Six weeks into 2016, and the year is going well so far for our little family. Dominic spent two nights away by himself at a Boy Scout campout, Curtis was gone most of the week (Vegas baby!), and I have been busy with lots of appointments and errands. However, no one is immune from tragedy. We lost a neighbor this past weekend… Jennifer Leslie. She was a dynamic mom of two, loving wife, PTA president, active in conservative politics… if there was a fundraiser or donation drive, she was one of the first to volunteer. Her loss will be felt deeply in our community. It’s been a tough week for River Chase.
Day Thirty-Six ~ Freshly Groomed
Charlie was due for grooming at the end of December but I waited until January to call for an appointment. In our county (and only our county), groomers require the rabies vaccination every year instead of every three years, and of course, Charlie was due for his shot in January. So I had to get his annual checkup first, then schedule his haircut. By the time I got Charlie into the vet, the groomer was booking out into February. So my doodle was sporting quite the crazy afro by the time I got him in. After he gets cut, he acts like a little puppy running all around the yard, romping and jumping. He is turning seven in March! The vet had us start him on fish oil to help his joints stay supple. He’s such a handsome boy.
Nikon D750 | 85mm | f/2.8 | 1/200 | ISO 100
Day Thirty-Six ~ Slice of Pink Sunset
Curtis has been traveling so much that when he’s in town, we take every opportunity to spend time together as a family. Dominic was heading to a Boy Scout campout for the weekend (it was called Freeze-or-Ree and he definitely froze!), so we dropped him off at Buccee’s and Curtis met us there on his way home from the airport. As we were leaving the house, the most spectacular sunset greeted us. There was this slice of pink light that hit the hills and illuminated the trees and houses in a narrow band of color.
Nikon D750 | 85mm | f/1.8 | 1/200 | ISO 200
Day Thirty-Six ~ Gristmill Fire
After dropping Dominic off for his campout, Curtis met us girls for dinner at the Gristmill in Gruene. It was a very chilly evening, so the restaurant was shut up (usually the doors are all wide open) and there was a fire in every fireplace. We got seated right next to this one and it was so pretty, I had to get a photo.
Nikon D750 | 85mm | f/1.8 | 1/200 | ISO 800
Day Thirty-Seven ~ First House
Curtis went out to Seguin to spend the day with the Boy Scout troop, so I, Anna, and my mom went up to Georgetown to take Jenny to lunch and to see her new house in Hutto. I have never been more proud of my daughter. She has done some pretty amazing things in her life, but seeing her face as she got to show us her new home was right up there in the top three moments ever. She and Chris did a great job picking out their first home, it’s really really beautiful. For being 24 and 25 years old, Jenny and Chris have their shit together and are more grown up than I was at their age!
Nikon D750 | 85mm | f/1.8 | 1/200 | ISO 800
Day Thirty-Seven ~ First House Gift
My mom is the most thoughtful person, she brought Jenny a gift to open… Jen’s first housewarming present! It was a eucalyptus scented candle (Jenny, mom, and Dominic are all candle crazy), one of Jenny’s favorites, and mom even remembered a lighter! Jenny put it on her new mantle. <3
Nikon D750 | 85mm | f/1.8 | 1/200 | ISO 800
Day Thirty-Eight ~ On the Road Again
Home only for two days, Curtis has to leave for an annual convention in Las Vegas on Sunday. It always happens around Valentine’s Day (he’s missed more than not, but he’s making up for it this year! stay tuned…) and two years in a row, he’s invited me to meet him at the end of the week and it’s not worked out. Some day…
Nikon D750 | 85mm | f/1.8 | 1/125 | ISO 800
Day Thirty-Nine ~ Swinging Grayson
I love that Anna still plays with her baby dolls. This is Grayson (née Jessie) and it was so pretty outside, that Anna decided to swing him for a while. I installed this swing just for Anna’s baby dolls. <3
Nikon D750 | 35mm | f/2.5 | 1/200 | ISO 640
Day Forty ~ Genetically Linked
My mom was having an especially nice hair day, so she agreed to let her hair be my photo of the day subject. Isn’t it gorgeous? Naturally curly too… feel free to hate. If you look back to the last image in last Thursday’s post, you will see my gray hair. Can you tell we are mother and daughter, or what?!? She started going gray early too, but I think I beat her to a full head of gray at a bit younger age.
Nikon D750 | 85mm | f/2 | 1/200 | ISO 1000
Day Forty-One ~ Blooming
We are definitely hitting the beginning of spring here. The weather has been beautiful with crisp morning and warm afternoons. Wandering in the yard yesterday morning, I found the tiny pansies are blooming in the raised planter garden mom made for me last year. This special planter has plants chosen specifically for me to photograph. Isn’t this pretty? Something has been nibbling at it already. 😀
Nikon D750 | 105mm | f/3.5 | 1/250 | ISO 1600
Day Forty-Two ~ Weighed Down
Dominic’s backpack is unbelievably heavy. I have no idea why the schools don’t allow the kids to use lockers, it’s ridiculous. So he has to carry every single book for every single class with him all day long. The last time we went to the pediatrician, Dominic was working on homework in the waiting room and I had the nurse weigh it. That backpack was over 20 pounds!!! That is really heavy!
Nikon D750 | 85mm | f/1.8 | 1/250 | ISO 400
As always, thanks for looking. Hold your loved ones close and encourage anyone struggling with darkness to ask for help. No one will judge you for being weak, they will admire your strength. <3<3<3