My sister is watching our girls for us this weekend - thank you Marcie!!! I love that my sister gets almost as much of a kick out of the girls as we do. Before we had even gotten back home from dropping them off at her place she had emailed me a story.... I should start by saying I was giving Marcie ideas of things to do with the girls if it is in fact raining all weekend - they love listening to audio books, like watching Michael Jackson music videos on you tube, etc. Here is what she emailed me - so funny!

"We watched the ‘beat it’ video after you left. I was telling them about the moonwalk and showed them a clip of it.

Marcie: Michael Jackson was the first person to ever do the moonwalk.

Eden: How did he know how to do it?

Madi: Well, Jesus probably would have done it first..... when he was partying.


Then they both showed me their best moonwalk – not sure if it was MJ style or Jesus style."


ha ha!! Love it!

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One of my very first memories of Mark happened when my good friend Monica came to visit me at college. We were walking through the student lounge and there was a bunch of people watching a movie. At this point I had met Mark, and we had talked to him once or twice. As we walked through, we paused to see what movie was playing. I can still remember - Mark was in there and he was laughing SO hard. I guess what makes his laughing at a movie different - is most people snicker. He had this big laugh and could care less if he looked like a fool. He would laugh until he cried. And then laugh some more. He thought something was funny and didn't care who knew. As we left the student lounge I said to Monica "see that guy over there with the big laugh? If he asked me today to marry him, I would." Monica begged me to introduce her and I told her that I hardly knew him - I just "knew" we would fit.

Fast forward 16 years since that Fall... and last night we took the girls to see UP. As we watched my girls roared with laughter, and would yell out at the bad guys ("you stupid dummy head!"). The movie was so much fun - hard to find a movie for all four of us to actually enjoy.

But what I enjoyed more was seeing our girls had learned from Mark to laugh big, loud and often. Even if you look like a fool - laugh!

So today - just a reminder to laugh like no one is watching! Enjoy the day. As I read on a sign the other day "Don't postpone joy!"

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

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Awhile back I posted about "Sisters" and my girls idea of a "Sister's Day". Well, recent;y my sister and I took my two girls and we went to Niagara Falls for our first Sister's Day! We swam in the pool, jumped on the neds, strolled around the Falls, explored and laughed. A great time away!

Here's a few snapshots of our time together...


We have always taught our kids that the first thing you do when you get to a hotel is jump on the beds!



Eden's skirt was perfect for jumping!



Then the next thing you do is lie in bed and watch TV. We don't let the girls watch a lot of TV (we get no channels - everything is by DVD or on the internet at our house) so it's a big treat to watch TV at the hotel!





Then I couldn't find Eden. Typical of Eden - she had climbed up on the counter to admire her beauty in the bathroom mirror.




The girls each had a present (a Webkinz) to give each other - and I forgot Eden's gift to Madi! Bad mom move. I thought Madi would be upset, but I was so proud of her as she said "That's okay, I'd still like to give Eden hers as I know she'll love it." Love this kid! Hre's Madi's card and gift to Eden.





Eden with some bad post-swim hair at the Falls....



I'm sorry - but the Maid of the Mist terrifies me!



Sharing secrets...



My sister Marcie teaching Madi new dance moves...



Eden has her own cool dance moves too..



The girls climbing trees...



and falling out of trees....



Madi is my environmentalist - and so she loved this photo that looks like the tree is blooming out of her arms. (Her shirt says "Take Care of my World")



The girls love to cuddle!



On the way home we took the scenic route between Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake and we found a great field to stop at - full of wishflowers!







Nothing like dirty socks for hand puppets.



Not the best pic - but the only one of the 4 of us!



It was great to take time out to celebrate Sisters! Make sure to celebrate someone special in your life - if it's a special occasion or a made up one like this!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

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A couple of weeks ago I told you about photographing Irena as Lou Lou Magazine and Smart Set's next "It" girl. She's done awesome in the voting and is one of the few remaining! If you have a second - stop by and vote for her! You're allowed to vote once a day....

Thanks!!!

LINK

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My mom just sent me this video - I laughed so hard! Thanks for the great pick-me-up, mom!!

LINK

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Today - on Mother's Day - I just have to write to tell you I'm absolutely in love. In love with my family.

On Friday we went out for an early Mother's Day supper as Mark would be away today. One of my pet peeves is when you go to something like a birthday party or engagement party - and the person(s) in honour are never honoured. Mark knows me so well, he knew this and at the end of supper he asked each of them to say why they love me. This to me is a real gift - the words of love.

Today my girls woke me up with cards. And then every 5 minutes Madi would leave my room to let me sleep in ("sorry to wake you up on Mother's Day - you sleep in, mom") and come back in with something else. A bear paw cookie from the cupboard, a noodle bracelet she just whipped up, announcement she had cleaned her room, and a basket full of her things she wanted to give me as a gift. She is so great - she wants to make sure I feel loved and will do anything... and everything!

Mark sent an email directing me to my gifts. He had framed a picture each of the girls had drawn me - I absolutely love kid art so this was perfect!!!! And then he left me instructions to look on my blackberry for his gift... he had loaded it with music! I'm clueless with this sort of thing and am thrilled to now have music to take with me everywhere I go. I love thoughtful gifts!!!! I didn't want "stuff" and these gifts are perfect!

The one gift I ask for each year is a family portrait. So - watch for that to come in a few weeks.

So today I feel absolutely spoiled in love. And I hope to share the spoiling...

Go and celebrate life and love today - with a mother or just someone you adore!

Here are a few photos of the ones I'm in love with... (taken after our Mother's Day supper on Friday)

Cutest boy ever... can not believe this year will have been 13 years of marriage. I'm a lucky gal.



Eden and daddy



Eden is such a girly girl







And Madi is such a tomboy - nature lover. Last night in a movie a guy pulled up a flower in a garden and Madi screamed at the TV - "you killer of nature!!!!" She posed for this photo and asked me to write below it as the caption "This is Madi, lover of the environment"





Seriously - these two are nothing alike in so many ways...



And one of my all time favourite photos in honour of Mother's Day... my mom, me at a few days old and my sister.



Celebrating life and love,

Krista

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When I write on the blog here, I usually just sit down and write whatever comes to me - I don't spend a lot of time searching for just the right word... I want it to be as if I was talking to you and try to write in my own voice.

But today I'm having a hard time. For the last couple days I've started, and deleted a post on Mother's Day. I just can't find a way to sum up how much I adore my girls and the honour of being their mom. I can not express how much I enjoy being a mom alongside such an amazing dad. And to put here all the thoughts I have about my own mom, mother-in-laws, Grandma and women in my life... it would be a novel.

My heart feels full as I think about the women in my life who love so well. I am thankful for examples of mothers that I can look up to all around me.

Recently I heard an interview with Kate Gosselin and she said "Every day do your best as it's one day closer to your goal of reaching happy, healthy adults. If you make a mistake today don't let the mommy guilt get to you. Wake up the next day and strive to do better."

I love that. Reminds me of the line in Anne of Green Gables - "Tomorrow is another day with no mistakes in it... yet."

I think this Mother's Day that is what I am going to concentrate on. As a daughter, daughter-in-law and mother I have made mistakes. But tomorrow I can do better. I am going to celebrate life and love today.

Krista

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Recently I blogged about photographing Irena... now it's time for your involvement! If you can take a second and vote for her she'd really appreciate it! Honestly folks, this gal is gorgeous inside and out!



LOU LOU Magazine's "IT GIRL" Contest starts at noon on Friday, April 24 and runs until May 21. Each person is allowed to vote ONCE PER DAY!

Irena was selected as one of 15 finalists from over 3,500 entries in this Canada-wide contest. Irena's video and a new photo of her will be posted each week.
Each week, the girls with the least number of votes will be eliminated until 4 girls remain. The 4 girls with the highest number of votes will each receive a $3,500 shopping card and a photo shoot for LOU LOU Magazine in Montreal!
IRENA NEEDS YOUR VOTES!!!!
Vote for Irena online HERE.
Spread the word... each vote is entered into a weekly voter draw for a $125 Gift Card for SMART SET.

I know she appreciates your support!

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So, the other day I decided to check out what all this hype is about regarding Susan Boyle. Well, I was a blubbering mess... I just loved LOVED how despite of the laughing and jeers she proved them all wrong. Yay!!! If you haven't seen the clip yet - watch this - and make sure to watch Simon at the 4minute mark. Best part - he's totally smitten!


LINK

And she sang from my favourite musical of all time - yay!

So I called my girls in to watch it and explain why this is so powerful. I watched with them and bawled again. I told them I was crying because it was so "nice". (I also tend to cry at any standing ovation).

Fast forward a few days. Last night I was telling the girls that on Sunday we're going to my nephew's baby dedication. I said, it'll be really nice. To which Madi replied... "oh no! You're not going to cry again are you?"

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

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One of the many, many things I love about my job is the great friends I have been fortunate to make. Late last year, Kathy, Nataschia and I started meeting on a monthly basis for coffee - to gab about life, business, kids, inspiration and just to laugh! This is something we try to encourage all the gals at Chick Clicks to do - find one or two photographers that you can meet with on a regular basis.

On our very first meeting - none of us knew each other that well yet - as we stood in line at the coffee shop I casually asked Kathy how she's doing. "I'm pregnant." She was still in shock as Kathy has two young sons already and never thought she'd have a girl.

Fast forward nine months and it is now the day little Emma is scheduled to come into this world (oh the beauty of modern medicine - to know the gender and the day!). The three of us have come a long way in our friendship from not knowing each other very well over that first cup of java to now.

On Friday we decided Kathy needed a pedicure... and then when she has the baby she will be able to see her toes again in all their painted glory. We enjoyed a pedicure and lunch on the patio in the first really warm day of hopefully many.

Kathy - I can't wait to meet little Emma. You, if anyone, needs a little girl to shop with! Praying a safe arrival to your and Rick's arms!

As we got our pedicures done we read trashy magazines... and we all got a laugh out of this page Nataschia randomly opened the magazine to...



"My what pretty toes you have, my dear"


And here is the gorgeous Miss Kathy...





And this photo just makes me laugh. Three photographers... and this is what we get in our attempt at a self portrait. ha ha!!!



Celebrating life, love... and Emma!

Krista

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Like most sisters, my girls have a love-hate relationship. Take the other day for example... they're in the tub and fighting like cats and dogs. Not even five minutes later I hear:

"I love you"
"I love you too"
"I can't wait for 'Sister Day' because you're the best sister"

And so on. Am I hearing things? They were just battling out World War 3 and now they're confessing their undying love? Sisters.

So back to "Sister Day" - this intrigued me. They figured since there is a Mother's and Father's Day there should also be a Sister's Day. Sounds good to me! I popped my sister a line to see if she's game and I think the four of us will go out soon to celebrate Sisterhood - yee haw!

One thing I love about sisters is how very different they can be, but how much alike at the same time. My sister and I could not be more opposite - she's short and fit and well... I'm not. She's uber organized and well... I'm not. She's the one in the kitchen at family functions doing dishes, I'm the one pretending my bladder is full to get out of doing dishes. But my sister is the best support and cheerleader I've got. She's amazing. Yay Marcie! If you know her at all - you know she's amazing.

In the eternal words of my Grandma "enough mush already".

Today as my girls got themselves dressed for school they were in "best friend" mode (rather than "combat"). As they walked out the front door with their arms around each other I had to laugh. Their personalities and differences could not be more evident than their clothing choices today!

Madi had on a jean jacket, an old favourite t-shirt, UGGs and her tight skinny jeans. She wanted to look like a teenager or a rock star (in her mind they are one and the same).

Eden had on a red ball gown, gold full length gloves to her elbows, striped purple tights and gold shoes.

When they got home from school I had to take a couple photos! Some of the accessories had been discarded... but I think you get the idea....

This one cracks me up. I had just pulled the camera out and as I brought it up to my face I asked Madi to put down her books. Caught the rolling her eyes at mom look.



I love these next two photos - even though the REAL story is Eden was trying to pester Madi and was smothering her and driving Madi crazy.





Back to playing...



Being a younger sister I know one thing for sure... as much as us younger sisters drive our older sisters insane... you just got to love us!







What a pair!!!



Celebrating life and love,

Krista

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Easter has now been declared my girl's favourite celebration. Although I did get tired of explaining that Jesus does not die and raise again every single year on Easter (just like we're not born every year on our birthday).

I lvoe traditions... and our family's tradition is to colour eggs Saturday night and on Sunday morning the Easter bunny has hidden them! Mark grew up hunting for the chocolate eggs, I grew up hunting for the real eggs we had coloured - so our girls hunt for both!

Another Easter tradition I had growing up was a new dress! And so every Easter I love to go and pick out a new Spring dress for the munchkins! Here's the little beauties this year....




We went out to my parent's church in the morning and then had lunch there... here are a few of the girls enjoying the great outdoors!

My fave - the three musketeers - Madi, Eden and their cousin Hannah...








Celebrating life and love...

Krista

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Thought I'd share my girl's Easter Bunny letters....


"Dear Easter Bunny,

I am so excited for finding the eggs. Please inside of the plastic eggs give me a baby bird. I have a question, Easter Bunny. Will you be giving us a toy or chocolate like all Easters?

I am six now. Eden is four now.

Love Madi

P.S. Do you really work at a factory?"

[Asked Madi why she thinks the Easter Bunny works at a factory - and she said "Everyone knows he works at a choicolate factory."]
---------------------------------------
"Dear Easter Bunny,

I hope you will bring me chocolate eggs and I hope you will give me a baby bird for my birthday. You're invited to my birthday party. I want to marry you.

From Eden"

[Should mention Eden's birthday isn't until July 20!].
------------------------------------
The kids started begging to go to bed at 5pm so the Easter Bunny could come. Eden went to bed singing "I'm marrying the Easter Bunny". They kept yelling to Mark and I to get to bed so the Easter Bunny could come. Way too funny!

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Yesterday I was at a seminar all day by the wonderful Becker and I got an email from Marky Mark. One of Mark's co-workers had a niece who is one of the finalists from Smart Set's "It Girl" featured in LouLou magazine. She just found out she's in the running... and has to have the photos to them pronto. And she is a university student, and it's Easter and she has family commitments and she needs photos of her in 4 looks from the store, taken in the store by Monday (oh - did I mention she has an exam on Monday?)!

I am all about shooting relationships - connections between people... love.... but I like a challenge. Keeps me fresh and the creativity alive! So I said "sure!" It was so much fun to have full rein over the store (awesome staff!), all their clothes and accessories and a gorgeous model!

So in a few days I'll post the link for you to vote for Irena. Because - well.... no one can beat her. Not only is she stunning but she is an absolute sweetheart!



And without further ado... here's Irena!







Irena is passionate about ballet - and so for this look she wanted to bring some of herself into the photo - notice the toes!



















Celebrating life and love,

Krista

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