Days with my Father

This is just an amazing site dedicated by a son (photographer Phillip Toledano) to his time left with his father - Days with my father. This is both sad and joyful (whimsical at times) and for me produced a very reflective mood today - having lost my father in my teens I felt cheated I never got to truly know my father. In the same breath I feel blessed with where I am, what I have and most importantly who I am surrounded by. Take the time to view these images strengthened by his powerful yet simple use of words.
These are my four biggest blessings amongst others - Danica Jene` Luke & Lucy.

Bits N' Pieces

Well it's been a busy week - my second Jene' turned 7 yesterday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY my gorgeous girl! She is a little gem - loves to please and has the best manners - I'm sure 'pardon' was one of her first words. Last Saturday she had a Disco Ten-Pin Bowling party - very cool - lots of squealing, loud music with video and disco lights. She then had a wee party yesterday (after having her ear's pierced - cried last year when they marked the spots with a texta though this year she insisted she was ready & she was very brave) at my Mum's with cousins (another cake). Which answers your question regarding the TIM TAM cake - becoming our little family tradition - who needs three birthday cakes?????? She had a great day!

I guess I will mention the fact my birthday was Monday this week - two days before Jene`'s - just so I can tell you what I got. My sweet Ian has taken 4 days off work in August so I can go to August Exposure. Have had this booked for a wee while though it is technically my birthday present. Yipeeeee - can't wait it is going to be awesome. Have attended seminars by the incredible Yervant, Greg Dries and Rob Heyman before - am especially keen though to hear Marcus Bell (brilliant) and Kelly Munce (visit her blog all the time, recently cleaned up at WPPI and met her at PMA this year in Bris Vegas). Very spoilt I also opened a nice box containing a shootsac!!!!!!



Okay so fair is fair I must post an image which appeared on Swellnet - surf cams, surf reports & forecasts - in Qld Sunshine Coast report yesterday. It was dark and raining and my Ian still got up for a surf/paddle before work. He is a die hard surfer though on the coast here it can get flat for periods so he got a stand up paddle board for when it is small so he can still get wet and get a fix. Not my image - pretty cool though it does look cold and far too wet for my liking at 6 in the morning.



And last but certainly not least - THE BAG LADY. My youngest Lucy who decided to have a rest on the bean bag with her four handbags! One on the left was my mothers (over 50 years old) which is now in the dress-ups. Lucy has a longstanding habit of sucking two middle fingers on right hand and recently the hair twirling has started to create dreadlocks - SERIOUSLY she can create one in minutes. Gave the image a old faded process for the bags benefit.

Quirky Tag

Young Chelsey from machcphotography has tagged me!!!!! Thanks little Ice Maiden - your new nickname! I have to reveal 6 unspectacular quirky facts about myself ......... this is hurting my head ........ me quirky let me think .......... here goes!

1.  I fold NOT crunch  -  toilet paper that is!

2. Sometimes snort when I laugh too much BUT don't we all (also cry tears of joy at extreme joy)

3. I've been known to give my only boy (3 girls in the mix) gentle love-bites on the bottom - he cries tears of joy seriously!!!!!!

4. My studio/office is the neatest room in the house - rest is rather neglected.

5. Collect elephants - first ever were from India (backpacker days) & a raised trunk is good luck!

6. Love to tickle my partners belly button - he can't stand it - hilarious for me though!

Now I have to tag 6 other unsuspecting victims!!!!

Amazing  Kelly Munce

Ultra talented Michelle

Super cool Eric

Very funky Aaron & Amy

Colourful Jenny

Funny man James

And the Rules are:

- Link the person who tagged you

- Mention rules on blog

- Tell of 6 unspectacular quirks of yours

- Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them

- Leave a comment on tagged bloggers blog letting them know they have been tagged

David & Vicki - Wedding

So here is the full post for David & Vicki's wedding last weekend. The guys did an awesome job of organizing their wedding from Alyangula in the NT. Both boys & girls got ready at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Pelican Waters. Sandy from Rolling Scissors created the girls lovely hairstyles - she came, went to another wedding in Maleny and returned - what a legend. Vicki looked incredible in her dress and was glowing the whole day. The lads scrubbed up pretty well also. Two gorgeous red chevrolets transported the bridal party to Our Lady Catholic Church in Caloundra - beautiful light filled modern church. Quick congratulations before the photo shoot on the beach - winter here so the sun drops pretty quickly and cools down as well. The reception was held in the Mt Tibrogargen Room at Crowne Plaza - the room was stunning - mainly white with hints of blue. One of the best man said it well when he said there was such a good energy all day - I absolutely loved the whole atmosphere David & Vicki created for their day - besides being so much fun these guys are also so much in love - thanks for letting me be a part of it.

Dave & Vicki - Sneak Peak

Here is a sneak peak from Saturday's wedding - Dave & Vicki married in Caloundra - all the details in a couple of days. Still holidays with kids but just wanted to post a couple - absolutely beautiful day and gorgeous couple. Bridal Party was a hoot, colours were amazing, locations brilliant and the newly weds just divine - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

My little lovelies

Been on school holidays for last week and a half - hence no regular posting. Young Jene` is having a disco tenpin bowling birthday party this month - so we needed a photo for the invites. Very very very hard to get an image of my four - a good image I mean. So again I have given it another go!!!!!! My youngest Lucy is loving the high pitched squeal at the moment - I know I must put an end to it but how she loves it and when your in an open field who are you hurting right? Oh besides the dog which came to investigate. So we have a little competition who is loudest - this clarifies the first image. We love the beach, live very close to the beach but looking for something a little different. The rusty old trailer was a bribe for my boy towards the end when his attention was wearing thin.
Wedding tomorrow so come back in a couple of days for a sneak peak.

Goodluck Marayke

Recently shot commercial images for Wen'ells Therapeutics - remedial, treatment & beauty therapists. The gorgeous and very talented Marayke modelled for some of the images on the shoot list - she is a regular customer. Marayke will be competing at the Beijing Paralympic Games - in swimming. First photographed Marayke at a local dinner in 2000 when the Olympic torch was in route. She has achieved so much - broken over 70 Aussie records, medals, awards, Bachelor of Arts, motivational speaker - you can read all about this amazing athlete on her website - www.marayke.com. I just want to say GOOD LUCK and I know she will do Australia proud.