes, cars.... lots of different ideas. And the best part?  I'd dress to match!  So last year was superhero themed so I went as.... Ginormica!!!!.... from Monsters vs. Aliens for those of you uninformed.  I think my boys loved the fact that I'd join them in the whole process of deciding what to be and then getting my costume together. 

This year?  I'm actually relieved to say that we didn't even have to buy costumes!  No party at school or church so we just grabbed stuff already in our tickle trunk.  So tonight Spiderman, a hockey player and a teenager (full on droopy pants, ipod and headphones, toque and cell phone at the ready) left my house to bring back some treats for me to eat! After all, I stayed home to race to the door everytime it rang....don't I get to eat some of the good stuff? 

There was no van to decorate today and I didn't get to match my trunk BUT... I am getting to meet some neighbors.  Change isn't always bad.