Photo Challenge | Beautiful Eyes

This week's photo challenge from I Heart Faces is Beautiful Eyes.  Well, I feel quite lucky that I happened to do a family photoshoot this weekend with an amazing family.

The "W" family wanted photos for their soon-to-be 4 year old's birthday.  I figured kids that age would be energetic and rambunctious but this boy is athletic beyond belief, running at lightning speeds.  He is such a cutie - check out his beautiful eyes and adorable smile!  And those eyelashes!  

His birthday party will be Batman, and both Batman & Robin joined us for the photoshoot.  He refused to give mommy any kisses for awhile (because girls have cooties) but we got him to do that later.  He then refused to give daddy any kisses but instead socked him in the jaw a few times (his dad is a boxer).  Dad later showed a sad face which of course the boy thought was hilarious.  

Two days later and my legs are heavy as lead, sore as they could be.  Four year old - 1,  Maki - 0.  

Sunset Valley Farmer's Market

There are several farmer's markets in Austin and we chose to go to the one in Sunset Valley - it's the closest and apparently one of the best too.

We had heard great things about Johnson's Backyard Garden through Yelp's reviews and they have a stand at the Sunset Valley Farmer's market.  The first time we went, it was one of the few that had a long line which is always a great sign.

We bought several things - a cucumber, cantaloupe, and tomatoes.  All of their produce is organic and prices are better than at Central Market.  The tomatoes?  Oh my goodness, they were so flavorful, juicy, and sweet I wish I had bought more!

We also purchased pastured eggs.  We saw on Eric Ripert's (of Le Bernardin fame, as well as a judge/guest on Top Chef) show that eggs from pastured chickens have golden yellow yolk and are much tastier so we wanted to try them.  Apparently it can't be just organic - this can mean several things and not necessarily pastured.

We had also heard great things about Texas peaches.  They don't distribute nationally so you can only get them in Texas.  They are small, but full of flavor.  Unfortunately peaches are in the dirty dozen for pesticides and no one had organic ones.

Lake Travis Sunset

Our friends invited us to have dinner at Soleil, a restaurant next to the famed Oasis, with breathtaking views of Lake Travis.  I was blown away by how huge this entire complex of restaurants, complete with a golf cart shuttle to take guests from the parking lot to the restaurant and back.

Sunset over Lake Travis

Apparently, a horde of people arrive just in time to see the sunset, and you can climb up some stairs onto a deck to get an expansive view of Lake Travis.  Thanks to our friends for dinner and a wonderful time!