{Texas Tuesday // The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden – Kerrville, TX}

There are some places in Texas that you visit, and then there are those you experience. The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville is most definitely the latter. Nestled in the heart of the Hill Country, this stunning and sacred space offers far more than just beautiful views, it touches your heart and soul.

We visited the garden on a trip to the Texas Hill Country, and to say it was moving would be an understatement. From the moment we stepped onto the grounds, we felt the peace and presence of The Lord.

{Summer Photo Checklist // Capture the Magic of the Season // Free Printable}

There’s just something about summer...the golden light, the slow mornings, the road trips and lake days, the way time seems to stretch a little longer. It’s the season of memories, and for me, that means photos, lots of them! Whether you’re spending your summer chasing sunsets, exploring Texas backroads, or hanging out on your porch with sweet tea and hummingbirds, I’ve created a fun Summer Photo Checklist to help you capture the beauty and joy of this season.

{Texas Tuesday // Palo Duro Canyon}

 The Grand Canyon of Texas...

On our way back from our Colorado road trip, we made a stop that had been on my Texas bucket list for a long time...Palo Duro Canyon. And let me just say… wow. Texas never ceases to amaze me. A little wink from God, reminding us of the beauty He painted into every corner of this state.

{Texas Summer Bucket List Free Printable // Plan Your Next Adventure!}

Summer in Texas is one of my favorite times of the year! From wildflower-lined roads to small-town festivals, there’s no shortage of adventure waiting just around the corner. Whether you're a native Texan or just passing through, there’s something truly special about exploring the Lone Star State and I’ve created a fun way for you to do just that!

Today I’m excited to share a FREE printable Texas Bucket List to help you and your family make the most of your time in this beautiful state. It's filled with ideas for unforgettable road trips, hidden gems, iconic eats, quirky attractions, and good ol’ Texas charm. 🌵🤠

{Halloween Party with the Family}

 We had the most wonderful little family gathering for Halloween, and it was filled with so much fun and laughter. It’s always special to spend time with loved ones, and this year we really made the most of the holiday by creating some great memories.

{HALL FARMS // CHICKENS AND EGGS}

No matter how long I've had chickens, collecting eggs will always be one of my favorite things!! Especially when you finally have a flock of hens that leave you beautiful eggs!! 

{A SWEET SATURDAY WITH THE NEPHEWS}

This morning we went to our nephew's soccer game. That's always a fun time! After the game, Nate's parents had the boys over and since we live right behind them, we got to visit with them too! We had a sweet little time playing outside, holding the chickens, gathering eggs, and even a little frog catching. 

{Currently // November 2021}

 It's been a while since I have joined in with Anne for her "Currently" series. I've always loved these posts! Especially around fall and Christmas-time! Here's what I am currently appreciating, getting, making, sharing, and wearing. 

{Fall 2021 porch}

 One of my favorite things about our home is our front porch! While I wish it was a wrap-around porch, I do love the space we have. I enjoy decorating our front porch with every season...especially fall and Christmas-time!! I kept it pretty simple this year, but I love it all the same. 

{My Irises have bloomed and the garden is growing}

 Have I said lately how much I love Spring? My purple Irises have started blooming all around the property! They are such pretty pops of color! We have white, yellow, and purple around here. 

{Beach House Tour // Surfside House}

We had so many people ask us about the beach house we were staying at during our recent vacation to Surfside beach. So, I decided to do a beach house tour.

{FREEPORT, TX ~ SURFSIDE BEACH // SUMMER VACATION 2020}

I've been putting this post off for far too long! I think I was intimidated by the number of photos I took (and making the YouTube video). Anyhow, back on June 16th, we headed down to the Freeport, TX / Surfside Beach area for several days! Nate's entire family went and it was the first time in years that we have all been together for a vacation! It was really nice.

{Hall Around Texas // 2017 in pictures}

Way back when I used to post a monthly collage of my favorite photos on Instagram to recap that month. Then I missed a month or two and never went back to catch up so I started making the collages and posting them to the blog instead. Last year  I decided that I would use this as my "Year in Review" type of post. Here are my collages for 2017.

{New Mexico Vacation // Days 1 and 2}

Hey hey hey! I am finally starting to document our New Mexico vacation! A trip to the mountains was just what my soul needed. We had so much fun. Although we packed so much into the trip we really did have a relaxing time. I think the mountains just do that to you. And it's a much slower pace of living. And maybe the fact that we could actually be outside without feeling like we were melting or suffocating! I think I was most looking forward to the lower temps and the lower humidity, and well, NM did not disappoint. When it was 20 % humidity in NM it was like 88% in Texas. Such a major difference. Coming home was like a big slap in the face. Anyhow, here are days 1 and two of our New Mexico vacation.

{Hall Around Texas // 2016 in pictures}

For a while I posted a monthly collage of pictures on Instagram. The collage featured things we had done that month. Somewhere along the way I stopped posting them on Instagram, but I didn't stop making the collages. I wanted to share them here. This is a look at our 2016...in pictures!

{HallAroundTexas IG Monthly - 2015}

One of my dearest friends {Ashlea} started documenting her family's month by a round-up of photos in a collage on IG and I loved the idea. So much that I copied her! Even though these pictures can be found on my Instagram I wanted them here on my blog too! 

January:

✌️out January. You were good to us. Hello February! #hallaroundtexasmonthly

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Feb 2, 2015 at 1:24pm PST

February:

February you were a fun and exciting month! ❤️ can't wait to see what March has in store for us!!! 💚 #hallaroundtexas2015 #hallaroundtexasmonthly

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Mar 2, 2015 at 6:53am PST

March:

✌️ out March! Hello April!! 👋 #hallaroundtexas2015 #hallaroundtexasmonthly

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Apr 1, 2015 at 7:42pm PDT

April:

✌🏼 out April! 👋🏼 Hello May! #hallaroundtexas2015 #hallaroundtexasmonthly

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on May 1, 2015 at 2:01pm PDT

May:

May was a big month for us...my best friends wedding, Kindergarten registration, Masons first time mutton bustin, PreK graduation, Masons first flight, Mason's ➄th birthday and of course DISNEY WORLD!! June has big shoes to fill, for sure. #hallaroundtexasmonthly #hallstakedisney2015 #masonlane #hallaroundtexas2015

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Jun 2, 2015 at 8:39pm PDT

June:

June, you were alright. Looking forward to July. Hello summer!! #hallaroundtexasmonthly #hallaroundtexas2015

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Jul 1, 2015 at 6:36pm PDT

July:

Still trying to figure out where in the world July went! Gonna soak up these last summer days before my sweet boy starts Kindergarten. #hallaroundtexas2015 #hallaroundtexasmonthly

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Aug 2, 2015 at 10:55am PDT

August:

I forgot to post this on the 1st, but better late than never! If I had to sum up September with one word I would say exhausting. Both physically, but mostly mentally. It was a time of growing and learning for us. And lots of praying. But it was also good. A perfect mix of going & doing and staying put. Now onto October...one of my favorite months!!!! #hallaroundtexas2015 #hallaroundtexasmonthly

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 4, 2015 at 6:13am PDT

September:

I forgot to post this on the 1st, but better late than never! If I had to sum up September with one word I would say exhausting. Both physically, but mostly mentally. It was a time of growing and learning for us. And lots of praying. But it was also good. A perfect mix of going & doing and staying put. Now onto October...one of my favorite months!!!! #hallaroundtexas2015 #hallaroundtexasmonthly

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 4, 2015 at 6:13am PDT

October:

October was a good month! Excited to see what November will bring. #hallaroundtexas2015 #hallaroundtexasmonthly

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Nov 1, 2015 at 6:14pm PST

November:

November was such a good month for us. We kind of cheated and kicked off our Christmas season early and I'm not mad about it. Not one bit. Can't wait for all of Decembers adventures!! I love this time of year. ❥❥❥ #hallaroundtexas2015 #hallaroundtexasmonthly

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Dec 1, 2015 at 5:56am PST

December:

December is one month that I wish would slow down. It passes by entirely too fast for my liking and I'm sad to see it go. Looking forward to what 2016 has in store for us. #hallaroundtexasmonthly

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Jan 1, 2016 at 8:13pm PST

#hallaroundtexasmonthly

{The Five W's of Hall Around Texas}

My sweet friend Stephanie at Wife Mommy Me blogged about her five W's and I loved the idea. I asked her if I could copy. ;) Here's a bit about us.

WHO || Nathan, Crystal & Mason. Nathan and I are high school sweethearts and will celebrate our 19th year together this November the 1st. Nathan works in the defense industry and I am a senior account manager for a marketing firm. I am blessed to work from home full time. So blessed. In 2010 we welcomed our first {and only so far} little boy named Mason. Now he's a big ol' 5 year old Kindergartener. He's so witty and too smart for his own good. He makes our world go 'round and we love him so. 

For more about our love story click here 

WHAT || This blog is our family scrapbook, so most posts are what we have been up to lately. We are always on the go. We love to camp and travel throughout Texas and I love to share about it on the blog. We have also been DIY'ing a lot lately and sharing our projects here. Also, this is where I keep up with all things Mason.

WHEN || I started blogging when we found out we were pregnant with Mason. We were going to wait 12 weeks to announce to everyone, but I wanted to tell my closest aunts first. And, I wanted a way where they could all see it at once. So I whipped up that "We are pregnant" post and then emailed them all to check out the link. I am not sure what made me go the "blogging" route, though. I could have just emailed them all at once, too. ha. Next it because my pregnancy journal...then baby blog...and now it's just about our life.

WHERE || T E X A S!!!!! I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. We are about 35 miles South of Dallas in a little rural country town and we adore it. Such a great place to raise a family. 

WHY || Mostly because I enjoy it. Taking pictures is an obsession and passion of mine and where better to share those photos than on my blog? And I love having a place where our family members and friends from different states can go to catch up on us and what we have been up to. And also because of the amazing community that I have found in blogging. I have met the sweetest ladies and feel so blessed to call them friends.

Of course this is the sweet and condensed version. Have any questions? Just let me know!

{Weekend Wrap-up // Six Flags, Antique Alley and Bluebonnet Festival}

Happy Monday!! Man, the weekend flewwwww by too quick. And I really stunk at taking pictures this weekend, too. Ugh! Even though I don't have the pictures, we had a pretty fabulous weekend.

Friday was our annual school district night out at Six Flags. The park is only open to the employees and their families for this night. Last year {here} we had a blast! We could basically walk up to any ride and had no wait/line. This year we rode 3 rides and a typhoon came! They shut down all but like 4 things {Runaway Mountain which is indoors, the train, antique cars and the carousel}. We hopped on the train and rode it for a couple of round trips all the while getting soaked by the storm! We still enjoyed it, but would have loved to be able to do more. Good thing we have Disney in like 34 days or something like that!!





Saturday morning Nate woke up early to help his dad with a few things & hit the gym while Mason and I got ready for the day. We went with his brother and girlfriend and her cousin to Antique Alley and the Bluebonnet Festival. And guess what? I forgot my dang camera. I was so disappointed! Antique Alley was good, but super crowded. We only went to 2 of the 3 towns and were ready to call it quits! But not before I snagged a wooden sign {in turquoise} that says "In the morning when I rise give me Jesus" and also a feed sack that says "Sweet Tea & Jesus". LOVE!!! 



Next was the Bluebonnet festival in Ennis. They had bouncehouses, a petting zoo, games, vendors selling all kinds of things, and food, etc. It was neat to walk around and check it all out! After the festival we drove the bluebonnet trail again! I just love taking the back country roads. That evening we had supper & snowcones with some sweet friends.




Sunday we were able to meet up with our best friends, the Browers! And got to meet their newest addition to the family! He is as sweet as can be!! We had a nice lunch and hung out and talked for a bit. 




How was your weekend?

{Texas Bluebonnets // Bristol Bluebonnet Trail}

Good morning and Happy Friday!!

We were supposed to have 2 T-ball games last night, but it rained and lightened {for all of 5 minutes} just before the games and they called them. My parents, sister and 2 nephews were already on their way into town to watch Mason's games so we met them for supper instead. After supper we got Mason a vanilla milkshake and Nate and I got a protein shake and were on our way. Nate passed the entrance to our neighborhood and I knew he had a plan!! He drove us out to the Bristol area to see bluebonnets!! 



In case you didn't know...bluebonnets are a HUGE deal here in Texas!! Every year around this time you see families everywhere out taking pictures in them. you have about a 3-4 week span where you can do this. That's all! I just love this time of year!! Click {here} to see our Bluebonnet post from last year. 

It was after 7 when we started the trail, so we were racing the sunset. But, we didn't mind. The views were AMAZING!!! And the sky was amazing, too. We fell in love with the area and felt like we were in the Texas Hill Country at times! There were so many nice homes and ranches. We half-joked about selling our house and moving over there. 

We didn't take any pictures of Mason because he was in his T-Ball uniform. And also because we plan to go to the actual Bluebonnet festival this weekend. We will be ready for pictures then! Also, these were all taken on my iPhone. I will take my big camera when we go back. 



  
Have you taken Bluebonnet pics this year? Also, do you watermark your pictures? I normally don't, but have had people stealing my pics lately. :(

{Another snow day in Texas}

Texas weather is so wild this year! It's March and almost Spring Break and we are getting inches of snow. Just crazaay! The only good part about this snow storm is that we have sunshine! We haven't seen the sun in over a week. Oh how I missed it.

Anyhow, warning, lots of pictures below from our day today.































It's pretty and we had fun, but I am hoping the sunshine is here to stay!!

Is it snowing where you are?