Saturday, July 23, 2011

Off to the coast we go!!

We've just returned from our highly anticipated summer vacation to Galveston TX. Anyone who knows me, knows that my heart was left in California many years ago and I love nothing more than to sink my toes in the sand and just listen to the motion of the ocean. I was sooo excited to see Sawyer's reaction and find out if this kiddo really is mine.



Our trip actually started because I desperately wanted to attend a photography workshop with Lindsay Moore of Fabulous Occasions (Be sure to visit her Facebook Page to see more awesomeness!). I was super excited when Lindsey decided to offer a summer workshop and couldn't think of a better way to start my vacation.

Check out some of my shots from the workshop

I can not say enough good things about this workshop or Lindsay. Her passion for photography is refreshing and contagious. Her warm & welcoming personality and that she prefers being barefoot (me too!) won me over instantly. I aspire to someday have her capability of showcasing what she sees through her eyes into a photograph. What really hit home personally was the end of her workshop her final words were to the effect that it doesn't matter what camera you have or what you know about photography. It's about capturing a moment that you may never have again. A photo doesn't have to be logistically perfect in order to evoke emotion. Photography is art and is subjective. No one can tell you your photography is bad or wrong.

I encourage anyone in the area or with the means of traveling to Kingwood Texas (just outside of Houston) to attend one of Lindsay's workshops. I have no clue how this mom of four manages to do so much... but she does! Just a thought... but if enough people got together and was interested in taking the workshop... we could make it worth Lindsay's while to travel to the great city of Wichita Falls! :):)



Now onto the actual vacation!! After the workshop, we left Kingwood and made our way down to Jamaica Beach TX. Did I mention that part of the deal for taking me to the workshop was that we had to go in the bus? Yup... All 4 (and a half) of us headed to the coast.



Jerms says the awning is intentionally crooked... just in case it rained. Ya right... rain? Yup, rained that night.  
Delish Lunch at Blue Water Grill

Yes, I know she's his mini-me :):)




She was laughing so hard she couldn't breath
Our very own body guard for our cooler! YEA!  




Hoot & Little Hoot

I love my furry redneck <3 

And the results are in! Little Hootie is def mine. She LOVED the water.... not the heat so much. She wanted to play in it... eat it... even sleep in it.

It was a fantastic trip with my fantastic family and I couldn't have asked for anything better. We did end up not going to the last leg of our trip and came home early. It was a combination of missing my furry babies and knowing that I have a very busy next couple of months ahead of me. Deerfest with Hootie HuMaeflower Frillies, and Babys BOWtique next weekend, a few maternity shoots and a 1 year shoot (babies are everywhere! YEA!) plus Sawyer turns 6 months old, and two weddings! Then it's holiday season which means Christmas Magic & Holiday Hanger.

Hopefully I can catch a nap... or two ... in there. Thanks for stopping by my little 'old blog  :):)

Tara Hayes

Bluebirds and a Happy Girl

Well it's been a hot one! In case you fellow Texans didn't realize :)

Sawyer is now a little over 5 months old and she is a hot mess. She "talks" 90 to nothing and wants to eat everything. Sooo grateful we don't have a picky eater. Top that off with good looks and the fact that she's pretty much always slept through the night... and we've got the perfect baby! 


We took our first mini family vacation to our very first Blue Bird Rally at the Winstar Casino in Oklahoma. Jerms was stoked to be able to talk shop and I was excited to catch up on some Supernatural. Worked out great! So Jerms, me, Hoot, and the two furry babies piled up in the bus and headed north.
The BB group is called 'The Lonestar Birds' and meet every other month. I have no doubt that we will be attending as much as time allows. 

Our first Blue Bird Rally
June 25 2011

Jerms was sooo excited... can't you tell :):)

Elton John decided to tag along

Our little fishy.. thank goodness for an indoor pool!






Just a little update on the little Hoot herself...


She loves sleepover with Uncle Tom. And so does mommy because that means I get to sleep in! YEA!



We're holding our bottle! Well most of the time

Visiting mommy at work
Sleeping with daddy. Always gotta touch you. 
Sunday Morning Breakfast

What?!?!? We're out of food?!?! 
Celebrated our first 4th of July!! 
Getting some food off of Koozie's face
Love this face :):)



Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Happy First Father's Day Ever!

This Father's Day was an extra special holiday because it was Jeremy's first official Father's Day (Although he did get congrats last year because we had just found out were were expecting our Little Hoot) and the first Father's Day for our Dads as GRANDPAS!!

We finally decided to spend Father's Day lunch at our local Elk's Lodge (Yes, I know...) but they were offering a dinner that couldn't be passed up. We actually eat there at least twice a month :)


I am so lucky to have some pretty awesome guys in my life. My dad and I are so much alike it can be pretty scary. That being said you can imagine what it was like when we butted heads. My dad is fantastic and always there no matter what... no questions asked. He would break his leg off and give it to me if I needed it. He's the bees knees & I love watching how in love he is the Hootie Hu.

Hoot & Little Hoot on their first Father's Day together
Elks Lodge
6.19.11
My dad... the double cupped drinker :)
And my favorite furry redneck, Jerms :) He takes such great care of all of girls (I just realized today that Jerms is the only guy in a house full of me, his daughter, and my two GIRL dogs). He works extra hard just so we (including himself) can have all the fun things we love. He supports every little whim that I have or crazy idea I can cook up. And although he is currently refusing to feed our daughter vegetables (because they make him gag... seriously?!?)  I couldn't ask for a better daddy-o to my little hoot or a better best friend for myself.
Happy First Father's Day Jerms!!
June 19 2011
My Little Family
I swear he really isn't THIS miserable :)
June 19, 2011








"Here Kitty... you try some"



haha... it WAS me! 

Knuckle Bump
Silly Jerms 
Cutest sneezing baby EVER

Sweet Girl & her Uncle Josh 
June 19 2011

Apparently Uncle Josh has treats in his pocket


Hootie & her uncles <3

The Lane's Father's Day 
June 19 2011






All the Ghering's on Father's Day 
June 19 2011
Thank you Texas wind for this being the ONLY decent picture of us


And just a little insight on all this currently Hootie.... 

Who doesn't love a girl in a fedora
June 18 2011
Hootie is all smiles in the sweat shop. June 18 2011



Nerd girl <3 June 11 2011

Thanks for swinging by the land of all this Hootie!! 

On a side note, I was looking for opinions for a project I'm working on. I'm doing  a 30-day self challenge and I couldn't decide between black & white. What do you think?? I always love to see what others have to think so leave me some blog love :):) Until Next time!! 

                             
                                                                                                                        
         
























 
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