wedding glimpse

such a pleasure to spend the day with jay & jess.

so much love and joy - it was a perfect wedding.  

here's a quick glimpse:

big thanks to jillian donald, for inviting me to be the second shooter.

you're an amazing wedding photographer.

so fun to spend the day with you!

favourite things friday

i wasn't sure if i'd have time to get to this post today - but squeezing it in!

i had a 'favourite thing' happen today...
actually, it was what i'd like to call an "inspire me" moment.
did you notice my new button?
more about that another day...

i was talking with emery about a friend who is dying today.

(not an easy topic on any day or at any age...)
i was emotional,
she was thoughtful...

she decided she would make some art for our friend, and she said,

"even if she doesn't get it in time, she will still see it in her heart"

so simple and matter of fact, 

i am touched her hope & faith.

here are a few other favourite things this week - check em out:

• for those who like to take pictures... read this
• i heart bokeh
• lenses for your phone - so cool!

would have liked to link up to more, but it's been a busy few days.

but, one more favourite thing, 

i'm going to be the second shooter at a wedding tomorrow!!
so excited...

wish me luck =)

berry stroll

the other day we went for an evening stroll in search of raspberries.

wait - let me correct that:

emery went on a mission for berries,

while selah went for a stroll.

selah rain

trying to catch up to daddy and emery

pretty daisy from my own garden

though we weren't very successful on the berry front,

this momma had fun with her camera!

rasberries - one of the joys of summer...

what's do you most look forward to during summer?

late night design

so fun to work on a project for my husband, jude.

check out his new blog header and logo:

and check out his blog, 

if you haven't already... tis good stuff!

favourite things

these are a few of my favourite things...

did you know that i love that movie?

you know that one i'm talking about, right?!

"the hills are alive with the sound of music..."

don't you just love maria?

so i thought it would be fun to post some of my favourite things that i've seen
in other fun blogs around the globe!
i think this will be a weekly thing:

favourite things friday, perhaps?!  

so - my first installment of favourite things (on a monday),
coming at ya...

check 'em out:

• who wants to join me for some crafty time  and make this funky wreath?
• this was super helpful for me - do you want a grab button?
• i imagine this will keep me busy for the next few weeks...
• and a new kind of fries - i tried 'em and i like 'em!

which is your favourite link?


and, one more favourite thing for today that you won't find in blogland (yet),
jude is building a deck in our backyard...=)

simple things

rocks,

sand,

pool noodles,

buckets & shovels.

it's the simple things that make my girls smile.

linking up with:

birthday design

who wouldn't love to have this on their fridge?

such a sweet lil' girl...

bday lovin'

it's my birthday today!  32 am i.

after some quiet time in my room, reading - i was greeted by my fun lil' family

with cuddles and kisses, cards, treats and gifts.  what could be better?

there were also tears.

tears from laughing harder than i have in a long time.  

i couldn't stop.

flowers from jude and cards from my girls

so nice.  gerbera's are my favourite.

the first card i opened was the one on the right - from selah.

she is loving the dog cards (she's planning a 'dog' party for jude on friday... shhh, don't tell)

this card sang a lovely song to me this morning.

it goes something like this:

"bow wow wow, yippee yo yippee yeah"

having trouble controlling my laughter and tears, 

i proceeded to open my card on the left - from emery.

it's hard to see here - but, it's the kind of card you might get from a close friend 

when you're farther along in years.  

emery had no idea why i couldn't stop laughing while i was reading the thoughtful poetry inside.

"because i just love the cards you guys have chosen for me" i said

while selah's card was playing in the background.

jude tells me that there was no chance of them agreeing on one card for me.

i love how different they are and how clear that was today...

they are both convinced they found the perfect cards for my birthday.

they are both right!

have a great day everyone - and so will i!

perfect summer day

beach and ice cream on a hot, hazy day...

the joys of southampton!

simple things

s'mores!

just looking at the word makes me smile...

but even better than that is giving two little friends their first s'more experience.

we used simple pleasure's chocolate wafers for these ones - so good!

what was a simple thing that you made you smile this week?

more camping fun

abigail and emery spent a lot of time together - so nice.

jesse loves his books and stories...

i was a little surprise at how much time nathaniel & selah spent together - so cute.

 so, if you have seen all the camping photos, 

you see that there was a lot of stories and beach time!

the kiddos also had a great time at the playground close to our site,

learning a few new games on the iphones,

biking around to explore,

putting on shows for the moms and dads,

colouring and making crafts,

listening to judah's stories,

carving sticks,

swinging on the hammocks,

playing t-ball will an empty bottle on the cooler,

playing soccer on the beach,

& making s'mores.

great memories - i'm ready for s'more camping fun!  

(camping fun photos taken by jude & cheryl)

camping fun

finding pretty shells

testing the water

roasting marshmallows

reading books with friends (in the tent)

preparing good food

chasing seagulls

enjoying quiet time

and laughing lots!

camping with friends is the way to go!

still more to come...

(did you see 'camping friends' and 'camping scenery' yet?)

while you wait for more - check out the rest of catherine's photos!

lovely photo

here is one from our camping trip that i love...what do you think?

here's the story:

we did a hike from the beach up to the lighthouse in goderich.  

there were quite a few stairs.

i picked this flower on the journey up.

when we reached the top we discovered the lighthouse, swings and bugs.

i set the flower down on the picnic table to go and give some under doggies!

the swinging didn't last too long though, because of the bugs.

by the time the other kids were done playing, selah had just reached the top with jude

(did i mention there were a lot of stairs?).

so i stayed behind to give her a few pushes on the swing 

while the others headed back to the beach.

on our way to the stairs for our trek downward, 

i noticed the flower waiting for me to take it's picture!

loving the texture of the table and the shadow...