Go Rangers!

Monday afternoon we headed to Arlington to watch the Rangers play.  I had purchased a coupon book back in the spring which included several buy one get one free tickets as well as four "free" tickets.  The coupon book cost me $40, so technically the tickets were not free.  But they were still way cheaper than if we would have bought them at regular price.  We used several of the buy one get one free coupons back in July, and used our "free" tickets on Monday night.  The only bad thing about the "free" tickets is that they had to be used on Sunday thru Thursday games.  Oh well, what is the big deal about keeping your family out until 1am on a work/school night to watch some baseball and make some memories?  Memories that we are still trying to recoup from.

We stopped at Humperdinks to eat before the game.  As we were leaving, we saw they had a shuttle that would take us right up to the gate and drop us off.  And then pick us up afterward and bring us back to our car. This was only $8 for all of us.  Perfect!  Especially since the last time we went we paid $20 for parking and still walked forever. The shuttle (very old blue school bus) dropped us off at the gate.  After the game, we only had to wait a couple of minutes for it to pick us up.  We loaded on the bus with about 40 or 50 other people (or however many fit on a bus).  We drive about 100 feet and then hear a loud noise and it turned out to be not so perfect.  A blow out. Not one, but two tires.  Great.  The very embarrassed bus driver told us we had two options:  1) go back to the gate and wait for them to bring a second bus which they didn't even have in service that night or 2) walk back to our car.  He gave us short cut directions on how to get back to Humperdinks cutting thru parking lot and fields.  So of course that is what we did.  Somehow Courtney and I fell towards the back of the group.  I guess it was the field full of thorns and briars that slowed me down in my flip flops.  There was an older couple who was behind us.  The woman fell, so we made sure she got up and was okay.  And then about 10 feet later,  her husband fell.  So we slowly made our way back with them.  And about 30 minutes later we made it to the car.  For a two hour ride home.  

We did have a really good time.  Most of the game was tied at 4, but Beltre came through in the bottom of the 9th and knocked in the game winning run.

Pictures by Studio 16 Photography

One of the photographers that attended Tara's workshop, Tamarah Sharp, who owns Studio 16 Photography in the Waco area, recently posted some of the pictures she took of Courtney on her Facebook page.  She did an amazing job!!!  Be sure and "like" her Facebook page and see her amazing work.

I LOVE all of them, but I think the last one is my favorite that she took :)

Photo Shoot

A few months ago a well known photographer in the area, Tara Swain, had a casting call on her website.  She was looking for a 2013 senior to be a model in a photography workshop she was putting on for some photographers.  I sent a few pictures in of Courtney....and she was CHOSEN to be the senior model for the workshop!!  This included hair, make-up and clothes borrowed from SOHO downtown.  The only thing Tara asked us to supply was a pair of red torn skinny jeans (these proved a little difficult to find, but we finally found some on Amazon).  This was very exciting news around our house.  For one, we would get Courtney's senior pictures made by THE Tara Swain, who is almost impossible to get in with unless you book a year in advance.  And for two, Tara is in such demand, that her prices have increased quite a bit since she took Michael's senior pictures three years ago, so we probably would not have been able to afford her.  I can not put in to words how incredibly talented and creative Tara is.  Just go over to www.taraswain.com and take a look for yourself.  Her work is just awesome!!!

This past Tuesday was the big day, Court went to get her hair and make-up done by Tiffany and Smokin Hot Make-up, who is pretty amazing herself!  Then we traveled out to Sumner to Tara's awesome new studio. Tara had three photographers attending the workshop.  One was from Midland, TX, one from Waco, TX, and I didn't ever hear where the third one was from.  While all the photographers had their fancy cameras out snapping photos, I took a few myself with my snazzy little iPhone 4...ha

  Yesterday, Tara posted a few sneak peaks of Court's pictures on her Facebook page... 

 I LOVE LOVE LOVE these pictures and CAN'T WAIT to see the rest of the ones that she took.  See, I told you she was amazing :)

And by the way, we did go down to SOHO and purchase the dress and the shoes that Court wore.  She loved them, and they looked great on her!

And here are a few pictures that Tara took 3 years ago for Michael's senior pics

Tara was just as awesome back then too!!

A visit from Tennessee

Last weekend Michael and some of his friends came home for a quick visit.  He brought two of his roommates, Eric and Jake, as well as Eric's girlfriend Allie (who I adore!).  This was Eric and Allie's second visit to our house, but Jake's first visit - as well as his first trip to Texas.  They left Freed around 3pm on Friday afternoon and arrived home around 10:45 that night.  Saturday morning after breakfast they headed down the road to the Huckleberry for their first ever auction.  And the boys found them some treasures to take back to Freed with them.  The weekend went WAY TO FAST!  

I really didn't really take many pictures which is not like me.  I guess I was too busy cooking trying to keep them all fed.  Seems like that is what I did most of the weekend, but I certainly didn't mind!!

Eric, Michael and Jake with one of their Huckleberry finds

 Brittany came over for a while Saturday afternoon.  It was so nice to see her too.  I just love her to pieces!!

I was so happy for the short amount of time that I was able to spend with Michael and his friends.  And so very thankful for the safe trip they had down here and back to Tennessee.  Hopefully, my mom, Court and I will be able to make a quick trip to Tennessee next month :)

A shower for Kelli

Kelli Mitchell got engaged a couple of months ago and is planning a November wedding.  She is living in Arkansas now, so our church gave her a shower last weekend while she was in town.  Her colors are red, black and off white.  I think the decorations all turned out really cute!

Kelli and Trey opening their gifts

The hostesses:  Alice, Amy, Joyce, Mel, Mandy, me and Becky (not pictured)

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Congratulations Kelli and Trey.  We wish you a life full of happiness and love!

Party at the Unruh's

The Sunday before Labor Day, the Unruh's always invite everyone from church to their house for a good ole fish fry after evening services.  And they always have a bounce house or slide for the kids (and some adults) to play on.  We always look forward to this every year!!  Good food, good friends, and good fellowship!!

Avery and Grace in their Texas shirts

 Aubree & Autumn 

 Caleb

 Jack

 The men patiently waiting on the fish to be cooked

 Avery ditched the slide once she spotted the mule

 Autumn, Courtney, Avery, Hailey and Erin

 Jame & Virgie

 Denis and John

 Paul

 John Henry and Sandra

 Chow time

 Evan, Jack and Avery looking at the puppies

 Benton and Avery going for a ride

 Avery and Courtney on the slide

Thank you Earl and Lenita for opening your home to us and for a delicious meal!!  We enjoyed it so much!!