Dauphin Island

We're back from vacation, so now it's time to share pics! We went to Dauphin Island, AL for the 4th ~ W's mom & Joe rented a beach house and invited all the kids down ~ thanks Mom & Joe! It was worth the 12 hour drive ~ we spent every day playing in the sand and soakin' up some rays.

Z received his letterman's jacket this week!


I finally finished Z's Pirate memory board ~
to hold his favorite highschool memories :) :


Close up of center:

Freshman Band Banquet

It looks like Z has survived his Freshman year of highschool! By far, being a part of the marching band has been the the most amazing experience of the year. The kids worked their bottoms off and they celebrated their accomplishments last week at the Band Banquet. Here are a few pics to share.

Z on stage for "lettering":

Z and Priscilla (his BF):

Juggler for the banquet theme ~ Cirque du Soleil:

Congratulations Z for working so hard ~ we are very proud of you!

I remember earlier in the spring the ducks across the street were in a chaotic flurry of mating rituals. It was so fun to watch all the males strutting their stuff ~ trying to catch the fancy of the sole female. Poor thing, she was always on the run. They never gave her a moment's rest.
Several weeks passed and apparently mother nature took its course. She has babies! My first sighting was the other day: I had to stop the car because little momma duck was shoo'ing her little ducklings across the street. They were so adorable waddling in obedience. Why did the duck cross the road...?

The weather was gorgeous yesterday and momma duck had her ducklings cruising the pond on full parade. Can you see them!?

Funny thing is, the males are still following her around. She's such a diva!

If knowing answers to life's questions is absolutely necessary to you, then forget about the journey. You will never make it, for this is a journey of unknowables ~ of unanswered questions, enigmas, incomprehensibles, and most of all, things unfair.

~Madam Jeanne Guyon, 16th century.

Found this in my "God at Your Wits' End" book by Marilyn Meberg this morning.

Tuesday Toby Love

Toby was waiting so patiently for his dinner tonight.
See what good manners he has!

Thank you daddy!

Happy 15th Birthday Z!

At Bowl-a-Rama, they turn down the lights,

crank the tunes, and spread some dayglo love.

Blacklight Bowling!

~ Z & Friends ~

New Love for an Old Table

I've had an old table that I bought when Z was a toddler that had long since lost its charm. Hunter green, cream tile top, very early 90's. It's found a new life!

Thank you, Patti, for talking me thru my indecision when I called you from Home Depot!

Catching Up

Spring is in the air and things are a-bloomin'!

Z & S goofin' by the pond.

Happy 15th Birthday Z!

Spring Concert!

Vanessa is one of my dearest friends and I love her photography. Her specialty is photographing children/families outdoors ~ she captures the sweetest moments.

Here's a link to her blog and photography website. She is holding a special photography session at the Arboretum in May ~ details on her blog.

http://hannahgracephotography.blogspot.com/

www.hannahgracephotography.com

P.S. She recently won a Richardson Photography Contest!

Moving Mountains

After jumping through many math hoops, I've finally made it to UTD! Zane went with me last week to kick around campus and locate my classes. It meant a lot to me to have him share that experience. Hopefully it wet his appetite even more for college life (the academic part!). :)