Escape to The Country

Chris got a full two days off last weekend so we made a beeline to deep East Texas to visit family. We'd been itching to get up there for awhile and we knew that this might be our only chance for who knows how long. 

We really love going up to San Augustine  - not only because we get to see our family, but because of the isolation. Our phones really don't work up there - the service is in and out. Heck, I left mine in the car all weekend. The town is tiny - we're talking like 2000 people! It's a beautiful place with heavily wooded areas, red dirt roads, livestock, and friendly people. As soon as we enter the city limits we tend to take a deep breath and exhale - and immediately we're relaxed. Funny how that works!

We spent the weekend sleeping in, taking walks, exploring and taking pictures, visiting with Grandma til the wee hours of the morning on her front porch...it was fantastic!

The photog in me was excited to go up and take a ton of pictures. I don't know why, but the last time we visited I was too preoccupied to break out the camera. I made up for it this time though!
Here are a few of my favorites:

If you are interested in seeing the rest of the photos, you can find them on my Photography Facebook page OR on my Photography Blog.









 

Rainbow Smash

Last week,  I did my first Cake Smash photo shoot for a little boy who was turning one. So.much.fun! I was super nervous considering I'd never done one before but it really went off without a hitch! The little guy didn't want a whole lot to do with his cute little rainbow cake, but we made the best of it!

I learned a ton from doing the shoot - things I did right, things I did wrong, and things that I'll just do differently next time. There really is nothing like hands on experience! All in all I was satisfied with the 150 something photos I took! After editing, I still had a large collection to show my client and she loved them all! SWEET!

Here are a few of my favorites:

 

 

 

 

 

 
If you'd like to see the rest, you can head over to my photography blog or my photography Facebook fan page. I would love to hear your feedback!

Up Next: A maternity shoot!

South West International Boat Show - Family Fun on The Water!

This post is brought to you by my participation in a campaign with the South West International Boat Show and New Creative Media. 

Ladies (and gentlemen?), I have a really cool event to share with y'all! If you are anywhere near Houston (although this would be worth a drive!) and have a love of water sports (or beer and live music) you are going to want to be there! Coming to League City March 27th-30th is the South West International Boat Show; this show is the only in water boat show in Houston - and it's the largest in Texas! How cool is that?

I can see myself cruising in this ;) Photo Credit

Personally I love being in the water - pretty much any way you cut it! Be it by boat or jet ski; on the lake or in the river - count me in! I know at one point last summer I talked seriously about buying a boat and that thought is still in my head; unfortunately it won't be happening anytime soon. However, a little window shopping never hurt anyone! Besides - the South West International Boat show is NOT just a boat show!

As the Southwest’s premier Power and Sail Show, and the largest in-water boat show in Texas, the show will feature over 200 vendors and a display of every type of vessel, both freshwater and saltwater, from 10ft to 80ft at the South Shore Harbour Marina, and with plenty of free parking, and ongoing entertainment, there is no better place to go boat shopping whilst enjoying a great day out with the family.

Boat Show attendees will have access to Free Hourly Seminars throughout the four days of the Show, and both new and seasoned boaters have the opportunity to sign up for the Discover Boating on-water hands on skills training programs for both power and sail.

Other attractions within the Show will include The Haii Inc. Live Shark Experience , the Be A Diver Pool, a Craft Beer Tastings, and Live Bands each day.

This is more Chris' style. FAST. Photo Credit

This is a huge 4 day event that can be enjoyed by the entire family! There is a huge list of exhibitors, an extensive schedule of free seminars to further educate you on all different areas of boating, a party Saturday night with some amazing giveaways, opportunities for a free boat ride or scuba lesson, and so much more! PHEW! That's a lot - and there is still so much more! You could easily make a weekend of it! What a great way to get pumped up for summer!

Tickets aren't expensive, especially with this coupon, children under 5 get in free, and there is a discount for military (Thank You!) and seniors - OH! and the parking is free!

My family and I will definitely be there. Will you?
{This month's advertisement}

A St. Patrick's Day Anniversary

Happy St. Patrick's Day y'all! Are you wearing your green? I hope so; wouldn't want to get pinched!

I wanted to tell y'all a little story today; a little insight as to why St. Patrick's Day is important to me. Growing up, I never paid much attention to St. Patrick's Day. It was just a day where I had to make sure I wore green (or purposefully forget to) so that I wouldn't (or would! ha!) get pinched. It was always a fun day, but it came and went every year and I never gave it too much thought.

Rewind to St. Patrick's Day, 1998. My mom tells me that she is going out for drinks with a coworker and that she was taking me to her coworkers' house and I'd be hanging out with her 3 children for the evening. Oh, great - this ought to be good thought my 14 year old brain. I'd never met these people before and now I was going to be expected to socialize with them for God knows how long and this is going to be awkward! I had no idea how that one night would change the course of the rest of my life.

It's been 16 years since I was first introduced to those crazy (and I can say that because we're family!) people. Four people who have been incredibly important to me for over half of my lifetime. It's hard to believe that it's been 16 years.

That night I met an amazingly strong woman who has seen me through some tough times and who has been there for me any time I've allowed her to be. A woman who can make me crazy in one minute but whom I still admire and respect and turn to; a woman who has been a second mother to me.

That night I met my best friend. A girl who was shy and reserved and who I honestly thought I would never get along with. A girl who probably thought I was a total bitch at the time (I'm pretty sure that's accurate, right B?) and to be honest, I probably was. A girl that I eventually got to know and grew to love. A girl that has been my sister through it all.  A girl who grew up right alongside me and now is an amazing woman. We've been through hell and back together and in life in general but we always make it through to the other side. My best friend, of 16 years - where would I be without you?

 

 

That night I met two boys; both of whom have taught me some life lessons, both of whom I've loved like family since day one.  I had no idea that one of them would turn out to be the love of my life. That we would grow up as friends and eventually realize that we are soul mates. Never could I have imagined that the man I would someday fall in love with - that would someday be the father of my children -  was in the room that night. I would have never imagined that the annoying kid with a sling shot slingin' pennies at his sister would end up being my dream guy!

 

 

So you see, St. Patrick's Day isn't just a day about luck or wearing green - not for me. Although I'd have to say, luck was definitely on my side that day back in 1998. St. Patrick's Day is an anniversary date that I will never forget.

Through the good times and the bad - I love all of you guys! Happy Anniversary!

A Fun Photo Shoot With My BFF!

I got my DSLR over a year ago and ever since then I've been total click happy. I started out taking a million and one pictures of my kiddos on a daily basis. Then I started photographing nature every time we went to the park or the lake or on a hike. I really enjoy taking pictures of my surroundings. 

For months I've really been wanting to shoot someone else - another person - other than my kids! I finally begged my BFF and got her to break down and agree (it didn't really take much) to do a little photo shoot with  me. I have big dreams of actually being able to offer my photography services to others; while I'd have to say I'm not there yet - I'm definitely feeling inspired after our photo shoot! 

Check out a few of my favorites:

Well - what do you think? If you are interested in seeing the rest (please go see the rest!) you can visit my photography blog or my photography Facebook page! Words of encouragement and "likes" would be greatly appreciated! I'm really happy with how these photos turned out but I seriously need some feedback! 

{This month's advertisement}

Creativity Overload!

My creative juices have really been flowing lately - so much so that I'm a little overwhelmed! I've been in the mood to create, decorate, DIY and so much more! I've got so many ideas in my head that I keep skipping from one project to the other! Does that ever happen to you?

When Addison was younger I became obsessed with making hair bows for her - and as it turned out I was pretty good at it! I even started a little online boutique and did really well. I stopped selling bows on the side quite some time ago but last week (and late last night!) I broke out the bow supplies and got to work. Today was "rodeo" day at school so of course my girl needed a new western themed bow! It was a simple little project but I love the way it turned out.

Chris and I have been slowly picking up pieces of décor for our house; I swear I must be the luckiest girl ever because he LOVES looking for unique pieces with me. If I want to go junkin' he is up for it every time! Just the other day we found a gorgeous item for over our fireplace. We both spotted it as soon as we got out of the car and I'm pretty sure we both decided right then and there that we had to have it. It really changed the look of our entire living room and it looks fantastic with our red furniture!

A want to roll up my sleeves and DIY has appeared right alongside my desire to decorate. I've been perusing pinterest like a mad woman looking for fun projects that would make a good addition to our home. To say I have found plenty would be an understatement!

 

 

 

I'm thinking that once we've "finished" (because are we ever really finished?) decorating I will do a room by room home tour here on the blog if anyone is interested!

Last, but not at all least, yesterday I broke out the DSLR! I've been itchin' to take some photos and my BFF was up for an impromptu photo shoot! I was giddy with excitement and I was able to capture some fantastic shots. Hopefully I'll have them all edited this weekend and ready to share with you next week!

How do you release your creativity?

Happy Friday, friends; have a fabulous weekend!