A Ceremonial First Game

Baseball. It's a game of tradition. Hot dogs, the Star Spangled Banner, the seventh inning stretch, "Take Me Out To The Ball Game", and let's not forget ... the Chicken Dance! (That's Annie's favorite part!) My family has a baseball tradition too. Every year, Jon and I take the kids to the Round Rock Express Opening game. The ballpark opened up around April 2000, so we took Annie and Kate (then 11 months old), and we've been going ever since. They all look forward to it, but this year, that was especially so for Chris. The game, the peanuts, the fireworks afterward ... he likes it all!

Speaking of baseball, I must brag a bit on my little man. He's been having a great baseball season! He's hitting just about every time at bat, he's playing well in the outfield and as catcher, and is just really enjoying the game. About a week or so ago, he was named as a defensive MVP on his team, and just today, he brought home a game ball! So much fun to see him having a good time!

Here are a few pics of Chris and Jon at the game, and some cool pics of the fireworks at the Dell Diamond last Friday night.

Go Express! Go Chris!

-- S

Brogdons in Bluebonnets

About this time every year, here in the Hill Country, we get the most beautiful bluebonnets. This year is no different -- they're everywhere, and they're gorgeous! The kids and I found a beautiful patch of bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes at a local park and headed out one day after school. Beautiful weather, my kids and my camera ... it couldn't get much better than that.

After going through these photos, I started thinking about our bluebonnet pictures from the past. I thought this time I'd put together a little slideshow with all their photos, going back to when the girls were just babies. This little show goes back to 2000, when Annie and Kate were almost a year old. Now, before any of you comment on the flower picking pictures ... yes, I'm aware ... that's not legal in Texas. Kind of hard to snap pics, watch a little boy and stop two 3 year olds from getting into stuff, you know?? But it sure made for nice photos, though (smile).

Hope you enjoy the show! Oh, and this is set to music, so if you're at work, you may want to turn down the volume, so your boss doesn't know you're hardly working. Just sayin' ... -- S

"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom." -- Audra Foveo

The Girl She's Meant To Be

I have written before that I come from a musical family. Many of my relatives play, or have played, instruments of some kind and are/were active in musical performances. But I think that my daughter Kate is probably the one member of the family who, literally, was BORN into music. As a baby, she was often quieted to sleep only by the sound of my humming to her, or sometimes the songs on CD that I listened to while I was expecting her and Annie. As a toddler, she learned best by singing nursery rhymes and Sesame Street songs. Many of the toys she favored in her early years revolved around musical instruments. She hummed or sang in the car everywhere we went (and still does that today without even consciously knowing it!). When she started preschool at our church, people would turn to look for the big voice singing the hymns, only to turn around and look down to find a little girl belting 'em out. It was clear to us how much she loved her music, and it became increasingly evident that this was a gift that could not be ignored.

When she turned six, she and Annie started piano lessons. When she was seven, Kate also started voice lessons, but didn't really want to do it at first. "Let's just try it out", I told her. She was apprehensive and shy, but came to like it after a while. The very first song she sang was a Broadway tune called "The Girl I Mean To Be" from The Secret Garden. Hearing her sing it then would always bring me to tears with a mother's pride. But unfortunately, I was never able to get it on video, and I always regretted that.

Now, five years later, she rocks a keyboard, plays the drums, and is a featured vocalist with the two bands she's in, Speed Limit 180 and Chaotic Eight. We have videos of her singing in many different performances, and even have her feature song, Heart's Barracuda, with Speed Limit 180 on YouTube. The music academy with which she studies is hosting a recital at the end of May, and she will be performing with her two bands there. But she's also planning on a student solo performance, with ... guess which song she's considering?? ... yes, "The Girl I Mean To Be". Finally, she let me get a video of her singing it, and I could not be more thrilled that she still holds that song in a special place in her heart.

So, here are a few pics of my very musical, very talented daughter, along with a video link of her practicing her special song. Seeing her now, it's so hard to believe that there was a time that she was shy about singing in public. I'm so glad that she is sharing her amazing gift, and I am so incredibly proud.

Kate ... I love you, dear one. And yes, this is the girl you're meant to be!

Love, Mom


Kate -- The Girl I Mean To Be: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOifb5L3fN4

Kate with Speed Limit 180 -- Barracuda: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V8lzMtBELQ



Kate at a Speed Limit 180 performance -- Oct2009

At home at our piano -- Feb2008


Kate at two and half years old, at her grandparents' house -- Dec2001


Sometimes when I think of Kate singing, this picture comes to mind. This was taken at Jon's parents' home. We were relaxing for the evening, watching TV, when I looked up and saw this. Had to hold back my laughter long enough to grab the camera. This is a family favorite! -- April 2001

Welcoming Stevie

My daughter Annie has a thing for collecting instruments. Soon after seeing Keith Urban at the rodeo and how many times he switched out guitars, I think that only helped to solidify her belief that a girl can never have too many instruments. (I secretly understand ... I'm like that with cameras!) :) Soooo, she started asking if she could perhaps add a bass guitar to her collection. Her birthday is coming up next month, so we started looking around. Yesterday, we found the perfect one for her, and brought it on home.

Like many other musicians, she likes to name her guitars. Her acoustic guitar is named Gabriela (after the guitarist team Rodrigo y Gabriela), and her electric guitar is named Bella (Spanish for 'beautiful' and of course after Bella in Twilight). Since she has always enjoyed music from SRV and Stevie Nicks, she decided to name this guitar ... you guessed it ... Stevie. After bringing Stevie home and getting a few pictures, she couldn't wait to start a jam session ... a little of Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4, and then Smoke on the Water ... I think she's off to a good start!

Here's Annie with all her instruments. Welcome home, Stevie!

"She's my sweet little thing, she's my pride and joy ..." -- Pride & Joy, SRV


Here's Annie with Stevie!







Annie "hearts" all her guitars -- Bella, Gabriela and Stevie.

Annie also still loves her flute, and will be picking that up more when she starts middle school next year.



Annie still also loves playing piano, and these are her favorite pair of 'crazy socks'. They're so her!!

Speed Limit 180: Another Musical Night

Once again, I had the pleasure of shooting photos of my daughters and their bandmates in their amazing rock band, Speed Limit 180! Last night, these young musicians performed again at Junior's in Round Rock. They've been working really hard, practicing and adding some new songs to their playlist, to include songs from Santana and Stevie Ray Vaughn. It is amazing to see how talented they all are!

Here are some of the photos from their performance! Keep rocking, guys! -- S

Camila & Mason -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Nick playing his trumpet during "Smooth" -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Mason & Annie -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Taylor, our own Mad Hatter -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Camila, Mason, Annie & Nick -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Kate, in her piano slide during "Kansas City" -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Taylor and Marley -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Taylor, Annie & Nick -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Annie -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Nick -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Annie, Jon and Nick, rocking out during "Will It Go Round In Circles" -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Love this picture of Marley, our awesome bassist -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Junior's painted the band's name on the glass outside their door. Here are my girls, just after their performance. Annie & Kate -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Kate -- Junior's -- 3.27.2010

Spring Fever Fotos

Well, it's that time of year again and I think it has officially arrived at my house ... yep, that 'ole Spring Fever is back! Yesterday, it was just WAY too pretty to be indoors, and I saw a facebook post from a friend who said she was headed out to The Domain (thank you Tricia!). I decided that reading my photography book over a cinnamon latte while outside sounded like a great idea! I packed up my camera too and headed out as fast as I could.

In anticipation of spring break next week, my kids have had spring fever for a little while now. But yesterday while at The Domain, I saw all kinds of signs that the new season is upon us -- beautiful weather, people lunching outside, spring sale signs up, lots of cheery colors -- and then the fever hit me too! While I was sitting in the shade, there was still a little chill in the air. The outdoor fireplace was going, and I was even lucky enough to nab a rocking chair next to the fire for some quiet reading time. Sooo nice!

Speaking of nice, I have to give a shout out to the wonderful young lady and her gorgeous daughter I met. We got to chatting about photography and since then she has visited my website, sent me a lovely email and had some really kind words to say. Thank you, Michelle ... as I said earlier, you've brightened my day!

Here are some pics from my spring feverish afternoon! Enjoy! -- S


"Is it so small a thing, To have enjoy'd the sun, To have lived light in the spring, To have loved, to have thought, to have done..." - Matthew Arnold






My kids love the little barista bears from Starbucks, no matter what season it is. These Valentine bears were on clearance too! Had to get this cute pic ... oh, and my cinnamon latte too!

My VERY COOL reading spot, in front of the outdoor fireplace, for the afternoon!














Spring 2010 ... now officially at the Brogdon house too! :)

Scenes from the Ballpark

For someone who has not actually, officially, played softball (or baseball, for that matter), I've always spent a lot of time around ballparks. When my brother David was little, we often went to his little league games. I remember my father taught me how to catch a ball at a local park (a very fond memory for me). When I was in high school, I was a 'Diamond Doll' for the varsity baseball team. And when Jon and I were dating, we watched a lot of baseball movies and would head out to a ballpark to throw a ball around, and we used to watch a friend of ours play the game (yes, you Dom!). Now, with Chris playing ball, it seems like we're always there, and yeah ... it feels like home :).

Here are pictures from Christopher's recent games. His team is doing well, having won their first two games so far. We're looking forward to a good season!

Have a great weekend! -- S

"Baseball has been 'berry, berry' good to me!" -- Garrett Morris, Saturday Night Live




So far this season, Chris has gotten on base every time at bat! Good job, little man!







I think the funny thing about this picture is this: notice how it's the GIRL on the team that's 'baseball ready', and the guy behind her is, uhhhhh ... not so much? Mmmm hmmmm!

This guy was on Christopher's team last season, and so far this time, I've been able to get some great pictures from his turns at bat. Love this one!


Chris loves being the catcher!







A scene from the ballpark, just before the game. If you look closely to the left under the tree, you can even see the little bugs hovering around in the sunlight. :)