Archive for the ‘personal’ Category

my favorite subject

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Sunday was such a warm, sunny day, so I asked Mags if I could take some pictures of her in the backyard. She ran to her room and pulled this little dress out of her closet.  She hasn’t worn it in over a year, and the first thing I noticed was how long her legs have gotten. This dress used to hang down below her knees. I guess I can’t ignore that my little girl is growing up-much too fast for me.

mag-legs-duo.jpg

img_7252blog.jpg

img_7237blog.jpg

the Davis Mountains

Saturday, November 1st, 2008

a hiking we will go…

img_4180blog.jpg

img_4206blog2.jpg

We took advantage of our wedding-free weekend, packed up the fam, and headed to the Davis Mountains. It’s a 6-hour drive from Austin, and so worth it!

img_4141blog.jpg

My new favorite pic of Mags.

img_4121blog.jpg

img_4104blog.jpg

img_4185blog3.jpg

img_4173blog.jpg

This girl looooves bugs!

blog.jpg

img_4211blog2.jpg

img_4322blog.jpg

img_4219blog2.jpg

Come and get it!

img_4326blog.jpg

Maggie’s first hot chocolate experience. I adore this shot of CJ’s.

img_4245blog.jpg

img_4249blog.jpg

Getting ready for our big hike!

img_4265blog.jpg

It was the perfect day for a hike. We’re so proud of Mags for hiking 3.5 miles that day! (with just a little piggy-backin’.)

 img_4270blog.jpg

 img_4283blog.jpg

img_4295blog.jpg

 img_4307blog2.jpg

Maggie spotted this cool spider hanging out along the trail.

img_4303blog.jpg

McDonald Observatory is only a 20-minute drive from the Davis Mountains campground.  It’s actually part of the University of Texas and is known as the darkest observatory in the U.S.  I came here when I was in middle school on a science trip with my awesome 8th grade science teacher, Mr. Hoke.  They have huge telescopes and “star parties” 3 times a week where they do educational presentations on stars, the solar system, and also point out constellations. It’s amazing!!  You can see one of the larger telescopes in the background of this image.

img_4334blog.jpg

 img_4327blog2.jpg

This dome houses one of the “smaller” telescopes.

img_4341blog.jpg

img_4345blog.jpg

img_4349blog.jpg

img_4347blog.jpg

I didn’t have a tripod and it was pitch dark, so this was the best I could do.  Those stars were unbelievable, and you can even see the Milky Way.  You almost feel like you’re in a planetarium-it’s so surreal.  They had 4 different telescopes set up that we were able to look through. We saw Jupiter and it’s moons, and Venus.  Luckily the moon didn’t rise until 10pm that night so we picked a perfect night for star-viewing. If you’re planning a trip out here, definitely check out the phases of moon first. If the moon were out, we wouldn’t have been able to see near this many stars. It was spectacular!!

 img_4371blog.jpg

img_4398blog.jpg

 img_4403blog.jpg

I think CJ could’ve been an actor. In this next shot, he’s almost convincing me that he’s actually hanging on for dear life. Are you buying it?

 img_4412blog.jpg

img_4440blog.jpg

img_4433blog.jpg

After two nights of freezing in our tent, we decided to treat ourselves to some nicer accomodations at the Indian Lodge.  This hotel was built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corp.  I learned quite a bit about this program introduced by Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of the New Deal, during our stay.  This work-relief program provided jobs for thousands of un-employed men during the Great Depression, and was one of the most popular New Deal programs.  The CCC constructed buildings and trails throughout the U.S. in city, state, and national parks. They planted over 5 billion trees which helped to counteract the damage done to our U.S. forests by logging companies. The architecture of their structures are impressive in their design and in how they reflect the natural landscape and utilize native plants in their landscaping.

img_4451blog.jpg

Here’s some interior shots of the common area.

 ccc-duo.jpg

Maggie was especially excited about the pool. This area was added on at a later date.

img_4458blog.jpg

img_4474blog.jpg

This is an example of the original Santa Fe-style adobe construction.

img_4476blog.jpg

img_4480blog.jpg

Native Ocotillo.

img_4507blog.jpg

Here’s our little friend we found at the lodge.

img_4531blog.jpg

Maggie wasn’t scared a bit!

img_4655blog.jpg

img_4590blog.jpg

I spy a sleepy head.

img_4594blog.jpg

Marfa is only a 20 miles from Ft. Davis, so we decided to head into town for some grub and to check out the Marfa Mystery Lights.

img_4669blog.jpg

 Their pizza was delicious and rivaled Austin’s Homeslice Pizza-yumm…

img_4671blog.jpg

Our last stop along the way back to Austin was here, at Balmorhea State Park, which is home to the San Solomon Springs. The pool and bath house was also built by the CCC in the 1930’s. The springs remind me of Barton Springs here in Austin, although it’s far less crowded since it’s located in the West Texas desert. If you’re planning a trip to Big Bend or the Davis Mountains, I highly recommend packing your bathing suits and stopping here for a dip in the clear, cold springs.

img_4735blog.jpg

img_4695blog.jpg

img_4706blog.jpg

img_4715blog.jpg

img_4722blog.jpg

Maggie is Four!!

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

img_9409blog.jpgI can’t believe she’s already four! It seems like just yesterday that I was scrambling around frantically looking for her pacifier, or trying to maneuver her chubby little body into a baby wrap. Now she’s telling me which way to turn at intersections or which shoes go better with my outfit. Where does the time go….img_9405blog.jpgMy friend Rebecca who I’ve known since the 4th grade.img_9426blog.jpgMy friend Aimee’s cute kiddos, Madilyn and Ryan.img_9343blog.jpgCute couple alert! Mags and her buddy, Gregory.

img_9341blog.jpg

On the left, Lisa Wood’s adorable son, Titus. And Bonnie Berry’s happy boy, Sam, on the right.

titus-sam-duo.jpgMy friend Reynee and her chubby wubby wittle nephew, Edwin.img_9362blog.jpgThe jumping castle was a big hit!!em-dan-rox-duo.jpgSam is sooo expressive!img_9386blog.jpgMaggie’s party was somewhat of a reunion too. I’ve known all these gals (and guy) for over 20 years!!friends-duo.jpgSince CJ and I are always shooting weddings, Maggie is always so curious about brides, wedding dresses, heels, etc. Uncle Marquie thought she could use her own wedding dress. She loved it! Bridal pics to follow:)

img_9460blog.jpg

img_9470blog.jpgLisa’s daughter, Asia. Like mommy, like daughter.img_9449blog.jpgMaggie’s first Pop Rock experience.img_9482blog.jpgAre you ready to rock?!?img_9521blog.jpgimg_9535blog.jpgMy friend Jody’s cutie patootie son, Weston with my beautiful Mom.img_9600blog.jpgMy studio pardna Sarah Q’s cute-as-a-button little girl, Roxy.rox-duo.jpgRoxy Rae and Maggie Mae.img_9609blog.jpgHappy Birthday Baby!!