Spring Break Part 5: Texas Wildflowers

For the final post of our spring break series, I have to share our wildflower pictures. The hill country area is spectacular right now. I think it is more beautiful and lush than I have ever seen. It may be that I've just lived in the desert for too long...Anyway, as I was driving from Abilene to Liberty Hill on Wednesday, I was overwhelmed by the flowers. I made Matt promise to stop on the way home. And we did...twice. The kids were enthralled. As I was praising the beauty of our state's flowers, Emma exclaimed, "Thank you, God, for Texas!" That pretty much sums it up.

The kids love to pick flowers, especially Emma. She never misses a chance.

Daddy was here too!

Just LOOK at this! Every field we passed was more magnificent than the last.

Here they are again, gathering as fast as they can.

Spring Break Part 4: Horseback Riding

While Matt & I shopped on Friday, Wes & Jan took the kids to a friend's house to see the baby donkeys and the horses. I thought they might be afraid to touch the horses, much less ride. But all three of them did, and they enjoyed it very much.

Morgan got to lead the horse too.

Mama's baby cowgirl

Spring Break Part 3: Pedernales Falls

On Thursday of spring break, we made the long drive to Pedernales Falls. It was a place we'd never been, and we didn't realize it was a 2 hour drive (almost). But it turned out to be an amazing place. The river was much like the Frio, except that there was a beach. The kids spent at least as much time collecting shells as they did swimming. The actual falls were incredible. And there was even a natural spring bubbling up, right where we could see it. Unfortunately, it was a no-swimming area (thank you, overprotective government).

Since Wes wasn't able to go with us, we met him for dinner at a restaurant on the way back. It was the best catfish we've ever had!

Baby V was freaking out about clumps of underwater sticks.

The hike to the falls was strenuous, so Jan stayed with V at the lookout point above.

This was really cool– the water was just roaring down through these rocks.

There are two sections to the falls, separated by a very deep pool in between. We weren't allowed to swim or wade, so we just stuck a hand in.

Senior Sampler: Behind the Scenes

Just for fun, I thought I'd share a few behind the scenes pictures my mom took. As you can see, we were all over the place. I don't even know how many locations...and I was pretty much in a half- squat for over 2 hrs. You can bet I was feeling it for a couple days after!

Spring Break Part 2: Senior Sampler

Shannon is graduating from high school this year, and I was asked to do her portraits. I was pretty nervous about doing it. Mom, Shannon, and I – oh yeah, and a Suburban full of outfits–spent over 2.5 hours driving to locations and taking pictures. This is a huge post, yet it doesn't come close to actually representing the number of photos I took (over 250). Here are some of my favorites...

I wish you could see the manuevering it ook to get these shots without crushing the flowers.

I know you're probably thinking we ruined the pansies, but Shannon is strategically placed.

Just happened to spot this little baby by the side of the road (the truck, that is, not Shannon).

The school bus was another find (and it was opened!)

I just think this is cute!