More photos from our trip to Texas a couple of weeks ago! I am usually pretty bad at documenting trips, since I would rather be in the moment rather than observing it from behind a camera. However, this time I really wanted to make the effort to capture life with our family, whom we don’t get to see often at all. Traveling from South Carolina to Texas sure wasn’t easy with a two year old, but it was so worth it to visit our home state and just get to love and be loved on by our family!

All images here captured with a Nikon D600 and a Nikkor 35mm 1.4 lens.

Hanging out with Dustin’s side of the family in Dallas – Grandpa, Gigi, and “Aunt Bill.” :) Here, we are having lunch at Jorg’s Cafe Vienna, a favorite of the Chappell family. They are regulars, and as a matter of fact, Dustin’s father was Jorg’s very first customer!

Here, Austyn is having a blast popping some popcorn with Gigi. She was totally enthralled by the sound and the process!

Austyn loves to share with Daddy – but has a bad habit of sticking her tongue out when she has something in her mouth! Looks like Daddy isn’t doing much to discourage that!

A few family photos in the park, and a quick shot of Aunt Bill and her boyfriend Chris. :) Love seeing how happy they make one another.

Next up, a visit with our good friends Pedro and Lili! We FINALLY got to meet their baby girl Allie! Life is so different for each of us couples than it was even just a few years ago, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. :) It’s so cool seeing how each of our families are growing while still being able to connect as friends!

After saying our good-byes to family, we headed back to South Carolina but decided to make a stop in Atlanta again. This time, we stayed the night and made a day trip to the Georgia Aquarium. It was the PERFECT way to catch some quality time alone as a family unit before heading back to Columbia. Austyn fell head over heels for the dolphins at the live dolphin show!

See you soon, Texas!