My Journal

PRINCE'S ISLAND PARK & THE BEST PASTRIES IN CALGARY

PRINCE'S ISLAND PARK & THE BEST PASTRIES IN CALGARY

We're always looking for fall family activities to do in Calgary, and downtown is one of our favourite places for a weekend adventure. I recommend you stop at The Black Sheep patisserie on 17th Ave for croissants and hot drinks, their pastries are our favourite in the city, and then enjoy the fall foliage, playground, gardens and wetland at Prince’s Island Park.

BRIDGERTON INSPIRED NIGHTGOWN

BRIDGERTON INSPIRED NIGHTGOWN

I finally finished the nightgown I started work on just after finishing the Bridgerton show on Netflix (the first time through, I may have watched it all again now). It’s romantic, so comfy and beautiful, I don’t know why I haven’t taken to nightgowns before.

GETTING PERSONAL ABOUT GROWTH

GETTING PERSONAL ABOUT GROWTH

Learning to sit with discomfort is one of the most valuable lessons I’ve ever learned. This was a lesson hard-won through years of postpartum anxiety with my second child but it has transformed my life completely

DAISY INSPIRED FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY

DAISY INSPIRED FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY

Our baby girl was born in April and daisies are the flower of the month, making a daisy themed first birthday party the perfect fit. I love that they symbolize childbirth, motherhood, new beginnings and true love, there couldn’t be a flower more perfect to represent all that she is in our lives and all that my journey with her has been.

CINDERELLA INSPIRED BIRTHDAY PARTY

CINDERELLA INSPIRED BIRTHDAY PARTY

I love how each year, the theme my kids choose for their party reflects so well who they are at that time of their life, what they’re interested in and what matters to them, and incorporate those things all throughout the decorations, food and games. It’s a celebration of their life after all!

DIY BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY DURING CORONAVIRUS

DIY BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY DURING CORONAVIRUS

I kept this list of photos to 15 must haves, making it small and manageable because above all, having my husband present with me and just as involved in experiencing the moments as they happened was my top priority, not having him worry about getting all the right shots.

7 Ways to Thrive Under Quarantine With Kids

7 Ways to Thrive Under Quarantine With Kids

Here are my 7 top tips to thrive under quarantine with your kids. I’m going to share what kinds of things we do to keep busy at home, what kind of routine and rhythm guides our days, and what we do for homeschooling. Hint: It’s all about simplifying and slowing down.

HOW I FOUND HEALING FROM TRAUMA THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

HOW I FOUND HEALING FROM TRAUMA THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

At this exact same time last year we were experiencing a miscarriage after an entire first trimester of pregnancy. Finding healing and being ready to try for a baby again were not easy, but they did happen, and I want to share a little bit of this very personal journey of mine and how I found healing from this traumatic loss through, believe it or not, photography.

ASTRONAUT THEMED THIRD BIRTHDAY

ASTRONAUT THEMED THIRD BIRTHDAY

This little kiddo turned 3 last week, and his obsession with Astronauts and Space were all I needed to pick a theme for his third birthday party and run with it. If you’re anything like me, you love looking at the details of people’s parties and sneaking a peek at the way other people decorate, so let’s get started with this cake…

INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend, the Heritage Inn in High River is hosting the International Balloon Festival again. We went last year and had so much fun! It’s a great place to make memories that the kids will never forget.

HIKING GROTTO CREEK CANYON

HIKING GROTTO CREEK CANYON

I love it inside Grotto Canyon, I think it's incredibly gorgeous (and shady, depending on what time of day you go!).  The rocky footing can be a little trickier for the kids than a plain path, but it's also way more fun for them to climb their way through, jumping their way across the creek over and over again.  Who am I kidding?  I found it really fun too!

FAIRVIEW LOOKOUT HIKE {HIKING WITH KIDS AT LAKE LOUISE}

FAIRVIEW LOOKOUT HIKE {HIKING WITH KIDS AT LAKE LOUISE}

Our best family memories seem to be made when we spend some time outdoors together, and nothing makes the kids feel more accomplished than when they complete a hike.  I always make sure to make a big deal of it and point out how proud they feel of themselves and how proud I am of them, building in those positive feelings around outdoor adventures.

MAKING MEMORIES AT THE CALGARY STAMPEDE

MAKING MEMORIES AT THE CALGARY STAMPEDE

My first Stampede I attended was with Curtis, just after we had started dating on Canada Day…It rained and cleared out all of the lines on the midway so we grabbed bags of mini-donuts and wandered around under the lights, finding ourselves right by the fireworks…We watched them while holding hands and it was one of those moments of pure joy, there with my summer (and forever) love.