After finishing my 100 Days of Summer series and a very busy August, I decided to take a little break from my camera and not worry about picking it up daily. Although it felt good, it means I have barely any images from Week 35, hence why this post is for 2 weeks! It worked out nicely anyway, with the theme of the images being quite similar.

Archer is only getting better and better at this big brother thing. He loves hanging out with Gryff, and has started to want him to be with him while he plays, and even asks to wake him up while he is napping (um, no.). I can already see how much Gryff looks up to him too, with his eyes constantly searching the room for him, and saving his biggest smiles for his big brother. These two boys have lit a fire in me like nothing else, and just when I thought it couldn’t get better, it does. Easy? No. But it is so good.

Archer loves to climb into Gryffin’s crib when he wakes up from his naps. It usually starts with some gentle words and kisses, and ends with me pulling a wide-eyed Gryffin from beneath the jumping man-child Archer.

Despite being a little rough with him, Gryffin has yet to find a flaw in his big brother. And who can blame him? He really is the best. Happy to share toys (you know, like 75% of the time), and talking to him non stop (which, if you’ve ever met Archer should not surprise you at all. It took him 35 minutes to eat his breakfast this morning because he wouldn’t stop talking).

At this point gentle tickles quickly turn to WWE moves, and my googly heart eyes are replaced with the mom-voice I didn’t know I had.

After finishing my 100 Days of Summer, I was happy to set my camera down and take a breather for a few days, step back and enjoy our days without documenting. I love doing little projects like that, but I always find I put pressure on myself to create something exceptional each day, which just isn’t possible. This summer we spent more days than I would like to admit at home, in our jams, playing inside. Between the humidity, and the harsh sun with a baby, none of us wanted to spend a significant amount of time outdoors. This was the last few days of the project, and I was trying to let go of the idea that I had to create “summer” images, and instead focused on our home life. So instead of trying to create adventures that none of us wanted to go on, we found our fun at home.

Archer has started asking me if he can take pictures too, so I helped him hold the camera to take this one. Not bad for an almost 3 year old who’s hand isn’t big enough to focus and click the shutter at the same time.

The witching hour is a real thing over here, so usually while I am making dinner it is melt-down central, but this rare day Archer asked if he could help me make dinner…

Not sure whether these ginger hairs are going to stick around forever, but getting proof while we can.

Our weekly trip to the library, and Archers haul…

Our 4th anniversary was spent on the deck with a fire, some s’mores, and our boys. A lot has happened in 4 years.

And the only picture I took at our friends Labour Day bash while the kids swam in the big river. You know Eric is a dedicated father when he gets in the St. Clair River…

Happy Sunday everybody. I hope you’re spending it with your family, doing what you love.

B.

I may be a little behind on blogging my client sessions, but that does not mean I am not still extremely happy for Joe and Laura. Joe and Eric have been best friends since first grade, and through years of enduring their antics, Laura has become a very dear friend to me. When Laura asked if I would do their maternity photography, I was more than happy to oblige. I laughed when Laura was asking me what to wear, I gave her some ideas but said to make sure she was comfortable and in something that reflects their life and personality. When she showed up, she said she thought about wearing a dress, but decided to wear something that she knew was a little more reflective of her: shorts and a t shirt (my kind of girl!). And you know what? I love it. Their comfort and personality shows up so much more in their images because they are just being themselves.

I am so excited to see these two go through this journey together, and there is no doubt in my mind that they will make exceptional parents. Here’s to hoping this babe brings them a little closer to home in the near future! We miss you guys!

Congratulations Joe and Laura! We can’t wait to meet this little one!

If you are interested in Chatham-Kent Maternity Photography, please contact me below.

One of the biggest positives of my brother moving home is having the ability to have his kids over for a day to play. I was more than happy to watch them while my brother and sister-in-law were busy for the day, and Archer was obviously beyond excited. All of the cousins get along so well. Although our house was a bit louder than normal, it was actually a very relaxed day for me because they all just played together while Gryff and I supervised.

This is one of my favourite pictures from the summer. Nothing artistically special, but the reason I love photography. These kids will see this picture one day and have a good laugh at their outfits, their haircuts, and their funny faces.

And just a day later we hung out with them again and hit up our favourite park with Grandma and Papa for a little picnic lunch. 3 little monkeys.

For a little end of summer fun, Meme and Pepe took us to African Lion Safari for the day. We drove up a day early to make the drive a little easier on the kids, and of course staying in a hotel is super exciting for a 2 year old. Gryffin, not so much.

Archer loved the bus ride through the park, seeing all of the animals and running from window to window.

We got to see the elephants go for their swim at lunch time…

Archer and Dad had a nice little ride on Jenny…

And we ended the day on the massive splash pad, where Archer concurred his first water slide. He loved it so much he went back for more about 5 times.

Thanks for stopping by!

B

Why are my babies growing so fast? I mean, look at these two!! One is practically a man, and the other has so much chunk and cellulite I can’t even deal.

In Week 32 we hit up Brander Park and got a little surprise while we were there – Archer’s friends Seth and Ryan, along with Gryffin’s friends Samantha and Logan, and moms friends Karri and Allison. It was a fun little morning seeing the boys play together and talking to some other adults (bonus points because we are all in the same life boat right now).

Gryffin has become obsessed with his toes, and in all honesty, I can’t blame him. Now I can’t comment on the taste, but I do think they are pretty fun.

Visiting Nanny for dinner one evening, and Gryffin decided to put on the full show…

Some bees that photobombed my flowers… I gotta get me some macro gear.

And Sunday dinners with these three palaeontologists. No Sunday is complete without some dino education for the adults, because these 3 can school all of us when it comes to dinosaur facts.

And lastly, getting some sillies out before the sun sets on another week. I love seeing these kids play together every week. We are so lucky to have this routine.

Well that was kind of all over the map, but that’s life, right?!

Happy Friday!

B.

Eva and I used to work in the same clinic together before she moved her practice to her home. She herself is a very talented photographer, so I was very honoured when she asked me to create their family portraits this summer. Working with Eva was a breeze, as she has this calm about her, and always has a genuine smile on her face. After spending an evening with her, Greg, and their two busy boys, I was so happy to see that same calm, happy face. We met out at Erieau Beach and despite having two very adventurous boys, Eva and Greg were both laid back and let the evening unfold organically making this one of my favourite sessions to date.

Thank you Eva and Greg for letting me document your beautiful little family, and for being yourselves (and letting your boys be themselves too!). If you are interested in a Family Lifestyle Session, please contact me using the contact form at the end of this post, or email brittanyelizabethphoto@gmail.com.

Please contact me below to schedule your Family Lifestyle Session.

It is both a blessing and a curse to have family stationed all over Canada. We don’t get to see them often, but when we do we always make it count. Week 31 was sandwiched between two great family gatherings with some faces we don’t see nearly enough.

My aunt and uncle celebrated their 40th (!!) wedding anniversary at their cottage on Lake St. Clair, and it was the perfect setting for our huge family, complete with a small beach and lawn games. Archer had a blast hanging out and getting to know a bunch of new cousins, while Gryffin was happily passed around between all of the cousins, moms, aunts and grandmas.

Mid week Archer got creative and built an epic train track under the dining room table (all by himself might I add), but not before neglecting the colouring book and drawing only on himself while I nursed Gryffin. At least it wasn’t the walls, right?

A few evenings a week we head back to the garden after dinner to see what is going on out there. Our garden was cut in half this year because we decided to put up a play set for the boys, so there isn’t a lot to pick most nights, but this year we planted snow peas and they are so fun for Archer to find and pick on his own – and eat right off the vine. I love doing this together, and I hope it creates a healthy relationship with food for our boys (and myself, too!).

Can you tell we are potty training? You’re probably thinking “Does that kid ever wear pants?”… No. The answer is no.

Our week finished with a birthday party for Gage and Neely with a few more little people than a normal Sunday, making it extra special. Plus, a shark cake and a dino cake to top it all off.

Funny faces!

Ages: 7, 6, 5, (almost) 4, 3, and 2! So much fun!

We are so blessed to have such a big family. I remember spending almost every weekend with my cousins as a kid, and I want our boys to see the value in family, both near and far.

And even though I doubt he is reading this, I just want to shout out a Happy Anniversary to my #1. He makes every day awesome, and I am lucky to have this life with him.

Cheers!

B