Sweetness comes in small packages...

"We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
I can't remember a time I met such a happy, smiley little guy - James you are tooo sweet and I could have snapped at you all day with your big blue eyes and gorgeous smile.

I just love little tushies!!!

What a charmer - Bronagh, you're in trouble with this one!

Two adorable brothers...

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero. ~Marc Brown
And how true is this quote in our house right now with the Superhero obsession going on with my kids - well, mostly Jack, but he's dragging everyone else with him! But onto two other boys...
The Cheung brother are two of the most adorable little boys ever. I could just eat them up and they reminded me so much of my boys - the older, more petite, sensitive yet playful one and the younger big bruiser of the family. I loved how they interacted with one another and the bond that is building into what will inevitably be a close and long lasting realtionship of brotherly love. It was so wonderful to meet these two sparks and their fab parents.
Absolute perfection in cuteness!

-Funky hair and dimples to die for!

The big boy with the big brown eyes...

Quirky Weddings

I have been featured on this week's Quirky Weddings newsletter. How exciting. And this is what they had to say...

Zoe Heatherington Photography

Vibrant Photography

Couples! Choose a wedding photographer you connect with personally. I'm always saying it, but it's true. They're right there with you all day so you need someone who makes you feel confident and puts you at ease. When I think of my first meeting with Zoe, it was her personal energy that stood out. She is engaging, vibrant and fun. I can imagine my guests enjoying her photographing them. Couples she's worked with always comment on how accurately she caught the feeling of the event. Find out for yourself...



Check it out - it's a great resource for anyone getting married!
www.quirkyweddings.co.uk

My Mom...

What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies. ~Rudolph Giuliani
She's come and gone...but we did a lot and had a lot of fun and most importantly, Nana and her grandchildren spent invaluable time together. After 4 months of not seeing their "Canadian Nana" it was fascinating to watch how quickly my three re-bonded with my mom. Even Ben, for whom 4 months is a lifetime, ran straight into the willing arms of his nana. And it wasn't long before he was confident enough to shout at her and tell her when she was "bold". Emma and my mom are buddies - Mom is so encouraging to her (even when I am losing my patience - especially when I am losing my patience!). She talks to her as an equal - showing her how to knit and asking her about school. I see how much they adore each other and treasure their time together. And as for Jack, well, he has A LOT of energy (as Mom quickly realized) but Mom enjoyed his humour, games of make believe and the sensitive Jack as he shed a tear when it was time for his Nana to go - as is evident in this last photo which we took before heading to Dublin to go to the airport.

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving
Yup - this is my Mom. My truest friend, who always makes me feel good even when I am feeling low. I miss having her near on a day to day basis, so I try to make the most of our visits to squeeze in quality time (between crazy children, crazier dog, tummy bugs, and the general bedlam that is our house). I love you Mom, always remember that and you mean the world to me. I loved our time together and am already looking forward to the summer with you. Thank you for everything. You have taught me so much and I hope I can be half the mom to my children that you are to me.

Home for Christmas...

Ahhh, the holidays - a time for families to get together, both near and far. I have been so fortunate to have my mom over from Canada and the kids are lovin' having her here too! Apart from a tummy bug raging through our house it has been a wonderful Christmas. I have no doubt the same festive celebrations are taking place at the McClelland and co. households - family over from America and a chance for the cousins to spend time together and have some good ol' family fun!
Here is a sneak peek of your photoshoot...


Love the hand-holding!

How I miss the sun, the heat and home...

Well it's written in the wind
For the story to begin
I will go back to my kin across the sea
And the bird that's on the wing and is flying free
He can hear the song of home endlessly
-Van Morrison
Well the cold weather has certainly hit Belfast. Blustery winds, rain and that chill to the bone feeling that makes you want to crawl into your jammies and sit by the fire. And though Canada is never far from my mind, when the chill hits after the summer I think back to the fab summer I just had and wish I could transport myself back there. Back to the sun, the heat and of course my loved ones. Instead, I'll look forward to cozy sweaters, long evenings, Christmas with mom here and fun with the kids and know that the warmer days will be back again. But, let's just have one last look...
Kids in the cornfields

naked babes and cheeky grins

sun-kissed cuddles

gorgeous lakes and cottage life

grandparents' love

Miss you Canada - until we meet again in 2012!

How much fun are the Stevensons...let me count the ways...

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

Another favourite family of mine and friends to myself and my own family are the gorgeous, halarious and soooo much fun.....Stevensons!!! Pauline and I met at university oh so many years ago and have shared MANY things together over the years - particularly our fun-filled summers spent together in Barrie. It is so wonderful to have Pauline and her gang so close by and to share the fun with our husbands and children. By far the best hosts, we always look forward to visiting them (great food, the funniest stories, lovely cocktails, a pool and a hot tub and happy children playing together - seriously...is this heaven or what?) But what I want to know is when are you coming back to Ireland to let us repay your generous hospitality and have a bit of Irish craic?
This is one fabulous family and we Heatheringtons miss them loads and are already looking forward to Pool Party 2012!

Big time cutie-patootie Brenna with the most amazing eyes - look close - one is brown and one is green - how awesome!

Mr. Hockey himself - Liam the coolest goalie in town

Two sun-kissed blondies...

It is always fun with Paul, Pauline, Brenna and Liam!