A Photography Club for Moms

This is something that I spent a lot of time looking for. Well, I didn't find anything close just the standard photograhy clubs. So, I figured that I would start my own club. My second cousin Sonja and I are thrilled to be starting a photography club just for moms. The whole purpose of the club is to grow in our photography skills in order to take better photos of our own children and family. It's also a night out of the house (twice a month) where we can spend time with other women, investing in our own hobbies.

The photography club will be held in Abbotsford (Sonja lives in Chilliwack and I'm in Surrey) and we both have lots of contacts in Abbotsford. Our first meet up will be Thursday, February 16th. The group is open to all skill levels. Interested in joining us? Send an email to momswithacamera@gmail.com

To learn more about the club visit www.momswithacamera.wordpress.com. We also have a Facebook page (Same name)

Sonja and I are thrilled that we're going forward with this idea and are excited about what's to come!

A Baby Shower for Joshua

On Friday evening we celebrated the birth of baby Joshua, my cousin's baby, with a baby shower. It was great to see family, play some shower games and see the little man himself.

Proud Oma Erika holding baby Joshua while Melissa opens gifts. She got so many cute things!

Little Lauren loved all the extra attention as well.

Having fun playing the diaper game.

Just Relaxing

Lauren relaxing in her sleep while I work on card orders. So sweet!

Just Relaxing

Lauren just relaxing in her swing while I work on card orders. So sweet...

Seriously Cute

I just can't seem to get enough of her. Loving life with a little one!

Bedtime

Bed time is chaos at our house, as least it feels like it a lot of the time. I've been trying my best to embrace the chaos in life, so rather than getting frustrated this evening I thought it was a good time to pull out my camera. These two are just too darn cute sometimes, even if they're driving me crazy at the same time.

New Year, New Look

Yep, it's that time again! I've been meaning to update the look of our blog for about a year now. So now I'm finally getting it done. Just have a few category headings to redo. Almost there. Nice and simple.

Giveaway from Whisker Works

Head on over to my blog at Dolcetto Designs, http://www.dolcettodesigns.com/blog/ to enter to win a moustache/ lip set from Whisker Works. These have become all the rage in photo booths and funny family pics.

Hey Brown Eyes!

A little more Calvin love. I think I've now almost got my photos updated on here. Next up, some more of Lauren.

Thumb Sucker

I love this kid! Yes, he can drive me a bit crazy sometimes, but he has forever stole a piece of my heart. His laugh makes me laugh. His smile makes me smile. I love his cuddles and sensitive nature (most of the time). Calvin, you are such a little man. When he's feeling sleepy or a little sensitive he still goes for his thumb. Yep, gotta love that thumb!

I love the way he strokes the side of his face when he sucks his thumb. I hope I don't forget that.

Or the way he often puts his other hand up to his face as well when he sucks his thumb. Such concentration.

I love how his hair goes down at the back.

It's these little details about our kids that I cherish and hope I don't forget. So I take photos, lots of photos. Because I know that over time I'll forget these little things. But then I'll look back at our photos and rememeber these little things. Yes Calvin, you're loved!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today was Chinese New Year! Check out our lovely lantern hanging over the table. I feel like our home suddenly became very "Asian" with this lantern up. I wanted to get the kids excited for Chinese New Year and figured we should have some kind of symbol in our home to signify this holiday.

This morning David left on a business trip to Sonomoa, California. He's going to wine convention and then has to do some buying for the winery. So I'm on my own with the kids for the week. Boo.

Today my mom came over and helped play with the kids and even washed our floors (score!!). I was finally able to get totally caught up on the laundry and get the heaps of clothes in our room sorted and put away. The kids and I made cupcakes for dessert (talk about a huge motivator to eat their dinner). Once they were all finally in bed I finished up a couple of card orders, worked on cleaning off files on the computer and did some more cleaning up downstairs. Now to face the night. Calvin's been coming in our room again during the night, which means I'm getting up way more often than I should. In fact, I know that he's sleeping in our bed at this very moment. So that means carting him off to his bed and then hopefully getting a couple hours of sleep before Lauren wakes up. Oh, good times.

Like Grandmas, Like Granddaughters

David's mom has a HUGE visor. We also found a HUGE visor in my mom's trunk about a year ago. They are both guilty for having and even wearing this terrible device.

At our Peter's family Christmas gathering we did a last minute re gift/ second hand item (not allowed to spend any money) gift exchange. Well, Anna received this oh so lovely GIANT pink visor. As terrible as it is, our kids LOVE it! In fact, it has been worn every day since it came home with us on Boxing Day.

A few days ago the kids accidentally broke the visor part off. It was just too big and therefore was always in the way. So now it as become a belt or strange head piece. So the visor lives on.

Yes, even little Lauren was forced to wear the visor at one point (thanks to Sarah). Poor girl. Both girls have joined the visor wall of shame.

Daddy cuts Calvin's Hair

Lauren is 2 Months!

Our little Lauren is 2 months today! My how the time flies. She is such a joy; we truly delight in her each and every day. She is so good natured, sweet and innocent. I catch myself just starring at her in awe many times a day. Having a baby (as in caring and raising) is truly a special gift. Yes, I'm tired, but I am loving this precious time with our little girl.

We're thrilled that she has been going to bed at 7pm (or shortly after) for the past week. Having all three kids on the same bedtime routine is truly wonderful! She wakes up about twice a night but it always easy to get back to bed. Lauren is also napping well in her crib and is truly a content little babe. Yes, we're in love. Lauren is 11 lbs 14 oz, a growing and healthy girl!

Baby Joshua

Meet Joshua! On Friday I had the pleasure of taking some photos of my cousin Melissa's little babe. It was busy times taking care of our kids (and all that involves) and taking photos inbetween.

She Smiles

There's not much better than a baby's smile. Lauren now intentionally cracks the most beautiful smiles. I could talk baby talk all day to see them! It's pretty hard to get a great smile photo, but this was pretty close. What a little beauty.

Teaching Lauren to play Games

Sarah loves being a big sister! The other day she was really intent on teaching Lauren how to play games on her new camera. Sarah would tell her what to do and then take her tiny little fingers and make her press the buttons. All so sweet!

Potty Time

Sometimes it seems that we spend half our day this way. Today they were all about "reading" books while going to the potty.

Hair Dresser

The other day Sarah was chasing Calvin around the house with this green sheet yelling hair cut! The funny girl just wanted to brush her brother hair. After he refused, I allowed her the honour of working on my hair. What a fun experience and memory for me. If I moved even slightly, she would tell me to stop moving!!

All Stickered Up

This is what happens when Sarah doesn't sleep and Mommy has cards to create. Sorry Lauren. You're super cute anyways!