Sixty Days of Summer / Photography Challenge / Part One

I used my DSLR so little last year (2018, that is!) that I didn't even download the images between July and December - six whole months! (gasp). And I had only taken a few dozen in that time (barely anything compared to what I used to). So I decided to pick up my (BULKY!!) DSLR again for a self-imposed 'Sixty Days of Summer' Challenge - a photo a day through December and January. It is such a wonderful time of year (with plenty of light and plenty of activity and memory making) I knew it was a season worth capturing well.

And so I have! And the photos have often been dodgy and grainy but I continued anyway (I think my camera and lens are pretty old and need a service or upgrade. Well, I am half blaming my equipment when I am sure it is mostly my rusty skills!!!). I love using my iPhone these days and have faced the fact it is always going to be my primary mode of photography from here on in because let's face it - soooooo convenient! And I am too lazy to haul my big camera around anymore. But I just don't 'see' my children and take photographs in the same way with a phone as I do with my DSLR. Hence, my challenge to myself. Because this childhood is fleeting and precious and I have realised lately how much this documentation is for them as well as me - the kids look through our annual photo books almost every day! And now they say to me 'Can you take a photo for the phooto book!' haha. I realised belately I would have hardly any images to include this year. 

So, here is a daily photo (or two..or three)... starting in early December. I will post in batches as I get them edited. I knew that daily editing/posting at this time of year would just be an extra level of pressure I didn't need. So I committed to myself to take the photos, even if I wouldn't be editing until later!

It starts with Christmas Tree decorating...(I think this was actually late November but let's be flexible!)

Christmas carols....

Trampoline evenings...

(to be continued)....

52.52 Our Busy Christmas

Christmas 2017.

There isn't much evidence in these photos, I realise, because it was such a busy day, I mostly just snapped random moments on the trusty phone (argh, so easy, I am getting so slack with my big camera!).

Our day was action packed and really lovely. I felt so grateful for this Christmas, ever more aware of the magic that is these early years, we just want to soak up the season so much! It feels like such a privilege to witness our kids and their excitement over Christmas :)

We started the day with the hazy glow of early morning stocking-opening. Is there anything more magical than seeing the kids diving into the stocking and squealing as they pull out all those tiny treasures!? Who knew a toothbrush could bring such delight, haha!

(Randnom sidenote: I got them all cheapie electric toothbrushes this year.... soooooo good and effective!) 

We try to include some element during Christmas Day of giving back to others (on a day we often are blessed so much) so after our early start, we dropped off some little chocolates with thank you notes to those who serve our community on Christmas Day - the police, paramedics, and hospital emergency room staff.

Then it was Christmas brunch with my in-laws and mum - delicious and lovely family time! So lovely to see the grandparents enjoying the morning with the kids, with family gift opening and even some good old daggy Xmas games this year!

Then our tribe went into the city to help serve at a community lunch. We first went a couple of years ago and it was such a rewarding and special experience, the kids still asked about going back, so this year we did! It is really such a special place. A room filled with hundreds, so much community spirit soaking the air, Christmas carols and smiles everywhere. Seeing the kids taking and delivering drink orders, clearing plates, making new friends. I was fit to bursting with pride and gratitude.

We then rolled on to our fourth stop of the day, popping by to see the extended family to spend time with them and share dessert! We ate way too much of course, and it was good to wind down with them all.

We made our way home in the late afternoon, happily exhausted and thankful for the many connections we had made that day and ready for a quiet and relaxed night together. And the kids were needless to say, excited to just play, play, play with their day's bounty of gifts. 

It was a Christmas to be thankful for, that's for sure.

Eli got a cheapie version of a Go-Pro as he is sooooo into photos and videos. He was SO intensely into it, it was awesome!

Project 52: A portrait of my family, once a week, every week, in 2017.

So here ends the 52 project. 

And now we are in 2018 and for the first time in.... years... I am without a photography project for the year. I am kinda sad about it but also lacking inspiration!? Maybe this year I will try to do more actual blog posts (gasp!) instead of just photo posts. But I am also sad that I am falling so behind in my photo taking. Hmmmm.... well, let's see what unfolds this year, huh!

Christmas Wonderland // Family Photos

Christmas photos!!!! In October!!! Please don't kill me, haha!

It was such a wonderful treat to get Christmas photos this year.... I just had to share them.

Huge thanks to Mel and Mallie of Mel Hill Photography for having us as the guinea pigs for their Christmas mini-sessions. We have never had Christmas photos done before... not even Santa photos... so this was wonderful fun and a good excuse to get Christmas cards made this year! But how will I ever choose a favourite for our card!? #HELP!

Isn't this Christmas scene so magical.... like the Pottery Barn Christmas Catalogue of my dreaaaaaaams. We are not really this classy, lol. But the team worked magic on us, even with the kids tired and grubby coming straight from school. Amazing what some beautiful natural light and talented camera work can do!

And so... Christmas 2017, here we cooooooome!

There is always that one random kid licking the Christmas tree, haha!!!!!

But seriously.... so in love with these images. To be honest I never really considered a Christmas photo shoot before but now I am soooo glad I have them. So magical and precious and fun - and some plain family shots too which are good for all year around :)

Ok, I know it's only October but now I am soooooo in the mood for Christmas!

PS Definitely highly recommend Mel Hill Photography if you live around Canberra and are looking for a local photographer. Her studio is so gorgeous for all kinds of photography, I was dying over the cute newborn gear!

27/30 - remembering papa

Lily writes her memories of Papa, beautiful flowers from Claire reminds us of the love and support surrounding us today, while three little glowing houses reminds me of how David's love and light lives on in my children xx

Kind/Cuind. Yes, he was, Eli xx

On the one year anniversary...

The kids decided to write out things they remembered about their beloved Papa. We sat on Papa's special blanket for an impromptu picnic as we shared the things we loved and remembered. 

'Kind' wrote Eli. 'He was nice and gave me cuddles' said Miles.

We listened to the audio book he recorded for them 'I love you from head to toe'. We gazed at the three little candles glowing inside three little houses. Little houses shining bright with light - Papa's light that shines on in three little hearts and memories, as well as up in heaven.

Then we sat on the rug, munching on the muesli bars that Lily had just baked completely independently for the first time. We dropped crumbs everywhere and knew that Papa would have thoroughly approved!

Documenting delight, every day in June.