Missing the Beach Hair but enjoying the Big Hair

I am now safely in Dallas after spending the week in Destin. Tyler is working at his internship for most of the day so I am catching up with all things photography that I have been behind on for months and working my Summer Bucket List, which I update in a later post.
The beach was perfect. When I was younger I hated the place but as I got older and found out sunscreen really works I have come to love being there.
Quick side note: the day I left for the beach I got a post card from my German friend Clara as she is frolicking around Europe with a friend. So unfair but I love and miss her so much.

The ride up there Chaco just wants to be free.

I feel the need to make a disclaimer now. Tyler and his dad are obsessed with fishing shirts. Mr. E.J.'s collection would make any fratboy or pinterest user drool. But if you told him that he would have no earthly idea what you talking about, the result is they are wearing these shirts in every picture and it looks like I am hanging out with Columbia models.

I dropped my phone on bricks and this is the result. I feel if you can impress Grant with your smashed screen that's pretty sad.

One morning a storm woke me up so I went outside and tried (unsuccessfully) to get an awesome lighting shot but I still got some interesting ones.

Later that morning we had a double rainbow!

Just found this to beyond precious

Our mornings pretty much consisted of watching a children's movie then heading down to the beach. Despite the craziness it was one of the most relaxed times I have had in a long time.

 We ate at a place called Harry T's for Fourth of July the food wasn't the best but the view was completely worth it. We boat watched the had the perfect view of the fireworks.

Sunset from Harry T's

I was sad to leave the beach I was more excited to be back in Dallas. Even though this is a huge city and that is not my cup of tea, Tyler and his family make it fun for me and the fact that they are driving takes a lot of stress off so that might have something to do with it.

Last day :(

Back in Texas. Tyler and I have officially been dating one year. Pretty crazy :)

The things I cannot forget

Two weeks ago was crazy. I worked with the middle school ministry for most of the week as they prepared for camp. I don't get to spend a lot of time with the middle schoolers but Chelsea and Matt are with them every week. Something I have a lot of respect for based on a few of my experiences with this ministry. 

I went to dinner with some of my girls. I am going to miss them like crazy while I am in Texas but I know they will be in good hands with the other 9th grade leader, Katie.

Some of the pretty faces I am always finding on my phone :)

My dog is so dramatic playing dead by the oxygen

Since Chelsea was at camp I got to go to the LAdy Antebellum concert in her place with her family. Darius Rucker was the opening act and he was one of the best shows I have seen but I also highly enjoyed Lady A just because I love their music and had never seen them live.

This family is super special because I am currently at the beach with them. Being Tyler's niece and nephew I think every picture is worth posting but I made myself pick two. 

High school lake day was a glorious day. I got to ride in the boat for a vast majority of the day to take pictures and watching the epic falls was entertainment for hours.
Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure.  ~Tony Benn

This girls face is awesome so I have been asking her for a picture for weeks,  finally got one.

Tubing makes for hilarious facial expressions.

Newest Lyle, so excited to meet her :)

Waiting for Chelsea to get home with my psuedo family at WifeSaver

{Last Half of} Summer Bucket List

I was inspired by my friend and mentor Stasia to start a summer bucket list. Even though I am late since I will be spending the rest of the summer in Texas I have plenty of stuff I am hoping to do. I have free time while Tyler is at work and I plan on just not laying around the whole time.

• Eat Whataburger- Since starting this list I am the beach with Tyler's family and we have had Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit
• Try at least 1 new restaurant every other week with Tyler
• Download and read 1 book a week on my Kindle
• See Madagascar 3 and the new Ice Age
• Cook with Mrs. Leah
• Get better at Frisbee
• Take pictures at least once a week
• Have pictures taken with Tyler regularly- We have good start
• Convince Tyler to take me to either Hamilton Pool or Barton Springs
• Go to a drive in Movie
• Make prints of pictures I like instead of just leaving them on my computer
• Keep up my running schedule 
• Back my pictures on a hard-drive and CD's
• Find a place to swim in Texas, don't just sit inside
• Have a Columbia shirt collection that competes with Mr. EJ's
• See a Rangers game
• Develop a B&W Lifestyle Potfolio
• Play golf maybe once, maybe once several times
• Find a good camera bag, preferably one that can double on as purse
• Go through one Chapter a week of "Black and White: From SnapShot to Great Shots" with Tyler
• Grill Out
• Make a PhotoBook of my 2011 pictures and start one for 2012
• 
  

Eventful {PhotoDump}

Maybe it's just because it's summer but lately there is no end to opportunities to take pictures... which I can't complain about at all.
There has been lots of love in the air and even though wedding/rehearsals are challenging the adorable moments are completely worth it.

I have known this beautiful bride and her family for years so the fact that they let me in on so much of this day meant so much to me.

I did a father's day toddler session that was just too cute. I am getting more and more comfortable photographing little children and they becoming my favorite models.

We tried out my prop desk :)

Next came Middle School messy wars. Which should have been the smelly wars because it stunk. But it was awesome.

If you're going to lead youth at Warren, you might as well get used to using a bullhorn.

Perfect timing haha.

At the end of the night they brought in a fire truck to hose of the kids. I have to say this was a highlight of my youth leading career.

*From Pinterest*

There are still lots more photos for me to catch this blog up up on including a concert, lake day, and a precious family shoot hopefully I will have time for all this within week because I will be at the beach with Tyler and his family. Can't wait!

PhotoDump

The past few weeks have been extremely busy but going back through my pictures there have been some awesome moments already come and gone this summer. 

Kayla's graduation. So proud of the little Lyle and glad she is finally in college with us

I have had tons of pictures to edit lately but finding adorable shots like this make it totally worth it.

Filled up water balloons for middle schoolers. Will def be further explaining this in a later post.

Best Friend was in Africa but still got a text :)

Didn't see Tyler on my birthday but hung out with his niece, pretty good compromise

Got Kindle from Tyler. I absolutely love it and the free books available are quite cool.

Love it when she is home! And when her neighbor wants us to play with their puppies

VBS week means tons of fun stuff is around the church... like tents

I love my Lion from Africa. He is so cool.