The look

I couldn't come up with a good title for this one that really suites what the "look" is all about. When Jared and I refer to it, we say "Aubrey is foreheading you..." That just didn't sound very good to use as a title! If you have any ideas - let me know!!

Castlegar - Summer 2009

Funny Girl

Santa gave Aubrey flash cards in her stocking at Christmas and we didn't know how well they'd go over with her at this age, but she loves them. I keep them on the window ledge above the couch where she can't get them and she constantly stands at the couch's edge pointing at them. So I always bring them down and sit with her and go through them. This morning she did the same thing, but this time successfully climbed onto the couch stood up and grabbed the deck of cards! She's never managed to climb up by herself before . . . great! Most of the time she knows how to safely get down . . . but not all the time.

It's official...

We will be having two 15 year old boys living with us until June. They are here from Cranbrook going to Reynolds so they can be a part of their soccer program. They will stay with us starting Thursday night. We are looking for a smaller desk to put in their room if anyone has one they can lend or give us.

Garage Sale Tomorrow!

After cleaning out our guest room and closet and other nooks and crannies of our house I realized I have just too much stuff to try and sell on usedvictoria so I've decided to have a garage sale tomorrow from 9-12. If anyone has stuff they need to sell and want to bring it over and try and sell it, you are more then welcome to! The stuff that doesn't sell that is decent I'll sell on usedvictoria after and anything else will be donated. It does feel good to throw out a lot of stuff. If I haven't used it in the last year or more, then it's gone.

Sunrise

This is the sunrise from the other morning looking out our sunroom.

Nothing better...

There's nothing better then home made potato & yam chips - I especially like the yam chips.
Now I need to find a way to bake them instead of frying. They were sprinkled with kosher salt and rosemary.

Catching up from last summer!

So Tired!

The only place Aubrey falls asleep these days is in her crib, in her quiet, dark room. This morning, however, she got really quiet while playing in the sunroom and I looked down and she was just laying there until she fell asleep. She has now been sleeping there for 1.5 hours! She never falls asleep in our arms anymore, except for last night around 11 pm she woke up crying. I couldn't wake her up, she must have been having a bad dream. Her eyes would open but she was out of it. So I held her and closed her eyes and she calmed down, and started snoring.

Our little world traveler

. . . she just doesn't know it yet!

A Wise Friend came for a visit!

We went up to Darren & Shelli's last night for dinner and to celebrate Noelle and Tate's birthdays. It was a lot of fun but Aubrey had the most fun I think! Tate was given some wooden building blogs and Aubrey had the best time knocking them over then laughing at her delight in the destruction! Darren got it on video. Just after we got home and put Aubrey to bed I looked out our living room window and notice quite a large dark object sitting on the neighbors fence, then I saw it move slighting and I knew it must be an owl. I got the camera out and Jared and I crept up to it and took some photos. It just sat there staring at us. It's amazing how they cant turn their heads around 180 degrees - and kind of creepy!

New Year = New Website and Pricing

With this new year I've decided to review my photo packages and services. I have given this a lot of thought and one area that has concerned me over the past year is that I am losing control of the final print quality of my photographs. Up until this point I have given my clients their photos on a disc to have printed where ever they would like. While this may be convenient for some I feel that the integrity of my work is what is most important. For this reason I have changed my packages. All sessions will now include a personal consultation afterward where we will review all the pictures on a video display. I will also present you with 4x6 proofs of all the photos for you to review at home. During this consultation a 20% discount will be offered on all prints ordered at this time.

For those still wanting digital negatives, you can purchase them after the initial print order is made at an additional cost (see my website for pricing). This cost includes all the photos on disc plus a 5x7 of each photo in a keepsake album. This is for you to see the prints in person and have a reference for what the prints should look like for future printing.

I have struggled with this decision to change my packages as I want to continue to provide my clients with high quality work at prices that are competitive. I feel that the limited rate increase for this new year reflects my decision to go from disc to print, helping me to retain control over my photo's while still providing you with the service you desire.

Thank you to all my clients of 2009 and I hope to see you and your friends in 2010!

Macro Extension Tubes

I've wanted a macro lens for a while now but the one I wanted is about $800, so I found an ad on usedvictoria for a macro extension tub which is simply a tube that screws onto your camera and then you screw on any lens on top of it. It comes with 3 rings that which you can use just one, two or all three. You lose auto focus and you have to play around with it quite a bit, but it works great. Aubrey is too fast of a subject to really use it on - I'm hoping to use it for newborns to get their eyelashes, lips, fingers, toes and the swirl of hair on the top of their heads - much more still of a subject! I did manage to get one out of many tries with Aubrey though. Oh - and it only cost $25! You can buy them on ebay for under $10, but I was ok with $25.

New Prop - double page

Christmas Dress

Well, not so Christmassy . . . but she got it for Christmas!

Christmas Morning

Heaven Sent

Just Playing

I was trying to get Aubrey to sit in the Bengal Lounge chair we got, but she was having a hard time concentrating! I did manage to catch the look she always gives, that's hard to describe in the last photo.

Catching up: Aubrey's birthday party

Not a White Winter!

Happy New Year!

Last night we had our annual New Year's Party which involved some fondue and rockband. It was a smaller gathering this year which I think made for a more enjoyable time. We were going to take Aubrey to Murray & Elaine's place for the evening, but changed our minds as I was worried she wouldn't go to sleep there and I'd have to go get her so we kept her here. We put her to bed and didn't hear a peep out of her until 9 am this morning! We can't believe none of the shouting at the hockey game, laughter, talking and running of kids around the house didn't wake her up once...and then on top of that letting us sleep in until 9 am! We didn't get to sleep until around 3 am, so that was a very nice surprise! We hope you all have a great New Year's day!