Sunday, April 14, 2013

Pretty snow...... in April

This year we are having a winter that never ends.  It seems like it snows everyday lately and there are so many people with cabin fever, us included.

This weekend I had two cancellations due to sick children so that freed up my entire weekend to do whatever we wanted.  So we decided to go up north to the cottage.  Gayle and Bill were traveling up there in the afternoon to buy a bike.  Not sure where they are going to ride bike with the snow but they are getting ready for summer..... that I'm sure will get here at some point.  So we drove to meet them for lunch..... and bought two kayaks {suckers}.  Now the store owner promised we would have summer and we would get to use them.  So we loaded up the bike and the kayaks during a snow storm and headed to lunch.  

After lunch we headed back up to the cottage and had an afternoon of Old Fashions and looking through Trash to Treasure magazines.  I think that's the hardest part for me..... I'm having spray paint withdrawals.  

After Gayle and Bill left I decided it was time to stop drinking my afternoon away and take that new kayak sledding down the hill into the open river.  John said no {he's a bit of a party pooper}!!  I guess I'll have to walk and take the camera to see what I can find that looks pretty, right now snow does not look pretty anymore.  

There was about 4" of fresh snow and continuing to fall.  Funny how in December this looks so much prettier and just gives you a warm cozy feeling when you're all tucked in the cottage with the fireplace going.  


My walk down the hill up to my knees in snow.



Then I see a pair of geese swimming by on my way down the hill.  I started to hurry and fell and slid down a couple feet.  The kayak would have been so much more fun than my butt.  


They were swimming fast downstream so I followed them along the riverbank.  Having to pick up my heavy boots in 3' of snow really slows you down.  I stopped a couple times to grab a quick shot and soon they were gone so far I couldn't catch up with them. 




Then I decided to capture some close ups on my stroll back.



Of course I knew this would burn me....... I hear something and there goes the geese flying up the river right above the water and I'm squatting down trying to get some close ups of weeds..... swung around, ran a few steps and fired away...... missed them.  They were fast swimmers but really fast flying.  I missed an eagle flying the river too.  Don't worry I now have a mission to capture that at some point this spring.  No more sitting inside drinking Old Fashions I'll be out waiting by the river.... and John will have to deliver the Old Fashions to me :)


I was so glad I ventured out, it was so peaceful by the river and I enjoyed my walk/run along the river's edge.  While I was out it had stopped snowing and the sun came out for a bit so I took a walk along the road.  Stopped for some interesting shots.  

Our steps to the upper deck.  Love the repeating pattern



Our truck backed up to the garage to unload the kayaks.  Love the contrast of this one.




A bit of snow hanging onto the branch.  Love the bokeh 


Stopped by the boat landing and couldn't resist the reflections in the river. 


More moss on the tree.... I'm a sucker for lime green moss on a tree.


It's warm out so the new snow is dripping off the roof.


I then went back inside and tried to talk John into coming down to the river with me to experience it's peacefulness.  And then this happened......


So I once again ran down the hill...... I think I might be okay with the snow in April.


I can kayak in a snowmobile suit.


I know it's tough to enjoy the beauty of snow in April but I really enjoyed my afternoon looking at it through my lens and not freezing my fingers off.   

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Another cutie pie - 9 months Alaina

Miss Alaina is a whopin' 9 months old.  She is the cutest chubbiest little girl ever.  She came over in a really good mood, got through all the pictures in a really good mood and was out the door in no time flat.  Momma was sure happy with her big girl.


She had to show off her gymnastics moves right away.  She is really good at the splits.


She's a girl on the move so we had to contain her a bit.

Love her little toes peekin' out over the tub.


A  quick outfit change for Alaina so of course me and the little helper had to play a bit.  Gracie was very proud of her kitty purse so we had to include it in the photo.  



She is quite the doll and looking so much like her daddy.


I put this one in black and white just because I thought she looked like a china doll.


I've gotten to know Alaina and Gracie's momma so much within the last year and I love her.  She is a great mom, a wonderful friend and a super funny girl.  Can't imagine our photo club without her.... of course without her we might not eat pizza, french fries, burgers, homemade bread, chocolate chips.....  

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Mr. Bennett and Miss Madelyn - Sneak Peek

I love it when this little girl smiles but I love her serious look too.  She does a great serious stare and has that innocent little look to her.  Bennet came for his 3 month pictures but Madelyn is a Miniature Prom Queen next weekend so while Bennet finished his snooze from the car ride we captured Madelyn's princess dress.


Next weekend she will have her hair all done by Miss Jessie and be dancing the night away with Prince Preston.  A little girls dreams come true to be a princess surrounded by High School Prom girls in their beautiful dresses.


Mr Bennett woke up and he's all smiles.  I can't believe how he's grown in 3 short months.






I'm sure you must be wondering..... she really does smile..... a lot.  But I like the serious look


Here's her sweet smile that mommy and daddy are used to.


A beautiful family inside and out.  







Love this one.  Bennett has grown into quite the chunk but he's no problem for dad's strong arms.




 Daddy with his two special little ones.


Grandma wanted to do a similar photo to one we had for Madelyn when she was little.  Bennett was a bit older so it was difficult to lay him back and snuggle.  Once they find their strength to sit up there is no laying them down like a newborn.


Momma and her little girl


And her two babies.


Put together a collage since I really liked all the smiles on these 3 photos.  


It's wonderful to be able to share in others lives as they raise their children.  When Madelyn come through the door she knows who I am and gives me hugs when she leaves.  Those are the moments I love what I do.  

Monday, April 1, 2013

Easter Visitors - Happy Spring


We had Easter with the kids on Friday since the rest of the weekend someone couldn't be here.  The trouble with your kids getting married, having other families, and starting their own family traditions is I have to share them.  I can share everything but my children..... okay so I do share them but I don't like it.  

We had a fantastic time on Friday with the kids finding their baskets and hidden eggs.  They all were well rested, not crabby from being pulled from one house to another and everyone could stay as long as they wanted with no where else to go, no work or school the next day.  It was another holiday without the camera..... but I'm okay with that.  

Saturday we celebrated my dad's 86th birthday.  We had to limit the meal to only the brothers/sisters or the restaurant couldn't take us all.  So only Sharon and Dan couldn't make it.  We filled one whole side of the dining room.  It was another event without the camera.... I took a couple with my i-phone but couldn't back up far enough to get us all in.  


Tried horizontal but only added one more person.  There are still more of us beyond the photo.  


It was a great time helping my dad celebrate another birthday.   March is full of family birthday's so when we welcomed each other with hugs my brother Randy hugs me and says "Happy Birthday".... "nope Randy it's not my birthday".... "well it WAS your birthday"....... "nope not yet"...... "really there is someone in the family without a March birthday?"

Great night but driving home in the fog was crazy.  Was never so glad to be home and still in one piece.

Easter Sunday it's just John and I.   Actually was last year too and we did very well together.  Got up early, made left over ham and cheese omelets and took a drive up north to check on the cottage.  Before we left we had a visitor eating in the tree.  I didn't take his picture because we were heading out but he was back again tonight so I got him.


Nice chubby Robin


Good to remember that if I just stretch my neck I can look thinner.


I'd say they are a bit hungry with all the snow we have and these berries are quite hollow.



A robin is the promise of spring so let's bring it on.

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Miss Allie - 9 months

Miss Allie is 9 months already.  She is a snuggly, jabbery, lovable little girl.  She came over all dressed for summer....




And she found her ability to move around at a quick little pace.  
There is no keeping her in one spot anymore.


Unless you give her things to distract her.  She loves the eggs because she knows momma hides puffs in them but that grass is another story.  She didn't like that stuff at all.


Some play time with Momma.  Momma tickles those cubby thighs until Allie is uncontrollably giggling, it's the best sound ever.



Grandma came with so of course we had to get the three of them together. 
I love Allie's pose on this one, she is just too cute.


Grandma is a good friend of mine and is one beautiful lady.  
Doesn't look much like a grandma to me :)


Allie the Easter Bunny


Allie and her pretty momma


A game of peek-a-boo


And Allie is telling me she is tired of this.


Good friends, great company and one special little girl...... prefect way to spend time with them.