i heart hearts . . . .

I love Valentines Day . . . or really, any chance I get to love up on the special people in my life. At my house today, we had heart shaped pancakes and sent singing telegrams. We wrote love notes and shared a Valentines feast with much loved friends.

The boys and I also attempted a freeze-our-buns off photoshoot on the front lawn. The hoarfrost was STUNNING (although I didn't get many pics of it as my sweet little guy fell and got snow on his face therein ending our snow romp). Poor Jack.


It was, er, brief. And cold. And pretty dark and gloomy ?! But cute.
I do need to mention that Will was also somewhat in the shoot . . . if you can count a brief stint of snow-throwing, then crying, and demands for hot chocolate. Ah, can you feel the love?


Happy heart day everyone. Love the ones you're with! I sure do.

The Valentines banner up there is also a little Jack tribute - those were his heart day pics from last year!!

"Oh Sweet Girl . . ."

My niece hailey turned 6 (!!) a couple weeks ago and the boys and I had the pleasure of spending the whole day with her. I don't know why, but six strikes me as a pretty big deal, so we went all out, Drake style, and did up the day.

We had balloons and cake, streamers and songs, and all went out to get our hair done with sparkles. Hail and I painted our nails, celebratory style, and I actually just took off my alternating blue and purple hues today . . .

I was so excited to give Hailey a gift that I found for her quite awhile ago - a print by Manitobian artist/poet/hotmama/blogstress Kal Barteski. Click on Kal's name for her link.

As soon as I read it, I had to have it for my Hailey:


This is what the text says:

oh sweet girl
you live inside us all
don't you know
your beautiful princess heart
and glittery smile
make this world turn
you do.
hear with knowing
that you are
funny + beautiful
creative + smart
magically perfect
and loved
just as
you
are.

Captures Hailey's little girl magic perfectly. Thank you, Kal. So gorgeous.

And Hailey tolerated a two minute photoshoot (literally) in between various festivities and this is what we came up with.




The rascals eating cake:

I think it's cool that these were taken ON her sixth birthday.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! We'll have to do it again next year . . .

A little lady . . .

This little angel should have most certainly graced these pages last year . . . why oh why have I been keeping her all to myself? Hmmmmmm . . .

This is little "O" . . . and she is divine. Her Momma's belly was featured many a week back - can you match the belly to the baby?

The hat, oh, the hat - I know it's in many of these shots, but you must remember that I have two little boys and simply cannot control my gushes over pretty and pink.
And I think little girl babies smell "girlier" too - it's a theory. Every time I see O (I'm fortunate enough to get a whif of her every so often as she belongs to one of my gorgeous mamma friends), I seriously have to control myself a little. A lot. She smells so lovely.

On the day that I photographed her, still so tiny and new, I was struck by how she already completely fit in her family . . . she is a little sister to two adorable big brothers and she is a match. A perfect little puzzle piece. Okay, I'm laughing at myself now cause I'm getting so gushy . . . ha!


Enjoy. And smell you later, O . . .!

More and Less . . .

Happy New Year! I know I've been vacant for a little while, and more on that later, but hello 2009!! I've been doing alot of thinking about what 2008 brought me, and what it didn't . . . and even more thinking about my hopes and thoughts for 2009. Things I plan to do with resolve.

The last year brought a few surprises and few disappointments. That's good. I travelled more. Took more pictures. Met great people and a few not so great. I neither lost nor gained a family member. Hmmm. Watched less tv. Drank more Pepsi. I took a trip just me, for me. I watched my children grow. I bought jeans that fit. I sang more. I found an old friend. Then another. I found direction. Then lost it. Then found it again. I felt pretty in a really pretty dress. I was proud of my family. I surprised myself. I held young hands. And old. I stood up for myself. Let myself down. I was thank-full. Regret-full. Peace-full. Beauty-filled.

This year, I will laugh more. Cry less. I will try to only do things that ultimately bring me joy. I will read more. I will sleep more. I will sleep more. I will sleep more. I will take vitamins. Take an unexpected trip. Play my piano. Play my guitar. Hug my parents often. Listen to new music everyday. Run like I mean it. Learn more from my children. Learn more from my friends. I will give more, and expect less. Both of, and to, myself and others. I will find my feet. I will write more. Learn to let go. I will make beautiful art and see it that way. Share more. Have less. Touch more. Dance more. Definitely will dance more. I will teach a class. Reconnect with someone important. Be more congruent outside and in. Leave a lighter footprint on the earth. Declutter. Decide. I will be more genuine and less impatient. I will continue to be in love. Be brave. Be happy.

I also wanted to share some new music that just makes my day. I found out there in cyberworld. I adore this song. Enjoy "in love, in love, in love" by songstress Valeri Lopez. I sure do . . .



Happy New Year . . . .

Fab Four

A quick preview for this fabulous foursome . . . .

I have to say that this family, collectively, have some of the MOST beautiful eyes I've ever captured. They are striking. Stunning, really. Take a peek: This is 'A' - I've been told that he is not a smiler. Yes, I have some of him smiling away, but this one seemed appropriate. He's one of those kids that when you see him, you say "oh, that one's gonna be a looker . . ." Do people say that anymore? Hahahaha. I'm sure somebody's gramma does . . .

And here's 'B' . . . . this kid cannot STOP smiling. And he shouldn't, either, cause it's gorgeous. These two are total cuties.

Now I'm realizing that I haven't posted a close-up of Mom and Dad for you to see where these peeps are comin' from. Oh, is it because maybe one or the other of them have their gorgeous eyes CLOSED in every shot? 'A & A' win the award for best staggered blinking ever. They were hilarious. And I can give them a hard time because they can take it :)

Here's the whole fam:
I have lots more that I can't wait to show you guys . . . until then -- thanks again for the fun!

Jenny

Little 'A' . . .

Here he is, little baby 'A' !

The hair, the hair! The eyes . . . this little one wins the all-time award for most awake newborn during a photoshoot! But look at him, so calm and peaceful . . . he's just checking things out, I think.

His Momma belongs to the most recent beautiful belly posted below. But 'A' has settled into his new home out in this big world, and he has been welcomed with open arms. When I got to meet him, he was actually being welcomed by an additional 8!

'A' had four very proud grandparents around him during his first few days. What a lucky little guy . . . But I think all of the grandpoppas and mommas live a little ways away so 'A' needs lots of paparazzi to keep them all caught up! That's where I come in . . .

I love this shot with all that love around him. Wish I had one similar from when my little guys were born . . .

A quick snooze . . . .

And yes, I have lots with Mom and Dad too . . . .

Sneak Peek of a Sneak Peek . . .

Okay folks, this is one of my most anticipated sneak peeks in a while as it is for my photographer pal, and guru extraordinaire, Dana. She and her family came just before Thanksgiving for a "trade-sies" shoot following an awesome shoot that she did for me in August. See that here. Whew . . now I feel doubly exposed. This is good for me.

Anyway, we had total fun despite the FREEZING COLD. The whole clan looked fabulous. We seriously shot in so many locations that I have a ka-billion favorites, but thought I would start with these!

Aw, someone is not feelin' the love . . . okay, now he's in there . . . .

I have to say that I really tried to focus on getting Dana in a lot of shots because as a photog, she's always on the other side. And here's what you have to know about Dana (aside from the great photographer part). Her laugh is the best laugh ever. And she laughs all of the time. I wish I could have recorded it to play along with these photos. Oh, and she can really sing too . . .

Total Pugh moment - goin' for a coffee and pumpkin loaf. This one is of Georgia before she did a jig for the afternoon coffee-sippers! Seriously. She stopped and did a jig for the entire place.

And Jack contemplating his outlook on life . . .
I love this one of Dana and her hubby, just wish I had gotten the coffee in Bob's other hand in the frame! Maybe I was distracted by getting bounced out of the coffee shop due to my paparazzi-like behavior . . .
And, no photo shoot is complete without placing small children in a shopping cart and running down a back alley.


Told you they're fun! More to follow . . .