New Camera and Trip to Dallas

We found a camera we like! We took the plunge last week and ordered a Kodak Z1012 IS and I got to use it a lot this past weekend when I went up to Dallas. It is an incredible camera and it really wasn't too pricey for what you get. It has a 10.1 megapixel (I think that means almost professional quality. I also found out that means very large file sizes for pictures- oops!) and it has a 12x optical zoom which is the best part. I was able to zoom in from far away and get some awesome action shots of two of my nephews at their football game and playing on the swings at the park.

I had SO much fun visiting family and friends this weekend!! Friday night I saw my step-sister Kim and her two boys, Caden and Cale. I also saw Kim's new house which she had decorated and remodeled beautifully. She had one week to add new walls, doors, tile, and repaint before she had to be in her house. I was amazed at how everything turned out. It's been almost 9 months since I had last seen the boys and they have grown so much! Caden just started Kindergarten and was a pro on the football field Saturday morning. He has a lot of natural sports talent. Cale had changed the most. He just turned 4 a few months ago and loves to have conversations now. Last time it was just a few words back and forth. The best was watching him talk to a girl who he's friends with at the football game. He's leaning back against the bleachers and you hear him say, "Sooo, have you seen Wall-E?" It was adorable! Of course he wasn't flirting, but it sure looked like practice for Friday Night football dates someday :-)



I also got to see Seth, my brother-in-law, and Taylor Kate, my niece, at the football game Saturday morning. TK was a cheerleader- can you believe they have a 4 year old cheerleader squad for this football team? Crazy! I loved watching her cheer and get chased by the boys. On Sunday, I saw my other step-sister, Nicole, and my nephew Brenden (TK's mom and brother). We had fun playing dress-up and watching the movie "Enchanted" over at their house. So great to see how much Brenden has grown. He turned two a few months ago and is good at recognizing his ABC's. It's amazing how quickly kids can learn things!

Lastly, I got the privilege to stay with our dear friends Russell and Angela and I got to meet their sweet boy, Caedmon. Baby fever here I come :-) He was so adorable, and I loved getting to hold him and rock him. Even better was watching Angela hold him and be totally captured by him. I pray blessings on this little family! He's only 7 weeks old and already sleeping through the night most of the time.


I am so thankful for friends and family, and I am really thankful for this last year to be in Texas and be within driving distance of everyone. It's made it a lot easier to stay in touch and build those relationships.