Family Day

Warning! Huge blog post with lots of pictures ahead. I've made composites of some of the pictures because I just couldn't decide what to post, and I'm not sure Blogger will let me do 50 pictures in a post!

This past Family Day, I was privileged to spend the day with Albert, Bertha, and their children, Tom, Brent, Renee, spouses Jesse, Ray and Eva, and the grandchildren, Connor, Ava and Anson.

This is one of my favourite family sessions ever. Renee had contacted me asking if for family pictures for their parent's anniversary. As you can tell from my blog, I'm not a huge fan of the standard family portrait. I'm more interested in documenting the energy, love and interaction between family members, so I asked Renee if her family would be interested and she said they loved the idea.

Pictures in winter in Alberta can be a little challenging, but the weather was absolutely perfect for our plans.

We started off at Bertha and Albert's home. That is everyone dancing in the basement. They do that!


Renee fixing Brent's hair. She's the big sister. And Tom, with the coolest piece of art ever. He made this in grade 9 - I love that his mom still has it hanging in the middle of the kitchen.

After we got a few pictures at the house, we headed off to the park to get a few more.



Beautiful!



I love this picture of Albert and Eva on the swing. They both look so happy. Eva and Brent live in Taipei, and this was Eva's first winter-time in Edmonton.






The babies of the family.

Albert waiting for his kids to gather round. Renee said this is classic Dad.

The whole family.

I am in love with this shot.

Tom and Jesse. They will be adding another member to this awesome family in March.

Anson was hungry with all the cold (for him) weather and picture taking.

My little man, Connor. Its been 18 months since I saw him last. He was 2 1/2 then. He still remembers me! Smart as a whip, this kid. He also remembered that Jesse and Tom had their wedding photos across the river at Hawrelak Park, and his mom and dad were married at the Mayfair Golf and Country Club.

I couldn't believe how big Ava was when I saw her. I guess that's what happens in 18 months!

Jumping pictures are awesome!

I love how Eva is right into the spirit of winter - snow fight!

It was starting to get cooler with the sun going down, so Ason was wrapped up in scarves and blankets.

I love this picture of the three generations - Renee, Ava and Bertha in the background.

Ray and Connor did a lot of tobogganing. Connor was fearless, even after they wiped out on this hill, Ray landing on top of him. You can see he's laughing really hard as soon as he gets our from underneath, and then he burst into tears. A little Daddy-love fixed him up.

This was Eva's first time experiencing the Canadian institution, the winter wiener-roast.

Happy Family Day everyone! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful family with me.

Birthing

My dear friend Pam Aloisio has officially launched her doula business. Check out her great site here.

For those of you who know me well, you'll know I am passionate about positive, empowering birthing experiences. Both of my boys were born at home with my midwife, Barbara, my doula friend Kimberly and their dad Mike by my side.

I know homebirthing is not for everyone, but I absolutely believe that every woman should have a doula. She will provide you with information about the birthing experience, educate you on your options, hold your hand, rub your back, call you to check up on you many, many times before and after the birth of your baby, provide support to you and the father, advocate on your behalf with medical staff and most importantly become a huge part of your life.

Pam will be an amazing doula. She's loving, compassionate, passionate, adores and respects little people, is super smart, and one cool chick!

Congratulations friend!

Love this

Brilliant Earth has conflict free and ethically sourced diamonds. Pretty, and easy on your conscience!

A Real Mama's body

I don't know about you, but I feel great about myself. Except when I look in the mirror. At that point, my internal image of myself comes face to face with the image of what a woman "should" look like. I don't read a lot of women's magazines, but I see pictures of the Hollywood woman every time I go grocery shopping, and that cultural image is wired into my brain. I try hard not to look at the magazines because I don't like feeling bad about myself.

A friend of mine posted this great article on what magazines do to celebrity bodies on Facebook. I had to share.

Here's a picture of a (semi) celebrity mama who was willing to be normal and real.

This is How its done.

Remember - you made a baby. In that amazing body of yours. Celebrate that.

To Haiti With Love

My fabulous friend, Rene wanted to do a "little something" for Haiti. Her little something turned into a massive art auction, with beautiful (and practical) art donated by artists all across North America.

Go - check it out. There's everything from children's clothing to photography to mentoring to a week in Teluride, Colorado.

http://tohaitiwithlove.squarespace.com/

To Haiti With Love

Glowing

Some women absolutely glow when they are pregnant - and Cindy is one of them.

Gorgeous x 10.

As Cindy laid down for this shot, Jean Marie and I let out a collective gasp. We could see their baby's bottom right through her stomach. So cool!

Look at that beautiful belly.

I love this picture, how Jean Marie is wrapped around his wife and baby.

Waiting - a few more weeks!

Wonderful to meet you both, and I look forward to meeting your new baby!

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays from me and mine to you and yours.

xxR

Thanks to Lana and Amy for taking the pictures of us.

Aimee!!!!!!!!!

I've known James since he was 2. I was 5. We spent a couple of weeks together every summer, and watched each other grow up. So many of my childhood and teen memories involve James in one way or another. We've got the incriminating pictures to prove it (my favourite is when we decided to go boating/surfing on the water covering the ice in the slough one spring. One of our parents caught a photo of us coming out of the slough, running, with our soaked pants heading south, laughing our heads off. My mom made us get undressed outside and they hosed us down before we were allowed inside. It was probably only about 10C. I remember having so much fun, and freezing at the same time.)


We've always stayed close, and I had the pleasure of standing up for James at his wedding to Erin. Those are much nicer pictures.


But, this post is not about us, its about Aimee. Aimee is James and Erin's long-awaited love child.

Erin has a wicked sense of humour, and Aimee has obviously inherited it. Score!

She is dearly loved. James wasn't too sure about the whole baby thing (kids, yes, but the baby stage . . . a little worrisome), but it appears Erin was right, and he is a great dad, and has it down pat.

I love how Erin looks at James. Warms my heart for my little brother/friend.

Erin knew she would kick but as a Mama. Absolutely.

I LOVE this picture - it says so much about James and Erin. When they renovated, James wanted a work out room - working out has always been important to him. Check. Erin is good at decorating. Check. She has impeccable taste. Check. You can see Erin's hand in the reflection. Love the stencils on the walls. Live pretty much says it all.

Here's another, right above the treadmill. Erin's done marathons. She rocks. And her baby looks pretty cute up there.

And, finally some close-ups. Eyes to die for.

Teeth hurt a bit though.

And, I had to close with this picture. James dancing with Aimee. Give us another 30 years, and I will be doing this shot again at Aimee's wedding. We'll all be bawling our heads off.

Love you guys so much!

xxR

Something to warm you up

This was a whole family session - Troy is the first grandbaby, so we got some family pictures first, and then moved to the main show. Troy is absolutely adorable. He didn't want to smile too much (I think he might be reaching that "making strange phase") but all the people he loved most in the world were there to help him.

Here is our champion, Troy. Look at him devour that Stanley Cup.

Troy's mom brought a hat along for his pictures. I normally don't do this much post-processing, but this hat just screamed for a little antique look to the picture.

And again, in my antique chair. Check out his feet.

Basket shot. I'd been wanting to do this for a while, and Troy was totally co-operative. Thanks buddy!

Connie also brought along Troy's favourite toy - his drum. He was fascinated and happy.

I love drool shots.

Family time. These are my favourites. I love watching people interact with their family. So much emotion comes out. You can tell Troy is a well loved little boy!

Thank you so much Connie, Andy and Troy for coming out on a cold winter's day! It was wonderful to meet you.