Love is in the air!

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived, are the moments when you have done things in a spirit of love.
~ Henry Drummond



To laugh often and love much... to appreciate beauty,
to find the best in others, to give one's self...
this is to have succeeded.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Love doesn't make the world go 'round.
Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
~ Franklin P. Jones

A bell is no bell 'til you ring it,
A song is no song 'til you sing it,
And love in your heart
Wasn’t put there to stay -
Love isn’t love
'Til you give it away.
~Oscar Hammerstein, Sound of Music, "You Are Sixteen (Reprise)"

Friends

A friend is someone we turn to
when our spirits need a lift.
A friend is someone we treasure
for our friendship is a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives
with beauty, joy, and grace.
And makes the whole world we live in
a better and happier place.

- Jean Kyler McManus -

I believe in angels,
The kind that heaven sends,
I am surrounded by angels,
But I call them friends.

- Aizabel Parinas -

Jacob and I had a blast eating and arranging the candy to take some photo's! Jacob actually arranged the first photo at the top...he wanted all the candy in the heart! This child has a heart of gold!

We are off to hockey...surprise, surprise....LOL!

Tobogganing - Oh My!!!

Little story for the day!

Yesterday after school Connor and Jacob really wanted to go tobogganing so I said "ok"! We placed the toboggans/snowboards in the van put our snow pants, boots, hats, mitts, scarves and winter coats (of course) on and drove to a big snow hill.

I stood at the top of the hill watching the boys play and have a blast until my toes started to get chilly. I told them a few more minutes and then we will head home...well, I felt bad leaving right away so I thought maybe if I toboggan as well I will warm up. So, I hopped on the thing and proceeded to go down the hill...all I could hear is Jacob say..."mommy's going down the hill - cool"...at that moment I hit a bump and flew off the toboggan, flipped and hit my head...yikes!

I guess I am not as young as I used to be...boo hoo...this did not stop me, I jumped back on (after a few minutes of rubbing my head)and had some fun.

Cool Commercial
There was a really cool commercial on the kids channel this morning about staying fit...There was a little boy running and running with 4 girls chasing after him...the little boy ran out of breath and had to stop, well, the 4 girls caught up to him and started to kiss him - and the ad finished with bold words saying "STAY FIT".
Jacob and I were laughing and I said "that is why it is soooo important to eat healthy and exercise regularly. Jacob said "I am going outside to play hockey"....guess he doesn't want the girls to catch him to kiss him...LOL!

We are off to register the boys for Lacrosse, get hair cut and run some errands...

Have a great day and hopefully, I will have some photos to post later!

First Time Skiing

I just loved the colours in the skiis - so bright and cheerful!

Connor just picked up his skiis and was waiting patiently outside to start his day...what a cutie pie.

I was in shock at the amount of work the ski patrol team does to ensure the safety of all the children. At first I was a little nervous about letting Connor go skiing and after watching the lessons and the little drills that they put the children through - they had them redue the drills until they maastered what they needed to. I was very happy with what they were teaching them and very confident in Connor's ability. The kids must do all the lessons without the ski polls. Once they pass the course they will get their tickets and they can pick up their polls and head to all the hills - yikes!!! Connor was soooooooooo excited...I did it mom, I did it! Super cool.

Connor passed all the tests and was off to the big hills with the big lifts but I had to go...ahhhhhhhhhhh, I was so sad but it was 12:40 by the time he was able to move on...boo hoo. I was looking forward to taking pctures on the lifts and him speeding down the hills...All photos here are from the small hills.

I loved this little carpet...it moved and carried the kids up the hill - it was like the moving sidewalk on the Jetsons (an old cartoon). The only thing was it was super SLOW!

Connor did not stop the whole time...he did not go into the chalet for lunch or to pee..he was so excited he just wanted to take advantage of every moment. He was a little afraid to tell me that he did not eat but I said "you know what I wouldn't want to stop either"... when you are having so much fun your adrenalin keeps your body moving...I of course would not recommend this on a regular basis but sometimes you need to have fun and over do it...just every once in a while...LOL I told him he was a "silly billy" but I am glad he had fun! I am sooooooo glad that we decided to let him go. Connor really had a great experience the only problem is now he wants to ski - ahhhhhhhh, like we have any more hours in a day to add another sporting event never mind the cost and all the other equipemt - OMG!

Oh ya and it was absolutely FREEZING...my stinkin' hands and fingers are still red and numb...I am off to have a tea and a hot bath.

Have a great night.

Adventures In the Woods

This is my Uncle Dave...my mom's brother! I loved the nature feel of this photo and his happy smile. Uncle Dave promised my little Jacob a "winter hot tub day" back in the summer. Dave wrote on a little paper "winter hot tub day and his phone number"...well Jacob kept this little paper in his room for many, many months, never forgetting this promise. Jacob was speaking to Dave on the phone and they discussed this date, so we agreed to go for a hike this past Sunday. The weather was beautiful. We were all bundled in our snowsuits, hats, scarves and mitts...all set and ready to go...we had an absolute blast. I think we hiked for hours!!!

Josh (my cousin) ran off to the brush to check it out....how cool. The kids followed right behind to explore the unkown. I thought "wow, what a great picture opportunity"...I wanted the kids to all peak out of the brush and play peak-a-boo but the kids said "no, I don't want to do that", I guess they are the boss. I thought I would still snap one of Josh...the biggest kid of all.

After sneaking through the brush the kids had to climb up a little hill. Trying so hard to climb up the hill Devon slid down with giggles...nature is truly the most fun..who needs a park! What a cutie patootie....

This is my aunt and uncle...neat little story is Dave is my mom's brother and Theresa is my dad's sister...they meet, fell in love, got married and here they are many years later with their oldest son Josh and Josh's son Devon...family is the BEST! Family brings joy and happiness all the years through.

On our hike we saw many types of birds...Cardinals, little chickadees, and this beautiful friendly little Woodpeeker. My only sadness to the day is I had my 50mm 1.4 lens on my camera for close ups...I did not bring my telephoto lens...I really want to take pictures of Cardinals in the snow...my best friend and brothers fiance Susan loves Cardinals and I want to capture a beautiful red Cardinal in the white snow for her....I guess I need to plan a new adventure...LOL

A lady waked by us and told us all about this woodpecker. This guy/girl has only one leg and is very, very friendly....all I can say is "what a precious, beautiful little thing..." I was so happy to capture this image...as soon as the birds heard the snow crackle beneath our feet they flew away.

We went over snow covered board walks, bridges, hills and valleys...it was an absolute brilliant day. Another memory of fun and excitement.

I did not get a chance to take very many photos at this bridge as people were waiting to pass and I did not want to hold them up...but here is one of the group...you know I am always close by...LOL!

Uncle Dave made his delicious hot chocolate that the kids enjoyed emensely. Nice warm drink on a crisp winter day - yeah, thanks Uncle Dave.

There is a little story that happened at this point in the walk and unfortunately I did not take a picture but Jacob who is very detailed oriented and has eyes to notice everything...(it's amazing) Jacob, was searching and looking around at all the logs, tree branches and things all around, found this pipe covered in army gear. At first all of us adults were a little scared thinking it was some sort of home made bomb...I guess our minds were getting a little carried away but it looked a bit scary....on the one side someone wrote "this is a safe object"...hmmmmmmmmm, we wondered. Well, Josh was trying to undue the ends to open it -we were thinking what if we explode...we were definitely nervous. Josh continued to play and off came the one end...there was no boom but instead a SpongeBob Squarepants pencil and pad of paper. Inside the pad of paper was a note. A family wrote the note (or little boy) placing the item here for people to find, sign their names and put it back.....how extremely cool is this...the last family to find this was item was one year ago...what an adventure....so we signed our names and put it neatly back for the next family on an adventure.

The great outdoors makes people naturally happy and feel good! Love what a beautiful thing.

I always remind people to be a kid at heart, play and have fun...well, I did not need to remind Theresa "she is a kid at heart that's for sure"....she always remembers to have fun and will always make those around her smile!

After our long walk we stopped off at Easterbrooks for a Foot Long Hot Dog - yummy!

Drum roll please...LOL what we've all been waiting for "the winter hot tub" Jacob jumped in the hot tub, jumped out and rolled in the snow and then jumped back in...at first I thought, that is not such a wise idea as they might get sick and then I thought relax...let the kids be kids and have some fun...and fun is truly what they had....one super duper FUN day...

Jacob wondered who was going to move the hot tub...I said "what do you mean?". "Who is going to bring the tub to the forest".....hmmmmmmmm...."if it is a winter hot tub and we are going on a hike, who is going to bring the tube to the forest?"....trying hard not to laugh because he was being so cute, I had to explain how we are going to go on our hike and go to Auntie Theresa's and Uncle Dave's after the walk to go in the hot tub..."oh" he replied.

Here is Devon outside on a snowy winter day in the hot tub!

Have a wonderful evening!!!

I've Been Tagged!

I've been tagged by my good friend Kim Hill http://kim2002.typepad.com/ .

5 cool things about me:

1. I love, love photography
2. I love to play with my kids (go rollerblading, hiking, biking and on adventures)
3. I am a "Hockey Mom" - My second home is an arena..LOL
4. I have seen all sides of business (manager, self-employed, entrepreneur)
5. I love people
6. I love music and life...ahhhh, I am on a roll but I only need 5 things so I will stop!

Now to keep this alive I need to tag 5 people....so here goes.........

• The creative and wonderful "Jen" http://jenbackler.blogspot.com/
• The happy and smiley "Patti"http://anothercupplease.blogspot.com/
• The kind and friendly "Mimi" http://mimi.typepad.com/
• The Inspirational and positive "Tara" http://www.tarawhitney.typepad.com/
• The most amazing mentor "Dave" http://www.harvardphoto.com/blog/

Have Fun everyone!

A day without photos is like a day without sunshine!

Ooch, ooch, ooch, I started today off with a very painful earache...so painfull I actually went to the doctors. I normally take very good care of my children and leave me last but today I felt like I was hit in the head with a bag of hammers - not that I have ever been hit with a bag of hammers but I could imagine that it would be pretty painful...LOL!

Anyway, I have had a fever, so I have been hot and cold all day. My whole right side of my face is numb and it feels like it is 5 times the size. I can hardly open my mouth to eat and chewing is horrible - ahhhhhhhhh, not fun at all! The Doctor prescibed some apo-cefaclor (a form of penicillin)and some sort of ear drops...hopefully, I will have the energy to take some pictures tomorrow.

I hopped in bed at about 7:30 with Connor and Jacob while they were watching cartoons and slowly drifted off for a few hours...as I was waking up I could hear them talking...they thought I was still sleeping...oh, they are such cutie pies - sometimes...hahahah. Before I fell asleep I told them they could watch T.V. until 9:00 and then it's time for bed. While when I woke up it was just after 9:00 and the T.V. was off and the lights were out - oh I was sooo proud. Then, as I lied there and pretended I was sleeping I was listening to their conversations. Jacob was telling Connor that he was scared. Well, Connor told Jacob to snuggle him and think good thoughts..think about "life is a highway" - Jacob loves that song or sponge bob...OMG, how old is that kid...what a sweet little dad and he is only 9. Connor said to Jacob should we wake mommy so she could go to her bed and Jacob said no let her sleep....ok, my heart is melting and I am one proud mommy....that's my little story for today and now I am off to bed as my ear feels like someone is sticking a very sharp object into it and the sounds of my fingers hitting the keys is making my head pound - have a great evening and stay healthy...don't forget to wear your winter hats!

Hopefully, I will have some new images tomorrow!

Personality, Hockey, Book Report - ahhhhhhh!!!

Jacob, does not lack PERSONALITY - THAT'S FOR SURE!!!!

He is silly, sweet, mischievous, cute and oh soooooo FUNNY! There is never a dull moment with Jacob around. You can definitely read Jacob's every feeling. You can read his highs and his lows...you know when he is happy and when he is sad and you always know when he is up to know good! The third photo is a little blurry but I had to include it because it is his who he is...

Our little Spectacular Sidney Crosby...Jacob is almost 6 and still very little but his dreams are BIG! There is one thing that Jacob loves to do more then anything else and that's play hockey! The skills seem to come easy to Jacob like shooting, skating, and passing. You can tell he is advancing faster and faster each time his skates hit the ice. Jacob has the ability to raise the game to another level and has an innate understanding of what's going to happen ahead of time. Jacob get's the game and get's the plays.

Jacob is not just a great hockey player but a great little person. He has a great attitude towards life...he know's how to have fun and he smiles so easily and most of all he makes those around him smile too.

Getting in the ZONE!!!

Daddy giving Jacob a hand in the dressing room...

The HOCKEY ESSENTIALS!

All dressing rooms need to have a Sponge Bob stereo...to play CRAZY FROG!

Last but not least "Connor book report". We are done - YEAH!!! Connor completed his book report and we finished his puppet and there was no sewing required just a lot of hot glue!

Connor and I went to Michael's Craft store and bought a few supplies. We picked up a foam egg shape and a foam circle. We bought a dowel and some brown felt. We went home and plugged in the hot glue gun. Then we cut the dowel to connect the two foam shapes to make the body and glued some other things on like googley eyes, fluffy nose, hands and a few other items - woohoo we have a mouse puppet...we cut a foam egg in half to make a helmet for the mouses head! voila - we a are done.

Hope you had a great weekend and have a fabulous night!!

Birthday Photos!

Well, we woke up this morning and went right to Jacob's hockey game for 9:00..)I did take pictures of Jacob's game - of course..he scored 3 goals woohoo) and I will post some pictures next time. Then, we were going to go to Connor's hockey game in Brampton but I thought since Connor is a goalie and plays every other game maybe Jacob and I would stay home and have some fun. We will go to Connor game in Guelph tomorrow.

Jacob's 6th birhtday is actually January 19th - next week-end but Connor has a hockey tournament in Preston, therefore, we will be very busy. I thought we should go on an adventure and take some fun photos for his 6th birthday today. I told Jacob we would go to West 49 to buy him a new cool hat and then pick up some balloons...Jacob asked if we could also go for tea...he loves having a tea party with me - yippee! Normally, when I have tea I make him honey, lemon and hot water with an ice cube to cool it down...he loves to have wee sips of my real tea so I thought I would give him a special treat and so I bought him a decafe tea with lots and lots of milk and a tad of sugar...he was in heaven!!!! Little cutie pie...

Well, on our drive to our adventure Jacob fell fast asleep, good thing because mommy got us a little lost and off course but I adventually found our way...We went to the Dundas valley conservation area where we could take some pictures on the railway tracks...it's really beautiful there and you don't need to worry about any real trains driving past....so it is safe....yeah...Now, I was alittle worried because even though Jacob was awake he was still very tired...oh no and it was frickin' freezing out by the time we were done I thought my fingers were going to fall off - ahhhhhhhhhhh! We survived and these are a few of the photos from today...a couple of them have a posterized photo filter on them to give them a differenet look.


Catch all the joy a day can bring!

The heart's celebrations,
no matter how small,
Are always the best celebrations of all

Birthday's give us a chance
to dream new dreams,
and then a whole year to watch them come true!!!

Always remember that today just may be your lucky day.

Adventure
Your heart will lead you to places
well worth the adventure.

It's amazing how simple, everyday things can bring us so much joy

Tuck alittle happiness into your heart, and let it light up your face with a smile

Never forget to take a few minutes to stop and smell the roses!

It's good to plan a day when you have no plans at all...Solitude!!!

Contentment...Sometimes it's the smallest things that touch our hearts the most.

Always remember, your smile can make all the difference in someone else's day

That's all for today - have a great day! I am not sure if I will get the computer tomorrow. Connor needs to work on a book report! Connor and I need to also make a puppet for his book report...we need to create a mouse - OMG...make a puppet, I can't sew...should be a challenge...I will take a picture of it - oh maybe, we will see how it turns out first. Good thing for dollar stores.

Have a great night.

Before the GAME!!!

OMG, I can't believe this little man is going to be 6..."6 years old" in a couple of days..where oh where does the time go? I am not ready to say 6 - ahhhhhhh, that means my baby is growing up. I know he is still little and enjoys to cuddle (thank-goodness) but 6 is too big...too big for me anyway. Although, a friend asked me if I feel the need to have another one...OMG, I almost fell over...not a chance.

Two is plenty...I love babies and children...but I love to borrow them and give them back. I don't know how families with more children do it...I don't have enough hours in a day as it is...

Yesterday, Connor and Jacob both had hockey at 5 and Ryan was still working. So, I gathered the boys up after school loaded the van with two huge bags of hockey equiement (and Connor is a goalie - my 9 year old)and off we went. I stopped at the first arena at 4, dropped Connor off with all his equipment, made sure he was in the dressing room and the coach was there then proceeded to take Jacob to his arena and get him dressed and ready for his practice. I stayed with Jacob and Ryan picked up Connor...now how on earth could I add any more children...We spend many hours in the arena in a month as it is with only two children...I added up the hours and we are in an arena about 41 hours in a month...holy moly!

Although, I am not complaining because the boys are active, meeting a lot of new friends with the same interests and learning many valuable new skillsets like teamwork . Hockey requires physical talent, mental focus and most of all passion. Hockey teaches kids discipline and a positive attitude towards their team. It also teaches children to have a good work ethic which is very important in life, so if my little guys can learn these things while they are young hopefully, they will grow up to have many dreams and aspirations and know that if they work hard they can achieve them....no dream is too big, but you do need to work hard. For my children they seem to go to school come home and play road hockey, go to hockey games, practices, play mini sticks, play x-box NHL 2007, and watch hockey on TV. So there it is, my life!

Have a great day...I wish I had more images but it is a pretty dark and dreary day.

Dreams

Grow every day - but make sure you never outgrow your dreams!!!


Every happy thought is like a sweet bouquet...bringing cheerful moments to brighten up a day.

I was searching for something on the computer and came across these photos of Jacob! Jacob and I were running some errands up on the mountain in Hamilton and as we were driving we saw the beautiful "blue sky with fluffy white clouds" so we had to make a little detour in our day to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Have a great night....

We have SNOW - ahhhhhhhhh!!!

Oh no is all I can say...we have snow - grrrrrrr...I don't want to shovel! Can you tell that's an adult response to the cold weather that is upon us...it is most certainly not the answer of a child...Jacob looked out the window and was like "WOW, mommy, can I go shovel". I said "Jacob there is not enough snow to shovel". Well, he most definitely proved me wrong!!! There was enough to EAT and shovel...Of course I had to run and get my camera because when I looked at what he was wearing..OMG, I started laughing. He was wearing his RAIN BOOTS and his coat was wide open but he did remember his hat and coat...great job little buddy.

Connor did not waist anytime...as soon as he arrived home from school he grabbed his hockey stick and out the door he went for a very competitive game of road hockey.

Now on to my sweet, cute, happy and little munchkin I shot! This little man was so much fun to shoot. He was full of energy, giggles and sneaky little anectdotes. He was making me giggle right along with him. I would say "do you have stinky feet" and he would say no stinky underwear..well as soon as I repeated what he said he would chuckle.

I just love kids they are so full of life and energy. Kids really help to fill my soul and heart with happiness. When they smile, how could we not smile back...it is truly contagious!

Oh I had some fun with this one...Nice, black and white with some hand colouring - too fun!

Oh I love my camera..taking pictures is just soooo much fun..I think I am actually addicted to it...LOL! How can you not be when you get little smiley people like this. I often say this job makes my checks hurt because you are always smiling...what a GREAT thing...

Have a great day...I am off to another Hockey arena!

Boys Are Lifes Joys and Treasures!!!

Smiles are contagious. Pass it on.


Friendship is a special gift that always gives the heart a lift.

Precious Memories bring us happiness all life through.

Everyday brings us something beautiful to treasure.

Set aside a quiet place where nothing but happiness can you find.

Thoughts of special people are sunshine to the heart.

Joy makes you sparkel inside and out.

In each one of us there's a miracle just waiting to happen.

These are my boys and my guinea pigs..they tolerate (sometimes) mommy taking many, many, many photos! Believe me I have many pouts that go along with these handsome smiles! I even have tears and tantrums all captured and treasured forever. I did leave my camera behind when we went Rollerblading today so we could really go fast and have some fun!

Have a great evening.

People of Inspiration

I am learning, growing and developing my knowledge as well as perfecting my vision. Everyday, I practice taking pictures...because I love photography and capturing precious moments. I knew a long time ago that I loved taking pictures. It all started with the birth of my children. The little angels were born and "wow" it was the most amazing moments...the moments disappeared into "time past". Never time forgotten but time that disappeared into the distant past. I realized that I needed to take many pictures to freeze those moments to look back at them in the future. My children are growing bigger everyday. I find life is speeding by and I want to remember every little moment from the tops of their head to the tips of there toes. I started digital scrapbooking with my family photos and taking more and more pitures of my boys. Soon my family and friends were asking me to take pictures of their children. Quickly, I realized that I wanted to turn this hobby into a career but I had and still have a lot to learn. I have had many people that have pasted through my life who inspire me to learn and do better. I have been focusing on the technical side and trying to master the manual settings of the camera. I have a wonderful husband that has bought me the state of the art equipement to be able to make my dreams of being a photographer come true. I can't believe the amount of amazing photographers out there that open their hearts and share their wisdom.

I am so very blessed with the amount of people that have offered me words of wisom, ispiration and advice. It's kinda ironic because when I was growing up and in school I very seldom asked questions because I was afraid of people thinking it was a stupid question. I didn't want to get laughed at and I didn't want someone to think I didn't know something. Well, now as an adult I have gained more courage to step up and ask questions. I would never raise my hand, never mind call someone or now a days e-mail someone. I figure what do you have to loose. Someone might respond and hey I might actually learn something worst case scenario they don't respond. Now I find myself e-mailing people, people I don't even know asking questions and hoping to get a a response...you know what...I would have never in a million years thought people would actually respond, people that are fabulous and amazing at what they do. People who inspire me, people I look upto, people I hope one day I could be half as good as...In disbelieve, I have received many responses. People offering all kinds of advice and recommending websites with loads of information. I just wanted to send a great big thanks out to all the people in the world that take time and share things with others. People that help to make the world a better place. People that are full of knowledge and share that wisdom to help other people grow.

I am afraid it has taken me 34 years to get this courage to ask questions but the one great thing about this is that I teach my children to ask lots of questions now...There is no dumb question and those that laugh, laugh because they really don't know either. I wish I had this courage when I was little but I am glad I gained this courage now!

Here are some photos I have taken over the last couple of days. I have been working on trying to master the manual setting of the camera without using flash. I have always placed my SB800 on my camera to take pictures and never enjoyed the beauty of natural light. Well, I had a wonderful person teach me how to use my Sekonic L-358 to meter the natural light settings. I always used it to meter a reading when using flash or strobes never for natural light readings...I was on a mission. All of the shots below were taken with just camera and natural light no flash - yippee! I still have a way to go but I was excited. The last few photos I was practicing taking jumping photos...up until now my jumping photos have not been right...well, I have been setting my ss for 250 or 500. I had another wonderful photographer say up it to over 800 well I did that and yeah...Connor was frozen! I set the light meter for ISO 400 SS 1000 and metered for aperature and got f2.8.

Thanks to all the amazing people around the world!!!