Spring

There are pictures I take every spring.  The Dallas Blooms event at the Dallas Arboretum with their rows and rows of tulips is one.  The other are the bluebonnets.

Some years are better than others.  In 2013 (I think?) there were hardly any at the field by my house.  The first year there were tons.  This year was pretty good, and I think I was there at their peak.  Or at least before they got pummeled by the hail Sunday night.

It's not exactly the easiest thing to photograph.  And definitely not my favorite thing to edit.  I am still figuring out how my camera (a year old now) handles white balance and why it's so bizarre.  Getting the green to look right while not washing out subjects is hard.  I also don't shoot RAW (long complicated story but mostly Sony and Adobe must hate each other) so I have to try to get it right in the can.  HARDER.  And in some of these I still don't love how they look on the computer screen.  But if they print, it'll look totally different.  And two of these are print contenders for the stairs wall.

Grady now helps me take pictures.  He likes that way better than being in the pictures.  We're working on framing your picture.  Grady hates taking pictures.  A lot.  David sees an opportunity here to be the favored child and says "I love taking pictures mommy!"

Actual conversation:

G: I hate taking pictures.
D: I love taking pictures.
M: Thank you David. [Gives G the eye in the rear view mirror]
G: [To David] It'd be better if she didn't have to take a 100!
D: I like when she takes 160!

Giggle.

They are mostly friends (with 100% hero worship from D) but they are competitive too, especially for favors.

Julia views herself as above them, apart from them, mostly.  And tries to mother them.  She loves them.

I can not believe I've been taking Grady's picture in bluebonnets for 7 years.

Honey time marches on ... and eventually you realize it's marchin' across your face.

Truth, Dolly.  Truth.