House 9 Hockey Foundation

Saturday evening we attented the 2nd annual "House 9 Hockey Foundation" Charity hockey game. 

Hosted by Aaron Downey

A few of the NHL players showing up for the game

The one in the grey shorts is this guy, Kyle Quincey

And his friend whom I cannot remember his name for the life of me....

Plays with the Philidelphia Flyers & had a tonne of penality minutes.

This is Aaron Downey just before the game.

He came out to chat with a few friends

Thanking the crowd for their generosity.

100% of proceeds all went to charity

Then it was game time, this is Mark Bell to the right of Aaron Downey

It was a nice evening and even greater to support a good cause. 

It was so neat seeing these guys play hockey, they just seemed so smooth and suave on the ice. Even if it was just for fun.

But I guess that's what happens when they're "in their element" considering it's what they do for a living.

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Today's Quote

“Money has no power on its own.
You alone are the power source.”
— Suze Orman

Food Friday: Bakerella

I love Bakerella. 

She doesn't post frequently...maybe once a week?

But the projects she does are amazing and awesome.

Which is probably a good thing that she only posts once a week, especially if you're someone who's going to attempt her weekly features.

Last Sunday she had Cowgirl Cookies

They are the cutest things ever!

But on top of that she has the free .pdf file that you can download so you can add the oh so cute labels to your creations, just like she did.

For all the goodness, click HERE

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Today's Quote

"The kitchen is where the action is, where the big conversation is happening. It's the place to be"

~ Jewels Elmore

Happy & Sad News

Today is my parents wedding anniversary.

If my pregnant brain is working correctly today, they've been married 33 years. Cause my brother is 32 and he was born 10 months after their wedding. Yes I think that's right?!?!

I just want to say congrats and I love you both very much.
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In sad news....

Last year on one of our visits to our breeder before officially taking Boone home.

Our breeder had mentioned how excited she was about the soon to be birth of a grandchild.

We found out today that her 14 month old grandson drowned.

I just want to send out our thoughts and prayers to the family. 

And please remember them as they go through this very difficult time.

I can't even imagine how the must feel.

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Also please remember the Caines family. 

If you've been watching the news most of you have heard about the freak accident of a young 5 year old boy getting hit by lightning in Brampton. 

Well he did pass away from his injuries and now the family is trying to deal with not only a tragic loss but just the shock of something so unlikely happening to their child.

I know a few members of the family though I didn't know the 5 year old boy or his mom personally. His Dad was a childhood friend of mine and I'm still friends with his sister (the 5 year olds aunt)

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This reminds us that time is precious, that tragedy is a fact of life and it might be us who has to deal with our own tragedy at any moment.

Don't take anything for granted....tell your family & friends you LOVE them. 

You might not have the chance tomorrow.

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Today's Quote

Sometimes late at night
I lie awake and watch her sleeping
Shes lost in peaceful dreams
So I turn out the lights and lay there in the dark
And the thought crosses my mind
If I never wake up in the morning
Would she ever doubt the way I feel
About her in my heart

*chorus*
If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That shes my only one
And if my time on earth were through
And she must face the world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes
cause Ive lost loved ones in my life
Who never knew how much I loved them
Now I live with the regret
That my true feelings for them never were revealed
So I made a promise to myself
To say each day how much she means to me
And avoid that circumstance
Where theres no second chance to tell her how I feel
*chorus*
So tell that someone that you love
Just what youre thinking of
If tomorrow never comes

~Garth Brooks

Mat Photos for Nursery

The problem with liking so many photos from our maternity shoot is deciding WHICH photos to put up in the nursery.

Even though I have a couple of favourites in colour. I'm leaning towards the sepia toned photos since the nursery is going to be pale yellow walls, with white furniture and a few brown accents (such as the wicker laundry basket, etc)

Here are the 3 I'm "thinking" about going with.....

My thought process is:  One of Mommy alone

A belly shot

 

And then one of course of Mommy & Daddy together

What do you think?

Obviously I need to touch up my editing to make sure the sepia tone matches on all 3 photos.

But I think these might make a nice little gallery on the wall above the change table :)

Picture an 8x10 in the middle and 5x7's on either side maybe?!?!
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Today's Quote

"I'm in awe every time: By planting so little, you can reap so much"

~Oprah

Baby Update: 35 Weeks

35 weeks....getting down to the wire now. Only 5 weeks and I'll officially be a Mom.

Scary stuff.....lol.

But very happy & exciting at the same time.

Last night I FINALLY started painting the nursery. It'll probably be an all week project since I'm taking my time, and I'm also doing the trim first (since that's the part I hate doing the most)

I'm super happy with the colour though, its exactly as I hoped it would be.

I'll post pictures when the nursery is completed....not before, so don't ask :)

But I will share a couple of photos from my baby shower on Saturday. I don't have many yet but I can share these couple.

First a picture of the OH SO AWESOME cake....when my friend Vicki asked if I saw the cake I said no? To realize I did in fact see the cake but I thought it was a decoration.

I immediately fell in love!

 

Thanks to Vicki's Aunt Angie for making it....the girl sure has talent!

Also everyone who attended the baby shower was each given a onesie or diaper shirt to decorate for Baby Hann.

I've never seen anything like this done at a shower before and loved the sentiment behind it.

There were two blanks left over, so I coloured one and Kristen has yet to complete his.

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Here's a few decorated by the guests

A bit closer up...

"Spit Happens" is one of my favourites

When I have more photos I'll definitely share.

I've been so blessed to have the best friends & family who so generously gave to Kristen & I 

To the point that there's barely anything that we'll need to buy ourselves. I really don't know how to express in words how truly grateful and appreciative we are :)

Thank You!

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Today's Quote

"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be Happy Now! Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and SAVORED!"

~Earl Nightingale

Weekend In Review

Another busy but great weekend!

Friday evening Kristen and I headed to the hospital to pre-register and do our tour. We didn't physically walk through the hospital but we went to a presentation that shows the map of the hospital, where we need to go, and all that good stuff. So I'm officially ready to go in to labour (speaking from the hospital point of view) from every other aspect, I'm not quite there yet.....lol.

After that we headed to our friends house because I was in on a secret pamper party that was being thrown for Kristen.

Thanks to Jason & Corey who put in all the work to throw the "guy baby shower" just for him.

I know Kristen isn't one who would outwardly gush on about how grateful he is that he had "his moment" of becoming a Dad. But I honestly think he loved the gesture.

Sorry I don't have photos...if I get any I'll post them then.

Saturday was my baby shower here in Ontario hosted by my dear friends Vicki and Steph.

Girls you guys went above and beyond for little 'ol me. I know you enjoyed doing it and I loved every minute of it. To everyone who attended "thank you" baby Hann is already one spoiled child :)

Again I don't have photos but a friend of mine took some, so when I have them I'll share.

Later that evening Kristen & I went out to the movies to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary.

I can't believe it's been two years since we tied the knot!!! And now we're soon going to add a child to the mix. I am happy though, I truly am grateful the wonderful life we have together.

Then Sunday we headed to Tristan's 3rd birthday party....here's a few photos of the fun.

Enjoying one of his presents.

Since Tristan is a HUGE spiderman fan the birthday had a Spiderman theme

Blowing out his Spiderman candle on his spiderman cake

Then it was time to "BE" Spiderman and shoot some webs!

Where I think the adults had just as much fun as the kids

Happy Birthday Tristan! I hope you had lots of fun :)

Today's Quote

Everything's been different

All the day long,

Lovely things have happened,

Nothing has gone wrong.

Nobody has scolded me,

Everyone has smiled.

Isn't it delicious

To be a birthday child?

~Rose Fyleman

Food Friday: Chocolate Zucchini Cake

I bought zucchini from the Farmers Market and then I didn't know what to do with it.

So I asked Myrna for her recipe to make zucchini chocolate cake.

 Here were my results.....

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In first bowl, blend until smooth:
3/4 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
3 eggs

 

In bowl #2, mix:
1/2 cup milk
2 cups grated zucchini
2 tsp vanilla flavouring

In bowl #3, stir together all dry ingredients:
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon

½ cup cocoa
Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or walnuts

Gradually alternate adding the zucchini mixture and the dry ingredients to the shortening/sugar/eggs.

Mix and pour into 2 loaf pans - bake for about 50 minutes on 350 degrees.

OR, if you use muffins pans, reduce the time to about 30 minutes.

And voila.....I topped mine with vanilla icing.

YUM!!

Yes the fork is dirty I just HAD to take a bite before taking the photo

So if you're headed out to the Farmers Market tomorrow, buy zucchini and make a veggie cake. Call it your healthy cake.

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Have your cake and eat it too!

Turkey Rap

Kristen is ALWAYS researching something about hunting...especially now with open season just over a month away

Last night he discovered this video that I thought was super cute

Today's Quote

"When your life is on course with its purpose, you are your most powerful. And you may stumble, but you will not fall"

~Oprah

It's Wednesday....

...and I'm tired.

It's really hit me how busy I was all summer with my photography, full time job, home life and social life. Oh not to mention a baby on the way!

Officially my photography season is over, with the exception of 2 photo shoots left to take place. But I'm definitely not taking anymore bookings. I'm too big and too awkward.

However, that being said I can't believe how awesome this summer ended up being, I really had no idea the power of Facebook. Which is where the majority of my bookings stemmed from. 

So if you're looking to start your own business or promote a project you're working on, I would strongly recommend going that route.

My only dilemma now is deciding when I should go pro.

I know I'm up'ing my pricing next year, I just don't know by how much yet, because there's no WAY possible I can maintain the schedule I had this summer, have a child, and hope to go professional where the photography would be my source of income. 

At my rates.....I'd lose my house the first month in business.....LOL.

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But it's such a fine line of keeping clients, losing clients, and justifying costs that MOST people are ignorant too and just won't pay a "professional" photographer the rates they need to charge to survive. 

Especially when everyone pretty much owns their own awesome digital SLR these days.

Oh well....I know its my goal and I'm not giving up.

I have all winter to ponder these questions, scenarios and decide if I want to launch in 2010.

Again you my friends, your input is always welcomed because you are all so honest with me. 

And its questions I can put here that I wouldn't necessarily pose on my photography blog. You know keeping it professional and all :)

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Today's Quote

"You can have anything you want - if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, have anything you desire, accomplish anything you set out to accomplish - if you will hold to that desire with singleness of purpose"

~Robert Collier

Baby Update: 34 weeks

Only 6 weeks to go......so today I'm going to share this email that I received the other day about wives tales as to if you're having a boy or girl.

My symptoms/situations are in red....lets see what we end up with.....


Sleep Position Pay attention to which way you lay down in bed tonight. If you prefer sleeping on your left side, you'll have a boy. Right side? Your pregnant with a girl.
Upset Stomach Little girls aren't always sweet. Extreme nausea means you are having a daughter.
I was definitely sick.... :(
Soft or Dry Hands If your hands are dry during pregnancy, you are having a boy; soft -- expect a girl.
Food Cravings Your favorite pregnancy foods may tell you what sex the baby is. If you're craving citrus while pregnant, you're having a girl. Nope craving sweet
Adult Acne If altering hormones makes your skin break out, expect a girl. Skin has been super clear
Graceful or Clumsy Pregnancy If you feel as though you're gliding through they day, you'll have a girl. Stumbling? It's a boy.
Face Weight Gain If your face gets fuller, it means you're having a girl. No idea if I have...not really I guess
Sugar and Spice Food Cravings Craving salt during pregnancy? Potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn means a boy is on the way. Need a little something sweet? Ice cream, chocolate, and candy means you're having a girl.
Mood Changes If you're experiencing pregnant mood-swings, expect a baby girl to arrive soon. Not really...feeling pretty happy overall
High or Low Pregnant Belly If you're carrying the baby low on your stomach, expect a boy. If it's high, you're having a girl. No idea
Baby Weight If you're carrying baby in front, it's a boy. Is the baby weight spaced all around your middle? It's a girl. No idea
Pendulum Test Dangle a chain with a charm over your palm. If it swings back and forth: boy. In a circle: girl.
Model Your Hands "Show me your hands." If you would hold your hands palms up it's a girl. Down? You're having a boy.
Toddler Advice Get baby advice from a nephew or friend's little boy. If a toddler boy shows interest in your belly, you'll have a girl. If he ignores you, it's a boy. Our friends little boy actually TOLD us we're having a gurl....LOL
Eat Garlic Guess the baby's sex by eating garlic. If the smell seeps out of your pores it's a boy. If there's no scent it's a little girl.
Key to Pregnancy If you pick up a key by the round end, you're having a boy. If it's by the long end? A girl.
Even and Odd Numbers If your age and year of conception are both even or odd, it's girl. One even, one odd means a boy.
Baby's Heartbeat If the baby's heart beats more than 150 times per minute, you're pregnant with a girl. Less than 150, it's a boy.
Stress Test A child tends to be of the same sex as the parent who is less stressed at the time of conception.
Dream Meanings If you dream about having a girl while pregnant, you will wind up having a boy and vice versa.
Breast Size If your right breast is larger than the left while pregnant, you are having a girl. If the left is larger, it's a baby boy. No idea....LOL

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It's close but it appears to be "leaning" towards a girl....what do you think?
Since this weekend I think everyone I see is telling me they think it's a boy
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Today's Quote“Love looks for us, regardless of how we orient ourselves.”
— Heather Sellers

Weekend in Review

Another great weekend....it was hot and humid but no complaints from me since it appears summer has finally arrived. I will admit Sunday I was pretty uncomfortable, but I'm just happy it was sunny and hot :)

Friday night Kristen, Boone & I headed out to Scottsdale Farm with Holly of Hark Photography to do our maternity/family photos

Here's Holly very hard at work taking some solo shots of myself

I seriously LOVE sunset light and was so happy we could schedule our session for this time of day

Boone waiting in the car for his turn in the family photos

Thank you Holly sooooo much. I can't wait to see the results!!!

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Then Saturday it was time to go to my cousin's pool party. No I didn't go swimming, even though the weather was HOT and perfect for it. I did enjoy the company however, LOTS of people....old friends, new friends. Had such a great time :)

CANNONBALL!!!!!!

The boys cooling down with a drink

And this one of Boone...he's only wet from being sprayed with a hose not from being the pool.

Here he was sitting pretty in hopes that I would give him my bottle of water to play with

He eventually was too cute to ignore...I finished up and let him have it.

What can I say who can resist those looks?!?!! :)

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Today's Quote

"Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat”

~Unknown

Food Friday: Sausage Spaghetti

I don't know what else to call this dish, it's spaghetti with sausage. And delicious!

Start by putting a can of seasoned diced tomatoes on the stove to simmer out some of the excess water

Then grill hot italian sausages

And cook some spaghetti

Now add some fresh oregano from the herb garden to your tomatoes, along with pepper and garlic

Take the sausage off the grill and slice up

*Sidenote* Hubby did all the grilling and cutting up of the sausage for this recipe :)

Then mix it all together....MMM

Now...take a bit of pasta put it in a bowl

Layer some of the sausage on top

Some fresh grated cheese, this is mozzarella...fresh parmesan would be better but we were out.

A bit of oregano for touch

and ....

VOILA!

Note: I added NO SALT to this meal. Figured there was enough in the sausage and canned tomatoes.

I also added extra seasoning with the fresh herbs and the pre-seasoned tomatoes for those of you who think this dish might be "too" plain.

Simple is good :) and healthy too

Today's Quote

“He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.”

— Arabian proverb

Baby Update: 33 Weeks

I haven't had time to post they way I would like since returning from Nfld.

 I feel like some of my posts are seriously lacking. Most of it due to all the photo shoots I've been trying to process, which also meant not having time to convert the pdf files from my 31 week ultra sound to jpeg files to share with all of you.

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If I haven't already mentioned it, the follow up ultra sound was perfect.

All areas they wanted to double check are okay and really was no cause for concern to begin with.

Also I was able to see Baby Hann again :)

Here's a couple of shots from the Ultra sound.....

First the side profile

Inside the red circle, hopefully that helps you pick it out better

And the front of the face.

I keep teasing Kristen that the baby SOOOO has his nose and lips.

Even if he or she does or doesn't, this is my fav ultra sound pic and I think is totally cute

If you look really closely, to the far bottom right of the circle you can barely see two little fists all curled up. He, he

Only 7 weeks left til my due date. I'm nervous and excited. More excited though, I really can't wait to meet OUR baby, our bundle of joy.

Wow....just such an awesome feeling.

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Today's Quote

Babies are always more trouble than you thought - and more wonderful.

~Charles Osgood

Hello Wednesday

Wednesday is here, this week has been nuts and doesn't show any sign of letting up.

So today just check out my photo blog, there have been some "amazing" photos put up this week...honest!

Til tomorrow!!

Today's Quote

"Don't Worry, Be Happy"

Boone's Frist Plane Ride

This year's trip to Newfoundland also entailed Boone's first trip on a plane.

Kristen took this photo of him in his kennel before being taken away :(

Time to get loaded with the luggage

Last on and first off....

He did okay though. The first night he paced my parents house a lot. More from everything being new I think. More so than actually being upset about flying.

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Here he was a few days later....completely adjusted and goofing around

And another

Today's Quote

“It's quite possible to leave your home for a walk in the early morning air and return a different person—

beguiled, enchanted."

— Mary Chase

Weekend in Review

Another busy weekend, Friday night....photo shoot.

Saturday....photo shoot, while I was waiting for my client. 

I took this photo

Sunday morning....photo shoot in Toronto

And then Sunday night we had this!!!

 

 We very rarely get power outages, and when we do they usually only last 10-15 minutes

But last nights outage lasted an hour. Accompanied with one of the worst thunder storms I've ever seen

 

But it's all good. The power came back on, we didn't have any storm damage, and then got a half decent nights sleep. Even though still feeling pretty tired today.

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Today's Quote

"The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be." 

— Oprah