Sharp Shooter

How do you get Jamie to pose for some shots? Let him play with his gun. That was easy. Everybody relax it was NOT loaded. We did some practice shots this afternoon. I really like them. Now he wants to actually shoot the thing. Daddy will have to help with that.

A Perfect 10.

This week we celebrated my baby girl's 10th birthday. Wow. That is as hard as turning 40. I can't believe my baby is 10. She truly is a perfect 10. She brings great joy to all of our lives. Topping her wish list this year was a scooter. She is zipping around on that thing with no fear. I am a little nervous but she rides it with confidence. Sarah is all about enjoying life. She and I went skating this morning. Talk about a blast from the past. That took me waaay back. We recently bought her a pair of skates and she has been practicing in the garage. It was the best time together. I love all of these shots of her. I am so blessed to call her mine.

Mike enjoyed his first day in the deer woods. A doe and fawn walked right up to him and enjoyed corn from his feeder. He is a good man and would not break up the family. I think he is going to have to start taking the camera instead.

Happy Halloween

We had a fabulous Halloween. The kids both dressed as hippies. Jamie was Woodstock/John Lennon. His t-shirt features the festivals poster. Sarah is a flower child. I'm not sure what that says about the politics of this family but they were cute. We had perfect weather, cool with a full moon. I had such a good time. We ate chili dogs and burgers at the Ayres' house before we started. We walked all they way through Hartford Hills. Sarah was laughing with her best friends. Jamie was happy just to be with Alyssa. The kids got more candy than we will eat in 6 months. I got to visit with my friends along the way. It was perfect. Jenna James gets the award for most creative costume. She designed and hand lettered her "Flo from Progressive insurance" costume.

Pumpkin Carving

Sarah insisted we carve pumpkins today before it was too late for Halloween. We had a few dry hours after school that allowed us to go out and work on them. It looks like tomorrow will actually be a clear day so the kids can trick or treat. Spook City and the Junior High football game were both rained out last night. It rained so much, roads were washed out all over central Arkansas this morning. People had a terrible time commuting to work. On my way back home I noticed a terrible back up near Holland Chapel. Those cars were fighting for a parking spot at the free flu shot clinic. Scary stuff all the way around. The kids did a good job. We now have a bat covered pumpkin and a cat silhouette. Notice the challenge of getting a picture of Jamie's face. The longer the hair gets the prettier it is. It just gets thicker and shines more and more. I don't know if any one has mistaken him for a girl yet. It's only a matter of time.

Wings Field Trip

The Old Statehouse



Sarah's G/T Class went on a field trip to Little Rock's Central High School today. Our trip was great but it rained all day. The Central High tour was fascinating and horrifying. Our guide was the daughter of one of the national guardsman sent to block the 9 students. She walked us step by step through the the drama. It was interesting on so many levels. The school and surrounding areas are now national parks protected and preserved. It is also a functioning school with students. As we stood and listened to the guide we could see into classrooms with teachers lecturing. The school is massive and beautiful. The visitor center is full of photographs, video and memorabilia. You can see the hate in the faces of the white protesters clear and unashamed. Cameras capture so much of history. The pictures are brutally honest. I don't know how those 9 students made it through one day, much less years of torment.

Lots of great shots were missed today. The rain refused to let up. The leaves are just starting to develop beautiful colors. Major bummer. We also visited the Old Statehouse. It was not quite as interesting as Central. Bill and Hillary star in several displays there.

Magic Screams

We went to check out the Halloween festival at Magic Springs last night. We picked a good night. It wasn't crowded or too cold. The kids rode lots of rides. Jamie and Sarah have become very brave and road the roller coasters. They loved them. The pictures I have of those are so dark, it's a shame. We did not do the haunted houses. The picture of the two scary guys cracks me up. They were both part of a haunted house. At the end, they would jump out and scare people on the sidewalk. People knew it was coming and were waiting to see them. As soon as they saw my camera they stopped acting scary and posed for a shot. There were two kid friendly features we were brave enough to attempt. I think they were just right. The kids had fun without being scared.

Race For the Cure 2009

Mom was thrilled to have her picture taken with the channel 7 ladies.


Opening Ceremonies. Lots of music. A fitness instructor led a warm up that Sarah loved. This lady is with a group called The Bouffants.


The doves are released. It was beautiful. Just look at the one in the center, I love this picture.


Cheerleaders inspire the racers.



Wigs are the accessory of choice. Men, women and children donned them for the event.

Men line the route and offer encouragement and entertainment. These men model some kilts.


Vikings having a jolly good time.


Bikers rev their cycles as we walk by.


The pink fire truck.

Just walking. I like the movement here.



Lots of dogs in costume. Many with their fur dyed pink. Poodles to Great Danes all running with their loved ones.

I know this was really long. There are so many good pictures it was hard to choose. We had a great time today. It was crisp, cool and beautiful blue skies. We all completed the 5k. The only complication was being separated from Mom for about 30 minutes. This is what happens in a large crowd when you stop to take pictures. I kept a hand on Sarah as much as possible. 50,000 people is a big crowd. Several good shots were missed because I just could not get through the people. It was fun, fun, fun and we definitely plan to go next year. I am worn out now. We walked from 7am until 1pm. There are few pictures from the Survivors lunch I will post tomorrow.