Just over a week ago, my sister with her beautiful family arrived for a whirlwind week in the wild west. We had tonnes of fun playing in edmonton, and heading down to Drumheller and Banff. I have to say, one of my favourite rooms in the Tyrell Museum is the second bone room you walk into I think. The TRex is there and I just love how the bones are in big guilded frames like artwork. And I especially loved being able to walk around in T-shirts too! 

After the museum it was off to Dead Man's Flats to pass out early in bed haha. The next day we headed into Banff to play on the mountain, and oh my is that boardwalk long at the top of Sulphur mountain...we definitely got a workout, especially Kirk (my brother-in-law) who carried Violet about half of the way lol.

It was a wonderful visit with my family, but of course WAY too short...I just wish I could absorb even a fraction of Violet and Oliver's energy!Here are a few of my favourite snaps from our trip.

I had the pleasure of photographing one month old Abigail this morning with her mommy and grandma. She was one busy little girl and just wanted to know what was going on at all times:) I'm so excited that I finally got to use my Alberta butter box!!!! Even if Abi hated stuff on her head, I got that box in there hehe.

Here's a peek at a few of my favourites from the day.

Happy New Year to all of my friends, family and fans :) I can't believe how fast this past year went by, and how many things have happened. This was the first year that I didn't spend Christmas with my family back in Ontario, and it was a very strange thing, but I did get to have some great friends over to share the day. I also got to have a whole week with my wonderful parents. 

On NYE I got a text from my friend to let me know she was in labour and heading to the hospital, I almost jumped up and down with joy because she asked me to capture this most special moment for her and her family. I changed my ringer to the loudest, most annoying tone to make sure I didn't miss the call to come when they were ready. And after a sleepless night I got the call at 8:10 am (thanks for letting me sleep a bit at least haha). So ,I had the fastest shower ever, got my new camera bag and headed out the door. 

After only a couple of hours of Laurie checking on everyone else to make sure we were okay (I don't think many women in labour would do this), I got the message that she was starting to push only 2 minutes after saying that I was going to head out if there were no changes as I was going to Jasper with my parents and hubby. I'm SO glad little Adelyn decided to come just then because I wouldn't have missed this experience for the world. 

Laurie was a true wonder woman, and after 10 minutes of pushing the baby was ready to meet everyone. With big smiles on all of our faces we welcomed the 6lb 9oz little miracle to the world. I remember Laurie seeing her little girl for the first time and saying, "You were in my tummy!" It was the cutest thing ever. Joe, the proud papa was all smiles and could hardly contain himself. Some tears were shed, and lots of hugs and smiles were shared. 

After I got to capture this little miracle, it was off to Jasper for a night of yummy food and then a little tour in the mountains with my parents, hubby and my puppy, Jasper, aptly named because I got engaged there only a year and a half ago.

So it is with that I share a few of the precious pics:) Happy New Year everyone. Here's to another great year.

To see more of the photos, and colour versions check out my facebook page.

__I'm entering this contest http://improvephotography.com/2438/2011-portrait-photographer-of-the-year-contest/ now. Wish me luck:)

I just wanted to post a little teaser from my preggy shoot this afternoon. It was so fun, and I LOVED all of their ideas...most especially this one. More to come very soon on my facebook page.

I had the pleasure of doing some newborn and family pictures for the Papadatos family this morning and it was so much fun! Little Leo was one of the snuggliest newborns and was such a good little boy, and his big sister was just as cute as a button. Here is a little peek into our morning. And also, a big shout out to my friend Shona for knitting those fabulous monkey hats and the diaper covers! You can find the rest of the pics under Families and Babies + Kids.

I have been so busy with my photography lately, and it's been wonderful, but I recently had a request for a drawing of the amazing Bob Marley. It's been a long time since I did a drawing, and it was so fun to get back into it with this one:)

Here is a peek at a few more of my portraits.

I had such a fun time this morning photographing Serena and her mom Robbie. The chicken dance may have been resurrected to coax out a few laughs at the beginning, and I do a mean chicken haha. It was such a beautiful day, but I can't think of anything else I would rather be doing than going for a stroll along the river and taking pics of a gorgeous teenager! What is your favourite place to take photos?

For more, visit my Facebook page.

I just wanted to send out a very special thank you to the ladies who let me play on the farm with them way down in Calgary. And a big huge thank you to Aimee for setting it up, and being my assistant and subject...such a multi-tasker:) It was such a fun couple of hours, but I can only share but a few of the wicked shots here. I don't think I have ever seen a cuter mother/daughter pair, and I hope they let me photograph them again. The little farm even had a baby donkey named Jassper (yes that name is spelled correctly, and he pranced just like my Jasper does hehe). More to come tomorrow, after I get a very good night's rest and have a good snuggle with my puppy.

After completing day one of my photography course this past weekend, our mission was to take as many photos as possible this week. So, in keeping both me and my puppy happy, we did a little adventure to the dog park. I think I have found the spot for my upcoming engagement shoot (this one's for you, Melissa) while I was at it, so yippee for that!  Jasper was a very happy puppy tonight, and met lots of new friends that kept him busy while I was "photoging" hehe. 
He was even good enough to sit for just a couple of shots for me too...and now he is helping my edit by keeping my lap nice and warm :)

Enjoy the trip with us through the doggie park at sunset.