A week of rest and adventures

This is the second year in a row that I've managed to escape with my children and a good friend to Burnet, Texas where we lounge, sleep, read, and eat.  It's a much needed respite from the monotony of the washing machine, the phone, the housework, and the sultry Houston heat.  This year 3 of the 4 children are old enough to go to Christian camp in Marble Falls where they refer to their counselors as chiefs and maidens and embark on adventures that involve bows, arrows, canoes, and tribe time.  It's a good time, indeed.

Here are the babies LAST year in 2009.  Bailee was the only one old enough to attend camp.

Here they are on a pit stop we made in Taylor, Texas THIS year in 2010 on our way to Burnet.  

And here are our little indians on their first day at camp. 

  

Micah & Company

I got to see the McCall family and meet their  baby girl, Micah.  She was such a good baby in the steamy weather conditions.  She was a trooper as long as she could stand it.   Jeana and her sister, Jennifer, once owned a most wonderful daycare business in our small town.  It was the first daycare my son attended when he was just a few months old.  I consider their children extremely fortunate to have mommies that are so skilled with children.  In fact, it is because of them that my son successfully transitioned to solids 6 years ago.  I might still be feeding him out of a Gerber jar had it not been for their guidance :)  Thank you!  

Here is the sweet McCall family. 

I'll be signing in from Burnet, Texas this week.  Check back here!

 

South First Street

I just wanted to share some images of one of my Austin locations.  This were taken on South First Street.  As you can tell it's a very funky and colorful area, but because we'll be shooting on sidewalks alongside a relatively busy street this might be a better spot for couples or families with older kiddos.  The shoots on S. 1st Street will be Saturday July 17th at 5 and 6 pm.  I still have one 6 o'clock slot for Taylor and both St. Edwards slots are open.  For more information on Austin shoots click right here!

The Roeders: A family shoot in Taylor Texas

So much to say.  So little time to bore you with.  Hang with me.

First, I have to say that I had a most wonderful one night getaway to Austin, Texas to scout locations for upcoming shoots.  Between spending time with beloved friends, eating dinner outdoors at Zocalo's, cupcakes from Sugar Mama's , shopping on South Congress, and a Leslie sighting I was a little nostalgic for life in central Texas amidst the rivers, the hills, and the culture.  Thank you, Katy, for being such an awesome hostess and to the Roeders for coming to my rescue when lost or fear-stricken on the side of the tollway.

Second, I think I'm ready to firm up the Austin dates and locations in July.  I'm sooooo, sooooo, soooo excited about the possibilities. 

Friday July 16th  Taylor, Texas (near Round Rock)  5 pm and 6 pm

Saturday July 17th St. Edwards University (in Austin)  8 am and 9 am

Saturday July 17th South First Street (South Austin) 5 pm and 6 pm

Since this is a trial run for me, I'll be charging the same base price of $250, but I need to at least book 3 shoots in order to pay for the trip.  Also, the shoot must be paid in full via paypal by July 2nd.  Should I not be able to make the trip because I don't  have at least 3 shoots booked I will promptly issue a full refund.  

May I ask a favor???  If you have any friends or family in the Austin area that might be interested in a shoot would you mind directing them my way?  I'll be most thankful.  Throughout the week I'll have pictures up of the three locations I'll be using so check back!

Taylor, Texas was not on my mind as far as being one of the locations I use, but it was too cute to pass up.  I met the Roeders (long time friends) in Taylor for a family shoot and I think you'll agree that the character of the town is so unique.  Jonathan and I grew up together and ran in the same circle of friends throughout high school so I must say that it's a little weird to see him be fatherly and act like an adult.  I kind of wanted to sock him in the arm and tell him to quit pretending to be mature.  I restrained myself.  Vanessa, his gorgeous, and oh-so-talented wife has long been an artist that I admire and respect.  Aside from being beautiful and talented, she's sweet, too.  Their little ones are adorable in every way and it was so nice to see them all.

Grayson

Baby Grayson made his debut just a few short weeks ago.  I photographed Dylan, his older brother, when he was a newborn just a few short years ago, but when I walked in and saw Grayson it was like photographing Dylan all over again.  It has been a while since I've shot a newborn and it was nice to change it up a bit and go back to simplicity.   Congratulations Milton, Jenny, and Dylan.  He is a beautiful boy.

 

The O'Day Family Take 2

I met the O'Day family at Christmas time and they were so charming.  They are as charming as they look.  I was happy that Katy contacted me again for another set of pictures and while we had a little bit of trouble the first go-round we were successful the second time.  Little Mia was feeling a bit under the weather, but she was such a trooper.  The O'Day family runs a long established family drilling business and so Katy thought it would be fun to incorporate the family business into the pictures.  It turned out to be a great idea.  The pictures are still fun,quirky, natural, and personal...stark contrast from the traditional business head shot, right?

The O'Day Family

This week you were supposed to see the O'Day family, but 10 minutes into our shoot the torrential downpours began.  So...you'll be seeing them in their full glory once we have rescheduled.  In the meantime, a teaser.

1.  Have I mentioned Heartspun is on Facebook??

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heartspun-Imagery/117472168294458?ref=ts

2.  Have I mentioned I'll be shooting in Austin the weekend of July 16th through the 18th?  I'll be booking 6 shoots at the most.  Details coming later this month.

3.  Have I mentioned how much I've enjoyed being outside with the kids until the sun has set?

4.  Have I told you how much I enjoy watermelon for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?  Any tips on consistently picking a good one?

5.  Perhaps I've told you how we're simply relocating the baby shampoo to the back porch for the kids' evening showers with the water hose?  They consider outdoor bathings to be quite the luxury.

Regardless, thank you for letting me share.