Mmmm...I love fall!

Too bad the day after I took these almost all the leaves had fallen off the tree. Welcome to fall in Texas.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As a child, we used to drive to Pflugerville and spend Thanksgiving with my aunts and uncles and cousins. They had a HUGE trampoline in the backyard and we used to spend hours playing on it. And now, my sister lives in Pflugerville and THEY have a huge trampoline in the backyard and so of course we all had to have some Thanksgiving fun "tramping on the jumpoline" (as my uncle used to say).

There is nothing like a good game of Crack the Egg.

And we even got Nana to take a turn...

Lookin' good Nana!

Oops! Here's the slip!

Are you ok Nana?

Luckily everyone was ok and we went on to have a fabulous meal prepared by my sister Melanie and my brother-in-law Andy.

And we ended our evening with a preview of the Christmas musical that Logan and Lauren will be in this December.

Hope eveyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving!!!!

The Relles

So I finally took a break from Downtown McKinney and headed to a new location! Luckily the Relles were up for a little photo shoot this afternoon.

I love that everyone has the same expression in this shot. :)

One of the girls in my photography class had this shot on her blog and I couldn't help but try to recreate it. I hope she doesn't mind!

Mr. Blue Eyes

Every once in a while you capture the true personalities of a family and today it happened. Sorry Jenn but I had to post it. :)

I really think that this should be their Christmas card this year...but somehow I think it won't make the cut. It sure does make me laugh, though.

Thanks Nick, Jenn, and Jack! I had fun.

Baton Rouge

I love visitng Lousiana. The trees, the land, the history. It has always interested me and I always have a great time when I go. However...there is always one thing that makes my pulse race, my palms sweat, and leaves me with a strong desire to turn around and head back to Dallas.

And it is right around this curve...

Oh yes...there it is. A bridge. And not just any bridge. A bridge over water. And not just any water. A bridge over the Mississippi River.

And here we are on it. And instead of holding my breath and closing my eyes like I normally do, I found that if I concentrate on taking pictures while crossing the bridge I won't think about plunging over the side and not being able to unlock the doors as we sink to the bottom of the staf infected Mississippi River. And then trying to decide which would be worse...being trapped in the car or actually having to swim in the Mississippi. It's a toss up.

But we made it....and thank goodness we did because on the other side of the bridge was a photography class that I had been dying to take.

Karen Russell's One Day Photographers' Workshop

My partner in crime on this crazy adventure was the fabulous Jennifer Relle.

Armed with her bag o' meds we were ready for our 9 hour class. And let me tell you it was 9 of the most intense hours I have ever experienced.

Here is Jenn at about hour 5. We had a few set backs in the beginning of the class. Apparently we missed the email that they were NOT providing tables and we needed to bring clipboards to write on. Also, it seemed we didn't take the first email seriously about bringing a pillow for the ghetto plastic chairs that we had to sit in for 9 hours. So on our lunch break Jenn and I hit the WalMarts and bought some tailgate chairs and clipboards. And I have to say that it was the best $20 I have spent in a long time.

Here is a picture of the amazing Karen Russell. She made the class fun and meaningful despite the chair situation. :)

Thank you Jenn for going with me! (See, we don't have to be in our 20s to have a crazy road trip.) And thanks to the Anties! Always wonderful hosts and I can't wait to come back.

Well...almost.

The Red Tutu

I love working with this little diva. You may remember her from the Pink Tutu post. However, this photo shoot was planned and after a serious case of "momma's girl", I think we may have gotten some pretty good shots.

Willow and her momma, Robin.

The red tutu.

Pretty girl playing peek - a - boo.

Now these last two may require some help...

Do you like her with the lollipop??

Or without???

I just couldn't choose a favorite!

Happy Birthday Cheeky Monkeys!

Yesterday, two of my favorite little boys in the whole wide world celebrated their 1st birthday!

Here's a couple of family shots!

Mmmm....Cake.

Open mouth...insert icing.

Then their Aunt Pat gave them their first haircut. Deacon was not too happy about the idea.

Finished product! Still just a handsome and we still have those beautiful curls.

Drake took it like a pro.

Cute little man!

Happy Birthday Deacon and Drake. We love you so much and are so lucky that we all live close enough that we can enjoy watching you grow up!