The Lewis Family

Allow me to introduce you to the lovely, warm, fun-loving, cheerful and beautiful Lewis Family, who I had the honor of photographing in Cohasset this past weekend.

I met Suzanne, one third of the Just Us Gals, at this event and was excited to meet her mom, sister and boyfriend as well as the latest edition to the family: French bulldog puppy Pierre, who is just the cutest lil' guy!

Photographed at the end of summer while the grass was still green, the water still sparkling, and the shade of the trees telling stories that would make Autumn jealous....

Whale Watching, Cape Ann

“Consider the subtleness of the sea; how its most dreaded creatures glide under water, unapparent for the most part, and treacherously hidden beneath the loveliest tints of azure. Consider also the devilish brilliance and beauty of many of its most remorseless tribes, as the dainty embellished shape of many species of sharks. Consider, once more, the universal cannibalism of the sea; all whose creatures prey upon each other, carrying on eternal war since the world began. "
― Herman Melville, Moby Dick

I've never been whale watching before, so when my sister got all of us tickets for my birthday in July, I was BEYOND thrilled about the prospect!

It's incredible that we're able to venture out, far out, into the Atlantic ocean, where deep, DEEP waters hide these wondrous creatures and if you're lucky you get to hang with the whales for a bit. How awesome is that? I can't even...

They.are.amazing.

Smooth, gentle, ENORMOUS. I felt very small. We all did.

Come with me to Gloucester, Massachusetts where we set off from Cape Ann one early morning...

Hello Molly: Cake Smash

Remember sweet baby Molly who we met last year? She just turned ONE!

To celebrate her big birthday, I thought a Cake Smash photo session would be a terrific idea. You get to eat your cake and smash it, too, right?

Little did we know, Molly doesn't like cake all that much....

Still, she was an absolute trooper and did an amazing job!

Happy 1st Birthday Molly!

Vancouver: Capilano Suspension Bridge

I used to be terrified of heights, but have been overcoming my fear with rollercoasters, rock-climbing and now, traipsing over the Capilano Suspension Bridge in British Columbia (also the longest and highest suspension bridge in the world)!

It was a lot sturdier than I thought, and our little introductory tour of the site helped...especially knowing that it's no longer made out of hemp rope and cedar planks!

The Capilano (First Nations name Kia'palano, meaning "beautiful river") bridge crosses over the Capilano River, 70 metres (230 ft) above and 140 metres (460 ft) across, and has since been rebuilt with steel cables anchored into 114 tons of concrete. They say it can carry 1333 people.

But it still sways. Very much, so.

(Too bad Instagram video didn't exist a couple of weeks ago, that would have been perfect!)

The new edition to the other end of the bridge is the Treetop Adventure, various smaller suspension bridges created in 2004 that allow you to trek through the trees with a birds-eye view of all the beautiful age-old greenery that Vancouver is known for. It started raining a little, but we couldn't even tell for the lush canopy overhead.

Vancouver: a thing of beauty

If you follow me on Instagram, you may recall that we were in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago.

I had never been before, and had always heard how beautiful Vancouver is, how green, how lush, how the mountainsblahblah blah.

You guys, SHE IS A THING OF BEAUTY!!

MIND. BLOWN.

Here's a 2.5 hour walk to and from Stanley Park.

Introducing: Theo

Introducing a new member to my sister's family...his name is THEO! He's a schnoodle (a poodle and a schnauzer) and just a puppy and absolutely adorable.

Here he is hanging out on a Saturday.

Welcome to the family Theo. xo

Boston: Spring 2013

“There is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers

Stay Strong Boston.

Boston: Boston Marathon 2013

Yesterday tragedy struck close to home.

It's unsettling to think that bad things can happen anytime, anywhere.

Lives were lost, so many brutally injured and the rest are in shock, that a city, just trying to host a marathon, can't do so in peace.

I was supposed to meet Danielle yesterday at the finish line at 3pm, and was talking to Ana on Twitter about doing the same.

I was hesitant to leave the house, taking longer than usual to get dressed, dilly-dallying in the weirdest way, which is strange, because I'm always up for photographing events in the city and normally would have been out much earlier.

I was half an hour late, I got there at 3:30pm, wondering why so many people looked distraught, some crying. I wondered why everyone was on their phones. I wondered why there were so many ambulances and cop cars racing by, more than average for a marthon, I thought. Then I overheard someone say there were two explosions at the finish line.

I'm so thankful that both Danielle and Ana are safe, and that those we knew who were either running or volunteering in the area are also okay.

I'm so touched by all the family and friends who reached out via phone, text, email and tweets, even Instagram friends who reached out, and I thank you for your thoughts and concern.

We continue to mourn those who were killed and pray for those who are injured. Boston is one of the strongest cities that I have come to know since living here, and I know that we will be able to persevere.

"All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Vermont: Stowe Mountain Lodge

You know how you picture "skiing in the mountains" to be? Snow, skiis, hot chocolate, a log cabin, a fireplace and alpine sweaters?

That's exactly what Stowe Mountain Lodge is like! We even lucked out with maple taffy treats courtesy of Slopeside Syrup, scored a free gondola ride to the top and back, while having a great view of my hubby skiing down.

All in all a good ski weekend, I'd say!

Vermont: Stowe, Green Mountain Inn

If you're ever in Stowe over Easter weekend, like we were, where not a whole lot is open, and the town is quite deserted, you had better have booked a room at the Green Mountain Inn.

With all the cosiness and history of a charming lodge, all the ammenities you could ask for, all the luxury in the rooms (that you never want to leave!) and all the Green Mountain coffee you could drink, it's a wonderful place to stay.

I wasn't even paid to say so!

Vermont: Stowe, Von Trapp Family Lodge

By show of hands..who has seen The Sound of Music? Everyone. Like, everywhere, right?

I'd always wanted to visit the Von Trapp Family home in Stowe, Vermont (read their story, here) and with Spring nearly upon us, the time was now! I'm not much of skiier but give me a good lodge and a fireplace and I'm all set.

With five of us in one car, a pair of skiis wedged between, and beautiful scenic views along the way, we took off to Stowe, Vermont.

Here, the Von Trapp Family home, and lunch and beer at the Von Trapp Deli Bakery and Brewery!

Boston: Pillow Fight 2013

International Pillow Fight Day took place on April 6 at North Point Park in Cambridge, this year.

At precisely 3pm, it was game on!

I got pummeled in the head a few times (because I was carrying a pillow and trying to get some shots) in the center of all the action! I managed to swing a few myself, too.

Will you join in next year?

Fly Porter

Ever since Toronto introduced the "Toronto Island Airport" I've been a fan. A city airport? What a great idea! First it was the convenience of it being in the heart of the city and the incredible Porter lounge, outfitted with MACs and a kitchen with Starbucks beverages, and all the snacks you could want.

Soon, the service and reliability of flying Porter became apparent and now, it's expanding! Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will soon have a pedestrian tunnel between the mainland and the island. As it stands now, the ferry ride between the two may not make much logistic sense although it serves as a nice break for passengers to take in the gorgeous Toronto skyline.

India: Delhi: Rajghat

When in Delhi, it is only fitting to visit Rajghat, the memorial site of Mahatma Gandhi.

The black marble slab marks the cremation site, while an eternal flame burns in a glass box and the words "Hai Ram" (Oh God) in Hindi are inscribed on the front. Words which are thought to have been Gandhi's last.

For both young and old, tourists and locals, it is a popular site of meditation, worship and respect.

India: Delhi: Red Fort, Jump

Here's a jump shot from the Red Fort in Delhi to jump start your weekend!

Have a good one!