Family day at the arboretum

I finally had a weekend off. It has been 7 weeks since I had a full weekend off (and that was when Steve and Emy were out of town- so even longer since the 4 of us were together AND I had a weekend off). Anyways, this weekend the opportunity presented itself for me to have the entire weekend off. No shoots. No editing. Nothing.

I jumped at the chance. The weather was great. The kids were great. Steve was great. It was blissful.

Saturday morning we headed to the Dallas Arboretum. I am there fairly frequently but Steve and the kids have never been. The timing was perfect since the always beautiful arboretum still had two special exhibits going on- the pumpkin village and the Chihuly glass exhibit.

The kids (and Steve and I) had a blast! It wasn't that crowded and it was the perfect amount of exploration and playing for everyone.

Everything was perfect until we decided to stop at the outdoor cafe on our way out for a quick bit of lunch. I guess the birds around the cafe are used to getting fed because they kept landing on our chairs and table looking for scraps and it was scaring the daylights out of Emy and Ash. Literally, blood curdling screams every time  bird landed near. Steve and I were cracking up though. Bad parents:)

Family River Trip 2012

For the past few years, every summer we have taken an annual beach trip with friends. We look forward to it so much each year. There are normally at least 14 adults and 6 kids there (but often times many more). It is mass chaos but a lot of fun.

This summer we just could not justify going for so many reasons. We had so much on our plate and then we decided to add moving to our summer. That sealed the deal. No beach trip in 2012.

Knowing that we still wanted to get out of town at some point with the kids, we opted to take a weekend away at the River Ranch (Steve's parents place) in Johnson City. Steve's parents do not live there so it would just be our family, the river, nature and a little R&R.

The kids were super excited about the trip and having a "family adventure" and it turned out to be a fantastic weekend. The weather totally cooperated and was a little cooler than normal (only 89!!). Everyone slept great. And the kids really loved spending so much time outside.

As soon as we got there, Ashton wanted to stretch out on the couch while daddy unloaded the car.  

I have this dream of finding a fantastic nature-filled, overgrown, grassy are to shoot at sunset with clients. It just dawned on me that the river ranch is the perfect spot. Too bad it is 3 hours from DFW.  

 Waterfront sunset on Friday night.

 Saturday morning we took the kids on a nature scavenger hunt (thank you pinterest!). They had a

blast.

 

  We wore boots on the scavenger hunt because mommy was worried about snakes:)

 

Ashton showing off the rock he found for his scavenger bag. 

 

After the hunt we took a break and rode on the tire swing. 

 

 We made sure to take lots of gator rides.

 

 Ash riding the gator in daddy's lap. Not a perfect picture but considering we were traveling fast and I was holding Emy in my lap, I love it:)

 

Emerson still had plenty of time to ham it up. 

 

Changed into bathing suits and still hamming it up. 

 

The one picture I am in to prove that I was there:) 

 

    Cooling off and watching a few cartoons before naptime.

 

 Emy treating the rock wall like a balance beam. 

 

Ashton had a blast jumping off the bottom step into the grass. Over and over.

All boy. Could not get enough of walking around outside.

 After dinner swim with daddy. 

 

 All ready for bed.

 

I could not resist a few sunset shots with Emerson. I really should have done these Friday night because Saturday was pretty overcast, but they are better than nothing:)

 

 The key to Emy giving me a real laugh in photos? Saying the word "poop" in as many ways as possible. Don't worry, she knows that she is only allowed to say this word when we take pictures:)

 

  And Sunday I put away the camera. It was truly a wonderful weekend. I know the kids are already wanting to go back.

Easter 2012

Easter 2012. It was just lovely. Great sermon in church. Egg hunting. Cascarones. Family. Food. And a huge downpour that led to a house full of naps. It was perfect.

This years major failed attempt at getting a cute Easter picture of the kids. Huge huge fail.