CJ Visit

Corry doesn't have many weekends off, but he had one this weekend and chose to come and visit his family...he also appeased his mother by letting her do a mini photo shoot...shot today before he took off back to Sacramento.

Aspen & Jeremiah

Some of you may have seen photos of, or have met Aspen (our Beagle) before, and would agree that she is a very sweet puppy dog. Well, she is not really a puppy anymore (just in spirit) as she is nearing 12 years old...just look into those eyes...they are just calling you to pet her, aye? She does have that way about her that attracts the awes and the ohs. The flip side of Aspen is that she is truly a fierce hunter in spite of her blindness. she has a nose on her that knows no boundaries. Believe me, we have had to chase her many times. Oh yes, something you should know about Beagles...they are very headstrong and do not listen to you when called. Back to the story...the only thing that Aspen has hunted around here in our back yard, is a small rodent or two, and yes, bull frogs! Jeremiah was a tadpole that Cliff brought home from a canal about 3 years ago. We don't see him, but rather hear him in the summer months. Once in a while we will take a flashlight out to the pond to spot him at night, and see only the beady little eyes glow in the beam. However, today, Aspen was on the hunt while Cliff and I were sitting on the back patio, and all of a sudden she flushed the little bugger out of the clump of fern. As Jeremiah jumped and jumped, I screamed and skittered about, while Cliff laughed and finally caught him. Meet Jeremiah...it's our first meeting too!

Baby Rios with Love

Lacee on left and Corry on right (not pictured)

Ashlee's due date, June 26th

Bum-ology

There is just something about a human bum, isn't there? There is the plumber's crack that you hurry and shade your eyes from, while the giggles well up inside...like, "come on already, fill that thing with some putty or something!" And, then there is the teenage bare bum that reveals itself in the most inappropriate moments (low rider jean craze)...one of my kids exclaimed after seeing their sister's crack, "Wow! I can see the Grand Canyon without being there!" But, baby, oh baby! There is just nothing cuter than an infant's bare bum...wouldn't you agree!?

Everything We Need is Enough

Doesn't this just cultivate an attitude of a colorful, stylish, custom design...bridging the generations, kind of photo? Who wouldn't want to return to their childhood for just a moment and live a carefree, unencumbered life? Waking up with teddy bear pancakes...and everything we need is enough...

Life's a Hoot!

Ever go through life wanting to accomplish a small task that sometimes turns out to be just a tad more complicated than planned?

(feel free to click on any photo to enlarge it)

But, with careful planning, skill and determination the completion of the task really is only around the corner.

And now, that is what I'm talking about...the feeling that comes over you...complete satisfaction (with a cheesy smile that always follows).

And truly, it really does deserves an all American, yippee-i-ki-aye thumbs up, doesn't it!? Life's a hoot?

(just a footnote...the subject was not coached! I love watching kids in action!)

UC Merced Fairy Shrimp Festival

UC Merced is a new university about 5 miles from Merced...about 10 miles from us...Ashlee (selling Trash Bags) and her friend, Candice (selling Jewelry) were vendors (sharing a booth) at the Fairy Shrimp Festival this year. It was truly a lovely day...seeing familiar faces...festival fun. The campus was open with guided tours...It was a successful day for both Candice and Ashlee. I'm already looking forward to attending next year's! By the way, it took years of debate and litigation over the natural habitat of vernal pools (in which the fresh water fairy shrimp live) on the university property. It's my understanding that they were able to construct the university without disturbing much of the habitat. Honestly, most people living locally had never heard of the fairy shrimp before the land was donated to the state!

Ashlee and her Trash Bags

Trash Bags

Trash Bags

Ash and Lace

Candice

Sand Castles

We had a beach get-away with friends, Dave and Cathy, this last weekend. It began with fantastic weather and feasting our eyes on a craftsman's masterpiece right on our beach. We learned something from this fella...you have to start with your cement (translation: wet sand) and tier it up (pile it - in this case 3 piles of tiering). Anyone can do this!" He claims. You could tell that this certainly was a great satisfaction to him that others enjoyed his artistry. What a gift he gave us!!! There is no mistake that he was in our path that day to add to our beach experience (Click on the photo and look on the upper right side of castle and you will see people!).

* Just a note...the previous photo was also taken on this glorious weekend (Cathy my model)!

The Glory of God

How do we measure our value? By how we climb the ladder of success, how many cars we own or the house we live in? We are all valued by a different measuring stick through God's eyes. We are valued, PERIOD!

Wondering?

I bet you are wondering what the heck this photo is all about...I'm going to let you continue to wonder, and that's all I have to say!

Refrigerator Art

Have Dog and action heroes in hand, will travel (with a cheesy grin)!

Technology...isn't it something these days? This refrigerator art work was done by our grandson, Maycin (5), at his home and his mother scanned it and sent it to me via e-mail and, voila! What I love about this piece of art is that Maycin is truly an action hero die-hard kind of a kid (evidence by photo), and what does he draw? Himself with an action hero (or heroes) in his hand. Perhaps only a mother or grandmother can see!