All Is Right In The World Again

Poor little dude. It was a rough week for him. He started out with just a mild cough, but then it turned into a little more. More congestion, more coughing, more fever, just more yucky stuff! Chris missed all his baseball practices for his last week of All Star baseball, and unfortunately had to miss his last games too. You know what I knew it was bad? When he stopped eating. My big bruiser boy barely touching his food? Oh yeah, we were off to the doctor alright. Three times in one week, in fact. SO. NOT. FUN.


But after several meds and a little time, Chris seems to be back to his normal self. He's eating again, his spirits are up, and telling his very LONG, LONG stories that seem to go on endlessly.


Yep -- all is right in the world again.  


Have a great Wednesday evening! -- S

Finally, my boy is all smiles again.  And so am I.  :)  Photo taken with my iPhone.

Pay It Forward

Summer in Texas. Yeah, it's hot, but what's cool is that you don't have to rush around so much, and there's more time to do the stuff you like to do.  For my girls, that's most definitely their music.  This past Saturday, they took part in a rock performance for their music academy.  As you've probably seen here, they've performed many times before.  You could say they're no strangers to the stage.  But this time was a little different, and a lot cooler.


My girls have been playing an instrument of some kind or another since they were six years old.  In their early recitals, they would come home in awe of many of the older students who were really great at piano.  They looked up to them and would talk about them for quite some time after a recital.  When they got a little older, they started working on some of the songs that they had heard them play.  Now, the tables are turned.


As some of the more experienced students in their music program, Annie and Kate had the honor of being student teachers in this weekend’s recital.  They got to lead many of the more junior students in what was many of their very first performances in public.  As the night went on, they also performed together as a duet, then with their three bands, and ended the evening with a musical jam session with whoever wanted to participate.  They got on the stage, and never left until the end. 


As Annie and Kate’s mom, I could not have been any prouder.  Proud to see them perform on their own, of course.  Proud to see them perform with their bands, as always.  But this time, and perhaps more importantly, I was very proud to see them "pay it forward" -- for being so giving with their time and talents to help others in their musical endeavors. Music is a special gift that my daughters have been given, and it meant so much to me to see them share that with others.  Way to go, girls!

-- S

“Sail beyond the horizon; fly higher than you ever thought possible; magnify your existence by helping others; be kind to people and animals of all shapes and sizes; be true to what you value most; shine your light on the world; and be the person you were born to be.” -- Blake Beattie

Annie, in her first piano recital (December 2005). 

Kate at her first piano recital (December 2005).  She and Annie were six years old.

Annie & Kate, in a duet performance on Saturday. 

Beginner guitar students with whom Annie and Kate performed.  Most of them are going into 3rd, 4th, 5th grade.

Kate and Mason G. performing Drops of Jupiter with Speed Limit 180.

Annie on both guitar and flute during a music jam session after the performance.

Speed Limit 180:  Kate (drums and vocals), Mason M. (lead guitar), Annie (rhythm guitar and vocals), Legend (bass), and Mason G. (vocals).

Off To A Bad Start

Oh yeah, she's got a look alright.  For most of you who have seen my dog, you might say, "oh, she's so cute!!", and "OMG, she's so adorable" when she's all over you trying to get you to rub her belly and pet her.  My puppy girl, is -- gosh darnnit -- pretty much all that.  But allow me to show you another side of her you don't normally see.  The side of her that looks like she hasn't had her morning coffee, that's very Greta Garbo "I just want to be left alone!-ish", and that looks like she's trying to channel her inner Doberman.  See for yourself!

Yep, that's how we're starting the week.  I've got a bad feeling about this.

Happy Monday anyway!  -- S

Guest Blog from the Dog: Happy Birthday to Sasha!

Yo peeps! Long time, no see! Guess what today is? Yep, it’s my birthday!!! Today I am one year old (or seven, whichever way to want to think about it).


My humans bought me some rawhide chips and a super cool fluffy ball, just for me, in honor of this most spectacular occasion! So far, I’m really digging the fluff ball too. I can see a whole lot of feistiness potential with that thing.


Want to see me then and now? Here are some pics of me as a wee little pup, some pics of me from just a few hours ago. Yes, I’m still cute and sassy, and of couse, as feisty as ever!  Send me a facebook message and show me some love!  :)


Happy Thursday! Paws and peace out! -- Sasha

My first pictures.  This was from the first time Mom saw me and picked me out from my litter.  She says when I put my face in her cheek and cuddled, she knew I was the puppy for them!

This is from earlier today, my first birthday.  This is one of my most favorite spots in the house -- right on top of the bed!

Feeling a little sleepy now ....

Me with my birthday fluff toy!  

A Feather In Their "Cap"

I guess I have to face it sometime.  My girls are twelve now, and growing up way too fast.  Sure, I've known that for a while, but it just seems that all the reminders are there ALL the time now.  Their changing voices, their occasional moodiness, constant texting, talking to them only to realize they have headphones on, not to mention just simply their facial features that have changed to reflect the more mature young ladies they've become.  Kate is now 5'2" (only 1 inch shorter than me), and Annie is finally catching up at 5' even.  My beautiful baby girls -- going into 7th grade and becoming quite the teenagers, for sure.


Yesterday, we had another tween rite of passage occur.  They got feathers in their hair.  I was impressed at Kate in particular, because she saved money up for hers to be done.  Annie?  Well, she's got a lot of chores to do instead.  haha!!!  Anyway, I thought these turned out pretty cool.  Take a look below!


Have a great Tuesday!  -- S

Annie chose two strands of green, her all time favorite color!

Kate (who clearly did not want to be disturbed from her marathon texting -- haha) chose
a black and white stripe and a blue feather, so it could be seen in her blonde highlights.

Photos taken with my iPhone.  

A Message To Some Special Men In My Life

Ever heard the quote "Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a DAD"?  I have some very special men in my life -- all of them, great DADs.  These men  -- my dad, my father-in-law, my brothers and stepbrother, and most certainly, my husband -- would do anything for their children and grandchildren.  They spend countless hours doing things for them, and always have them in their hearts and on their minds.  

Dad, Dennis, David H., David W., and Mike -- Happy Father's Day!  You guys rock at the dad thing!  My bro’s -- thank you so much for being the great brothers that you are, and for my wonderful nephews and niece!  And Dad and Dennis -- I couldn’t ask for a better father and dad-in-law, and I must also recognize your total awesomeness at … ahem … spoiling my kids too.  haha.  I hope you all enjoy your special day!

Annnndd, last but certainly not least, as a special Father's Day recognition, the kids and I put together a short video for Jon.  Just a little photo randomness, showing him with Annie, Kate and Chris, and our family over the last several years.  Check it out here!  http://video214.com/play/P0kWy1g1t9B11sYXvXrK1w/s/dark

Happy Father’s Day, JB!  You are an amazing DAD, and we love you!  -- Annie, Kate, Chris and me

Dad and Janet with my kids, May 2007

Dennis with my sis-in-law Kathleen, and Jon at a University of Houston Cougar game, Fall 2009

My stepbrother David W., my brothers Mike and David H., and me, October 2008 in Houston.

Sliding Home | The End of a Baseball Season

It's been a busy baseball season!  This spring, Topher played for the Cubs, and was a catcher and an outfielder. Jon was also an assistant coach this season.  For as many games as I could, I took pictures of the team.  Lots and lots of pictures.  Normally, I download them as I go.  True to fashion, I did the same thing this season, but because of my busy schedule, I didn't get to edit them until almost season end.  Big mistake!  I had saved a lot of those images on an external drive.  Last week, that drive went …. KAPUT!  As in dead as a doornail.  Most of the images I had on there were backed up elsewhere, but unfortunately many of the baseball photos were not.  Yep, I’ve learned my lesson.  Consistent outside backup storage is in my near future!!

Fortunately, I had enough pictures placed elsewhere to manage putting together a slideshow for the season.  I’m so glad, because I know how important these pictures will be to my son in the years to come, and hopefully, to many of the players and their families.  It was a great season, and the boys shared a wonderful experience together.  I hope that this slideshow and these images will be something they’ll treasure for a long time to come.  Go Cubs!   


Click here to see slideshow >>>>> Cubs Spring 2011 Slideshow

Have a great Thursday!  -- S

Congratulations Seniors!!

It's such a special time ... graduation from high school. With many graduation commencements and parties being held this week, I just wanted to take a minute to congratulate the nine seniors I had the privilege of photographing this year.


Chris, Nick, Sydney, Kendall, Rachel, Dustin, Tony, Rebecca & Ashton-Jade: Congratulations to you all! I wish you all the very best! -- S

Ashton-Jade

Rebecca

Nick

Chris

Dustin

Rachel

Kendall

Sydney

Tony

Baseball, Music & A Whole Lotta Pictures

It was pretty sweet.  Two things I love a lot … baseball and music … together for my other love, my camera.  Can it get any better than that?  Last Saturday, I had press credentials to shoot the Round Rock Express game at the Dell Diamond, and to photograph the first event of their Summer Concert Series.  The band was Asleep at the Wheel, (not literally, of course … that’s the band’s name).  :)

I’m looking forward to photographing more games and concerts this summer, but in the meantime, check out some of my favorite pics from the game & concert.  

Have a great weekend!  -- S