oli's haircut

this is one of the saddest things that has ever happened to me. doug's mum, for as long as i have known her, had had super long and thick hair. she loved her hair and was so proud of it. she would always have it neatly tied back and twisted into a knot and tied in place with a scrunchie or a scarf or a clip of some type, but she would never, ever cut it. but with the radiation and alllll of the chemo, her hair has been thinning and thinning and now is finally falling out. we knew the radiation would make it happen, but what saddens me the most is that she was so calm about it. 

we finally had to make the call and cut it all short at the back as it was basically a rat's tail that was left. so today, i got the scissors and carefully cut it short as she sat calmly on the couch. i was devastated, but she remained calm. it's honestly as though she has accepted whatever has and may yet happen. it's so sad to see for all of us as we never want to say goodbye, but as she grows weaker, we know it is a possibility. 

 

step up finale

kaz and i have just spent the entire afternoon listening to the same song over and over (let's love by david guetta and sia) while the maddie's learned the finale song for their filmed concert that they'll be watching at the cinema in a few weeks. they nailed it pretty quickly and we got it filmed no trouble at all, ready to send of, only we then realised the lighting was terrible and it needed to be done outside, back to square one.

the filing was a las minute addition to their concert that was completely filmed in our dance studio in ellenbrook due to the fact that the owners didn't want the concert to be affected, or cancelled by covid restrictions or possible lockdown. it was a fabulous idea, but they still wanted the opportunity for the classes to combine like they actually would for the finale in regular times, so they came up with the idea of all the students learning a set routine and then cutting and pasting them all together. we've done our bit and i can't wait to see the end result!

 

introducing mr. and mrs. lagden-shepherd

it's been a hot minute since i've taken any photos - and here we are with family portraits and a wedding in less than two weeks. yesterday i had the absolute privilege of taking photos at the wedding of jack and kayla lagden-shepherd. my friend kelly knows them well and when asked to photograph their wedding, asked me to come and help as a second shooter, and i was only too happy to.

it was very warm and sunny, but it was the most beautiful day and we worked so well together. we've really managed to get some beautiful shots and i am loving them more and more as i go through them.

the wedding was held at brookleigh estate on great northern highway in the swan valley and oh was it beautiful. so many gorgeous buildings, tree lined drives and the most stunning courtyard for the reception, plus the sweetest lake side ceremony. it's actually the first time i have ever been into the estate, which is incredible, considering how close we live!

the most special moment of the day for me, was watching the bride, her mother and the bridesmaids quickly stop and have a prayer before walking down the aisle. what a beautiful thing to enter into a marriage, knowing god will guide your path. it was so meaningful to me.

kayla and jack were just so much fun! they giggled along with us and our directions as they snuck kisses and enjoyed every moment of newlywed bliss. i just loved them.

kayla and her ladies 

and the newly pronounced husband and wife... they really just couldn't get enough of each other

and were so happy to go along with all our suggestions for photos.

my favourite parts of the buildings were absolutely these gorgeous entrance doors, i had them over there quick smart for a shot and i am so glad i did. look at that!!

and i still can't stop giggling at this shot. i called out to a bunch of the guests for a shot and it's honestly like a shot from vogue. what a cracker.

we had the best day together and i felt so lucky to be included in such a fun day. i will second shoot for you any time kelly mandin. congratulations to jack and kayla! ❤

 

country kids

this is life in the country. my dad is part of the local lions club and often drives their "train" (a ride on lawn mower towing rainbow carriages made from old barrels) at public events. with that, comes the perks of sometimes being able to bring it home for your grandkids and their friends. hahaha.

and that's what we did today... started our day hanging out at aunty jenny's house - then moved the party to my parents house where the train rides went on all afternoon and the kids thought all their birthdays and christmases had come at once.

i mean seriously, look at these happy little faces!

joseph was even more stoked after grandad let him sit on the mower and pretend he was the driver

he and his "best friend" jacob had the best time!

it's the country life for me!

such a cute little setup too!

my kids were even more stoked when they got it all to themselves the next day when the rest of the squad had gone home and it was just the kendalls...

hanging with the grandies

it was the best! i love that maddie has nannas hat on here too, it looks so cute on her.

and to top off our visit, i made a birthday cake for my nephew declan who will be visiting tomorrow with his parents. hopefully he loves it!

no more thumb sucking

well that's the thumb sucking done for this unfortunate little one. upon scooping up something up a few days ago in madeline's room and playing with it, we quickly discovered it was broken glass! but he had already cut a huge gash in his thumb, there was blood everywhere and to the dr we went.

the dr cleaned it up again, checked there was no glass in it and then bandaged it up and said it's going to have to stay on for a few days... which he was so upset about. he'd keep trying to suck his thumb then getting upset that he couldn't and then of course didn't want to go to sleep, but eventually settled and drifted off. he made sure that we knew he was unimpressed though.

we got there eventually and when the bandage finally came off and he looked like he was going to go back to thumb sucking, we quickly shoved a bandaid on it and told him it was still sore - i figured if we were this far in, it wasn't time to give up - and sure enough we made it! we are thumb sucking free!

i really felt so sorry for the poor little dude, but i am so happy that we didn't have to do it when he was even older, maddie is 9 and still going strong sucking her fingers, i have no idea how we are going to get around that one. ugh.

family new years resolutions

so maybe this year, our goals may be a little lower than normal... but nonetheless we have goals as a family. 

we have learned in this past year how quickly life as you know it can change. how one day your loved one can be within reach and the next have departed this life for the eternities. we know the importance of making the most of every minute with our family. we know the sadness of a final goodbye. 

this year our goal will be strengthening our family. holding our loved ones tight and growing together in life and in the gospel. to ensure, that our family can be eternal. because we know firsthand, there is nothing more important than the promise of eternity with those we love and those we have lost.

*2021*

well 2021 has somehow arrived after the absolute insanity that was 2020. 

after losing doug's dad, his mum getting really sick and the absolute mess that is covid-19, i find it hard to believe that this year couldn't be any worse. i suppose i should watch what i say, just in case, but surely we are due for better things this time? I really love this quote from elder holland, "i plead with you not to dwell on days now gone." that's what we will be trying to do. live in the present and try our hardest to make this a good year. ❤