Photographer Cousins

Last week my cousin, Ginger came over to the house and we had a great play date with our little people.  We got out on that rink and tested it's frozen condition (which wasn't totally frozen).  Everyone picked up a hockey stick and got into the fun of being outside in the winter.  So far we have been out on the ice everyday--skates or boots, it doesn't much matter so long as we are soaking in Vitamin D.

I treasure these days that our little people are all at home and we can spend time together as cousins with them.  And I feel lucky that my cousin Ginger is around and can capture the moments for us (when my camera is packed full of client photos).   Thanks for making memories with us on the rink and then getting some great shots too!

And this was the day we got some beautiful shots of little sister, Bronwyn in the studio at 3 months old.  (I'll attach a few).  I've also attached the blog post I wrote about our session in the studio with all the little ones running around.  Gracious. It's a miracle we got any photos.   Here is the link to the post about Bronwyn and the pictures from the session:

http://www.magnoliacoastsphotography.com/#!Toronto-West-Mississauga-East-Photographer-Three-Months-for-Baby-Bronwyn-Grow-with-Me/c2ju/56a1a7f20cf2009838b67451

Next time, we are planning on getting a little video of the session maybe when Bronwyn turns six months or a year!

Our 2nd Christmas back in Canada!

Back in Canada, with our feet firmly on the ground and back on schedule, we celebrated Christmas with family yet again!  The Christmas season hit an all-time record long season this year--starting in October and ending the middle of January.  My son Gabriel is so very confused.  First, we started opening presents before we even got on the plane, about five days before Christmas (with my parents and sister on the other end of a skype call) and then we left our Christmas tree at home to fly out of the country to slightly warmer place to spend Christmas in Rome.  There was no snow and that was even more confusing.  And then Christmas now that we are back at home.  I am pretty sure Gabriel will still be asking if there are more presents well into July (especially since birthdays are now upon us).  It's high time we start doing a little bit more educating about giving rather than receiving.

After our trip, we arrived back home in Toronto, the look on Gabriel's face was pure amazement to see snowflakes flying and twirling around as we walked the glass enclosed ramp back into the airport from the plane.  It was magical for the kids to see. Gabriel seems to have made this strong connection between Christmas and snow.  So it was fit to keep celebrating I guess, with snow on the ground. 

As family came to visit last weekend bearing presents and goodies, we had another Christmas meal and gift-opening.  Aunt Emma and Marc came to join us and ChouChou and Fizey for celebrations.   It was really fun to see Emma and Marc who we see every Christmas, and to experience the excitement with the kids now that everyone is feeling better.  Thank you ChouChou and Fizey and Emma and Marc for doing round two with us!!

And that's a wrap!!  Ok, no more Christmas until October.  I promise!

Happy Birthday Maggie!!

Today we had a beautiful birthday party for our sweet and sassy little Maggie who just turned 2!!  I am not entirely sure how she suddenly became 2 before my very eyes but we are crazy in love with her.  Anytime she does something really sweet and cute, Jordan's eyes meet mine and we quietly melt over whatever adorable thing she has just done--we stifle a quiet "awwwwwwww."  She is the sugar in the family to be sure.

Ps.  That is Maggie trying to eat the cake with her mouth...  She is such a rascal too.

We decided this year to have a party just for her.  When she turned one, we did a quiet family party, but now she has friends and opinions about things--like she loves doggies and the colour pink and she really wanted to wear her party dress--so we were happy to put together a party to celebrate.

The only person more excited than Maggie, was Gabriel who couldn't wait for balloons and cake and for his friends to come over too, since they share many of the same friends right now or many of Maggie's friends have older siblings.

Last night I had to pop out to pick up balloons...  For some reason it didn't even occur to me that I would have to fit all of the balloons in our small station wagon.  I was a little worried when I tried to get them in the car in the pouring rain....  It took a little bit of fancy maneuvering to fit in all the balloons, but eventually I was able to find a way to get them all to fit.  Sometimes... I am just a little over the top.  But balloons are my FAVORITE thing about parties.  And as you can see, everyone wanted a balloon and it caused hours of fun as they ran and ran and ran around the house with balloons, shrieking and laughing.

Puppy wanted some spaghetti too.

What?  Just chillin'!

Doggie cake!!!!!!!   

Big brother Gabriel has the honors of opening the presents for his little sister.  She actually doesn't protest even a little bit.  It's like her lot in life to have her brother do everything for her I guess.  Ohhhh... and she loved that Ken doll! 

I felt pretty lucky today to have such wonderful friends to come over and celebrate with us.  The kiddos and us are really really blessed to have such kind and warm people in our lives.  Anyone who meets them says so too--you guys are the best!

Thanks cousin Ginger for capturing some funny and precious moments with the kiddos today!  You are so talented! xo