Austin Trip - May

Over Easter weekend we went down to Austin to see family but I missed out on seeing my little sis and her kiddos and it just made me miss them all more!  So, I went down to Austin this last weekend and I just finished processing the photos and they are so good!  We stopped at Kris's sister for dinner once we arrived in town and got to hang out with them for a while.  Then we spent the day with Steve and Dawn, which is always such a treat.  Then we went over to my sister, Jennifer's to hang out with the family for a bit before heading home.  It was such a wonderful trip.  Of course, I did not get pictures at Jennifer's place because she did not want any pictures taken but...she did agree to let me do a family photo shoot of her later this summer!  Oh my God...that made my day!  Well, below are some pictures from our trip.

This Audrey and sweet Cooper.  He is getting so big and he looks identical to his father.  I love the sweet smile Audrey has here...she is going to be such a sweet Mama one day.

Jax watching Audrey holding Cooper and he wanting a turn at holding him.

Audrey giving me a big smile as she plays in the sand.

Lauren doing her singing and dancing.  You know...the usual thing she does while she is awake!

Love this shot!  All of the kiddos had so much fun!  

Jax...he is so Handsome!

His laugh makes you want to laugh!  He is adorable!

Looking like his dad in this shot!  

Always time for Ring around the Rosey.  

This is such a sweet shot of Jax with his Mama!  So sweet!

Audrey is getting so big...too quickly!  

OK...so GranDawn took us to a park for the girls to play for a bit.  Too bad it started to rain and we had to leave early because it was such a cool park.

Love this shot of Lauren!!!!

Audrey hugging her new toy train that her and PapaO made together.  It was actually made from scratch!  Yes...they went into his garage and cut some wood pieces, glued some together and then screwed on the wheels.  Amazing!

Here is a better picture of the toy train.  Here she is telling me how she made it!

I am so grateful for my wonderful family and look forward to heading down to Austin again real soon!

Kite Flying

I know I am not an expert kite flyer but Audrey and Phoenix were giving anyone out there a run for their money.  It was so great to take a quick walk to the park and play a bit with the kiddos.  I was so pleased that I was able to capture the moment via a couple of pictures.  The last time I attempted this...it did not go so well.

I cannot believe I got this shot with a 50mm.  If I had a wide angle lens...I can only image what I could have captured.  But I was impressed that I got the kite and Audrey flying it all in one shot. 

Phoenix running with his kite high in the air!  He was so good at kite flying!

Audrey watching in amazement of Phoenix's skills.

A little blurry but you can feel the enthusiasm of the shot as Paige got her kite to take off.

Our butterfly kite souring in the heavens!

This is hard to see but you can see Audrey has the kite up when Phoenix's kit just bit the dust.  You win some...you loose some!

Picnic time to recover from so much running around!

I hope you get out there and have a kite flying kinda day!

Hoff Family Practice Photo Shoot #2

Yes...that is right...I got a repeat customer!  I cannot believe it!  I am so excited!!!  I believe the shoot went well and I am so thankful that there were so many more pictures to choose from.  I know there is still so much for me to learn...but practice is helping me get better and I cannot communicate how much I appreciate the practice!!!  So, I won't keep you waiting...below are some of my favorites from the Hoff's Family Photo Shoot # 2.(I still get so giddy when I think about it!)

I love the color in this shot. The color in Kristen's shirt matches perfectly with the flowers in the background.  I wish I could say I planned that, but I didn't.

This is a great shot as well.  I love Garrett's face in this shot.  This is such a fun family and I loved the time I got to spend with them.

I love the smile on the boys' faces.  You can really tell they love their Mama!

This shot is the perfect family shot.  

Oh...the wind blowing Kristen's hair in this shot I believe is what makes this shot so great!

Daddy and the boys...so awesome!

This is a great shot as well.  I really love the relaxed nature of this shot. 

This shot cracks me up...Garrett and Cody are smiling nicely for the camera...Tripp...well, he is making the same face Mama is making at him!  Too Cute!

This shot...I really like this shot.  Garrett is really having a great time and I love it when it shows in smiling faces!

The boys...they love to climb and I really like how little brother is trying so hard to be like big brother!

Tripp...too cute!  I love his smile!

Oh...when he laughs...we all joined in!

Now this shot...oh...I really love this shot!  Daddy's hugs are the best!

Little ones trusting Mama is always touching to see!

This is such a great shot of Tripp!  He is so handsome!

I love this B&W shot of the family walking.  It has a magical feel to it.  It is my first time to play around with B&W during post processing and I have to admit...I really liked it!

Well, I am so looking forward to my next practice photo shoot in June!  If you get a moment...tell me what you think of the Hoff's photo shoot.  I would really appreciate the feedback.  Have an amazing day!

Pool Day at Mama's house

So, I know today is overcast and rainy but yesterday was warm and beautiful.  I invited Meridith and her kiddos over as well as Edith and Sam and it was so much fun!  I wish I could have talked more with Edith and Meridith more but when the kiddos are this young, mamas typically play referee instead of talking with the other Mamas.  One of my favorite moments was when I was about to take a picture it reminded me of my Mama.  I have this old picture of my mama with several other mamas sitting around talking with one another while watching all of the little children played.  It was so wonderful to see that Mamas love to together and hang out while their kiddos play no matter what decade they are living in.

This is the shot that reminded me of my Mama.  I sure do miss my Mama.  It was really nice to know that I am doing the same things that she did when she was my age.  I do not know why but it warms my heart.  

Check out Sam flying off our water slide feature!  Oh...and do not forget the sound effects of "I am SuperMan!"

All the kiddos taking turns down the slide.  Lauren was the most careful of them all!

Isn't she so cute!  I love this tutu bathing suit I got at Target.

I love this shot...Kiddos and pool time go together like cookies and cold milk! 

I am so looking forward to summer time!

Hey Mama...take a picture of us!

So yesterday was Mama's day and I had a wonderful Mama's Day weekend.  My sweet husband gave me 5 hours of alone time on Saturday which I used to shopping for dresses.  Just as a side note...my girls will only wear dresses and seeing them in these cute sundresses that Grandma Bonnie keeps finding at garage sales has me wanting some dresses for myself.  It was so nice to have so much alone time.  I came home to such cute cards the girls made for me.  I should have taken a picture of the cards but I wanted not put any pressure on myself for pictures and really just enjoy the moment.  After church, it was so hot that I knew it was time to air up the summer pool.  The water so very cold but that did not stop the girls getting in the pool.  The part that floored me was when Audrey said...Hey Mama...take a picture.  Seriously...what a wonderful Mama's Day I was having!

This is a full shot of our summer pool.  It was called a "Party Pool" because it has cup holders.  Who knew that cup holders is all that is required to have a pool party!  Yes that is our slide that we just hang over the side of the pool.  It adds an water slide option for the kiddos.

I know they look a little silly but they were screaming "cheeeeeseee" for the camera.

Audrey still so excited that she is 4 years old!

Lauren showing me she is 1 year old.  She is one smart cookie! 

Lauren was so excited about the pool!  

Audrey posing for the camera.  She was VERY excited about the pool being open for business!

Now we are looking forward to having kiddos over to play.  I love summer time!