This was a birthday gift from Julia and i thought it spoke a lot to some of my goals:

I love the sheep, it’s cute and it reminds me that we are God’s sheep and He is our shepherd (Psalm 23).  It brings me comfort to have this kind of guidance in life and to know that God has a purpose for us.  So for the tangible goals i want to commit more scripture to memory (1 verse a month: 12 verses) and want to read 1 Christian book a quarter.  (3 books)  Have started on Philip Yancey’s The Bible Jesus Read.   Will keep you posted on progress and ways i can make daily applications to what i’ve learned!  I definitely need to think less of materialistic gain and more on eternal gain, and living life exemplifying Christ.  =)

The sheep is attached to a pretty water bottle.  I love it because 1) it’s glass so free of BPAs and 2) it looks fabulous during my once every 2 week “workouts”!  I definitely need to be more consistent in physical activity so this goal would be  1x week gym and 1x week yoga.  Keeping it real folks!  Rockstar and I also want to do the Insanity 60 day work in January.  There.  I said it.  So now we’ll have to do it!  For that one we’ll do before and after shots!

Next goal is food related. (Check out the banana bread Rockstar baked!)  We spent some of our holidays with our good friend Syl/Gav and found out that they’ve gone vegetarian!  They told us about a documentary based on the book The China Study which basically chalks up a variety of health related issues such as cancers and heart diseases to the consumption of meat (basically because of the way how mass meats are now produced with hormones, etc.)   Whatever nutrition you would find in meats can be found in plant-based foods…so Rockstar and I will try to eat less meat this year and more vegetables, grains and fruits.  I love chicken wings and am extremely carnivorous so we’ll see how this one goes!

And my last goal would be to spend more time with my family and friends.  Am looking forward to visiting Vancouver, Toronto and New York this year!  We’re made for relationships.   =)

As for photography goals, if Rockstar and I do end up going to Europe, then i hope to frame some photos and start decorating our front room!  I still don’t think i have one photo i’ve taken up on any of our tables or walls.  K, that does it for now with 2012 goals.  I think i also wanted to learn Mandarin so i’ll leave that up as a maybe, depending on which audiobook i buy from amazon and how committed i am to spend 1/2 hr a day on it.

Happy 2012 folks!  Hope all goes well with your resolutions!   (AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROCKSTAR!)

Here’s E posing with his hockey stick.  Love his hair, he looks so handsome!

Such a ham!  He was excited to have his hockey stick prop.

Baby girl E!  She’s got her moms awesome complexion.  They photograph so well!

Baby girl E laughs easily!  So cute!

Family photo on the cute limestone bench.  Love E’s smile.  And love baby girl E’s dress!

Genuine baby belly laugh!  Daddy must have told a really good joke!

Hello baby….

I think the hockey stick saved the day.  It was amazing to get E to pose for so many photos.  Cheese!

After the hockey stick came the candy bribe…

Her thighs are soooo chubby!

I love the way have the sun highlights her golden hair.  Like daddy, her hair isn’t black but it’s got highlights!

Think E had enough and took off, just the 3 of them now!

Just mom and dad…

We knew we couldn’t have them pose serious for too long before silliness would ensue…

..and then came the cheese…

…then cheese in close-up…

…cute baby to the rescue!

A nice maraca touch!

Such a peaceful mommy and daughter shot…

…in the maraca moment…

and now for some sibling fun!

the bubble bribery came after the candy bribe.  Parents are well prepared!

Gettin’ hot!  Baby will brave the sun for only a few more minutes.

We got a smiley shot!  Done for the day!

Joe’s childhood teddy bear.  Cute!

Mommy-to-be looking all cute and chic.  It was a cold afternoon so good on Laurie for braving it.    

Nice thing about having a longer lens is that the couple totally relaxes because I’m SO FAR AWAY.   I love walking shots.  Don’t know why.  Clara hates it when we attempt these because often times they don’t work out, but i think L&J look super good!

Joe seeing if baby has anything to say…

He likes what he hears! (Which is the absence of crying.  FOR NOW!)

The precarious rocking chair.  Remember the 80′s woven ratten look?  It works well in this field!        

The preggo mommy giving up the chair for the tired doctor, who came straight down to Calgary after his shift in Edmonton!   

Happy Joe.  Or deliriously sleepy Joe!

I know i’ve said this before but i love this size of the baby bump!

Laurie’s skin seems to glow.  I envy her milky complexion. =)

Thank you to the lovely couple for obliging to sit on the thorny grass.  And Laurie was in tights!

It was a cloudy day with no sun but i love how the grass kind of makes the image seem golden…

Laurie is blessed to have daddy-to-be as a doctor as well – so well taken care of!

Laurie was frozen by the end of the shoot, i always forget how it’s cold for them!  Thanks for posing sans jacket!  I’m glad we still caught some dry weather in November before it snowed.  Loved the textures and the contrast between the dress and the natural surroundings.  Shows off the bump so beautifully.  I’m eagerly awaiting your January due date.  Can’t wait to meet Joe Jr!

So after my (Glenna) 365 project (http://glenna365.wordpress.com) ended in October, i welcomed a nice break in not having to touch my camera!  Now that it is December, i totally missed photography so i was thrilled when i had the opportunity to shoot Laurie’s maternity shots with Joe.  We took to Fishcreek Park and waded through the tall grass which now in retrospect looks very nest-like.  (Yes, i did that on purpose!)  Laurie and Joe brought props, which i thought was fun  - albeit slightly precarious with a rocking chair on uneven grass!

The bouquet’s and flowers were all done by Ele, Mimi’s brother’s girlfriend.   She’s not a florist, but she youtubed and borrowed books from the library and in the end she did a super professional job.

Mimi’s dress was made out of raw silk.  Perfect for such a hot day!

The bridal party toughed it out at Fish Creek Park, high noon!  Bridesmaids dresses were also made of raw silk, and check out the kissing ball, also put together by the fabulous Ele!

The super macho boys.  We had to tone down the testosterone just a wee bit, hahhaha…

Mimi looked over at the kids and told us to take their photo straight away because it was so cute.

Mimi’s gorgeous profile.

We were able to take some photos in Mimi’s parent’s backyard later on the day, sans mosquitoes.

We had 10 minutes before we had to head out to the ceremony so Clara and I were so glad we were able to snag a bit of their time for some portraits – you guys look so good! (And i dig the lighting!)

Chinese part of the wedding came first, the tea ceremony…

And the “Western” part of the ceremony came after at Heritage Park.

Complete with waters personalized with Mimi + Ron labels!

Gasoline Alley was where the reception took place.  A really cool venue, buffet meal and dessert, it was really yummy!

Congratulations Mimi and Ron!  You guys had such a beautiful day filled with so many people you love, with your HUGE family and all your friends.  Thanks for giving us the honor of photographing your special day.