Today is Avery’s birthday.

She is thirteen…..a teenager!

Av is the helper in the family, anyone needs help she is usually right there!

She loves to bake!

I thought she would grow up and be a chef, she wants to be a doctor……….

She wants to work with Doctors without borders.

She is a giver, not one to complain much.

She has the best giggle ever!

That’s actually what we did this morning. I woke her up and we laid in her bed giggling, probably too long, should of been up doing this and that. but didn’t. my girl turned 13 today, time is flying, I am going to enjoy every giggle and snuggle.

Happy Birthday Avery!  Keep dreaming big, you can accomplish anything if you throw your heart into it!

You can change the world, you go babe!  xoxoxoxo

Our “My Mom Rocks” Contest had an incredible amount of nominations! It is so fantastic to see all the respect and love everyone has for their Momma’s.

Weeks ago when the contest started, I had an entry the very first day…. I sat down at night to read it…. here it is….

“My mom is AWESOME!
She is such a kind person, she is very creative & loves to help other people.
She constantly has a smile on her face. She makes the best out of every situation. She is always there for my sisters & I. My mom drives my sisters & I to dance 6 days a week without complaints, she makes sure we are always happy & having fun. My mom has a great sense of humor & can always cheer me up. My mom really is a “super mom” When i’m older i hope i can be just as awesome as her.”

I few sentences triggered some familiarity in my life. So I scrolled down to see the person who submitted the nomination, was Shelby, my oldest daughter.  She nominated me!! Obviously I cant’ win, but I will tell you. It is totally these little moments that confirm whatever I am doing, I am doing something right. lol 2 of my girls are teenagers and living a rollercoaster of emotions, , It is nice to read this and yes they do appreciate our effort, time, awwwe  they really do love me! lol

Anyways enough of my very proud mommy moment (I could share my mother’s day cards but I will leave that for another time).  Choosing a winner for the contest was hard, very hard!  I ended up recruiting some family & friends to read the entries and help decide.

We are so very excited to announce the winner is      ”Rochelle VanDerwater” and she was nominated by her daughter.

We are really looking forward to scheduling this special family portait session with this family!  Happy Monday everyone!!!!

You see this girl……

It is her birthday,
and there are a few birthday’s that rock my world.
this is one of them.
my introduction to motherhood.
my amazing first born.
the leader of my pack.

she is turning “14″ today. Getting ready to graduate public school.

this is a girl with big dreams, great determination and a heart of gold.

Keep your eye on her, she is going to soar!

I am so very proud to be her mama!

Happy Birthday Shelb, i am honour to watch you grow and shine. Follow your dreams, never settle and go change the world!
I am so proud of you. oxoxoxo

With my oldest getting ready to graduate grade 8. I realized I have been making lunches for 10 years!!

The dreaded job of making school lunches! The excitement for summer holidays ~ a break from making lunches. Each week trying to think of new and exciting heathly snacks for lunches.

Well Jamie Schultz from www.thislunchrox.com is helping our house have yummy, fun healthy lunches! So I thought I would share her website with all of you!

So go check out Jaime’s website and let us know what you make!

“My Mom Rocks!” Mother’s day Portrait contest.

We want you to tell us why your mom rocks!

This Mother’s Day ~ give your mom a gift that will be cherished for years to come.

Tell Julie Rhodes Photograhy why “My Mom Rocks!” Nominate your mom and tell us why she deserves to win a family portrait session!! Get mom out from behind the camera and in the portraits on the wall!

Click on the link “My Mom Rocks” and fill out the form to nominate your Mom!

Contest Details:
1. WHO: Open to anyone with a mom. You may enter on behalf of a child to young to write, just enter that info in the required spot on the form.

2. HOW: Use our form and write alittle about why your mom rocks. Please limit your entries to 500 words so the judges won’t have a hard time.;) You will receive an email confirming your entry has been received within 24 hours of submitting.

3. WHEN: All entries must be submitted by 11:59pm, Sunday, April 24, 2011.
and the winner will be announced right here on Mother’s day, Sunday, May 8, 2011

The winner will get a FREE on location family portrait session and a $100 portrait credit. The portrait session must take place by August 1, 2011 and within Chatham Kent.

4. QUESTIONS? If you have any questions, please email us at julie@julierhodesphotography.com

Finally the snow is gone, and spring is fast approaching! Little bits of green are popping up all over the place.
I can’t wait to feel the warm sunshine!

It’s time to start thinking about your Spring Portraits!

Today’s friday favourite goes out to CK Child Magazine! The brand spankin’ new  2010 Winter issue is now available. You can visit the website to find out where to pick up a copy around Chatham Kent. But we do have it up in the studio!

Julie Rhodes Photography is so excited to be a part of the CK Child team and we are getting ready to kick off the 2nd annual CK most adorable munchkins contest, you can see details on the facebook page or the latest updates on the blog!

Look for the 2010 Winter issue! We had a blast setting up for this cover shoot.

Clothing from The Tickle Truck.

Photography by Julie Rhodes Photography

Magazine CK Child

Ahhh Halloween! I love it! We have been so busy this year, I thought maybe we would squeak through halloween with costumes from years past, unfortunately or maybe fortunately I have passed some of my creative juice onto my girls and there was no way they were wearing a costume twice. So last thursday night before I left for an overnight wedding we racked our brains, searched the stores for the perfect disguise. Our costumes usually start with one piece that triggers the idea.

I totally love dressing everyone up (even Kirk) but hate dressing up myself! I am totally content to curl up on the couch, with the t.v. to myself, and my laptop on my knee. It is my first weekend in awhile off and it is nice to have the house full of giggling girls. This may have influenced Kirk’s costume tonight. Poor guy, I am sure there are some days he wishes for just a little testosterone in the house. He had 6 girls helping him get ready! lol
On to the pictures

Carsen’s costume this year started with the beautiful white dress, I wasn’t sure but she soo loved it. Once we found the perfect wig, the “Ice Princess” came to life.

Avery was set on being a vampire this year, I am sure it has absolutely nothing to do with Edward or Bella from the Twilight series. I love her red hair. Her costume started with the vampire teeth and the black and red tutu.

Shelby was the difficult one this year. Not sure what to be, a pirate, a hippy ~ time was running out. I thought of a “forest fairy” and she loved it. The dollar store was the perfect place for all our “extras” and we were looking for a simple brown cloak, but when we saw this copper dress with wings, we knew it was perfect! I love how Shelby gets right into the role!

And then we have Kirk ……………