.paul + elise. new westminster quay engagement photography

I love this couple. And not just because they bought my kids ice cream. I mean, who buys their photographer's children ice cream at their engagement session??? Paul + Elise. (See if you can find a picture in the blog post!) They are that couple..the kind that sparkles and just oozes love and beauty. After several years together, these two will tie the knot this summer in a what I know will be a gorgeous, backyard wedding. After meeting them, Steve and I are even more excited for their big day. 

Being that it is spring in the West Coast, our session day dawned with rainy clouds and grey skies. Paul + Elise chose to have their session by the market at the New Westminster Quay, close to their home. I am SO thrilled with how these turned out...how there just happened to be a beautiful indoor wall planter, and colorful flower carts. The couple are also huge fans of the movie UP, which is where the balloons and one of their favorite Victorian homes in the neighborhood came in to play...

.maya turns five.

Our precious middle daughter turns five today. This past weekend we celebrated with friends and family, and a "frozen" themed birthday party. A few days before that, as we drove to one of our favourite spots to take her five year portraits, Steve spotted a path we had never noticed before and away we went. It was so chilly, but Miss Maya, proudly posed and played in her chosen sweater and headband as mommy and daddy took turns taking pictures of her.
Maya has the sweetest little spirit. This September, she will start kindergarten and join her big sister at school. I will miss my sidekick. Maya is a thoughtful, funny, earnest and kind girl. She helps me cook most meals and shares so well with her not so generous younger sister. She recently told me her new boots were so big, that they went all the way up to her leg shoulders…she meant knees…but I just looked at her sweet face in the rear-view mirror of the van and willed her to call them leg shoulders forever. Although I know she sometimes feels a bit of the middle child "syndrome," it is our prayer that she will never doubt how incredibly important, beautiful and loved that she really is. Happy birthday my sweet baby girl.