Two weeks ago the Drumms came up to stay with us for the weekend.  As I mentioned in my ealier blog post, unfortunately our time was cut short when Claire, the girls, and myself started feeling a little less than Stellar.  Well, two weeks later I'm still trying to shrug off whatever it is that I got that weekend, but I'm almost there.  I've been laying a little low since then, but I did take some time to finish up the images from the 40-some degree session we did down in Highland Park. Here's a few of my frigid favorites.

You'd never know they were freezing in the image below.

Jason grabbed my other camera and took this photo....

.... of me taking this photo of Sophia.

I think what I like the most about this next image is because these two are the real deal when it comes to affection towards one another.

Sweet Alaythea.  So precious.

And finally, our session came to an end after little Alaythea's encounter with a patch of mud.

And finally, our session came to an end after little Alaythea's encounter with a patch of mud.

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.

A couple months ago I received the sweetest email from Claire. She wrote adoringly about her husband, Jason, and how she was so proud of him and his perseverance & dedication in recently graduating with his degree in Christian Leadership while at the same time working and also starting a budding photography business to support the family (they have 2 beautiful daughters). This meant driving 60 miles one way to and from work/school while getting up at 4am to work on homework & photography business stuff so that he could spend time with Claire and the girls while they were awake. The next step in their journey is to move out to Los Angeles next year so that Jason can attend seminary school. For now, though, Claire was writing to tell me that she was planning a surprise trip to Dallas and a stay at the Hotel Magnolia for Jason's graduation and birthday gift, and she asked if Kylie and I would be willing to join them for dinner so that Jason and I could talk photography. Honestly, I think my initial reaction was one of hesitation because I'd never met or spoken to these people other than through a couple comments on the blog. I was drawn to the sincerity and authenticity in Claire's message, though. I didn't have to meet her to tell she was crazy about her husband and that they were good peoples. I think the way she ended her email was the clincher... A wife madly in love, Claire Drumm I asked Kylie what she thought, and she didn't hesitate at all, so we were in. We met up with Jason and Claire last night at a restaurant called Fuse in downtown Dallas and had a fantastic evening with our new friends dining in our own old-elevator-shaft-turned-private-dining-room. Jason and Claire are the real deal when it comes to passionately pursuing Christ, and it was evident as we got to know them that God had shown up so many times in their lives. They are the sweetest couple and a ton of fun to hang out with. Of course we talked photography throughout the night, but I really enjoyed just hearing their amazing story and talking about every day life with them. They are 2 genuine people chasing after a picture (no pun intended... well maybe a little) of marriage as God intended. Here's a few images from our "blind date".

I love me some big, old buildings.

A self-portrait in some store front glass before we met for dinner.

And here's Jason and Claire. Aren't they adorable?

I love this photo. So sweet... and HOT.

Fuse was a very cool place with great food and eclectic decor. Below is an image of a wall that leads to the unisex bathroom. Isn't it incredible? (the wall, not the unisex bathroom part).

After dinner, we walked upstairs in the restaurant to the outdoor patio. It had an "interesting" vibe that included some great decor and plants...

...a DJ playin' some smooth music...

... lots of soothing lighting...

... and of course a belly dancing, flame twirling girl standing in the pool. You know, the standard stuff. {not pictured in this post: a few couples making out like they were the only ones there}

And finally, on the way out of the restaurant they have a sweet collection of hand-painted cowboy boots.

After dinner, we walked over to the Hotel Magnolia where Jason and Claire were staying, and while we tragically got there too late for the free milk and cookies in the stylin' 2nd floor lounge area, we did get this image of the hand-painted ceiling in the elevator corridor.

Jason and Claire - Thanks so much for a wonderful evening. We wish you guys abundant blessings in the journey ahead, and we look forward to keeping in touch.