Hocomo

On Monday of our vacation we stayed pretty close to Mom's house as we were pretty worn out from the long drive and then the long day Sunday exploring Boxley Valley. We slept in a little and I asked Mom to show me again the old school where my Grandpa attended first grade. I knew the approximate vicinity but could not remember exactly how to get there.





The last time I visited the school we took photos from the road as the owner of the property had fenced in the school. This time we decided to venture a bit closer and walked up the owner's driveway for a closer look. As we approached the fence with our cameras the farmer, on his tractor, shouted to us that we were welcome to go through his gate and into the pasture for a closer look! We didn't hesitate and headed to the gate.



I'm afraid the building may not stand many more years and was happy to capture some shots of it.


My mom standing in the door:
 


Nearby there is also an old spring house that was surrounded by some pretty fall colors:


I'm very thankful that my husband will generally stop when I yell "stop" so that I can simply step out of the car for a photo. He doesn't always know what I've spotted but if possible stops anyway. That day, one of my favorite photos of the trip was snapped:

Wordless Wednesday

For more wordlessness, click here.

We Are Family

Easter Sunday was the first time since Thanksgiving 2007 when ALL my siblings and mom were together for a holiday. My brothers bailed shortly after lunch, before the cameras were launched so all us girls had group photos taken.

What a bunch of goofiness! With all the cameras going off we were never sure which direction to look!

Oh look! We finally got it right! What a gorgeous family we are! lol

Be watching closely! This is blog post #696 for me. In honor of my 700th blog post and my 3rd year of blogging I'll be announcing my first giveaway very soon! Don't miss out!

Flyin' high, high, I'm a bird in the sky...

Sorry, this photo just screams an old Abba song, don't ya think??? You know the one, the one whose chorus says:

"And I dream I'm an eagle

And I dream I can spread my wings
Flyin' high, high, I'm a bird in the sky
I'm an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high, what a feeling to fly
Over mountains and forests and seas
And to go anywhere that I please"


Ok, now that I have Abba tunes stuck in your head (please don't throw rocks at me..I happen to LIKE Abba), on to the photos!

My mom shares with me a love of photography. She and her cousin JoAn can often be found scouring the countrysides of Missouri and Arkansas searching for photo ops. One such adventure found them near a meadow where an eagle keeps her nest. The have refused to share the location of this eagle with anyone. But when I was in MO for Easter weekend, my mom shared the location with me and took me there for eagle photos of my own. That was so cool! I found myself in the middle of a field, way out in what I call the boonies, watching an eagle on her nest. I stood there in one of the most peaceful places and listened to water running nearby as I snapped photo after photo, trying to capture a great shot of the eagles, yes plural, flying nearby. I so wanted to get closer and get better shots. But I stayed my distance and captured what I could. However the photos turned out, I cherish the memory of my outing with my mom. It was just she and me, cameras in hand, enjoying our favorite hobby together. What a morning that was for me!

Enjoy browsing the photos while I go scrounge up my Abba cd's. For some reason I'm in the mood to give a listen....and as always to see the rest of the photos click on any of these to be taken to the gallery where they all are stored.




...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Meet Nicole

Easter weekend we drove to Missouri to have Easter with my family and to meet the newest member of the family. My sister Lacey had baby Nicole on March 11. Oh what a precious tiny bundle she is!!! We stayed with Mom for the weekend and Lacey and Nicole spent one night there with us too. The next morning gave me lots of photo ops!!! Here are a few of my faves:

"Nanny nanny boo boo!"

 

What a precious, precious baby!!! It is going to be so hard to live so far from her! Thankfully we will be seeing the family again in June. God sure did bless Lacey and Casey with a beautiful baby girl!

Happy Birthday Mama!

Today is my mom's 57th birthday!!! I love you Mom!!!

I snapped this picture when I was in Missouri this summer for vacation. Also pictured is my baby sister Lacey, who is expecting Mom's next grandbaby!

Althea Springs

While in Missouri for my class reunion, I went on a canoe trip with my classmates. During that float trip, we stopped to explore Althea Springs and dam. Later during our vacation, we spent a day traipsing about the countryside with my family. While out and about we returned to Althea Springs to show Heather and explore once again, with my good camera in hand!

There is an entrance to the area behind the waterfall across the river. It's just a very cold wade to get there! The water is about 50 degrees! Marty, Heather and I ventured in while the rest of my family watched from the dry shore.

For some reason I just really like these photos of my hunny playing in the rushing water! Is this the coldest shower you've ever taken Babe?

Really, that's my hand coming from behind the water. By this time my legs had been in the water so long they were NUMB!!!! BRRRRR!

Marty parted the waters so Heather and I could come out from behind the falls without getting completely wet.

Heather and I decided it was time to get out of the water and warm up!

My niece Cece. I'm told she is a mini-me but with red hair!

Marty and me in front of the dam. What a cool place!

One, Two, Th....Oh Wait I'm Not Ready!

During our trip to Missouri, we headed to nearby Arkansas to Norfork Lake for a day of swimming with friends. The day turned out rainy and cold so not many ventured out. Those that did had a fun time playing in the water and catching up.


My friend Steve drove about 3 hours just to come see me and meet my family. It was great to catch up with you again Steve!!!

Steve snapped this picture of Heather, me, and Marty on one of the cliffs at the lake.

More friends joined us too despite the rainy, cold day! (Jesse, Christy, and their kids Jessica and Joseph)

Marty and Heather peeked over the edge to see if they wanted to jump off into the water far below.

And away he goes!

Marty just before he hit the water.

It took Heather a little longer to work up her nerve but she went for it. Not me! (Notice how far below her Marty is)

Marty climbing back up the cliff

Always so graceful!

At least she's smiling!

The climb back up almost kept Heather from plunging in.

Christy and Jessica contemplating whether they'd jump.

Jessica decided not to, so Heather jumped with Christy.

SPLASH!

Despite the cold and rain, it was a fun day at the lake catching up with friends!