My dear friend Emily is back in hospital again, fighting lymphoma. On Monday I went to visit her, along with other friends from school, Donna and Rika. Being ever vigilant and proactive, Emily has found during her research about her condition that people of Asian origin are less likely to donate things like stem cells. Which sucks, because she might need donations from East-Asian people as part of her treatment. So we had a bit of fun shooting some photos for a campagin to raise awareness of this need. If you or any of your friends are of East-Asian origin, please consider donating blood or stem cells. It only takes a fraction of your time and you could help save a life.

For more information, go www.abmdr.org.au.

I have two photo shoots of Chantilly Rose products lined up these holidays and have just processed a bunch of photos from the first one. You would think that doing child photography, it would be simple to just do a product shoot with children in it but there is so much to try and keep on top of, it’s quite challenging. Trying to juggle the needs of getting the best views of the clothing and accessories with keeping the girls’ moods up and getting them to pose is harder than it looks! Add to that two of my own girls as models and we have a whole new set of challenges.

Amazingly, through all the chaos we got some beautiful shots and I am very happy with how they turned out. Plus proud of my girls, especially Miss Aylish who I was a little hard on and she rose to it perfectly. Thank you Megan for the use of your home and beautiful little Sophie and thank you Maddy for being an amazing model.

If you like the look of these products, keep an eye on the Chantilly Rose website and Facebook page. If you would like to pre-order or receive an update when the products become available, please contact Julie from Chantilly Rose.

On the drive home to Perth, we decided to go take the coast road and stopped for a visit at the Pinnacles. We were just going to do a very brief stop and quick drive by but it cost $11 per car to get in so we decided to make the most of it. We visited the discovery centre then took the girls for a walk around the rocks. They loved them and it was a great break and of course a chance to take more photos!

About 2 years ago I took some photos of the girls playing in puddles near this same wall;

and while we were there with our niece and her boyfriend, I grabbed some more of the girls as well. Wearing their very favorite dresses from Monsoons and Mangoes again!

Love

Welcome to the world my beautiful little niece Sophie. When a new baby comes into the family, the joy and recognition of another soul to spend our lives with is indescribable. I just know that as soon as I saw her, she was perfect. And it is so nice getting cuddles and all the best bits of a new baby, while being able to hand her back to mum for the hard parts.

These were taken when she was just over a week old, look forward to seeing more of this little model in the future

Big brother Davey has been so good throughout. Its been very exciting with people around and dad home as well as a new sister.

And my Emmy Apple with Sophie

And here is part one of Megan’s maternity session, studio-style at home with the kids

Hello Strawberry

Proud big brother Davey

Looking forward to finally meeting Strawberry on Tuesday Love you guys xxxxx

My lovely mum and sister ordered the girls some beautiful custom-made dresses from Monsoons and Mangoes for their birthdays. They love them so much that they’ve had to get their present early, as once tried on they could not be parted. I’m just hoping they wash well, as I see much wear in their future!

Aylish asked to go out and take photos in them today (had planned to do some on the weekend), so we filled a basket with daisies from our garden and I planned to take them down to a grassy field. On Aylish’s suggestion, we went to the beach first and then to Point Peron (had some time to kill before the light was right) and I snapped a few on the way. Finally we got to the grasses, Emmy ran in excitedly carrying the basket, slipped on the gravelly path and went straight over. Grazes to her hand, knee and ankle and she was distraught, howling and pouring tears. After much kissing and hugging and half a packet of bandaids, she managed to calm down but we decided to do the photos another day. Such a shock seeing her go over and the flowers fly out everywhere, I wish I took a photo but I guess that would be too mean!

Here are a couple of the shots we did get earlier on, expect to see these dresses again, most likely very soon

We’ve been taking the dogs down to the dog beach in Rockingham, as its pretty quiet this time of year and the dogs love running in the sand.

I keep meaning to take my camera with me so yesterday I did and here are some of the shots. Must remember to take my camera out more often for random photos

Whee!

Ick

My favourite

Just another sunset in the west

I took Miss Emerald out for her own photoshoot last weekend, all dressed up in a new red jacket that Nanny gave her for doing well at school. I did have pants picked out for her but she wanted to wear only the stockings!

Our first choice of location was rained out, so we drove to a little track I had spotted a few days earlier, which was luckily dry. Em had lots of fun modelling and Aylish and I took photos.

Love you Emmy

Its a bit off topic but I’m so excited that I just had to post about winning the Mothers Day raffle at school. I feel so happy and lucky

The hamper is packed full of goodies donated by members of the school community, lots of wine, chocolates, magazines, piles of pampering potions and lotions and vouchers for local businesses and services.

I am really looking forward to taking the family to Penguin Island and to the Environment Centre, choosing something lovely from Azure Mystique, going out to coffee at the Coffee Club, having some Craniosacral therapy and trying out some Qigong clases.

The girls were also very excited and eager to look inside:

Thanks Marsha for organising the raffle and the donations and thank you to everyone who donated items. I will be sure to enjoy them!