Almost Here

BIG changes coming on Thursday, May 1 - so be sure to check back!!

My kids always like three clues for surprises, so here you go...

1) Yellow
2) A Bright Idea
3) Eden + Madison

Huh? You just have to wait and see.......

Amy's Song

You have to watch this most creative speech to the happy couple! I found this when I was blog hopping - watch to the end (get past the cue cards). I cried, I laughed.. I love it!!!

LINK

Marky Mark

15 years ago this Fall I saw a guy at the bus stop near my college reading a book I recognized from one of my classes. He was cute - so I introduced myself and we started gabbing.

This same guy is downstairs right now pulling his hair out as he does our taxes. I'm trying to stay out of the way.

One thing that Mark does love to do is ride his motorbike he got last year. He got it out this past week and tonight I snapped a few pics of him after church as he rode home. So, in the spirit of stress relievers for my favourite hubby... here's a few pics of him!

Mike & Kristen Engagement

This morning was a perfect Spring morning! So nice to be outside and enjoy the sunshine and the signs of life all around. And even better was spending it with Mike & Kristen who are gtting married this Fall! We met in Burlington and wandered around exploring and getting to know each other better. A fun morning!

The trees were just stunning this morning!





Then we headed over to the Village Square in Burlington - what a great spot! So many neat shops and restaurants!





















Then we walked over to the water - great way to end the morning!









And we saw this bird... is it one legged or just standing on one leg? Either way... what balance!!

Headed home

After my journey to Nestor Falls for Grandma's funeral, I'm on my way home. It has been a great time of seeing family - lots of laughs mixed with lots of tears. The journey to Nestor Falls is a familiar one we took many, many times as a kid. It is my favourite place on earth filled with good memories. It is a place untouched by time or technology where I can still walk in almost any store (of the 3 or 4 there - ha!) and know the staff (and be related to most). Because I look like my mom, I get recognized most places. It is a community that supports each other and considers people who have lived there less than 30 years a newcomer. It's home to my family and I love being there!

Here's a bit of my journey....

Marcie and Eden on their way in the Toronto airport



Got to love planes where we can all watch our own show!



Persians - you can only get them in Thunder Bay and they are heavenly! They are so bad for you - and true Thunder Bay folks make it even worse by frying them in butter. Mmmmmm..... This is one thing I miss about living in Thunder Bay!



Nestor Falls (where my grandparents lived) is 5 hours from Thunder Bay. The drive is pretty barren so you stop where you can. Quetico is always our "pit stop" as it's about half way and there's no where else to stop!





The girls were bushed by the time we got to my aunt and uncle's in Emo. It was good to have a BBQ with the family - they are such a cool family! We'll be back in 3 weeks for my cousin's Kathryn's wedding!


Eden loved the view in the morning - their house is right on the river (with teh USA right across the river)



And Madi loved this dirt bike at Uncle Dave's Kawaski dealership



Finally we got to Nestor Falls - we were fortunate that the Helliar's family opened their resort for us to crash at (they're not open for the season yet). They have been good family friends for a long time - my mom grew up with them.



And how nice to find a stocked fridge - thanks to family in the area!



Marcie and the girls exploring the room and resort







Then we wandered down to the falls where Madi loved the cray fish claws









Madi wanted to make an inukshuk after seeing so many along the drive - she couldn't pronounce it though and called it a "suction cup".



My cousin Ralph is this big tough biker looking guy - who charms any kid. He works in a kindergarten class actually. Within 30 seconds Eden was cuddled into him and announcing she thought he was handsome.





The first night in Nestor Falls the ladies at my Grandma's church did a big supper for all of us.

Here are my mom and her two sisters - still goofs even in the midst of sorrow.



Aunt Marcie and all her nieces and nephews - love how Cohen is sitting away from all the yucky girls.



Some candid snaps from dinner









The morning of the funeral Marcie and I walked down to Grandma's home - she sold it 4 years ago so it lacked her personality. She had flowers everywhere when she lived there and gardens galore - it seemed very symbolic to be back at the house with no flowers or signs of life in sight. But there was still signs of Grandma around... (fortunately there was no signs of the owners around as we wandered the yard!)

The road into Grandma's house



Some of Grandma's things left behind at the house







The view from Grandma's - lots of ice still!





This is the camp my grandparents met at 60 some years ago. It is now owned by a family member - and they opened the camp for us to have a celebration at after the funeral.









I come from a family of bush pilots - always lots of great stories!



And some random candids of loved ones..













Now I'm on my way home today from Thunder Bay. After a long trip emotionally and physically - I'm ready to be home!

Thank You

I am blown away by all the emails and support from people in my Grandma's passing. Unbelievable. Thank you. If you knew her - you would have loved her. If you didn't - you missed out in a massive way.

I will be away most of this week. Grandma is from Nestor Falls which is in the middle of nowhere and the most beautiful place anywhere. We have a flight to Thunder Bay and then 5 hours of driving from there. We will be gone Tuesday through Saturday most likely. Carolynn and Beth are here holding down the fort at KJP.

Anyhow, all the grandkids were asked to share something at the funeral on Thursday if they can/want. I know I'll be blubbering but I wanted to say something. I started to think about everything I learned from Grandma (or GG as most of us called her for either Grandma Grace or Great Grandma to my kids). This is a quick draft, thought I'd share with you some of the lessons I learned... (and am in the process of learning - I'm far from most of these!)

All I needed to know I learned from GG....

GG taught me that it is important to give others the spotlight, and to sit in the audience cheering them on. Being a cheerleader and support is just as important (if not more) than being the star of the show.

GG taught me that love is more than words.

GG taught me the art of remembering.... names, what someone is going through, and what someone likes. To pick up on comments casually said in conversation of something the person needed, and remember it come Christmas. To inquire after people and their specific situation. To remember people by name. To stock the fridge with your guests favourite food.

GG taught me that life is full of simple joys - a garden in full bloom, a shore launch, fresh picked strawberries, catching a big walleye, a walk on a beautiful day.

GG taught me to laugh often and much. But never at someone's expense.

GG taught me I am a part of the world I live in and need to be informed. Staying up to date on current affairs - both politically and culturally... from the evening news to Dancing with Stars.

GG taught me that it is better to listen than to speak. Then when you do speak, everyone is all ears.

GG taught me how to live life to the fullest.

Smiling Eyes - Sharon

Smiling Eyes is a volunteer organization that I belong to where photographers donate their time to family's dealing with cancer.

I had the honour of meeting Sharon and her family today. Sharon had not been home in months and had a day pass for the first time today. What a gorgeous Spring day to be out! She was joined by her three kids, parents, husband, and loved ones.

The beautiful Sharon...





The whole gang surrounding Sharon with love...





Sharon and her three kids



and a more tender side of the kids...



Kids will always be kids...



Three generations of women...



Sharon and her parents...





Sharon and her hubby...





Sharon looking on at her kids...




Sharon's parents were a riot! - the top photo the mom was saying "Don't put your arm around me! Hold my hand!!"The last picture they were arguing over if they had been married 64 or 65 years.

Coffee Talk

Today was suppose to be the coffee talk - but with this morning's news of the loss of my Grandma (see below) I had to reschedule everything. I tried tor each all of you I could by email, but unfortunately I did not have phone numbers. My friend Jen also went down to look for people with cameras. If I missed anyone - I apologize. I would love to do this again - once I'm back from flying up for the funeral and such I will reschedule something. Thanks for your understanding!

Saying Goodbye

This morning I got a call that no one ever wants. One of those phone calls that just the ring alone tells you what the caller is going to say.

Last night my Grandma went to sleep, this morning she didn't wake up.

My Grandma was not your typical 95 year old. The only other time she had been in the hospital was to have kids - over 60 years ago. She was so up on culture - reading People magazine and watching American Idol faithfully. My mom said this week when she saw my mom come in the hospital one day the first question she asked was "Who got voted off Dancing with Stars last night?"My Grandma had a wicked sense of humour. She was one of the most thoughtful people I ever met. If I ever brought a friend to her home for a visit - Grandma would remember them forever after asking about them each time I saw her. Grandma would make sure she kept our favourite foods and things on hand for visits. She hated attention on herself. She would say "we're full of balarney" and give us a swat if we started to get mushy. Everyone who met her adored her. Grandma lived many, many miles away and although we didn't speak often - I always knew she was there loving me and believing in me.

I am also thinking about how glad I am for photos of my Grandma with my kids. They are young enough they don't remember her well - but I want them to know her. As they grow up, I can show them the photos of her and tell them the stories of their GG.

I am reminded again today though to always tell the people you know how much you love them and what they mean to you. Even if they say "enough of that mush!" (as my Grandma would say) we need to let our loved ones know they are just that - loved.

I love you Grandma.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Earlier this week I had the privilege of meeting Gina and Nikolina. A mother and daughter whose bond was obvious to me the second we met. The love I saw between Nikolina and her mom made me really want photos with my mom. I told them to wear jeans and a tshirt - and they showed up glam, in dresses and heels! I LOVED IT! With the sun just starting to go down, I had fun playing with light and watching these two ladies interact. They were like best friends - and it shows in the photos. We shot around 6pm and it now makes me want to always shoot at this time.




This is them dancing... so fun.