beauty for ashes

i went on a really interesting photography field trip today. i'm a member of a women's photography group and a few of us went to oakwood cemetery in austin this morning.

according to about.com oakwood cemetery is the oldest cemetery in austin. here's some interesting history from wikipedia...

The cemetery dates from the mid-1850s. It may have begun even earlier, as legend states that its first tenants were victims of a Comanche attack whose bodies were laid to rest on the same hill.

The cemetery was renamed Oakwood in 1907 per city ordinance. It spreads over 40 acres, including an annex across Comal Street to the east, and includes sections historically dedicated to the city's black, Latino, and Jewish populations. Paupers were historically buried in unmarked graves on the cemetery's south side. Graves without permanent markers were subject to reburial after a given period of time.

The cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985; its annex was added on October 30, 2003. Despite its protected status, the cemetery has been subject to crime, vandalism and decay for decades.

the detail and artistry of the gravestones and monuments was so beautiful. words can't describe. luckily i took a few pictures.
















the rest are here.

i'm hopelessly in love with two men

my amazing husband and this little guy...

i am just so intoxicated with this kid. do all parents feel this way? does God feel this way about me?


jonah's favorite friend... we-me

sometimes he's just gotta drink!

this is what curiosity looks like

making an airplane noise i think

1 couch + 1 ottoman + 1 blanket = the coolest fort EVER!

"peek-pooh" (that's peek-a-boo)

hey! i just discovered it's just as much fun to climb on the fort to make it collapse as it is to play inside.




love those curlies...


i just love his reflection in this one

size 6 1/2. how do you stop them from growing?

my sweet sweet baby boy... who's becoming less and less "baby" by the day

and now it's time for a nap.

see the rest of the pics from today here.

playin' in the rain and tellin' stories

ok grandma and grandpa, here's another video for you. this one's about 5 minutes long. the really awesome story starts at 4:21.



and in case you didn't get enough, here's a little more of jonah talking in the rain...

maybe we shoulda named him noah...

a family with personality

i had the honor of photographing my dear friend meredith and her family last weekend. they were so much fun to work with. every member of her family has their own distinct personality. and they all love each other so much.

i love the look on silly little p's face in this one!

mom and dad with the hooligans in the background...

look at these girls' beautiful eyes!

da boyz!


meredith and kirby, i had so much fun working with you and your crazy little monkeys! your family is just beautiful! thank you!

the song in his heart

kaleb everett has arrived!

dave's sister leah had her baby today! yay! i did her maternity pics in june... my first maternity shoot ever. and we've been anxiously awaiting the little mister's arrival ever since. he even made us wait an extra week and half past when we were expecting him. to everyone's relief (especially him mom) he has finally arrived all safe and sound. praise God! =)

kaleb's stats
date of birth: august 1, 2008
time: 6:33am via cesarean
weight: 8 lbs. 3 oz.
height: 20 inches long
cuteness level: dang cute!

and here he is all fresh from the oven...


me and my newest nephew

with papa jim

sweet widdle hand

uncle d... my ovaries are sighing...

and of course, we can't forget the beautiful new mommy leah! (dave's sister) congratulations sis! kaleb is precious!

nana & papa, uncle d, cousin jonah, kaleb and mommy leah

see the rest of the pics here. and i'm sure there will be lots and lots more soon!