What have I been up to?

Hi All, I know many of you have been wondering where I have been and the answer is a lil bit of everything. So my goal is to get up all up to speed with in the next few days. I have been working hard, took some vacation, ran a 10k, took another vacation, moved, played a lil and had a birthday. I don't know if I should start from the end or the beginning. Well here goes:

Last weekend Matt's parents came in to see our new place (I'll get to that later). They helped us hang some frames (for my family portrait wall), look for curtains for the house and do some more odds and ends around the house, specifically with the outside. As some of you might know, Matt and I used to own our own house back in Louisiana. When Matt(we) decided he wanted to go back to grad school, here in Texas, we packed up all of our belongings, and sold our house. Now that Matt is through with school, we are still renting until we find a final place to settle in at. We have now moved to a new place that is much bigger than our last closet, I mean apartment. We even have a yard for lil Mac. My in-laws brought up our outdoor furniture we had at our house previously. We set up our old bird bath, our hammock, our grill, fire pit, and other patio chairs. It was soo wonderful to see all of my old things. It's like they are brand new again. We have three trees in our new backyard and they needed some HEAVY trimming. There are two beautiful crepe myrtles and one oak and their were branches all the way to the ground. That had to go because it was Mac's hiding place when he didn't want to come in. He knew it was hard for us to come and get him in all of that mess. NOW, the trees have new life and make our yard look soo much bigger.

Here is our yard below after all of the trimming and with my old birdbath. Looks pretty good huh? I forgot to take a before picture and am really kicking myself for that. 

Here is a really bad picture of my family photo wall. I need to add a few more pictures into the frames as well as add a few more frames, probably on the right. What do you think? 

We also got to Skype with Matt's buddy from college, Ryan, and his wife Karen. They just had a baby and we weren't able to meet him yet, so this was the next best thing. There is lil Eli on the TV.

Saturday night our friends Kevin and Brandi came over and we all went to the starlight music series concert the city was putting on. Let me tell you how awesome this city is (for the most part). Since we live in a college town, we are never short on things to do. There is always something going on at the University or the local parks or with the county. We love living here. Ok, back to the concert, it was held at the amphitheater in town. We packed a blanket, chairs and a cooler full and headed out. The sun was only out for another hour or so while we were out there, thank goodness, because it was sooo hot.

 The guys!

 Brandi, Mrs. Pat and me.

The Rock-a-fellas. They were really good.

  The view once the sun went down.

We had a great time with them here and dare I forget to mention their new puppy Zeke. Mac and Zeke had a wonderful time playing ALL weekend long. Here are a few shots of them playing together.

I don't think they would ever stop playing if it were up to them.

 After Matt's parents left, we tried out Matt's birthday present from Mac. An obstacle course. We set it up in our backyard and Matt has been training Mac on how to do it. He is getting pretty good. Here are a few pictures from the first day.

 Mac chillin by the weave poles. He has no idea what is about to happen.

 The jump thing. I'm sure there is a real term for this.

 The tunnel. This is Mac's best event. He really likes the tunnel and doesn't need much instruction on this.

Especially since he knows there is a treat at the end. However the first time he did the tunnel, he stopped halfway through, where the shade was. Haha, he didn't want to come back into the sun. Just like him momma.

 Here is Matt trying to get him to do another lap of the course. But as you can see below, he opted to stay in the shade.

 Hiding behind my chair.

Now lounging in the shade.


  Ok,  I have soo many more pictures to post, but I will just have to post them later, because I don't want to slow your computer down with this super long post. I hope I have not overloaded you with unimportant chatter and images. But its my blog and since no one reads it, I can do whatever. Thanks for taking a look!

Memorial Day Cutie

Hi All,
  It's me Dara, remember, the one that neglects her blog all the time, yep thats me. I am pretty sure no one bothers to check this thing anymore, so this post will probably wither away somewhere in blog land. It's a shame because this post is about a super cutie.

   Over Memorial day weekend we met up with my girlfriends from college and their families in Dallas. It was soo awesome to have three days of family time with them. We usually only see each other around homecoming at Louisiana Tech. This year we decided that it wasn't often enough and that we all needed a vacation. We went shopping, went to a Rangers game, walked around the zoo and oohed and ahhed through the aquarium. But more on that later. This post is about my friends Lori's lil boy, Dawson. Lori asked if I would take his 6mos pictures, and my reply was "of course"! He is one of the happiest babies I have ever known. We took his pictures Monday morning right before we all left to go home, so we just took a few at the hotel we were staying at. Take a look at this cuteness below:

 

Doesn't he just make you smile. I am so honored that I was able to take his pictures. Thanks again Lori, I am soo glad that you love them. 

Zach - Senior from AR

Howdy folks, or should I say Hey y'all! A few weekends ago I got to go home and spend a short time with my family and friends. (A weekend is Never enough time) We got in to my parents house around 2am. It takes about 7 hours from where we are in Texas to get there. So since we got in late, we had a late start to the day on Saturday where I was starting with my Sister and her family portraits. More to come on that later though. In the afternoon I got to photograph Zach. One of our great friends, The Pourciau's, used to babysit Zack when he was little. Now that he is all grown up and about to graduate they wanted to give him the best present in the whole wide world, a photo session with me. (am I right or am I right?) So we went on down to the best City park that I know, New Orleans. This park has the most amazing oak trees, that would make a southern girl swoon. We also took Zach's older sister Tabitha's pictures here a few years ago, so this place was a no brainer. This was one of the first great weekends in a long time so that park was packed with picnicking families, weddings, photographers, and jungle gym happy kids. We also had to try and dodge parades and pro games that might be going on.  Nonetheless, we still found some great locations that were people free.  Here are a few pictures of our handsome senior Zach, doesn't he look like a model in this picture right below? He was such a great sport!

dog gone crazy

While I am getting my images together for a blog post from my sessions I had last weekend,  I thought I would post some fun and design inspirational things. While everyone knows how much I love my lil puppy Mac, I don't believe in having everything in my house revolve around his cute lil face. Well, almost everything. I refuse to be one of those people who have figurines and blankets and tons of pillows and anything you can think of with dog breed on it. However, in moderation, I think somethings could pass and could be even cute, if done in a tasteful way. Here are a few things that I have found online that I absolutely love and think would pass the test as not too cheesy.

I think this pillow is so hilarious, I mean who wouldn't laugh at this. Its just so darn cute and out of control. If thrown in with a bunch of other cute pillows, I don't think it would be too bad.  If it weren't for the price tag, I would have ordered it hours ago, so you might not see it on my couch too soon. Still, someday I would love to have it! 

 

found here!

This poster is on ETSY, here. I definitely want to get this poster and put it in my living room or kitchen or bedroom. Not sure yet, so I can't pick a color until I decide where it will be. I wasn't on the craze of the original poster because it is EVERYWHERE. Although I think it was a great poster and ahead of its time, I was just over it once I was it all over everything. However once I saw that someone created one with a Westie theme, it threw me for a curve and I kinda liked it. I think if thrown in with a cluster of other frames and not sitting front in center, that it would create some variety.

This precious scarf is also on ETSY here. I think I would use this as a banner to hang in our place for Mac's bday that is right around the corner or around Christmas time. We almost got a Scottie dog, but decided to get a Westie for many reasons. However, we still love and adore the Scottie, so I don't mind that they are on the scarf as well. 

Here is a sweet picture of a little girl and her westie. This is just precious, if /when I have a lil one, we will have to get some images like this for their rooms. That way they will have their big brother Mac with them, always looking after them. 

                                                             found here on ETSY

Lastly is a vase that I saw on another bloggers page. A planter/vase that is a westie. I was so excited when I saw it. Again in this instance, this is not something that I could afford. The price for these things are starting at $2000.00. Yeah, you read that right, I did not make a mistake and put too many zero's. But aren't they super cute? This would be a great umbrella stand by the doorway or on a side table mixed in with pictures. Or simply used as a vase. What do you think?

Senior session -Marissa

Last Thursday I got to photograph my first Senior for the year. This is Marissa and isn't she a cutie. We went out to her families property pretty much in the middle of nowhere, and I absolutely LOVED it. I think that I am a country girl at heart! I had such a great time getting to know Marissa and talking with her mom, Teresa, with whom I am in ABWA with. They are just the sweetest people. Good luck in college Marissa!

Happy Valentines day

I know I am a few days late but I hope everyone had a great day no matter what their status is. I was always single on Vday until I met my hubby, so I know that sometimes it can stink, but that's what you have great friends for, to make it all better. My hubby surpised me with a 1/2 dozen ballons, flowers and candy at work waiting for me when I came in. It was so sweet. All the guys at the office were giving Matt the eye and telling him that he was making all them look bad. Did you all have a great day? Here is a picture to leave you with from our Christmas card this year. I figured it could work for Valentines day also. hehe. Have a great weekend!

The light of my life

I know it has been a super long time since I have last posted. I am trying to go back and post all of the things that I have missed over the last couple of months. (That might be the impossible) I want to start off with the little boy of my dreams, Little Mac.I wanted to post a few pictures of how much he has grown and sweet he is. (which might be hard to show in pictures, but believe me, he is a sweetheart) Understand that we do not have kids yet, so he is our heart and soul right now. Before you see all of the pictures, can I just tell you how great my kid (puppy) is compared to yours. lol, j/k. but, no, for real. We have taught him tons a tricks, I plan on making a video of him doing them and posting it. But here are the tricks he can do: sit (of course), stay, lay down, bow, howdy (shake), high five, beg, dance, crawl, roll over, come here, and fetch (however don't expect him to bring the ball back all of the time. He thinks he is just supposed to and find it sometimes, haha). We have tried to get him to play dead, but he is not taking to it. We also play hide and go seek with him, by telling him to sit, and stay. Then we go hide and then tell him "ok", he then runs and tries to find us. It is hours of entertainment. Well maybe not hours but maybe and hr.

 Back in December we went to Santa's Wonderland in College Station. We got to visit with my friend Heather who was working there for the season. They are pet friendly and often have pet adoptions on the wknd, so we were told to bring little Mackie. As much as I like to think that he enjoyed the lights (above) I am sure that he could have cared less about them and was more interested in the all the props and toys we were passing. 

 Here is his picture in Santa's town at Santa's Wonderland. He doesn't look too happy.

Here is another picture of Mac when we went back to Santa's wonderland for the second time that month, he  is a little happier in this picture. He has his little festive Scarf on, but you can't really see it.

This is what your white dog looks like after he tries something like below. We have a couple of dog parks in College Station, and they have ponds for the dogs to play in. However, my dog likes to think that he is participating in a never ending obstacle course and tries to take the hardest route possible for him. "Over the bridge and through the woods to grandmothers house we go." I think that is what he sings, or maybe it's the mission impossible song or just maybe he is going on a bear hunt. Any of these is a possibility. Needless to say he is not always successful and sometimes falls in muddy water....and daddy has to save him.  He would never admit to that though.

 

 Mac doesn't believe in segregation and that humans and animals should have to play in separate areas, therefore he got to enjoy playing with his cousins Emma, Sadie and Talia when we went to visit Uncle Cam and the nearby play areas.

 Posing with Emma and Talia. He just makes the picture perfect.

 Back at the dog park you can now see one of the ponds that Mac really enjoys. He usually likes to go in deep enough to where he can lay down in it and just barely get his belly wet. Nevertheless, we have to make sure to always bring a towel for him. It's inevitable that he will get wet and dirty.

 He likes to play chase around the pond, which doesn't seem very safe, but most of the time it is with other dogs and not Matt, so I guess safety isn't really an issue. Dogs don't really fall and bust their heads by the pool, thank goodness.

 Here is Mac watching the puppy bowl on our bed this past Sunday before the Super bowl. He was really intrigued and I believe he is considering that for his future. I mean, he does believe in obstacle courses, so wouldn't he be great at it?

 Lastly his favorite game is called "being lazy". Now that he is almost a year he has calmed down a lot since we first got him when he was a baby. He now likes to lay on the couch and just watch us do whatever. I think he considered this a challenge by laying on the towels while trying to get comfy. 

Well, thanks for amusing me and looking at all of the pictures of my sweet sweet puppy. lol. I have finally become one of those people who talk about their pets all day. Sickening, I know. But I now understand how much they can mean to people. Growing up I had pets, but I never got to really watch them grow up and see them take a personality. He truly has been the light of my life since last June.

One last family picture to leave you with.