gigiblog

So this is Christmas ...

"And what have you done? 

Another year older ... 

a new one just begun ...."

Almost the new year! Can you look back at this past year and feel proud of what you have accomplished? 

Are you happy with where you are in life? 

Did you grow? 

Did you learn? 

Did you love?

Did you help anyone? 

Did you look beyond your own life and see the bigger picture? 

Did you enjoy the past 365 days?

I don't necessarily "DO" resolutions for the new year, but my dad always taught me to write a list of goals each year. So I did. Here are my goals. A little personal, but I will still share ...

My Goals for 2009:

1. Spend quality time alone with each daughter - each one is so special and I want to treasure this. 

2. Update family photo albums (they are sadly behind!) and baby albums. 

3. Love my husband more and treat him like the king that he is. 

4. Use my photography to help a cause. (Details to come later!) 

5. Relax. Being frustrated helps nothing!!

6. Spend less. Save money to go to Disney World. 

7. Buy a new camera with cash. *hee hee! I think I just blew that last resolution already!* 

8. Find MORE mind-blowing inspiration that will take my photography to a new level. 

9.  Plant veggies this spring. 

10. Keep veggies alive this summer. 

There. That's it. Now you can hold me to them!!!!

What are YOUR goals for 2009?

Get a pen, paper and a few quiet minutes and write down your goals. Tape them to your bathroom mirror and hold yourself accountable. Go on. Do it. You know it'll be good for you! ;)

My hubby and I are going to ring in the new year as sassy-but-not-so-bright-Go-go girl (that would be ME, not him) and a highly-pompous-actor ... we're to solve a murder mystery in get-up! Soooo looking forward to it! (Don't worry! I will post images!)

Happy New Year to you and yours!

And lastly because I CANNOT post without an image ... some of Sweet Pea Lucia - who is turning one next week. OH MY GOSH! I can't believe it! I'm not ready for this change at all!

In {love}.

I have the amazing honour of photographing one of my dear friend's newborn baby boy just before Christmas. 

I have know my friend, who, oddly enough is named Gillian, for over 8 years now. We met in college where we were both taking the journalism course. We worked together in the college library and became fast friends ... people called us the Tall Gillian (she's over 6' tall) and I was the Short Gillian (5' something). We both love photography and writing. We have even shot a wedding together! We have always remained in touch and have been to each other's weddings and experienced many of life's blessings and "big moments" together. 

Gillian is amazing woman. An amazing friend. And I know she is going to be an INCREDIBLE mother. I could tell by the love bursting from her heart when she held her newborn baby Joseph. 

I am just posting one image right now as I want a proper sneak peek but I just couldn't hold off any longer in posting one of my favourite images from his session. 

Welcome to the world, Sweet Baby Joseph. You are truly loved.

"Love means to commit oneself without guarantee,

 to give oneself completely in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person. 

Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love." 

- Erich Fromm 

Christmas past and Christmas future ...

 "Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."

 ~ Calvin Coolidge

Ahhhhhhhhh. Christmas. It has once again come and gone, but has left behind wisps of magic, cozy, warm memories and a feeling of being completely surrounded by love and family. 

I think this year's Christmas Day was perfect - with the entire family together, nothing could have made the day sweeter, more comfortable or lovely. 

I hope your Christmas was a happy as ours ... and that in the midst of the choas of December, you found it in your heart to relax, sit back and think on the true meaning of the holiday. 

Here are some photos from our day ... I love this shot ... it's pure "Christmas" in an image. 

Little Lucia's first Christmas ...

milk and cookies for the Man in Red ...

"This is madness, mommy ... rescue me!"

She took her first few steps on Christmas Day! How special!

Lucia and my sister, Angela, sizing up mom and dad's massive Christmas tree ...

Our Christmas Day was truly magical ... I'm feel so very blessed to have such a loving family and friends to spend the holidays with. I truly couldn't ask for more ...

The next big event?! 

Lucia's one year birthday in a week! I cannot believe that and now I have to mentally prepare myself for the fact that my baby is turning one ... *sniff*

Merry Christmas!

Well, this is it ... 45 minutes until Christmas! 

First off, I wanted to thank each and every one of you who donated toilet paper for the Salvation Army's hamper drive. Your generosity is GREATLY appreciated! Thank you, thank you, thank you for reaching out to others this holiday season. 

We have been tracking Santa online ad it's been awesome ... so fun for the kids! It's been a day brimming with blessings - from going to the annual Christmas Eve candelight service at church to spending the afternoon with cousins and aunts and uncles ... to stuffing the stockings and preparing the Christmas breakfast table for tomorrow morning.

I loooooooove Christmas! I am sad to think it's almost over but I want to enjoy EVERY minute of it tomorrow and tonight! I wish you all a VERY blessed Christmas and a happy holiday. week or so during that time). 

Just a note: The studio will be closed from December 25-January 18th. I will return e-mail periodically during that time but there is no guarantee (as I will be in away for a week during that time period.)

In the meantime, have a blessed holiday and treasure each and every moment with your family. :) 

I can't post without an image so here is an itty-bitty sneak peek for one lucky mama out there who thought outside the box and brought this lovely cradle with her to her twins' session - AWESOME!! ... ;)

Baby Bumps Galore.

Three days till Christmas! The countdown is ON! 

Who am I kidding? The countdown began in October - hee hee! 

Even though I am technically "closed" for the holidays, I'm still doing some newborn and maternity sessions (as those are time sensitive). I can't believe how many newborns are due over the span of December and January! What fun! (I can say that as 1) I am not the one giving birth 2) I am not the one tired and exhausted after nine months of carrying a baby in my tummy! LOL!) Here are some photos from a recent maternity session. More to come but the proofing is slow going right now with the our Christmas festivities.

Enjoy your Monday! :) 

The Wonder of Christmas.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:

 the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

 

~Burton Hillis

This Christmas, my entire family is together. 

I have never been more happy!

My grandma is here from B.C. 

My sister, her hubby and her four kids are here from Wetaskin, Alberta.

And my brother is here from Edmonton, Alberta. 

Does it get any better than that for Christmas?! We will all be spending Christmas day at my parents' house - the perfect Christmas present for our family.

Before my sister moved across Canada, she lived within an hour's drive of my house. I took her and her family for granted. I should've visited more. Spent more time together. Taken her kids out more. Created more memories. I hate that you have to experience loss before you realize certain blessings. 

Well, having her and my brother back for Christmas is absolutely wonderful! I'm very excited for Christmas day!

My sis and her four kids have been staying at my house - so yes, count them - that makes SEVEN kids - ages from 9 years to 11 months - two adults (men are working), one cat, one dog and a Christmas tree. 

Heaven on earth!

Except for when the kids (which can sound like an army when they want to) decide to get up before the sun. Or the moms. Ouch. Pass me the coffee!!!

the girls, opening the Advent calendar (which call the Christmas House) ... 

Line 'em up for Story time (that's my brother-in-law reading to the kids)! Who needs the library when you have your own library class at home! :D 

Dinner time! (minus the dads) Doesn't my sister look thrilled?!  Hee hee!

We even made gingerbread houses with the kids! Candy, candy everywhere!

By the end of each day, my sis and I were ready for a glass of wine and some quiet time, let me tell ya!

More stories to follow of our adventures with our children and family over Christmas - hope you are all ready for the holidays! Wahooo!

If you have toilet paper to donate to the Salvation Army's hamper drive, you can still drop it off this weekend at my studio! I will be delivering all the toilet paper donations on Monday. Thank you for your generosity!

Couldn't resist ...

I couldn't resist posting just one more of Jett - I love this image! I'm going to put it in the studio for a sample! Also - I wanted to note that we are still collecting toilet paper for our local Salvation Army for the Christmas hampers. We still need about 20 packages - which is a lot! If you read this and want to help out our local needy families in a practical way, just drop off a package of TP at the studio (12 York Street)! Your help would be greatly appreciated! :)

If you got a rock star name ...

You get rock star looks. I had the pleasure of meeting Baby Jett a few days ago - and what a sweet, sweet GORGEOUS baby! His parents are so in love with him. You could see it in their eyes ... there's really NOTHING like bringing home your baby from the hospital and experiencing a feeling of completeness, that feeling of overwhelming joy, your heart bursting with pride and love.

What a sweet little circle of love!

Welcome to the world, Baby Jett!

The Land of Sugar Plum Fairy.

"Oh, I don't know, I'm so confused. It's just, well, the Land of the Dolls is where you all belong. But I want to grow up. There's a million things I want to do; people to meet, worlds to explore. I've always wanted to dance in the ballet. Nutcracker, I do love you, but I can't stay in the Land of the Dolls forever."

- Clara - the Nutcracker Prince

Wow!

Can I just say the Nutcracker was absolutely magical and splendid, delicious and completely wonderful! 

Lacey and I, and my dear friend, Leanne, had the most enchanting evening at the National Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. 

I think it was the best birthday ever!  Lacey was OVERJOYED with everything - from the stage to the swirling dancers to the talented orchestra to the sights and sounds of the entire ballet production. She was so anxious to get there and kept tugging at my hand to get us through the crowds as fast and furious as possible in an effort to reach our seats. She giggled at each silly part, she laughed and she gasped when the Sugar Plum Fairy danced out of her egg ... 

Yes, the night was absolutely perfect! I have imagined this day with Lacey for two years - knowing she would love every minute but still unsure whether the ballet would keep her attention for the two hours. I couldn't have asked for more!

I couldn't take any photos during the ballet so here are some before shots of the evening. 

Miss Lacey, all dolled up and ready for her evening downtown Toronto ...

Lacey & I ...

before the show at dinner ...

It's hard to see Lacey's excitement here in this next photo (waiting for the ballet to begin), but if any of you know her in person, you will recognize that she is indeed excited ... she becomes very serious when she is overjoyed!

There's a smile!

During intermission, Lacey was able to meet one of the sheep from the ballet ... :) 

And of course, she got to choose out a Nutcracker for a keepsake of the special evening!

We will definitely be making this a tradition for the Gauthier girls .... what a fantastic memory!

Fine lines and wrinkles.

“To me, old age is always fifteen years older than I am.”

 - Bernard M. Baruch 

Sooooo ... today is my birthday! 

Yes ... I'm another year old. Should I sigh or celebrate? I'm not really sure. I do, however, feel OH SO BLESSED to be living this life that I live! I have a wonderful husband who loves me with all his heart ... I have three beautiful girls that make my world just shine ... I have a wonderful Lord that keeps my days full of happiness and joy ... I have two parents that appreciate and love me for who I am ... and I have a great, fabulous friends and family that I wouldn't trade for all the jewels in the world.

Ahh, yes, it is a good birthday. 

You know what the topper on the cake is for me today though? 

Guess?

I'm going to see The Nutcracker, performed by the National Ballet of Canada, tonight with my dearest daughter, Lacey, and one of my BFFs, Leanne!

I'm OVER-THE-MOON-EXCITED-AS-A-KID-WHO-IS-ABOUT-TO-OPEN-THEIR-FIRST-CHRISTMAS-PRESENT to go tonight! I've waited for this day for a LONG time ... but wasn't sure if Lacey was old enough to go last year (she's four years old now). 

Lacey is excited, too! She keeps asking me "Is it time to get dressed for the Nutcracker?!" She's going to wear a darling little princess dress and yes, I can't help it, I'll be dressing up too! 

I think this will be a yearly family tradition with the Gauthier girls (as they get old enough) ... and I think even Abby will want to join in one year (he's already pouting that he's not going tonight!).

I will be sure to post images (if I can manage to take a camera) of the outing! Have a great day everyone!