Easter Friends

These boots were made for walking.  Actually, these thrift-store finds (formerly recognizable as Thomas the Train boots) have transformed to slippers that Wilder insists on wearing on the wrong feet, tearing off sections of rubber and lovingly toting around most anywhere.  They're disgusting, but he loves them.  And they were part of his Easter outfit.



We opened packages from both sets of grandparents and the kids had a lovely time sugaring up.  Wilder concealing a mouth full of jelly beans.



The Family Easter shot.



As I prepped for a late Easter lunch with friends, Waverley kicked off the celebration with a party tray of fruit.



Oh, my little cheeseball.



The celebrities arrived!  Jason Gerhart (leading man of "Out of the Darkness" we're currently filming) and his wonderful family from Los Angeles joined us for a day of fun!




We popped in a movie after our meal and the kids settled down for a bit before we commenced the egg hunt.






Chalae and I --I mean, the EASTER BUNNY-- hid the eggs in the back yard while the daddies held the kids down inside, then we released the hounds.



"Weeeeee!"



"I have NO idea what we're supposed to be doing, but this is fun!"



As an experienced egg hunter, Madison had the concept down.



Balin (I know I spelled that wrong -sorry, Chalae!) was fascinated by taking Waverley's binki in and out of her mouth.  Such a funny pair; only a few months apart.



Watching a video of himself with daddy.



*Sigh*



The youngests were the easiest to photograph since they were more into flitting about than hunting for candy.  Too cute.



Madison and Hudson sharing their spoils.



Ready for his close up!



Looks like trouble...



The daddies.






Madison was helping Waverley accessorize.  Hooray for girl time!



My favorite shot of the day.  Such a precious moment.



"Hm...Look what I found!"






The peak of the entertainment was blowing up the balloons, then letting the air out, watching them zip around the yard.  I tried to fill the eggs with a fair amount of toys so it wasn't total sugar mania.  Still, Brian ended up tossing our collection of candy the next day when a handful of toddlers got into a bag and started bouncing off the walls.  Literally.
Balloons = endless fun.



A woman on a mission.



Good times.

We are so thankful for the time we've gotten to spend with this great family.  It's been inspiring and exciting hearing about their journey from the midwest to the west coast and what's happening in Tinseltown.  Looking forward to a few more days on set with such a great actor and hopefully another get together with their family before they head back to California.

What a way to celebrate new life!  Hooray for friends, new and old, near and far!

Making a Movie: Behind the Scenes of "Out of the Darkness"

It takes all sorts of people to make a movie.  Wardrobe designers....



Hair stylists...



Production coordinators and assistants...



Art department/props....



Lead actors (Jason Gerhart)...



Um...whatever his job title is (he imports all the footage, tags it, processes it, creates the dailies, and does all sorts of important things.  Like impersonating an European artist.)



Make Up Artists (featuring Chloe Clark, who plays my daughter in the film)...



Check out the goods.  Our faces truly are canvasses in the hands of these artists.  Love all those brushes.



Chloe and her (real) dad, Scott.  Chloe is a remarkable actress.  She is nearly 16, but plays a pre-teen in the movie.  She cries on cue, has an amazing work ethic, is perfectly sweet and lovely and I want to keep her.  Alas, so does Scott and I think he wins.  Notice the creepy hand on the bed?  We were filming that day at a student hospital and the floor we were on had training dummies occupying every bed.  I am pretty sure several people wet their pants in surprise (I might have been one of them, but I'm not verifying that.)



Waiting to start rolling.  Art dept, wardrobe and actors.  Jennifer rocks the doctor role.  I'd have her as my GP any day.  "Trust me, I play a doctor on TV."



I have always been fascinated by casting.  These extras look exactly like nurses, don't they?  While on set for "Boston Legal" a few years ago, I was stunned and amazed how perfect for the various roles the extras looked.  You don't notice it really when you're watching a film or tv show, but when all those folks are gathered in a holding tent, in wardrobe and waiting around, it hits you, "Wow!  That guy DOES look like a lawyer.  She DOES look like a NYC business woman.  He looks JUST like a news anchor!"  Pretty neat.



When you watch a show, you rarely ever think about the number of people crowded into a room that are off camera.  In this shot, you'll probably only see two people, but there are 12 busily working behind.



And another half dozen in a traveling office set-up, coordinating the next days, making sure we're all fed, and negotiating with people and locations.



Ah, the peaceful hospital room of a woman in a coma.  Filled with crew.  And fun buttons.



Our talented Director of Photography, Michael Cano.



Producer, Derek Lee Nixon.



Head Make Up Artist, Chris Payne, and lead actor, Jason Gerhart (Jonah Thomas.)



Margaret Williamson plays Jonah's mother.  She miraculously wakes from a coma to be with her daughter-in-law (me) and granddaughter (Chloe) while Jonah is in the middle of great physical and spiritual danger.  The Mother is the pillar of faith that helps Jonah's family through this difficult time.



Our resilient, inspired, absolutely delightful writer/director/producer:  Danny Carrales.



A lot of this happens.



It's been wonderful getting to work with so many great people.  This is the largest role I've had in a feature film and it's totally cool getting to see what goes on behind the scenes on a big production.  Though this is a low-budget movie, it still takes a ton of money and man power to make happen.  Having gotten to know Danny and his wife, Aubrey (the inspiration for my character,) over the past months, it's beautiful witnessing his vision become a reality in this film.  I am honored and so blessed to be a part of this project.  And, to quote the film, "Now, let's see what God will do."

All Aboard The Zilker Zephyr: Family Fun in Austin, TX

I had an audition at noon in Austin and we decided to make a day of it.  I packed a munchy-style lunch for the family and Brian loaded up the kiddos, knocked out my audition (for print work) and headed out to ride the train.  The miniature locomotive, the Zilker Zephyr, in Zilker Park next to Barton Springs.



You see, we have a train enthusiast in the family.  Thomas the Tank Engine, PBS show "Dinosaur Train," the circus train in "Dumbo," and of course "Polar Express."  Wilder was purdy darn excited.



For under $10 we were all able to make the 25 minute journey together.  All Aboard!
Honestly, it felt like we were celebrating a birthday.  The sun, the fun, the family -pure goodness!  We will definitely take this outing again.  And the area is a WEALTH of family activity.  Barton Springs where you can splash in the chilly water, dog parks galore, an enormous playground next to the "train station," concession stand, outdoor theater (often) featuring Shakespearian plays, etc.



(Compliments of Brian)

I felt more a part of Austin life chugging along the tracks with Waverley on my lap, the boy behind me, than I have in ages -perhaps ever.

Highly recommend enjoying the train/park on a weekday if you can swing it.

(Compliments of Brian)

(Compliments of Brian)

Wilder cracked us up with his folded hands in anticipation of the ride.  We have never -NEVER- asked him or showed him how to sit with hands folded.  Not sure where he picked up some proper behavior...  Miss Erin?

I'm still laughing!

Captivated by the scenery.

(Compliments of Brian)

Miss Waverley was a hoot, too.  She insisted on holding onto the front rail with both hands for the majority of the trip.  More power to ya, sister.

Who's the Master of Fun?  Brian.  Ordered a large snowcone for the family to share after the ride.  It was quite a hit.

And who says not to eat the yellow snow?  It's tasty!

The kids loved the large playscape.  Shoes would have been a good idea, though.  A wee bit hot on the tootsies, but it encouraged them to say goodbye to the park and get out of the sun.  Besides, we can't keep shoes on these little people, anyway.

Das Babas.

Daddy's Darling.

Chin up, Mr. Seal.

Buddies.

*Sigh* It was a good day.  They screamed for all but the last 5 minutes home, but I'm sure it was screams of joy.  And tiredness.  But mainly joy.

I hope this spring/summer we take more adventures out and about Central Texas.

Let's plan on it.