the one where I'm in Seattle
Off my iPhone from my Seattle trip last month. I have so many more to share as well! It's like cray-cray in my head right now. With 2 weddings, PROM and various GRAD shoots, I'm so happy and busy it's almost wrong to call it work! You know?
Love does,
Kristin
PS. The farmhouse is lovely. I promise I will share photos very soon!
the one with the MOW Mardi Gras Party Booth
Meals on Wheels is a great organization! I copied this from their website...
Lubbock Meals on Wheels is a private, non-profit organization committed to helping people remain home, well fed, and independent as long as possible. We receive no government funding and are not a United Way funded agency.
I don't have much to offer, but when they ask I help any way I can. I mean, they definitely don't want me driving, but I could run some food to a house or two. And HELLO! When they have their big annual fundraiser, I jump at the chance to set up the party booth and capture all the fun people that come out to support them!
Here's just a few of my favorites.
Love Does,
Kristin
Looking for more? CLICK HERE
the one with the Getz family
When you haven't had your family portrait taken since the 90's? You pull out ALL stops and include EVERYONE. And I mean EVERYONE. How cool is this family? Okay, 2nd from the right? John Michael, he went to Cooper and I met him back like forever ago. Great personality and just all around great human to be around and know. And he just happened to have a mom who loves dogs and well, I love my dog, so her dog and my dog got together and made some adorable puppies. CLICK HERE and HERE to view those adorable creatures. Oh, my!
They are the type of family you wanna go home with and eat and visit and play games. That kind of fun family. I love the Getz Family!
Love Does,
Kristin
the one with my Christmas Notes, 2017
Or otherwise known as “what the heck did we do?”
Every other year, Devin’s family as in BIG ASS EXTENDED FAMILY, travels from all across our great state (and Wisconsin) to gather and pig out. It falls on the odd years and hello! This is it! It’s tons of good food and fun people and drinking and kids. Kids everywhere! I haven’t even poured through my photographs yet, and I will, I promise. But before I forgot 1/2 and everything happened, everything I cooked, and everything I gave, I thought I would start a blog post and compile all my Christmas notes. Are you ready?
Summer graduated from TCU, by the way. And the day after, we moved her home for the Holodays. She’ll be here until she starts her internship in a Dallas next month.
Kalyn Marie drove in on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve was the day where we went to mass in the am and mass in the pm. Followed by Christmas Eve Dinner at David and Davida’s, Devin’s mom and dad. Jason and Emily were here, Devin’s brother, with their two adult children and we always have so much fun together. Maybe too much fun! But still. Who cares?!?
We are still in the rent house. The farm house is not done yet...so close but not completely there. And I know I'm dumping a ton of photos here, but it's so important to update my blog to keep my life appearing semi-sane. HELLO!
Here it is May and I'm just now blogging Chrstimas, how sane is my life?
Love Does,
Kristin
You have to post a tree shot every Christmas. Especially when there's this many presents under it!!! HELLO!
Our church has the most gorgeous tree!!!
the one where I have a BIG birthday
I had a birthday back in October. You know that month don't you? It's that month that sneaks up on you, thinking it's all great because we are wearing boots and sweaters and we have weeks until Santa comes! HA! I mean, seriously, just look at me in that photo above. I'm in flip flops! Does that not scream, IDIOT? In all fairness, I am a sunny CA girl at heart and I refuse to wear closed toed shoes until the first snowflake falls. So there.
Anyway, back to October. October is the month before a photographer's life gets CRAZY and INSANE! You guys will freak when I count all my sessions and weddings this year and post them somewhere on social media. I have been tremendously busy. And it's been a struggle at times to keep up with the workload, but it's been so dang rewarding, too. It has seriously been the BEST year ever! I've had a crazy amount shooting from October - December. Hence, why I missed sharing my birthday party with you.
Now ladies. Speak up. We really don't like celebrating birthdays much after a certain age, now do we? I mean, come on! In our heads, we are 21-year-olds and in the mirror and on the scale? Something else. (I think I look like Kate Upton, but the fleshy, jiggly parts? Much lower. Yep. MUCH.) So, it wasn't exactly on my "bucket list" to even share my birthday with you because honestly? I thought it would be a simple night. It was, after all the Sausagefest in Slaton @ my home church, St. Joseph that same weekend and I was working much of it. So honestly, I planned for a simple dinner. You know, drinks, conversation with a friend. FREE TIME AWAY FROM MY COMPUTER.
They got me. They got me good. "they" being Kalyn Marie, Summer Zoe and Emily. Emily Houchin.
So, my very best friend, Emily picked me up for dinner and drinks and the illusion that I would bring in the new year of my life gently. Gently goes the night. Isn't that what has uttered in that movie the Blind Side? Well, nothing gently happened my birthday night, let me tell you. We showed up "for drinks" and a couple dozen of my favorite people in the world were there to celebrate with me. People, I didn't do a head count, but we massivly took over that party room! Some driving from forever away! CRAZY! CRAZY! I tell you.
Of course, mad shenanigans and fun ensued and I felt incredibly loved and special. Just the way a 21 year old deserves to feel on her special day. Emily, I love you. You are the best and you always make me laugh and feel wonderful about myself. I miss you as I'm typing this.
To all of you that came and celebrated, to all of you that bought me shots, to all of you that I've known through the years and loved, you are special to me. And to all the new humans that I will meet this next year and "yonder" (as my FIL says frequently, and I love, btw), THANK YOU. Humans are pretty darn wonderful when they celebrate life. We should do it much more often because this world is hard and ugly at times and we need each other.
I intend to celebrate mine quite a bit more.
Love does,
Kristin
To view more of this AWESOME night, CLICK HERE. And a big shout out to that Conley Clan, HELLO! They had a photographer there to take pictures. I love you guys!!!
the one with my Thanksgiving weekend
Just walked in the door from Florida and started a load of laundry and barely unpacked. But I had to blog to update everyone as to what has been going on in my life lately. It's been insanely fun and crazy!
Why was I in Florida? Why photographing a wedding, of course, what else? Some dear friends of ours, their oldest daughter married her best friend.
I was there a few months ago and photographed the two of them before. It was a quick in and a quick out that trip and I didn't even get to dip my toes in the ocean. This trip, I did! I photographed their middle daughter, who you see in that opening image. She's graduating this spring and we went to the beach. HELLO! The beach!!! It's been a while. Like since what? 2015? Too long that's for sure. And my toes were so very happy.
Plus, I got to hang out for days with their family, in their home, with their pets, with their relatives, fed like a well cared for cow. Not even kidding. And I liked it!!! It was a great way to spend Thanksgiving. Seriously. I highly recommened them for your next Turkey Day. LOL
You may be asking, "why weren't you with YOUR family?" Well, we were all supposed to be. And if have talked to me in person lately, then you know this answer. I've kind of whined about it for weeks now. BUT, originally, our entire family was going to attend. Then one by one, things got in the way. Kalyn Marie was asked to be in her good friend Chantal's wedding, and Summer, being her last semester at TCU, wanted to go to the football game on Friday. You know, when they beat Baylor? And of course, Devin wanted to stay with her and see his family at the ranch. So, one my one, they dropped like flies. And then there was me. I bought a plane ticket and made my merry way. And yes, at first I was whining about it, but the second I walked into their home, that was it. I was happy. Not being with my family, well, it kind of sucked. But I had the NEXT best thing, THE CLABORN FAMILY. And they were awesome!!!
I'm back in the office today and scrambling to get caught on all my messages, images, and phone calls. I'm still dreaming about the sand though. Just sayin'.
Love Does,
Kristin
the one where I watch a TCU football game
Summer Zoe, my youngest, is graduating this December. Let that sink in for just a bit. MY BABY is graduating college. I'm officially old as dirt. And I'm hating every aching minute of it. But back to the blog. I've only been to one TCU football game. That's just wrong. I mean, they all think I love the Longhorns best and then to only have gone to one football game? Shame on me! I'm simply proving their point because I've been to several UT games. Please forgive Hornfrogs. I love you as well. You just come with a higher sticker shock, that's all. And no Matthew McConaughey. But that's not your fault. I'm sure there is alumnus in your archives that are just as cute. Right?
The weekend was filled with fun! First of all, it's Parent's Weekend. I hung out with her roomies and friend's parentals and enjoyed them all. Apples don't fall far from trees, so good chance that if you like the kid, you'll like the parent. I did! They were all fun and pleasant and just lovely people.
Since she's graduating, we also photographed her senior portrait. Got her "grad on" we like to say. We stayed on campus which is gorgeous and no I have no excuse to get her announcements out quick.
The game was hot and sweaty, but still fun and I learned a thing or two. Those TCU Showgirls? After the game is over those girls kicked, as in HIGH KICKS for an entire AC/DC song. I witnessed it and watched. You try kicking above your ear for an entire AC/DC song without any liquor. Just try it! Super hard and I realized then, that all those times I made fun of them in the past? They completely redeemed themselves. BRAVO, showgirls!
After the game, we went to the food truck court. Let me rephrase that...after the game and a quick shower to wash off the sweat from our bodies, we went to the food trucks. We met some friends there and enjoyed the evening getting to know each other. It was fun! Then we made our way back to bed and I stayed up watching the UT USC game. HELLO! Great game! Double OT even. Matthew on the sidelines getting excited. Vince Young there as well! BUT dang it! They lost. USC dropped in the rankings today and TCU hit 14, but it's such a sad loss. It would have been amazing for them to beat them!!!
The next day, we went to mass together, then lunch at my favorite place HG Supply. If you ever get close to a location, GO. Just GO, Everything I've ever had there is AMAZEBALLS! I love that place!
Until next time, TCU...
Kristin
the one where I go for a walk in my neighborhood
We sold our home in Saddleclub back in March and moved into a rental home in West Lubbock. We are literally across the street from Best Buy. Not even kidding. I think it's called Remmington Park? It's my first time in a close neighborhood since my college days. I'm kind of liking it. Kanga and I have gotten to know the sidewalks pretty darn good.
the one where I'm in Breckinridge for a wedding
internet is spotty. So I'm blogging this from my iPhone. It's gorgeous! I'm here for a wedding and rain is planned for tomorrow, tgecwedfing say. We shall see. Wouldn't matter if it did rain, with this couple. They are completely chill and so ready for this! They would have fun regardless.
I'll be back in the office on Tuesday. Ready to share some amazing pictures!!! Wet or dry.
love does,
kristin
the one with a pano shot of Austin on the 4th of July
Last year, I was in Austin for the 4th. I had a wedding that weekend, (shout out to DJ + Kinsey, Hello! Happy 1 year!!!) and I stayed an extra day or so. Kalyn Marie was moving and I thought I'd help. It worked out great because Bridgette, Ashlyn, and Meghan were passing through on their way to a basketball camp. I love it when life works that way!
We decided to grab dinner at Chuy's and then head to the river for some fireworks. I'd do this again minus the parking. Next time? I'll Uber. We got stuck in the parking garage for a long long time. Kind of put a damper on the night.
Kalyn Marie's very good friend Christine was there hanging with us and that's always a good thing. And despite the heat, it was gorgeous and a great night!
Happy 4th July Everyone!
the one where Summer Zoe has hip surgery
When Summer was in high school, her senior year, she stopped playing ball. She had taken a bad fall between her sophomore and junior year and damaged her pelvis and hip area. She had surgery on her right hip, the one she cut with the most on the court, and at that time, the doctor told her that she'd know when it would be time to do the other. Over the last 2 years, it just kept getting worse and worse, so over the summer break, she decided it was time.
We made the trip up last week and that's the reason why we are staying home for the 4th. She's got 2 weeks of recovery time before she can start PT and even walking again. I have a wedding coming up in Colorado, (HELLO, Rebecca!!!) and I plan on taking her with me to "get away". I mean, she did just get back from Europe, so it's not like she hasn't "gotten away", but still. Everyone needs a goal to work towards.
I took these photos with my iPhone. I've been following a guy online and watching his videos and tutorials and learning more and more tricks about it. Getting better all the time. I'm loving having it with me all the time! Such a great way to document life.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!
Love does,
Kristin
the one with a July 4th from the past
Happy 4th of July, America!
Summer Zoe, my youngest, had surgery last week. It's nothing too serious, but we do need to stay home pretty much for a couple of weeks. So, that means, we don't have big plans this 4th of July. Devin is at the Slaton park cooking with the Knight's of Columbus, so that leaves me and Summer. I think we may take in a movie. That's it for us this year, I think. It will be weird to not have the fireworks going off all around us. This is our first year of living in town. For the last 7 years, we've had fireworks going off all around us out at Saddleclub. That was one of my favorite things, to lay by our pool, or in it and simply watch the fireworks on all sides going off like crazy! They put on quite a show out there and they are just our neighbors! LOL
I'm slowing scanning in photos around here and thought I'd share some of July 4th 2001. For those interested, I'm taking these photos with my iPhone and storing them in the cloud as well as backing up to external disc. I hope to eventually get all my photos organized and easily accessible. Gosh, that would be a dream! Wouldn't it?
I hope everyone is having a great Holiday.
Love Does,
Kristin
the one with a ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce
I'm a board member of Lubbock Neighborhood Connection, formerly knows as LUNA. Remember the Human Foosball Tournament? Yep. That's us. We put that on to raise money for the organization that puts our neighborhoods first.
Our Goals:
- Take care of what we have. Regular and sufficient maintenance of infrastructure across all commercial and residential areas of the city, including north, east and central Lubbock.
- Make neighborhoods beautiful. In areas where homeownership is less prevalent, we work to reverse and prevent neglect of non-owner occupied properties to maintain and improve appearance of Lubbock neighborhoods.
- Keep Lubbock safe. By building solid relationships between the community, law enforcement and the city, we can help reduce crime and change the perception of safety in neighborhoods.
Well, we joined the Chamber. They have many of the same goals as we do and yesterday, we held a ribbon cutting for our organization and a press conference. We even served cupcakes.
Stay tuned for more from this organization and for more info, hit our website at www.lubbockneighborhoods.org.
Love does,
Kristin
the one with Noah, my nephew's graduation
My nephew graduated from high school this past weekend and I had the pleasure of attending. He lives in Long Beach, California with my fabulous sister, Kim. She homeschools her kids and the curriculum he follows, hosted their first ever graduation ceremony. Noah is a 2017 Graduate of Mother of Divine Grace School. The graduation took place at St. Thomas of Aquinas, in Santa Paula. It's a gorgeous campus and chapel. Just divine really. And the founder of the school, Laura Berquist attended the events and spoke at the ceremony. She did a wonderful job!
I wish my entire family could have attended, but Summer was in Europe and Kalyn was home with Devin in Lubbock, They were doing some demo work on our farm house. I love our wonderful country, but dang it, we are so big. I was the only one who could attend. And attend I did!
It was a lovely weekend! I'm so happy for Noah and excited about everything he has coming his way! He's attending California State University Long Beach. He's studying music. If you follow me on facebook, then maybe you've seen the video's of him playing piano? He's quite talented.
I'm home now and my family weekend is over. I'll admit it. I've got a bit of "the blues". But I have a wedding to photograph this weekend, so all is well. All is well.
Congratulations, Noah! I'm super proud of you!
Love does,
Kristin
the one where I ponder tough questions
I was listening to a podcast earlier today that asked a tough question about God. Basically, it said that if God created all life, all people, even me, then what makes me think that I know the right way to HIM? I mean, there are basically 1.2 billion people in India that are born and raised in the Hindu religion. They feel as strongly about their afterlife and their beliefs as I do. So a circumstance at birth would choose your fate? Do you think because they believe differently then me, they are going to Hell?
Do you believe in John 3:16?
"for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son. That who so ever believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
THE WORLD
EVERLASTING LIFE
But he creates the life that is born in India and a quick google search tells you this:
Human lives are also governed by karma, the law by which Hindus create their destiny through their words, thoughts and actions. Karma determines the Hindus' placement after reincarnation. Hindus also believe that no one religion teaches the only path to salvation, and that all are simply facets of God and the universe.
That is "everlasting life" to a Hindu. Right? Karma and reincarnation? I mean, I totally believe in Karma. You get what you put out in life. What goes around comes around. Do unto others as you would have done unto you.
Life is hard. And I don't have it all figured out. But I know what FEELS right. Being kind to others. ALL OTHERS.
Just pondering life today and missing an old friend.
Love does,
Kristin
the one with 5 things I'm lovin' this week
5 quick things I'm loving right now. I think this would be a fun weekly blog post. Don't you?
I really WANT these. And I didn't at first. I mean, they look like giant Q-tips sticking out of your ears. But then I saw the videos below, and I was hooked. Doesn't Apple ALWAYS DO THAT TO US?!??! They look like they would stay in nicely and just the way the guy with the ultra cool voice describes them, they are smart pods. They know when you want to listen AND you can use them to talk while you walk with your iPhone in your pocket. LOVE that!
I've loved their blog for YEARS, and recently they started a podcast. It's fun and I always learn something, even if I don't DIY myself. Essentially, this is their story. They are a young married couple, with 2 kids, that have bought and fixed up 3 homes so far. They blog about the DIY and have even written a couple of books. I feel like I KNOW them, even though I've never met them. And they both have a super nerdy quality about them, yet are quite fun to listen to. They are a great distraction from the normal news that's on the radio. I use the podcast app on my iPhone and listen away in my car, at my desk, even while juicing. Of course, I have a slew of podcasts I listen to, but these guys? They are my current favs.
I'm sitting here in pain as I type this. Not bad pain, the good pain from hard work. You know, the type of pain that gives you hope that your ass may indeed lift a few inches off the ground? That kind of pain. It's an app for your phone, tablet or apple TV. I use it on my apple TV. And it's good. Really good. There's short workouts, more intense workouts, and stretches. So far so good. I've tried other yoga apps before, but they didn't stick like this one. This one is doable. I enjoy it! Okay, so I don't enjoy all of it. During the cool down, Kanga attacks my face and it is NOT relaxing. But other then that, I LOVE this app!
4. Bomber Jackets
They are the cutest! And so versatile as well. I simply love Morgan Stewart's line called Touche LA, I think? They are soooo cute! Like THIS RED ONE from Revolve. Kind of pricy. I'm leaning more towards a H + M kind of price. LOL But I'm definitely gonna get one. Just too cute not to! And now you know I watched The Rich Kids of Beverly Hills. I'm sharing all sorts of stuff today, huh?
5. Snapchat
I've gotten a little obsessed with snapchat lately. If you follow me, I'm sure you can tell. LOL At first I resisted. All the cool kids were doing it and Hello! It didn't save your photos and I just couldn't wrap my head around something like that. But then, I realized you could save your stories and it was kind of a cool way to see what's up in the world. Oh, and they have these cute little filters, like bunny ears or that sweet little deer. Well, I was hooked! Here's basically what you do. You take small 10 second videos of your day and what you are doing. Or still shots. You know, your dog, juicing, taking a walk, etc. And you share them on your story. You can add text and well, here's where it gets good. The app has built in filters that honestly make you look AMAZING, skin wise, makeup wise, etc. OR can make you look completely silly. It's super fun and there's famous people you can follow.
That sums it up for now! I'll post
the one with Turkey Day 2016
Turkey Day 2016
The girls are home from college and we woke up Turkey Day morning and drove to the ranch. We never get off when we think we will. We are always running late. Something held us up this time as well? Oh. Devin's computer. He needed to do payroll for the Bull Stop and his 10+ old HP computer wasn't booting up. 2 hours later, problem fixed and workers paid so then we could leave to make the trip to Bednarz Ranch.
Kalyn Marie and Jack
It's not a very far drive. Just a little over 2 hours. It's my 3rd trip there. Our first one without Brooke. She's got a big girl job now working for News 25 down in Waco/Kileen area.
Kalyn Marie, Jack and Summer Zoe
We got to see her a few minutes on Saturday before we headed back to Slaton. The Bull Stop needed us.
The ranch was fun. Lots of good food and tons of laying around. This bunch likes the hunt. Me? Not so much. But that's ok. I had pies. Yeah. You heard me. Pumpkin and pecan pies. Total yum!
I didn't realize just how much I missed my girls until I laid eyes on them. But I did! I missed them madly!!!
We immediately sat down and chowed down in some amazing food! Total yum! Thank you, Emily for cooking do us! You too Davida. It was indeed total YUM!!!! Of course we are too much. Of course! So I went in a walk. Where better to walk on Turkey Day but on a Texas ranch? Utilize those wide open spaces!!!
Sit back and enjoy the scroll why don't cha?l and I hope you had a lovely Turkey Day.
New book I'm trying to get through.
the one where Rebekah + Samuel rehearse
I can't believe she's getting married! OMG!!! Kalyn and Rebekah grew up together. They've known each other since they could remember and Rebekah is like my 3rd daughter. I love her so! She's in love and she's getting married tomorrow and guess who gets to photograph the day? Yep. Me. I'm tickled pink. Tonight we rehearsed. Tomorrow? She's MARRIED!!!
love does,
Kristin
the one where I photograph football on my birthday
I share a birthday with Kim Kardashian. Did you know that? I didn't. So, check out the greeting on my birthday cake! Isn't that the cutest!!!
My kids came home this weekend because it's Rebekah's Shower and Bachelorette Party AND my birthday! That's a lot of stuff in one weekend. And even though I had to work on my birthday, I also got to photograph a football game. Or at least 1/2 of it. I left at 1/2 time to meet my family for birthday dinner. It's was great! Overall birthday grade? A+
A quick word about these flowers. Devin hasn't bought me flowers in AGES. Like 10-15 years. At least! So imagine my surprise when these showed up at work Friday. I honestly had to read the card twice. LOL They were supposed to be peach and soft shades of pink. My favs! But hello! Who's complaining! My old man remembered!
Now on to game photos! To view more game photos, click the "client photos" in the menu and you'll find 'em. Go Pirates!
Love does,
Kristin
the one with my YUBA YONDER 2016 vacation
I've been in vacation depression since I got home. Anyone else do that? You plan for weeks, go on your trip and then when you get home? You hit bottom and don't want to do anything ever again if it can't be as good as what you just did.
Vacation Depression. It's a thing. I looked it up.
So, I waited a few days to even share these images with anyone. I wanted to keep everything close and to myself. But now that I'm feeling a bit better, here goes nothing. MY YUBA YONDER 2016 VACATION.
My mom, Cheryl lives in Downieville, CA. It's a remote mountain town that started back during the California Gold Rush. There's history in this town and you can go to the museum and read all about it. It's pretty interesting and WILD. They even hung a few people "back in the day". But in OUR day, it's a nice place to visit and soak up the sun and experience "God's Country" as my step father, Donnie likes to call it. And he's totally right. The trees are tall and the sky feels close to heaven and the river? Pristine and beautiful and COLD. Yep. Pretty darn cold. But I braved it and it's what you do when you come visit.
It was just me and the girls. Devin couldn't make this trip. I'm not sure he made the last one back in 2008. I don't think he did. The boy works too much. But until we sale this house and he gets a break from all the bills, I'm not sure I can get him away.
Mom picked us up from the airport and after some Pokemon hunting and food, (yes I play! sooooo much fun!) we started making our way to her house. It's a 2 hour drive and 1/2 of it is on some windy, twisty roads. UGH! The girls hung their heads out of the car windows as mom drove and all of us arrived tired and wind blown! We did see quite a few deer on the way. For some reason the deer seem more colorful in Downieville. Not sure about that one.
The rest of our days were spent on the river enjoying our surroundings. This family has no problem having fun together! I can't wait until we can go back. Same time next year, everyone?
Love does,
Kristin
