Hello, blog.  It's been quite some time since we've seen each other, I know.  In fact, it's been 2 weeks since I last posted with you - the longest break between posts since I started blogging 3 years ago.  And frankly, well, it's been two of the best weeks I've had in a loooong time in regards to feeling rested.  Don't feel like you've been singled out, though; I've been neglecting/ignoring Facebook nearly as much, and I've enjoyed it equally as much. We had some invited guests stay with us this weekend, and one that was not-so-invited.  Claire and Jason Drumm and their two precious little girls, Sophia and Alaythea, came into town Friday night, and we had planned to spend the weekend with them just hanging out and doing a little family photography.  Unfortunately, I think the flu bug also decided to crash the party, and by early Saturday evening Claire, the girls, and myself were all feeling less than stellar.  As a result, our visit was cut a little short and they ended up having to head back to the Houston area Saturday night, but not before we squeezed in a little homemade pasta for dinner. We first met Jason and Claire last year when Claire contacted me out of the blue to ask if - as a surprise birthday gift for Jason - we could meet up for dinner in Dallas and give Jason and I a chance to talk a little photography.  We hit it off that night and have stayed in touch since, and Claire and Kylie worked out a time for them to come up and visit before they head out to LA where Jason will attend seminary school for the next 4 years.  These two are a true picture of what it means to love and serve each other, and we feel blessed that we have been directed to cross paths with them.  I only wish we had gotten to spend a little more time together this weekend. I'll post a couple of our 37-degree outdoor family session images later, but for now here's a few from our lazy Saturday morning sitting around the dining room table... before the runny noses, soar throats and coughing set in.  I just love this image of Claire and sweet little Alaythea.  I think this was right before her cheeks and nose started turning deep red throughout the rest of the day.

Ands here's Jason & Sophia practicin' their Picasso skills.  Great father-daughter moment.

Noah and his posse of 2x2's made the trip as well.

And on a side note, Kylie made some killer cupcakes for our small Super Bowl gathering on Sunday night, and she even topped 'em with some blue & white football tough guys to show her less-than-subtle allegiance to her home-state Colts.  Unfortunately they weren't enough to bring home the W.  My hat's off to the well-deserving Saints for a great game, though.