green
April 21st, 2011 by sharaleep | 10 Comments »
everything about this session was green. from the lush forest which was accentuated by ALL the rain (which we got caught in the middle of) to the “rescuing” of salmonberry bushes for private gardens to talk of politics on the way home.
i think i’ve watched too many movies, though, because as we drove up gravel logging roads and trudged further into the forest, i quickly scanned my memory through all the interactions i’d had with this couple to make sure i hadn’t wronged them in any way because this sure seemed like the perfect location to “finish me off”. thankfully that was not their plan and we had a great time in one of their favorite places in the world. a place i probably never would have had the opportunity to discover on my own! 
i learned so much about climbing on this little adventure of ours. i’m pretty sure that just talking about it has equipped me with the skills to be an expert climber like these two. but maybe i should test that theory out at an indoor gym first…just to make sure i’m right…
one thing i learned was that all the rocks have been named after the first person to clean them (remove all the moss, etc.) to prepare them for climbing. they also name the “problems” (the routes up the rock) after the first person to navigate their way up. all that to say, the rock below was named after the gentleman who is the subject of this session. he and a group of friends have put together a climbing guidebook for this area, so while we were there he was taking his own pictures of the rocks to include in their next publication.
i’m looking forward to the wedding this summer!
more cute to be had.
April 13th, 2011 by sharaleep | 4 Comments »
september 2009. camp charis. breana and tudor are expecting their first child. lots of anticipation (maybe a little stress) and so much joy. to see tudor talking to breana’s belly… he said he wasn’t ready, but he was ready.
and now here we are. a year and a half later. bundle of joy in the flesh.
and another one on the way.
and as all you parents of toddlers out there can relate, as quickly as it began, it was over. she was done and that was that.
but what great fun it was while it lasted! (and little does she know, i’m coming back for more when her brother arrives. oh yeah.)
little miss s.
April 11th, 2011 by sharaleep | 5 Comments »
while i’ve loved having my head immersed in “wedding land” for the past few weeks, it was nice to have a little change of pace with some family sessions. this family was in from out of town for the weekend and contacted me about fitting in some pictures for them before they headed back. i’m so glad they did!
these next two may be some of the favorite pictures i’ve taken yet this year. she’s SOOO cute.
we even got to sneak in just a few of the two of them. it may sound strange but i kind of love the awkwardness of a couple who has a few rare baby free moments where it’s just about them for a second…it almost feels like a first date. it’s sweet.
the wolfs: part three
April 10th, 2011 by sharaleep | 2 Comments »
and so the day brought us to what everyone else had been waiting for: the ceremony. it was beautiful, surrounded by friends and family from all over the world, with so many personal touches that made it unmistakably amber and bonner.
and so the party begins. at least according to amber 🙂
one of my absolute favorite parts of the day was after we finished all of the family pictures and everyone packed up and headed over to the reception, i was left in the empty parking lot with amber and bonner. and now they were REALLY married. it was such a sweet few minutes. they danced, laughed, kissed, giggled, kissed some more…and i was the only one that got a glimpse into the first moments of their marriage. this is what i LOVE about my job. people trust me to be there with them in those moments. and i am blown away that they would choose me, but so so honored.
check out the photo booth slideshow…to all the attendees of the wolf wedding, you gave me a good chuckle. thanks.
the wolfs: part two
April 7th, 2011 by sharaleep | 7 Comments »
we last left the “soon-to-be-wolfs” with their first look at each other on their wedding day. and what a look it was.
you might want to take a deep breath before looking at this next series because any breath you have may be taken away. i love these so much because they show who this couple IS. gifted. musical. in LOVE. with each other and God.
and like that, we made our departure for the church…with one quick stop at the photo booth for good measure. final installment to come later this week!
okay okay.
April 4th, 2011 by sharaleep | 2 Comments »
for those of you annoyed with the abrupt ending to my last post, let’s call a truce. click on the link below the picture for another sweet moment from this day.
the wolfs: part one
April 3rd, 2011 by sharaleep | 3 Comments »
well, here’s the moment at least a few of you have been waiting for. what a journey this has been! from engagement pictures at niagara-on-the-lake, to the bachelorette party in fort langley, to the rehearsal, to the reception set-up to…the wedding day. i love this couple.
the morning kicked off with a tea amber hosted for her bridesmaids. it was so relaxed and fun and such an excellent way to start the festivities. amber presented the girls with handmade jewelry using some of the crystals from her dress and crocheted shawls, courtesy of grandma.
oh. and the food. was. amazing.
and like that we were off to retrieve her groom.
after some last minute marital advice from his big bro, he was prepared to meet his bride. but not before i dragged it out a little. as if he wasn’t nervous enough already, i just couldn’t help but add to the anticipation…
and just as i made him wait…i’m going to do the same to you! stay tuned for their first look at eachother – it’s priceless.
a couple of winners.
March 30th, 2011 by sharaleep | 6 Comments »
#1. laura, who won the night out on the town including tickets to “fest of fools” this friday and a gift certificate to a great mexican restaurant! check out the article on the event (featuring a certain special someone) and be sure to get your tickets soon!
#2 my sister and her husband who had an incredibly adorable little girl who is a month old and still only weighs 6 lbs. 6 lbs!! the only time mine were 6 lbs was when i was 6 months pregnant. briella came a little earlier than expected, but we were certainly excited to hear we had another girl in this boy dominated extended family.
simon was SO taken with her.
twinsies.
and my personal favorite:
love you, sweets. try not to grow too much before i see you again.
those days
March 2nd, 2011 by sharaleep | 6 Comments »
you know “those days”? the incessant fighting, whining, unending demands, little sleep, no coffee (what was i thinking?!), give me a bed to crawl in away from this chaos for three weeks (or even five minutes), clock seems to be ticking backward, away from the moment my husband gets home, “try on my own to give the three kids a bath simultaneously and the middle one ends up burning the youngest one’s hand in hot water when she decides to crank the tap up after being told not to three times” kinds of days? not that any of those things have ever happened to me. but let’s just say that if they did…ahem…yesterday could have been one of “those days”.
and at the end of it all, as i finally give up and put it in charlie & lola (on one of my personal favorite episodes), i look over…
…at those squeaky clean little “jamma-ed” bodies all snuggled up on the couch together and as much as i want to be angry, i just can’t. am i still exhausted? yes. am i still covered in snot, crusty food residue, smelling like yesterday because i didn’t get a bath myself? yes. even an hour and a half after i put them to bed, will i still be tucking in, replacing soothers and negotiating potty runs? yes. do i still love these infuriatingly adorable creatures with all of my being? absolutely.
did i mention that simon is now opening all of the doors in the house (including the bathroom doors and the door to get OUTSIDE)? lord have mercy…
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