We were so excited to have our first two day solo visit with our grandson, Lincoln, earlier this week. He just loves being a “helper” and is always saying “let me do it!” It’s so hard to believe that he’s three and really not a baby anymore.

Helping Get Poppa Don's Boat Ready for Launching

Lincoln really wanted to help Poppa Don get the boat ready for launching so he help put away the life jackets, the ropes and the survival kit.

Lincoln then thought it would be a good idea if Gramma got up in the boat too but by then all the work was done so I just kept snapping a few shots.

Getting Ready for a Swim

It was a little cool with the wind but Lincoln was so looking forward to a swim so Poppa Don and Gramma got on our suits; helped Lincoln get ready and down we went to the lake for a quick dip. (And it was a quick dip.. it was pretty cold — even for our water baby!)

The Duck on the Dock

We had a visitor who swam up very close to us while we were in the water and as soon as we had made our way up to the cottage, Mr. Duck jumped up on the dock. Guess his feet were cold too!

Lincoln & Poppa Don Feeding the Duck

Lincoln thought that Mr. Duck might be hungry so Poppa Don got some crackers ready. Lincoln (who has a fantastic throwing arm) actually got some of the crackers out so that the duck could have a snack.

All in all, it was a wonderful couple of days and we are really looking forward to our daughter, Jenn, and grandson, Lincoln, coming up a few more times over the summer! We are also really looking forward to Shaun, Brandi and Riley’s first visit later this summer as well!

The patriarch of the Swan clan, Gerald, recently celebrated his 105th birthday with a wonderful celebration put together by his family. Grandpa was born on June 10, 1905 and was married to our grandmother, Keitha Hall and had ten children – Wilma, Ralph, Erma, Wanda, Muriel, Beryl (deceased), Mona (deceased), Audrey, Blanche and Bruce. He married his second wife, Marion Larkin, in the early ’70s and her daughters, Kathryn, Colleen and Jean, joined the Swan clan.

Grandpa particularly wanted only a “family” celebration for this special event so all of the family – sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren who were able descended on Belleville on June 12th for this event at the Ramada Inn and a great time was had by all.

Each family was charged with putting on a few moments of entertainment after the amazing buffet dinner. Some chatted about memories of Grandpa, some sang, some danced and our family played “You Are My Sunshine” on the bells. Some of the memories really hit close to home for me.. some things I’d forgotten.. some things made me laugh and some made me tear up.

We are all very blessed to be part of such a LARGE and loving family!

Pop — we wish you all the best for many more years.

I am guilty of not taking enough photos of my family and very recently, my Mom turned 80 years young.  She is a vibrant, wonderful woman who raised six daughters (my fabulous five sisters) and as you can probably image — seven women in one house — got to be a little much!  Anyway, on May 16th.. my sisters who were able, turned up in Markham at Sharon’s to spend the weekend and hang out.

Carol Strickland, Lois Martin, Joan Bruinsma, Erma Martin, Sharon Forbes, Gail Kenney (me).. Missing - Lynn Simpson

We took Mom out for a fabulous dinner on Sunday night after spending a great weekend together. 

(And while we were all there, we started planning our entertainment portion for my Mom’s Dad’s 105 birthday party — coming up in a few weeks).  Thanks Mom for being a great inspiration and encouragement for helping us out with the surprise for Pop’s BIG day!

Last Saturday, we had a great play date with Lincoln.  He and Poppa Don had a lot of fun on the swing and the slide.  It was a wonderful day to spend with our family!

Lincoln had to get all dressed up because he was going out with Poppa Don.  He just had to get a “good” shirt on to go out for lunch with us.

Jenn is a wonderful mom and it’s great to see her working so hard with Lincoln.  He’s grown up so much in the last few months and we are all very proud of both of them.

Our long-awaited arrival, Riley John Cameron-Cole made his first appearance on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 6:20 p.m. weighing in at 8 pounds 3 ounces and 20.5 inches long.  Riley has big blue eyes, dark brown hair, his mommy (Brandi)’s nose, and his daddy (Shaun)”s BIG feet and hands.

Grandpa and Grandma Kenney couldn’t wait to get down to Brantford to meet the latest addition to our clan so without further ado, here is Riley John….

Riley with Grandma & Grandpa Kenney

Brandi, Riley & Shaun

Grandma & Riley

Grandpa & Riley

Looking at Grandpa

Riley's Hands

Riley's Feet

Riley

Daddy & Riley

Riley & Mommy

Holding Daddy's Hand

Mommy & Riley

Grandma & Grandpa Kenney with Riley

We spent the afternoon cuddling our new grandson and enjoying spending time with our family.  Congratulations to Brandi’s side of the family – Gramma Brenda & Granpa Cecil (I photographed their wedding three years ago) and Auntie Kendra.  We are thrilled to be a part of their family now as well.

Riley is the 6th great-great grandchild for Gerald Swan of Trenton, Ontario.  Great-great Grandpa is looking forward to meeting our latest addition in June when we will be celebrating his 105th birthday on June 10th.  Riley is warmly welcomed by all of the Swan and Martin clan.

Another special note – Riley shares his birthday with his first cousin, Lincoln Zaremba, who turned 3 on March 5th.  Auntie Jenn and Lincoln will also be looking forward to welcoming our latest addition to the Kenney family as well.

Florida.. here we come. The bags are packed and in the car, Leo (our furry child) has all his paperwork and his bed in the back, and Don is getting anxious to get on the road. It’s a fast trip because we have lots to do in a very short time.

So we wish everyone a “Happy May 24 Weekend”.. have lots of fun and drive carefully.

And one photo from a wedding that is currently in album production…. (that’s what I’m working on now.)

When I get back.. a photography seminar, three wedding consultations for 2009-2010, dinner with my friend, Rosemary, wedding on Saturday and engagement session in Mississauga on Sunday. A VERY VERY busy week…

And if you are still looking for a wedding date in 2009 – we have 9 open Saturdays left for the year. Call us for more information.

Cheers!

We had some rather disturbing news a little while ago and it looks like Don’s mom is having few more health issues. She is 93 on her next birthday so I guess that’s just something that we can expect. So we are going to enjoy every minute that we can with her.

I would also like to thank everyone again for keeping my Aunt Audrey in your prayers. She is home from the hospital and doing very well but after a second series of heart attacks in a year, it’s still a frightening thing for us. We dropped in on Aunt Audrey and Uncle Gord last weekend and were thrilled to see that she is looking as well as she is.

That’s it for the quick update.. more later.

Have a good one!

To Ryan and Erika from Rowell Photography in Barrie.  I would not have been able to get my site and blog up and running so quickly without all his help.  Thanks for putting up with all my questions.  And Erika, who photographed some phenomenal headshots for me a couple of weeks ago — all of my bio shots are from that session.  These are a wonderful couple who have also organized our Barrie Photographer Get Togethers — next one coming up on February 27th!  Contact Erika for more information at http://rowellphotography.com.

Erika (from Rowell Photography

Also another big thanks to Patti Miller (www.pattimillerphotography.com) who also shared some information with me today about how to customize NightinGail’s Boutique – our client proofing and ordering galleries.

And to my wonderful graphic designer, Shiri Shapiro (www.focusstudios.ca) has spend numerous hours creating my new logo and is working on my other branding – business card, etc.  In addition, Shiri is my favourite second shooter who photographs with me on a regular basis.  (I also get to second shoot with her .. and we have a blast “passionately photographing weddings” all over Ontario.)

And, last but not least, my wonderful husband, Don, who has put up with all of the long hours and busy days supporting my efforts.  Thanks, Sweetheart!!.

Don & Mean Yellow

Well, we’ve come through the holiday season just fine.  We had a fabulous “Martin Christmas” on January 3 at the Bruinsma’s in Belleville.  Not many photos this year because it’s just not the same without having the Stricklands home.  However, all of us in attendance had a great time, hosted once again by Joan, John, Matt, Jamie and Stacey with the rest of us enjoying their hospitality - Sharon, Rich, Trevene, Brooklyn, Jaxon, Skylar and Taylon, Lois, the Lynns, Kelly and Samantha, Shaun and of course, me.  Carol, Tim, Jacob, Jessica and Chloe are coming home from Three Hills, Alberta this summer (and we are all looking forward to their visit).  Those who weren’t able to make it – Jason, Krista, Don, Jenn, Lincoln and Wes.  And we missed them.  Lots of food, fun and reminiscing about our lives on the farm.  Great fun was had by all.

One thing is that we (Martin Girls) have decided that it’s time for another girls weekend so we will be planning a visit to New York (Lynn’s) sometime in 2009.  Probably in July when Carol can leave the kids with Tim and take a few days to visit that fabulous city.

Now, it’s back to work. 

Once again, wishing all our family and friends as safe and prosperous 2009!!!

And let’s keep in touch…