Party of Five

I had the best grown-up, old-person weekend. And, I don't care who knows it.

I traveled to Minneapolis for work last Wednesday - Friday and got back about 11pm on Friday night. And, then I got back on a plane for a day trip to my base office in Dallas Monday morning. Home about 9:30 on Monday night. Airport food and airport people watching overload.

But back to the weekend. I got home late, and the house was empty. :( Andrew and Frank went back to the farm to help the Moore clan with harvest. Franklin loves the farm, but I think he has a different opinion now. Brace yourselves, people.

Andrew tried to make Franklin into a real dog. He slept OUTSIDE. He rode in the BACK of the truck. On a FLATBED. He didn't get to go in the house once.

I told Franklin he never had to go back to the farm himself again. Ha.

So, as Andrew was cruising along in the combine, and Franklin was probably eating cat poop just to survive, I was being a grown-up.

I got up super early and went garage sale shopping. Rockwood had a neighborhood-wide garage sale day, and it was pretty sweet. I didn't find anything crazy, just a handful of frames I plan to paint white for a cohesive, but a bit more eclectic look. Also, bought a $2 wooden chair that is a great shape and size, but just missing a spool. Andrew will fix this. :)

I was in the mood for a bargain, so I stopped by a really cute consignment shop, but didn't find anything I had to have so continued to downtown so I could take cityscape pictures for my photog class. Even though I had to miss class on Monday due to work travel, I still did my homework. I am that kind of a student.

Found some pretty good spots!

And, also found out that Wichita has a weird infatuation with animals on buildings. Just on Tuesday I saw a gorilla perched on a roof as I was driving down Douglas. Weird.

As I was driving around trying to find interesting things to shoot, I stumbled upon a new consignment shop - Pea Pod! And...found a great small side table that I knew would be a great addition to our family room.

Because let's face it. We've got to get that room all did up. Because we are hosting Thanksgiving again this year! So excited about that, BTW. Already thinking of how I'm going to decorate my table. :)

Anyways, I got it painted and in the house by the end of the weekend. Pretty sweet.

After taking pictures for a bit, I ventured to Hobby Lobby for fall decor. Didn't find a fall wreath I loved so I decided, what the heck. I will just make my own. From all of this.

So I did. On a Saturday night. And, I think it is lovely.

In addition to catching up on all of my DVR'd shows, I also recovered three of my six canvases in the living room. I just didn't love the stripes.

Before:

After:

Not a huge difference, but I am much happier with this collection of fabrics. And, I am picky.

And, did you notice the addition? I finally found an ottoman I liked. On Overstock.com. Surprised? I was, but the quality is great and the price was right. Extra storage? Yes, please. Holler!

On Sunday, I cleaned house, and the boys got home around noon. Franklin was filthy so he literally ran in the house, and we herded him straight into the backyard for a bath. And then he slept all day because he was traumatized and tired from sleeping out in the shed.

Finished up the night with a trip to Lora and Casey's new casa, and it's awesome!

So glad for a week at home to catch up. And super excited for the game tomorrow night in Manhattan. Now, if only I can get a reenactment of the storm there a couple of weeks ago. I am so bummed I missed that sky action with my camera...

Last weekend Adele and Bailey were back in Wichita which meant play date for Franklin! He loves, loves, loves Bailey.

They came over to our house and had the best time playing ball. Which means Bailey had a good time playing ball, and Franklin had a better time chasing her and leeching on to her instead of being concerned about the toys.

Pretty girl.

Super concerned about where the toy is.

Best friends.

Best friends. :)

Wow this is really old news now. It has just been that kind of week...for multiple weeks now.

Andrew and I made it to Kansas City for the K-State/Iowa State game and had SO much fun. It was awesome being able to see so many good friends. And, it was so nice staying in Kansas City for the weekend instead of rushing back like we always end up doing after weddings.

So anyways, our seats were super high up...

and then a stroke up luck hit...and I made it down on the field thanks to a very generous offer through our good friend Stacy Simmer. What an experience. I used a borrowed press pass and although I was down on the field during halftime and only shortly after, it was awesome to practice my new photo skills.

Things look so different from on the field.

And you see different things. Like the band jamming to Glee tunes.

Like stacks of shoes.

And Iowa State running to defeat. :)

And something I never knew was how hot it is down there. Zero breeze. I wanted to do this so bad.

And these guys are so much bigger face-to-face. Yikes. And also way more tatooed.

Hello, huge man.

After dinner at Kona later that night, and a great shoot with Sarah and Ginger the next day, we headed home after an amazing weekend.

Can't wait for the game on Thursday against the Huskers. And, can't wait to practice night shooting. :)

When I said I wanted practice taking portraits, I wasn't kidding. And thank goodness Sarah took me up on it. Because I am OBSESSED with these pictures from last weekend. I have been so slammed with work I haven't been able to post until now which makes me sad because I have been looking at these pictures all week and couldn't wait to share them.

Sarah has been the proud mommy to Ginger for quite some time, and I hope these pictures are what she was looking for. I think they are. Something to show just how beautiful Ginger is. And something that she can have forever and ever.

We headed out to the barn? stable? ranch? (I am at a loss...wherever Sarah boards Ginger...) into a very foggy Sunday morning. Wasn't quite sure about that since I'm still a learning and hadn't shot in the fog yet. Oh. My. GOSH. They turned out soooo good! The lighting was great. I used my new techniques from my class (now two weeks in). The model was great; Ginger is so pretty. Lucky for me she is my favorite kind of horse. I'm sure Sarah will correct me with a technical term, but I just love the chestnut color.

So here we go. And, once again peeps...I want to practice taking pictures on you! And your dog. And your kids. And your anything. Keep it clean. :)