HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAOMI !!!

She is still keeping me hopping! I thought you might like to see one of her latest self portraits. I love all of her artwork and think she has some talent. At least it looks like she is happy! Joe ask, "What's that sticking out the side of her neck?"

The obvious answer is her braid! She definitely looks like she is growing up.

Happy Birthday, Baby. Looking back at the pictures, no wonder she is a party girl. Little did we know what we were doing with her.

Her first birthday. I used to roll her hair on little Velcro rollers and this is the finished product.

This has to be one of my all time favorite pictures. It is the summer of her first year, after she was beginning to walk. Of course she was into everything, wanting to see it all. I love the reflection in the glass!

She is a wonderful girl, I am so blessed to have her in my life.

WE'RE STILL AROUND

We're still around, we have just had a busy week. Levi got sick on Tuesday with a virus that I thought would be over fairly quick. I was wrong......it lasted for 3 full days and it was nice to have the weekend to rest. He is feeling much better now.

Naomi has been the party girl with birthday parties the last two weekends and hers coming up. She has been totally consumed with planning her party that I have decided next year I will not try and put her off but complete the project asap. She now (for quite some time) reminds me of the story, "If you give a moose a muffin". Read it and you will see how I feel. The party is now planned with many fun details. She decided on a stuffed animal theme, and ask all the girls to bring their favorite. If it all turns out as planned, it should be a blast. So, going with the theme of the party, The Party Gifts. The kids are acting silly, having fun.

I wanted a picture of my money before it went out the door.

Party girl all dolled up.

Tea Party was the theme of the last birthday party she went to. They ask the girls to dress up and bring their favorite doll or stuffed animal.

Naomi in true form. After the trauma/drama of getting her blood drawn she decided she needed a creative outlet. You know I was right there to help!

SOME THINGS YOU MIGHT SEE on a really cool farm

I took some pictures the other day at Joe's parents farm. We got there mid afternoon, so there wasn't a lot of time to spend walking around but we made the most of it. We stayed long enough for the sun to go down and the full moon to emerge. It is hard to get some shots with a small point and shoot camera but I think my canon does a great job. It is small enough that I am able to bring it anywhere, so at least I get the picture. Looking off the back porch. The utility pole will be gone when the work is done so the view will be spectacular.

Does anyone recall a movie this look was based on???? I see where nightmares come from.

Just a little example of what the ice storm does in the forest.

My husband showing his brute strength. He can take on an old tree anytime!

Something you don't see everyday. This is an old log that has seen better days.

Where tree frogs might lay their eggs, natures own swimming pool.

I see a doughnut, what do you see?

Art sculpture made by God.

Not quite sure what to think of this. Any ideas for a name???

I love the way the light shines through, it is truly a work of art.

Later that evening, when the pictures were plugged into the computer, Joe commented that he had not seen hardly anything that I had captured. We were in the same area, only he went ahead and I kept seeing really cool things to take pictures of. I have a whole collection of moss pictures if anyone is interested.

One thing that I noticed, how much beauty you can find if you just look for it. From the beautiful sunrises to the glorious sunsets, and everything in between. Listening to the water flow, the leaves crunch, and the animal scamper it makes for a wonderful day.

Because you KNOW I will be listening to kids screaming, dogs barking, and the sounds of the indoors soon enough!

Thanks Mamaw and Papaw for sharing your really cool farm with us, we love it!

BEAUTIFUL DAY

I just want to take a few minutes and share the latest. We took part of the day this past Sunday to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. The temperature reached a high of 70 and it was glorious. The sun was shining and there was little breeze. Of course we wanted to check out the progress of the house. I was not looking forward to the mud (remember the BIG piles of dirt) knowing that at least one of my children can not resist. It turned out OK since we had extra shoes and it was worth the trouble. The house looks great and is really coming along. It was almost a full moon and the view is spectacular! Joe and I got a bonus since Mamaw and Papaw were there. We got to go into the woods alone! More about that later, I got some really cool pictures that I want to share. This is way back on the road. The structure on the left is the newest barn and the house is on the right. Love that blue sky!

Another view, only a little more intense. I love the colors especially knowing that the pictures have not been altered in any way.

Levi, up close and personal.

You know the hill by now....

Welcome to the front door. A close look at the siding, deck and railing.

Off to the right.

Looking up at the back door. It has quite a view!

This is a little down the hill, looking at the back of the house.

They are doing a great job. I am really looking forward to seeing the finished product

Update: I have been informed that I have my information wrong. Sorry, the picture above is actually their front entrance and the other is the back door. Both look great, I just wanted to clarify!

THE UGLY TRUTH

This is the largest remainder of the ice and snow storm I have seen. This is even after two 70 degree days! It was found at our local mall and large enough to take up most of two parking spaces. I have seen so many piles of tree limbs and so many trees that need to be pruned, I wonder how long it will take to clean up the mess. Not so pretty.

On a different note, we got out to the farm this weekend and I got some great shots of the house. I will take time a little later to post them. Off to pick up the kids from school now.

BIRTHDAY PARTY INVITATIONS

My girl has been working hard on planning herself a birthday party. She has always been one to take charge when she wants to especially if one is not moving fast enough on her request.

Not a big fan of birthday parties myself, I wasn't sure what we would do to celebrate. We always DO celebrate, just not always a big party. Now, with that said, SHE always wants to have a blowout.

So, THIS is what SHE has planned. The invitation:

Dear:___________

Please come to my house at 2 to 4 pm. We will have 4 events. Make pizza, sing, and dance and wrestle.

Naomi
Our phone number


What do you think, party planner in her future?

PARTIAL FAMILY DAY

Fresh off the press! Joe just e-mailed me these pictures. They were made over the Christmas break at his parents other farm. The four of them were the only ones to go so I can't fill in too many details. Just that they had fun. It wasn't that long ago that we didn't have to bundle up and avoid falling trees and ice.

Levi, Naomi and Papaw sharing a moment.

WHAT WE DO AROUND HERE

These pics were made this last week, while we had electricity. Georgia came over for a little visit Sunday and, you know the rest. The kids play well together, mostly entertaining themselves. Twister.

What you look like after playing Twister to long!

Way to long!

Naomi showing off Levi's rough draft to his book report.

The real deal, signed, sealed, and delivered as of today.