Lacee & Lori

Lacee and Lori are on their way out to watch the Super Bowl with friends...I ran after them and said, "I have to take a photo!" One day they will thank me! :0)

Hail Super Bowl Sunday

We were surprised with a hail storm today...In spite of the bird feeder being almost completely covered with it, the birds still came. This will be the closest we will come to snow here in the Central Valley. In the 27 years I have lived here it has snowed twice, and I was only here one of those 2 times (we were up in the mountains for the other time).

Food Sensation!

Yesterday I made a homemade sweet-potato pie! I had never seen, tasted or heard of one before I met Cliff. It has become our family's favorite pie at Thanksgiving and it's always a treat any other time of the year. So, my mouth was watering...I almost rushed through dinner just to sink my teeth into it. First I put on a pot of coffee...oh the arroma and the anticipation of blending the two (coffee and pie). I poured myself a cup and topped my pie with a dollop of light cool whip. Awhhhhhhhhhhhh, at last! I closed my mouth around the delectable morsel and...and...and...Oh RATS!!! My mouth opened up...I forgot the sugar! What was even funnier is that Cliff didn't believe me when I told him I forgot the sugar and decided to take a bite only to echo, "That is nasty!!!" Well, on to a better story...this time of year is the best to eat oranges here. They are so sweet and especially right off the tree. Our neighbor had given us oranges (we always gladly accept them even though we have a dwarf orange tree ourselves) and I made fresh squeezed orange juice this morning to enjoy with our breakfast. Let me tell you, nothing better!

Rainy Days

We have been having rainy days off and on and it is greening up the country side. As you can see the rain in the distance (most likely disapating before hitting the ground). It will stay green up to about the end of April and then things will start to turn brown until next February. We haven't seen any signs of orchards blossoming yet (the almonds are first), but the daffodills are beginning to show their faces.

Lacee Photo Shoot

Her playful side

In order for me to become a better photographer, once in a while I can talk a family member into being my model. Lacee agreed...I have been practicing with RAW photography.

Self Portrait

I have been wanting to try RAW photography for awhile...finally tried it today. The only willing subject was myself!

Lacee Turned 20 Thursday

Lacee and her friends on a day trip to Yosemite

(Paul, Lacee, Erika, Lori and Joel)

Lacee dyed her hair blond on her birthday, but only the roots took!

Lacee and Lori the day before her birthday

Uncle & Nephew

There is just something about this I love!

Peewee Action Hero

Maycin is totally an action hero guy! He loooooooooooooves Spiderman, but Ashlee got him a few more outfits (great after Halloween finds) to play in. So, we went on a photo shoot last Saturday in downtown Merced (Ashlee wanted an urban look). I took the photos and Ashlee edited them to look like posters. She has had 8 x 10s printed and now wants poster size to go on his bedroom wall.

Just for Fun...Photos taken in October!

Maycin and his friends (Maycin on right)

Lacee still has a bit of a warped sense of humor

Black and White Photo Shoot with the girls

Another Beach Trip

Pajaro Dunes Condo (Photo taken April 2007)

Well, it's true! Cliff and I will be going on another beach trip this weekend to Pajaro Dunes. Our weather here in the valley has been pretty pleasant (other than the storm on Monday, but that was received well as we have been very dry here). So the forecast??? It looks pretty promising. I think it's suppose to be in the low 70s with no rain all 3 days while there. How exciting is that? Cliff and I definitely enjoy the strolls on the beach, but we hope to discover some off the beaten path experiences (locally known treasures). So, stay tune for an update on our return with journal and photos.

Oh Yes, Cliff continues to work on the trailer and has everything but all the walls out of the trailer.

Camping At McSwain

It has taken me a while to get this posted...by favorite camping photo...we had a fabulous time at McSwain Lake just a half hours drive for us. Makes sense to go the short distance for just a short stay...weekend. We would never camp here in the summer as the temps are high 90s and mostly low 100s, but the Spring and Fall are fabulous times to visit. This photo was taken at near sunset giving the foothills that golden auburn color (the chair was mine as I gladly returned to after my shoot). No, we didn't fish at all, but just relax the entire stay!