Just wanted to say happy new year to everyone out there, and I wish you and your loved ones all the best for the coming year.

Christmas was great this year and Jayden loved every minute. He get’s a triple dose of it too (from us, my in-laws and my parents) so he had a lot of unwrapping to do. Here are a few favourite photos from the morning. I really love the way he’s mastered the stocking dump…I’ll have to take credit for that one








I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. We seem to say this every year, but I can’t believe it’s that time of year again.

As I get older, I remember when I was a kid and how excited I used to get with the months and days leading up to Christmas. I would secretly look through any closets, cupboards and any other hiding places where my parents could have possibly hidden our presents as I couldn’t wait to open them. Then we get older and life gradually gets more complicated and that childhood innocence is soon lost.

Now that my wife and I have our little boy, I’m starting to get that excitement back as I can just see it in his eyes and I remember how I used to be. It also makes me more thankful than ever that I have the life that I do, and humbled to know that so many people out there have it so bad with things the way they are these days. You just never know. I don’t mean to sound down, just thankful.

I wish you all the best for the holidays and please drive safely, and…why is it raining in December anyway?

Here are some fun family portraits of Stephanie, Jeff and Cora. For something a little different this time, I decided a high key setup would work well, and really helps bring out the colours. Luckily for me Cora isn’t walking yet, but I have feeling she’s going to be on the move the next time I see her.
Enjoy.






Well where do I begin? I’m sure most people who have ever had or done major renovations to their house have at one point wondered will it ever be done, and will it be worth it. Right now we’re still wondering when it will be done, but I’m more certain than ever that it will be great when it’s finished. The major construction literally took twice as long as originally expected for reasons still unknown to the universe.

Having said that I don’t think we’ll be able to make our goal of having everything done by Christmas, but I’m happy to say that we’re on our way and progress continues. We finally decided on paint, and I’ve been painting like a mad man. If you would have stopped by the house in the last few days you would have seen me answer the door with paint all over my face.

We’ve gone ahead and ordered the flooring and baseboards and hopefully that order will be here soon. I’ve taken some more photos (see below) which shows the pot lights and drywall all finished. In case you’re wondering what all that stuff is, that is the “accumulated stuff” that will live in the storage room when we’re done and that area will be my office.





I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted some photos, but here are few favourites from a fall session with Julia, Jeremy and their kids. I love looking at fall photos for the great colours, because when I look out the window now it’s really depressing. I’m looking forward to seeing them again and keeping up with the kids as they get older.






I’m sure you all have someone that you’d like to buy a gift for, but you just don’t know what to get them. If you’re in the process of planning your wedding and looking to book your date with us, then start hinting to your friends and family. Maybe you’ve always wanted to have a portrait session for your family, but never got around to booking it.

Now is the time to get a gift certificate towards a wedding package or portrait session and give that person something that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Gift certificates are available all year, but for the next couple of weeks from November 26, 2008 – December 10, 2008, I’m going to give a little bonus to each. The gift certificates for the bonus sale will available in the following denominations:

• Purchase a $150 certificate and receive a $25 bonus, so you’ll be giving a $175 certificate.
• Purchase a $250 certificate and receive a $50 bonus, so you’ll be giving a $300 certificate.
• Purchase a $500 certificate and receive a $100 bonus, so you’ll be giving a $600 certificate.

Please contact me if you would like to place an order or if you have any questions.

Mike

Well the drywall process is almost finished and we’re dying for it to be finished. It’s been delayed a couple of weeks but as you can see the lights are in and we’re almost ready to start painting. I think I’m actually looking forward to the painting as I don’t have to worry about spilling anything onto the floor. As for the paint colour, it’s so hard to choose because there are so many colour options now. We’re probably going to with something fairly neutral for the office area and something a little warmer for the rest. The flooring will be on the darker side so we obviously want a nice balance.

As for completion, I’m going to go out on a limb and say before Christmas, I think that’s a fairly realistic goal, and gives us something to shoot for.
Stay tuned.




Just a friendly reminder that if you’d like to order some prints so that you have them in time for Christmas, please be sure to have your order finalized and submitted by November 30, 2008.

Thanks

Mike

Well the drywall has gone up and is taking a little longer than we expected, which is ok in a way. We still haven’t fully decided on the colour scheme or the floor yet so it gives us a little more time. We expect the drywall to be ready by the end of the week and then all of the electrical boxes and lights will be put in. We’re starting to get a sense of how it will look and getting really excited. When everything is fully complete, I might do a video and post it here for you to see.

Take a look.