New Year Traditions

Okay, so this is a little late but it's too beautiful not to document.

We've made it a tradition to go camping around Christmas and the New Year. It's a lovely time of year and we've got an absolutely gorgeous spot. There's a little cabin next to a creek and we're tucked in by rolling hills, trees, and the calls of native birds. It's perfect really. The first year we went I traipsed through the fields with Audrey gathering wildflowers and weeds to fashion into a flower crown for the girls. We took some photos and spun around enjoying our hard work and resolved to do it again next year.

This year was no exception and we went camping in the same beautiful spot with family. As we were packing up we braided another flower crown to document our little holiday.

Seeing these photos side by side fills me with pride at my beautiful girls and makes my heart ache a little at how fast they grow.

2014.

2015.

So here's to family holidays, little traditions that make things special, and soaking your children up before they grow up. Because they grow up way too fast.

xo

sixteen, seventeen, eighteen

”A portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2014."











My girls. I'm so proud to call you my own.

I love you.

Love, Mama

Previous portraits here:


Photos taken by my brother in law, Peter. Thanks, Pete!

12/52

”A portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Dinnertime is rarely picturesque around here but always always memorable.* This particular evening was very very messy, and silly, and lovely.

Previous portraits here:

*Sometimes in a I-want-to-pull-my-hair-out kinda way ;)

11/52

”A portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Audrey: Rosy cheeks and curly hair.
Margaret: Swinging a spoon round and round in the air.

Previous portraits here:

10/52

"A portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Audrey: Me and my girl.

Margaret: Me and my thug.

Previous portraits here:

9/52 + Zeal Acoustic Evening

Photos by Victor Alexeyev

"A portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Audrey: This photo really struck me with how Audrey's world looks to her. She'll often cling to my legs and beg to be lifted up and this powerful image shows just how overwhelming it might be for a toddler in an adult world.
Margaret: Clinging to her Papa before the show.

Previous portraits here:


The photos this week were taken by our friend Victor Alexeyev before an outdoor Zeal show here in Hamilton. Phil was headlining, so me and the girls came along for soundcheck. Victor snapped some beautiful shots of the evening and I had to share them with you and include the portraits of the girls in the 52 Project.

Click to see more shots of the Zeal Acoustic Evening

8/52

"A portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Audrey: You love your sister so much. Watching you two laugh together is the best thing ever.
Margaret: We spent the evening together as a family playing at the playground. I loved watching you quietly grin with those four little teeth as you swung on the swing. You were so pleased with yourself.

Previous portraits here:



This weeks portraits are iPhone pictures because life has been crazy. Also, I'm in love with these two photos.

7/52

Audrey: My curly haired wanderer/explorer.
Margaret: You remind me SO much of my Grandma Duna! It blows my mind every time I see your little smile.


Previous portraits here:



x

6/52

A portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Audrey: I recycled this photo from another post, but I'm using it again because I LOVE this photo. It captures your cheek and current personality perfectly. You're always picking and holding flowers whenever you can get your hands on them and your illustrated leg is just perfect ;)

Margaret: Your first tummy bug. You were sad and we cuddled. A lot.

Previous portraits here:



x

5/52

A portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Audrey: Your day was too much for you, sweet girl. You tried to keep your eyes open and just couldn't. x

Margaret: I don't remember what you had for dinner, only that you thoroughly covered yourself in it. Your papa lovingly wiped you clean afterward and it's little moments like these that I will always remember.

Previous portraits here:

4/52

A portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Audrey: 2 years 7 months.

Margaret: 7 months.

Previous portraits here:

3/52

"A portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Audrey: Your thirst for learning is always there. Whether it's to watch me and see how I do something or learning a tune on the piano, you never stop learning. This week you asked me to teach you how to write letters. I wasn't expecting it and I was surprised you understood the concept! You've learned about the concept of print upper and lowercase and cursive upper and lowercase. You can print an A, a, H, T, and t. I'm amazed.

Margaret: Sweet little Margaret. You love just to be near me and I love to be near you. On this particular morning you were content to lie next to me patiently while I read the Bible on our living room floor.

x

Previous portraits here:

2/52

"A portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Audrey: Audrey asks for a carrot to snack on every day. She loves her veggies. It's a special treat when one is ready fresh from the garden instead of from the refrigerator.

Margaret: Margaret has taken to solids like a champ. She fusses every time she sees us eating and she doesn't have something of her own to munch on. She likes fresh fruit, fresh and steamed veggies, crusts of bread, and... anything else she can get her cute little mitts on. She popped her first two teeth this week. Yay Margaret!

Previous portraits here:

1/52

"A portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Audrey: 2 1/2 years old.
Margaret: 6 months old.
We went camping over the holidays and I made some flower crowns for the girls made from wildflowers. My two little beauties, my loves.

32/52, 33/52

32/52


Audrey: Jam sandwiches.
Margaret: Milk.

33/52


Margaret: I love our little chats together, my sweet baby girl. You've always got eyes for me and never protest to our cuddles. Bliss.
Audrey: Your first foray into painting! I love watching you grow and learn. You asked for purple so I mixed red and blue paint and you looked at me like I was the most magical genius person in the world. I love being your hero.

Previous portraits here: