Backbone Valley Nursery; Fairy Garden Project

The flutter of wings whispering by, the sparkle of fairy dust gracing a magical path.... houses of twigs, beds of leaves and walnut shells, a fairy alights upon the tiny home prepared for her by Mistress Emily, keeper of the Enchanted Forrest and all things lilliputian.

What a delightful time Emily and I had at Backbone Valley Nursery's "Build your Own Fairy Garden" children's program.  They are hosting one again, this Saturday, January 14th at 4pm!  GO!!!!  And check out their future lectures, for both adults AND kiddos alike  :D

Dear Lord, I think we're in trouble...

Many of you have seen a plethora of images of my oldest child.  Hannah has graced my blog many times, the most popular of course being her prom pics.  Such a modern day Cinderella she was!  She's a gorgeous girl and even as I'm typing this, she's probably in the other room, texting someone that is hoping for more than a friendship.  Amazing how they start coming out of the woodwork when "single" becomes the status.  Ugh!

She has a good head on her shoulders and knows that with college around the corner, a relationship is out of the picture (you go gurl!).  Not that any of them would actually see and read this, but if they do, they should consider themselves dually warned, haha  ;)  (Hannah, if YOU read this, just remember, Jesus says you HAVE to forgive... especially if it's your momma!)

Well, some of you have also seen a glimpse here and there of our son and youngest daughter too.  I can't tell you how any people comment on HOW much Emily looks "JUST like Hannah!"  I was rummaging through the hard drive, frantically searching for images to use in the grans Christmas calendars when I came across some of Em.This one isn't the right direction so I can share w/o ruining the gran surprise, but...

Dear Lord, I think we're in trouble.

Marble Falls, TX; Courtney and Seth ~ engagement

It's not often I get to do an engagement session with such a FUN family!  Courtney, Seth and Payton had me giggling the whole time we were shooting!  Payton... a FULL-OF-LIFE little boy, FULL-OF-KISSES bundle of energy; Courtney... soft, sweet, STUNNING, a smile that could blast away a gray cloudy sky in seconds; Seth... just as full of energy as his son, hunter extraordinare, strong and the daddy of ALL daddy's :D

Courtney, Seth... I can't WAIT to see you in November!!!!

Marble Falls, TX: Lil Miss S

There is a place not far from here where fairies and princesses abide.  They flit among the grasses, chatter with the creatures of the forest and dance around on sunbeams.  It is a magical glen brimming with secret passages, flutters of wings, and sprinkles of gems in hidden gullies.  It is just this such place that I perchanced a rendezvous with the most delicate of princesses.  Her name?  Princess Siki.

Princess Siki and I first met almost 2yrs ago.  She was a teeny little whisper of a thing.  What a thrill it has been to see her grow.  In fact, you might say she became my muse.  You can even see how her beauty has unfathomably increased (didn't think it possible) since some of our first visits.

We gathered diamonds, wrote secret messages in the dust and scampered after her silly subjects as they raced toward the bramble hedge.  It was a joyous reunion.  It is for these very moments that my heart carries its beat.

Thank you Princess Siki for our beautiful tryst in the glen!

Captain Wind was attempting to abscond with her subjects!

She was quite unhappy with their seeming to bend to his will.

But as every good princess does, she held her own,was gentle to them and they chose to remain faithfully hers, though one did lose his life during the battle. ;)

She knew where every diamond was hidden.

Secret messages from a Princess are the BEST treasure ever!

Marble Falls, TX: Miss S, (sneak peek)

I couldn't resist posting a sneak peek for Miss S!

OMGOODNESS!!!!!  I CAN NOT WAIT to share her session with you!!!!

Marble Falls, TX: Craigen Family

We've all heard about high school sweethearts.  Ones that are current and we are all waiting with baited breath to see what the future holds, the ones that dated and grew apart in college, the ones that married right out of high school, and then there are these.  The ones that dated, broke up, then through a string of circumstances met once more, only to decide then and there that "this is the one".

The Craigens fall in the last category.  Having reunited, she even purchased her dress before he ever asked.  She just knew in her heart of hearts, the proposal would come.  The love between these two, being developed and fine-tuned over the last seven years isn't one of "awwww, aren't they cute together" (while they TOTALLY ARE!).  It's not a love that sits on the surface, shallow and lack-luster.  It's a love, wrapped in the glory of God, who He, Himself, orchestrated the reunion and wedding and now covers the marriage.  The love of these "high-school sweethearts" shows in their very faces and the faces of their three GORGEOUS children!

I had the beautiful pleasure of following them around in the park, along with her father and grandmother, visiting alllllll the way from California.   How blessed am I that I get to mark this sweet moment in time for them all?  Beyond!

And now, I simply MUST figure out a way to grow an orange tree here in the Hill Country.... Bethina..... OMGOODNESS!!!!!!!  I'm in love!

How could you NOT adore these guys?!?!?!?!

I've been dying to get my hands on Little Miss E since she was born!

Working hard at pumping those legs :D

SOMEONE decided to be a little ham, lol!

He finally gave me a gorgeous smile!

One of my FAVS!  I LOVE the look she's giving Grampa!

Little Miss E is currently in that "I can do it MYSELF" phase :)

Proud of her accomplishment, she is! :)

We attempted to give her bread to feed the ducks... she decided to feed herself instead, lol!

Good catch Grampa!!!

Peek-a-boo, I see you!!!

I'd LOVE to know what he was thinking, haha!

Don't shoot me y'all!  I HAD to show what a FUN and fantastic family y'all are :D

Little Miss E lasted quite well I must say :)