we could stick around and see this night through

I love taking pictures at night and don’t get to do it very often. So I decided to try photographing the Austin skyline, but I think the pictures would have been better a little earlier in the night when it was still dusk. I’ve had very little practice, so they’re not great. I need to teach myself the HDR technique in my spare time…

Nighttime in Austin

Nighttime in Austin

Nighttime in Austin

Nighttime in Austin

Nighttime in Austin

Nighttime in Austin

Drew was a pretty good sport about hanging out while I fiddled with my tripod and exposure settings. He made himself cozy on a low-hanging tree branch.

Nighttime in Austin

*Blog post title is a lyric from the song “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John

nightlight

My view from the wine bar. Enjoying a wine flight and live jazz music on Saturday night.

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beerz

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how i wonder what you are

For the first time since I moved to Austin, I headed back to Chicago for a quick weekend to attend my friend Sara’s baby shower. It was great to see her and her growing belly (I can’t believe how much bigger it was 3 months later!) and my other girlfriends who attended. Of course, I also got to hang out with my mom and brother who are still in the area. It was weird to be chauffeured from the airport by my mom – I was always the airport chauffeur for family that came to Chicago. I was never in Chicago without my own car. I would have liked to spend more time, drive by our condo to see how it’s holding up, stop by my former place of employment and see people, but it was a very quick weekend. I hope to be back at the holidays!

Sara and her husband Brady are not finding out the gender of their baby ahead of time. So the girls who threw the shower did a great job by choosing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” as the theme. The decor and gifts complimented the theme perfectly. They even had star balloons tied to the mailbox!

They strung a line of onesies across the fireplace where the gifts were placed.

Sara's Baby Shower

My friend Michelle made an ADORABLE diaper cake. I told her she should totally sell these on Etsy.

Sara's Baby Shower

Diapers circled little vases of flowers on the tables and stars hung from the chandelier.

Sara's Baby Shower

The food spread was nice and summery – fruits, cheeses, salad, chicken salad sandwiches, veggie pizza, and an apple tart pastry that my friend Jill made.

Sara's Baby Shower

The cake was so adorable!

Sara's Baby Shower

The mom-to-be was glowing and looked great!

Sara's Baby Shower

Everyone was invited to decorate a onesie for the baby.

Sara's Baby Shower

I kept mine simple with an iron-on elephant.

Sara's Baby Shower

Sara's Baby Shower

Michelle got a little more creative and made hers a Chicago Bears onesie with the butt saying “Packers Stink”. I doubt the daddy will allow it to be worn, being a die-hard Packers fan!

Sara's Baby Shower

Everyone brought a book to give the baby. Naturally, I called up my sister and told her to send me some!

Sara's Baby Shower

Sara got lots of awesome gifts. Just the gifts alone made me totally wish I had a reason to shop in the baby aisle – never mind that I can’t even look at a onesie without squealing. And don’t get me started on baby socks. I melt!

Sara's Baby Shower

Sara's Baby Shower

As if all the baby stuff was enough – there was also an actual baby in attendance! Sara’s friend Jamie recently had her second daughter. She was very well behaved the whole time.

Sara's Baby Shower

Sara's Baby Shower

After gifts, we took some pictures in the backyard. It was a HOT day in Chicago, but I’m used to the heat. Just kidding – I think it’s going to be a LONG time until I’m used to this kind of heat.

Sara's Baby Shower

It’s so exciting that not only Sara is having a baby, but my other good friend Jill is ALSO expecting a baby!! Sara is due near the end of August and Jill is due in early December.

Sara's Baby Shower

Sara had another friend there who is pregnant too – due any day now!!

Sara's Baby Shower

Sara's Baby Shower

Before we left, we all had to make a prediction for the sex of the baby, the birthdate, and weight and length. I guessed that she’ll be having a girl on her due date around 6 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long. We’ll see if I’m right!

Sara's Baby Shower

Can’t wait to get word of the birth – just a few weeks left!!! I’m hopeful I get to meet the baby at the holidays – along with Jill’s newborn!!

spider house cafe

The most eclectic cafe I’ve ever been to. AND they’re playing 90’s r&b. My night is complete.

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hey look mom, i’m on the moon!

Learnin’ some history at the Texas Museum of History.

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misters

’tis a bit hot here

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lord have mercy on my next thirty years

30th Birthday
Photo courtesy of Flickr user josche

Happy 30th Birthday to my darling husband.

New York - 8/2010

*Blog post title is a lyric from the song “My Next Thirty Years” by Tim McGraw