Our Family in B & W

Here is family in black in white...what we do in our home...eat left over crab from Christmas..."Would someone wash those dishes? You're embarrassing me!!"

Looking to see if there is anything else left over from Christmas since some family members don't like crab...

"Hummm, what's baby eating?"

Some not worrying what there is to eat when you have a headless Spiderman riding a tractor to play with...

Shocking...Pink...Rubber Boots!!

These, my friends, are my beloved new shocking pink rubber boots...I had them requested on my Santa's list this year. Take a good look at 'em! Aren't they just the cutest?? Aren't they just calling a person to the garden, or the barn, or the snow somewhere in winter wonderland??

They are not only very flexible, but oh so comfy!
Why, they are ready to take off and do their job...protecting my tooties from the wet, the cold, the muddy terrain...

On your mark...

Get set...

Go!!

Oh, yeah...Maycin slipped his little 6 year old feet into them for a test drive!

Birthday Wishes

Having a birthday so close to Christmas sometimes is...well, not noticed much. But, I have to tell you that my family and friends pulled through yesterday, to make sure I knew I was loved on my special day (thank you, everyone). My first call was a complete and personally sung "Happy Birthday" song from my 92 year old father! It was totally a cherished moment for me, causing me to laugh and cry at the same time. Mom then got on the phone to wish me a happy birthday as well and we chatted (of course!!). Here I am...?? years old, and I feel a child's spirit when my parents lavish wishes on me...Nothing better, people...Thanks, Mom & Dad! You're the best!!! (photo of Dad taken July 2008)

Christmas Remembered

I knew it was going to be a different Christmas...a wonderful Christmas...of little voices ringing chimes of "Jingle Bells" Christmas...A Christmas that melts all worry and elevates all hope...A Christmas to share stories and consume pounds of sugary goodness. A Christmas that weaves His love in and out of conversations. A Christmas of acceptance and of family and friends...of reminiscing...of captured moments. A Christmas of play...of rising decibels in laughter. A Christmas that deepens relationships. A complete and wonderful Christmas! We are truly blessed!!

Some Favorites

Lacee and I do love to watch classic Christmas movies...here are a couple of our favorites we have. Cliff even watched "White Christmas" with us this year! It does get a person in the mood.

Elf Dance (Click Play Button for Video)

Christmas...A Very, Very Long Time Ago!!

Back: Shorty, Ron, Gayle and Larry

Front: Darwin and Darlene

Wonderment

Life Crescendos

All three of my children would tell you that I cry at movies…if it’s really heartwarming or sad or both. And while I'd wipe my tears, they’d ask, “Mom, are you crying?” I’d lie every time and reply, “no!” Then we’d all laugh!! But, what my children don’t know is that during those times I witness the crescendos of life…relationships…love…seeing the mighty hand of God touching those I love so much…that makes me cry too. Photography is so much a part of who I am…the recordings of those life crescendos through the lens of my camera…yep, that definitely makes me cry tears...tears of joy!!! Take note of life crescendos no matter how small.

Our grandson, Maycin (far right), and his cousins with part of their Grandpa Gilbert's hat collection! You can click on the photo to enlarge it, if you like.

FOG!!

This looks like a really bad photo (taken @ 4pm)...but, it's our Central Valley fog!! Some parts of the country dread the pouring rain, cold snow or the dangerous black-ice...we dread the dreaded Central Valley fog. What you may not understand about the CV fog is that sometimes, it doesn't leave...lift...burn off. Our Central Valley fog, sometimes stays right on the ground...all day...all week...sometimes weeks at a time and we don't see the sun! It's also very cold and very damp and very...UGLY! It's a real hazard too, as many times (especially at night) we can have ZERO visibility! Many accidents happen here because of the fog. So, be grateful if you live anywhere else other than the Central Valley...and if you do live in the Central Valley and live with our Central Valley fog, be safe!