A true inspiration..{Niagara Family Photographer}

Introducing, the much anticipated...Verna & family. Verna was the winner of the recent "Inspire me Mom" giveaway.


Let me share with you once again, her nomination letter that I received from the eldest of her grandchildren, Julie.

I would love to nominate my grandmother, Verna Collini, as mother of the year. My grandmother is mother to seven children ranging from ages 36 to 56 and she is grandmother to thirteen children age 32 and under with one more due next month and she is great grandmother to three babies under the age one. My grandmother spent her life raising children and grandchildren - that has been her career. She spent her life teaching, cooking, cleaning, sewing, reading, singing, dancing. In addition she was a dedicated wife to Tony Collini who suddenly left our extended family this past January. While my aunt, uncles and cousins cried our hearts out and sobbed all over each other during the emotional funeral services my grandmother was a pillar of strength - we attribute that to her strong sense of faith as she is an active member of St. Alfreds Parish, the Catholic Women's league and the Right to Life Association. I am thirty and the eldest granddaughter; my mother is the eldest child to Verna Collini. Since my mother married in 1975 she has started the tradition of joining her family for Sunday dinners, a tradition that continued as each child grew up, moved out and had children. Our family is now well known as the family that still eats a meal around a big table as all 30 members of this family join together to eat Sunday dinner. My grandmother prepares either all meals or at least a major dish and has generally hosted in her basement. Her famous dish is her spaghetti and meatballs made from scratch and enjoyed by everyone more than any other food in the world! I would love to have a random spaghetti dinner portrait session done to capture a magical family sunday dinner that is a part of our world thanks to grandma."

And here's how it all went down...

Meet Verna...a true matriarch. 

always with one of two things in hand..a child or a dish.

one big happy family!

Four generations of beautiful women!

a family where the men help set the table...well....sometimes;)

the feast:)

the Hosts!




Thank you for having me and for sharing your tradition with us. Sarah:)


Be sure to leave this family some blog Love in the comments section below!!!