winter family photos

Photo credits to Nicole Marie Photography

There have been many posts I have been wanting to share with all of you but this momma of three is trying her very best the last few months to learn how to function as a family of five with 3 kiddos who for the most part have been sick, running two businesses, trying to fit all the other fun stuff such as keeping our home from looking like a bomb went off, trying to take the mountain of laundry down to a wee size hill and making sure that when we open the fridge, there is something to eat inside. Wow, did you notice I have wrote "trying" several times. It is taking everything in me to make it through the last few months as I have been one exhausted momma. I can't wait for the winter weather to be over and the warm sun to lift my spirits.

Well, with that said, I was searching through the computer the other night when I came across the family photos we had taken right before Christmas. I realized I did not share these with all of you and definitely wanted too. As I have mentioned before, I am usually the one who is behind the camera and rarely have any photos with all of us. All I wanted for Christmas was a family photo.

I was lucky enough to meet a very talented photographer at a workshop. After chatting, I realized Nicole did not live too far away from us. I quickly asked her if she would be willing to take our family photos.

It was a very and very cold day, but I was determined to make it work. Let's just say as it always turns out when it comes to getting our photos done, the kids were not in the mood. They all whined and complained about the weather, having to listen to instructions and wanting to go and eat while we were supposed to be posing as one big happy family. In the end, Nicole was able to work her magic and here are a few from our session.

Don't forget to head on over to check out the talented Nicole from Nicole Marie Photography

winter wonderland

We had our first snow day today! The kids loved waking up to a winter wonderland. We have been busy crafting, playing outside and sipping hot chocolate. Yes, life is good and I am not complaining one bit.

I had a chance the other day to snap some pics of the kiddos. It was no easy task but I think we got a few good ones. I can't wait to share them with all of you!

3 weeks

Happy Friday everyone! This past week has been a tough one around here. Our house has been infested with germs (one of the reasons why I was not too happy to have the little miss start school this year.) Little Miss L. and Baby D have been under the weather for several days now. I am hoping they are over the worst of it and on the mend.

Baby I has been making himself at home. I promise to share my birth story soon. Baby I has overcome a few bumps over the past few weeks but I am happy to say he is doing great. I can't believe our little man is almost a month old!

I absolutely love the above photo and had to share it with all of you. Every day, Baby D pulls out all of this cars to show his little brother. He runs through the colours and the make of the cars as he looks up after each car to make sure his little brother is paying attention.  Baby D can't wait until his brother is old enough to play cars with him.

Well, the long weekend is here and I am happy we will be spending it with friends and family. Our family has so many things to be thankful for. I can't wait to fill my belly with scrumptious food. I may be 5 pounds heavier after this weekend but I will be one happy momma.

Have a great long weekend from our family to yours!

st.patrick's day

How was everyone's weekend? We had a fabulous weekend spent with family. The hubby and I were even lucky enough to sneak in a date night on Sunday.

Saturday, we traveled to Brockville to visit the family. The kids were so excited to take great-grandma out for lunch. We listened to Little Miss L. tell Nan about attending school this fall and how she is growing up because she can now put her hair in a ponytail. Oh, the little things you are proud of when you are three. After a fabulous lunch, we decided to do some shopping. I am excited to say that I purchased some pretty awesome yellow dask mask sheets for spring! Then it was off to my parents where we were spoiled with a scrumptious meal. Let's just say that on Saturday night I arrived home with a very very full belly!

Sunday, the kids were excited to wake up and celebrate St.Patrick's Day. Here are a few pics I was able to take before they dashed off in excitement.

The hubby and I even had a chance to sneak out of the house for a bit to enjoy a date night at the hockey game. It was great game as the home team won! I am one tired momma after this weekend.

giddy. yep, i am down right giddy!

I have been sitting here thinking of the word that would describe how I feel and really the only word that I can think of right now is giddy. Giddy, might you ask? Well, as some of you may know, I love photography. Photography had become a hobby for me and then with the outpouring of support from friends, family and a lot of you, it has now become a little more than a hobby. In January, for the very first time, my work was published on the cover of a magazine! Not only did the magazine publish my work but it also featured my daughter. I have had a smile plastered across my face since it was published. I love walking by my coffee table and seeing my daughter smiling up at me. Seeing the magazine for the first time was a proud momma moment that I will never forget. Thank you to Backpack Magazine for allowing me this awesome opportunity. Please go pick up a copy and support this great read.

i love fall

Saturday was the perfect day to snag a few fall shots of some of my favourite people. Get ready for photo overload but these cuties are to adorable not to share with all of you! I hope everyone is enjoying their fall as much as we are these days!

weekend catch-up

First off, I want to thank each and every one of you who sent us well wishes, yummy food, and offered your help over the past week. Both kiddies were under the weather - Little Miss L. is fighting pneumonia and Baby D croup. I am happy to report both kids are now on the mend and we are hoping to have a healthy household again soon. This weekend was low-key as everyone in our family is just starting to get their energy back.

Saturday, I don't know what got into me, but I was in the spring cleaning kinda mood. Okay, it was probably the nice weather that reminded me that I will soon want to spend all my time outdoors, so it was time to get the inside of our home in order, now. The hubby looked after the wee ones, as I cleaned the house from top to bottom. It felt good knowing the house was free of dirt, hopefully it also means the germs we have had lately went with it.

We finally have a smile.

Someone has now found their tongue.

My cutie enjoying his bath time.

Here is the girl I remember... so glad she is getting back to normal.

I was looking forward to Sunday because it meant I was going to photograph a beautiful couple for their engagement. This awesome couple is heading to Jamaica in a few weeks to tie the knot, and wanted a few shots before they made the transition from engaged to married. Even on only two hours of sleep (and no, I am not exaggerating here) we managed to get a few good shots and I had a blast with this fun-loving couple. The weather was perfect, as the sun was shining and the birds were singing! The rest of the afternoon, we spent outdoors with the kids. They loved the fresh air and we liked the fact they wanted to go to bed early.

I am so relieved the kids are on the mend and their smiles are reappearing. It broke my heart to see them in pain. I hope everyone else enjoyed the sunny weather... hello spring!!

Here is a sneak peak of the engagement session...

weekend catch-up

Our weekend was jam-packed but I loved every minute of it. Saturday, the kiddies spent the day with daddy, as mommy attended a workshop on nutrition and hazards in the home - I walked away with some great information. All you parents out there, please remember to check your equipment/toys because over time screws can come loose, and we all know how much toddlers like to fiddle with little things. Saturday night, we were joined for dinner by some good friends, it was nice to catch up and Little Miss L. loves spending time with her boyfriend.

Sunday arrived and I was super excited. Why, might you ask? Well, my girlfriend and I decided to take a photography class together. I love love love taking pictures. It was great to spend time with my girlfriend, but in the end, we were both disappointed in the course. The rest of the day was spent doing all of the fun stuff - cleaning, laundry, and cooking etc.

We were extra lucky yesterday because it was a long weekend. Monday was Family Day which meant daddy had the day off to spend with us. We decided to take in the last day of Winterlude and headed to Jacques-Cartier park. The weather was a little chilly but nice when the sun was out. Our day was spent with wonderful friends, ice sliding, dancing, and filling our bellies with tons of calories. The kids had a blast and I was happy spending a little more time with the hubby. I hope everyone else had a great Family Day with their loved ones.

My girl Sam working the camera.

Having a big discussion over tea with her boyfriend from Toronto.

The girls and their babies.

Little Miss L. was determined to go down the ice slide. You would think being a mother I would come to Winterlude prepared but this momma needs to purchase some snow-pants.

Instead, I sucked it up and went down the ice slide in my tights. Let's just say that I had some ice burn when it was all said and done.

Even this gentleman wanted to make sure my tush was okay.

It was time for a little zumba action. It was the perfect way to keep warm.

The girls just chillin' and catching up on life.

This is one BIG chair.

I want one of these for our backyard.

Little Miss L. enjoying her new favourite thing - poutine!

My two handsome guys all bundled up.

Winterlude wouldn't be complete without digging into a delicious beaver tail.

Little Miss L. making sure her boyfriend is enjoying a winter classic (beaver tail) in Ottawa. I need to start making beaver tails at home.

Baby D enjoying some cuddle time.

Just amazed with the talent it takes to create such a masterpiece.

Wonderful Family Day spent at Winterlude.

Time to get your race on!