Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Family Weekend/Grammie's 90th
As if all the hubbub with the wedding last week wasn't enough family togetherness for us, we had a big weekend right after the day of the ceremony!
It was a lot of fun packed into one week and a bit tiring but I wouldn't miss a second of it! I was packing in a zombie like state on Friday and made no effort whatsoever to be space efficient. I just didn't have the ability to focus or concentrate or energy to spend on that! M&D stopped by on their way to my Grammie's & picked up all our big bulky stuff for camping so that saved my butt!
We got to Grammie's house around 9pm on Friday night & immediately started assembling Taji, our new tent (named for it's similarity in size & splendour to the Taj Mahal). It is quite the tent. However, it was the first time we'd put it up & it was dark & misting & we were tired. My dad (have I mentioned lately what a great Dad I have???) drove his car over the lawn to where we were setting up & so that the headlights would let us see what we were doing as my flashlight had died (freshly charged batteries didn't pan out) and helped us keep track of the 11-12 poles and gave us a hand getting the tent up. In those conditions it took us an hour but we're hoping that next time with a little more familiarity & visibility, we'll be able to cut that down some! Once up, the tent was AWESOME!!!!!!!! the girls slept at one end, Murray, the dog & I at the other and there was tonnes of room left in the centre for the potty, our bags, shoes etc. This thing has a ceiling light (remote controlled no less!), a hinged door and a cat flap out the back (not sure about taking the cat camping though....). It also held up perfectly in the heavy downpours through the night. It was a very late night for little girls and us too!
The girls slept in a bit the next morning, whew! I knew Saturday would be a long busy day for them so I was in no hurry for them to wake up. The weather was a little warm but we were so glad it wasn't pouring anymore that we didn't care. I had a good time golfing with my team and actually had several good shots & helped birdy the last hole. I was pretty excited when I see my ball had landed only a few feet from the cup and I guess jumping up and down for joy isn't a normal sight on the course, based on the laughter of my teammates! LOL
Since this was a big year for Grammie, we had lots of extra family visiting that we don't see every year. I got to catch up with Kendra (a 3rd cousin from the US) who I used to go camping with every summer when her grandparents brought her up for a visit. They used to pick me up & take me with them for a week or so. How crazy was that? bringing along someone else's kid in a TRAILER for a week?!?!?! but we had soooooooo much fun so I'm glad they did! Almost all my cousins were there at some point, even the ones from out west made it. Out of 18 of us, only 3 weren't able to come so it was a pretty decent representation.
After the golf was out of the way, the party got started. We ate & then the games got underway. The girls were totally pumped for that & asked about it many many times. There were sponge fights, water balloon toss, tug of war, 3 legged race, sack races, candy scramble/peanut toss, sparklers and then the fireworks. It was too dark so they couldn't do the piñata. To say the least, we know how to have a party!!!!!! There were lots of little kids so they all had a blast running around with each other & it was play play play. By the time the last of the fireworks were over, it was another late night for our girls. Murray & I weren't far behind them & we all slept like logs!
There was church the next morning so I got my crew cleaned up & dressed and once all the family had arrived we were quite a presence in that little congregation!
Now I have to brag, I just can't resist! The girls went up for story time & the minister was starting to tell the story of Zacchaeus. Then she asked what happened when Jesus saw him in the sycamore tree. I sat there wondering, "are they going to say anything???" Did they EVER. They answered everything she asked them about the story and got it all right and weren't shy about it or anything. Our church has lots of kids & mine never speak up at story time so although I knew they knew the story, I wasn't sure if they'd talk. But they did. Murray & I were so proud of them & impressed!!!
Cousins photo, including spouses 
Grammie & her kids
Grammie's kids plus spouses
On Sunday afternoon there was a big open house party at the church for Grammie's bday. This is a pretty small town & she's lived there a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG time so is fairly well known. I sort of knew this or figured this but really realized it when I stopped at the convenience store to pick up a bday card and the lady ringing me in said "oh, you're going to Annie's party are you?" The hall at the church was packed with many well wishers. She got some neat letters from the prime minister and other the premier of the province etc and someone got postage stamps made with her picture on them.
It was a great weekend and we're so glad Grammie was able to make it! She's doing great with her new pacemaker and seems to be back up & running. We had a hard time keeping her from waiting on everyone and I didn't see her doing much sitting. It's good to see her pretty much back to normal!
(I stole ALL the pictures for this post. See what happens when people don't watermark their stuff?!?!? ;))))
It was a lot of fun packed into one week and a bit tiring but I wouldn't miss a second of it! I was packing in a zombie like state on Friday and made no effort whatsoever to be space efficient. I just didn't have the ability to focus or concentrate or energy to spend on that! M&D stopped by on their way to my Grammie's & picked up all our big bulky stuff for camping so that saved my butt!We got to Grammie's house around 9pm on Friday night & immediately started assembling Taji, our new tent (named for it's similarity in size & splendour to the Taj Mahal). It is quite the tent. However, it was the first time we'd put it up & it was dark & misting & we were tired. My dad (have I mentioned lately what a great Dad I have???) drove his car over the lawn to where we were setting up & so that the headlights would let us see what we were doing as my flashlight had died (freshly charged batteries didn't pan out) and helped us keep track of the 11-12 poles and gave us a hand getting the tent up. In those conditions it took us an hour but we're hoping that next time with a little more familiarity & visibility, we'll be able to cut that down some! Once up, the tent was AWESOME!!!!!!!! the girls slept at one end, Murray, the dog & I at the other and there was tonnes of room left in the centre for the potty, our bags, shoes etc. This thing has a ceiling light (remote controlled no less!), a hinged door and a cat flap out the back (not sure about taking the cat camping though....). It also held up perfectly in the heavy downpours through the night. It was a very late night for little girls and us too!
The girls slept in a bit the next morning, whew! I knew Saturday would be a long busy day for them so I was in no hurry for them to wake up. The weather was a little warm but we were so glad it wasn't pouring anymore that we didn't care. I had a good time golfing with my team and actually had several good shots & helped birdy the last hole. I was pretty excited when I see my ball had landed only a few feet from the cup and I guess jumping up and down for joy isn't a normal sight on the course, based on the laughter of my teammates! LOL
Since this was a big year for Grammie, we had lots of extra family visiting that we don't see every year. I got to catch up with Kendra (a 3rd cousin from the US) who I used to go camping with every summer when her grandparents brought her up for a visit. They used to pick me up & take me with them for a week or so. How crazy was that? bringing along someone else's kid in a TRAILER for a week?!?!?! but we had soooooooo much fun so I'm glad they did! Almost all my cousins were there at some point, even the ones from out west made it. Out of 18 of us, only 3 weren't able to come so it was a pretty decent representation.
After the golf was out of the way, the party got started. We ate & then the games got underway. The girls were totally pumped for that & asked about it many many times. There were sponge fights, water balloon toss, tug of war, 3 legged race, sack races, candy scramble/peanut toss, sparklers and then the fireworks. It was too dark so they couldn't do the piñata. To say the least, we know how to have a party!!!!!! There were lots of little kids so they all had a blast running around with each other & it was play play play. By the time the last of the fireworks were over, it was another late night for our girls. Murray & I weren't far behind them & we all slept like logs!
There was church the next morning so I got my crew cleaned up & dressed and once all the family had arrived we were quite a presence in that little congregation!
Now I have to brag, I just can't resist! The girls went up for story time & the minister was starting to tell the story of Zacchaeus. Then she asked what happened when Jesus saw him in the sycamore tree. I sat there wondering, "are they going to say anything???" Did they EVER. They answered everything she asked them about the story and got it all right and weren't shy about it or anything. Our church has lots of kids & mine never speak up at story time so although I knew they knew the story, I wasn't sure if they'd talk. But they did. Murray & I were so proud of them & impressed!!!
Cousins photo, including spousesGrammie & her kidsUncle Laurence, Uncle Ralph, Dad (Earl)
Aunt Wendy, Aunt Cathy, Grammie & Auntie Ruth
Grammie's kids plus spouses
On Sunday afternoon there was a big open house party at the church for Grammie's bday. This is a pretty small town & she's lived there a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG time so is fairly well known. I sort of knew this or figured this but really realized it when I stopped at the convenience store to pick up a bday card and the lady ringing me in said "oh, you're going to Annie's party are you?" The hall at the church was packed with many well wishers. She got some neat letters from the prime minister and other the premier of the province etc and someone got postage stamps made with her picture on them.
It was a great weekend and we're so glad Grammie was able to make it! She's doing great with her new pacemaker and seems to be back up & running. We had a hard time keeping her from waiting on everyone and I didn't see her doing much sitting. It's good to see her pretty much back to normal!
(I stole ALL the pictures for this post. See what happens when people don't watermark their stuff?!?!? ;))))
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Park Play
We got a call from Tulip this morning asking us to go on a picnic at the park & although the skies weren't looking too promising, we decided to chance it.
The kids had a great time, they played and played and climbed and made many return visits to the table for more food. It rained a few times but never lasted long so by the time we ate, things had started to dry off.
Quote of the day goes to Honey, who after showing me how she had learned to slide down the pole, looked at me with a voice that was a mix of surprise and awe, and said "I was so impressed with myself!!!" Then she said, "put down the camera and just watch me this time!" and then she went down again. LOL
She was pretty full of it today and was showing off on this wobbly balance beam thing too.
Lovey didn't have the greatest day at the park though. While climbing on the above structure, she fell straight down the centre. I'm not sure where she fell from but the thud when she hit the ground was a sickening sound. I think she had gotten down to the part where the vertical bars are yellow. She landed on her side and every bit of gravel she landed on left a deep imprint on her skin & abraded her hip. She somehow managed to avoid hitting her head on anything but I'm really not sure how. Luckily I was with a nurse who looked her over & didn't think anything was broken, thank God! After a trip to the bathroom to clean her up she sat with me for a few minutes but was right back to playing before long. She did stick to low level things for the rest of the day though. I have a feeling she'll be sore or black & blue or both tomorrow....
My little model was very cooperative today. I'll take it when I can get it!
Monday, July 28, 2008
the WEDDING
So I did the photography at my cousin's wedding last week.... it was a little stressful but not too bad
First & foremost, ME at my first big job!! 
There's always going to be a certain amount of stress for that type of event. When I'm doing family pictures, I'm a bit nervous but I always know that I can come back next week if that session is a wash. Wedding's don't work that way though. I was a little freaked out about the right settings & trying not to blow out all the whites but still get the colour to look good. Some of it worked, some didn't but I think they're going to end up with a decent selection to remember the day!
Luckily it was a small wedding in my uncle's backyard, and 95% of the guests were my own family so I was pretty comfortable and the couple didn't have high expectations so that also took some pressure off. I thoroughly warned them ahead of time that I was not a pro but that my slogan was "I'm better than nothing" :)
Just a little fun with a garden statue!
one of my favourite shots because I got exactly what I was trying to get, sharp clear detail! 
not too sure if she was crazy about this idea but I had fun with it. I should have taken the painting off the wall but other than that, I think it worked.
showing the rain that interrupted us a few times
I also made the wedding cake & was pleased with how it came out!
another one of my faves from the day but I did blow out her right side so had to convert to b&w to try and salvage it because I loved everything else!
I also liked this one but should have blurred the background more to lose that busy background a bit. Oh well, at least they're cute!
Daniel thanking me for my efforts
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)