A Walk in the Woods

I grabbed my camera and went for a walk in the woods today all by myself. These are the woods behind the cottage. It's not huge but there is a great walking path down the middle of it. And the best photo ops. I was feeling creative so here is what I came up with....... Beautiful path.I took this looking up at the tree tops.
I found this hollow tree. I was hoping to find something living in it, like an owl or something but I think that's mainly in the cartoons.
These woods are right next to a cornfield so all over I found evidence of little creatures having had dinner.

I loved the roots of this tree. Reminded me of an enchanted forest.

These mushroom were popping up in the middle of the path. After I took the picture I stomped on them; not sure why I did that.
Here's my attempt at a self portrait. I put the camera on a tree limb and jumped in front of the camera. Even though I was all alone I still felt like a fool doing this.

Today was the day....

Today was the day. I ate my first caramel apple of the season. Sounds like a simple silly thing, huh? But it's a day I always look forward to each year. Not just for the apple itself. It just seems to represent so many things....Fall, cooler weather, Halloween, Caleb & Jordan's birthday, marching season, football games..... The caramel apple today was just a small part of why I love this time of year.

Caleb & Jordan

A lot of my online friends have been posting these videos so I had to join in on the fun. Enjoy....

Band Competition

I'm going to apologize now as this is only the beginning of marching season and I'm sure you will be tired of seeing band pictures before the season is over......but this blog is about our family and band is what we are absorbed in this time of year. Today we traveled to Grand Rapids for the first competition of the season. The show is really starting to come together. The band placed 4th today out of 8 and also received 1st in percussion. Way to go Vanguard!!! Jordan and Dad
Jordan and Mom

Jordan

Do It Vanguard!!!

It's good to be home...

Oh, it's good to be home. No, I didn't go anywhere but to work but it was one of those days. If it could go wrong today, it went wrong. I left the house at 7:00 this morning and got home at 7:00 tonight.

But there was a good side to today. When I got home my wonderful family was there for me. Craig saw me pull in the driveway and before I was even out of my car he let the dogs out to greet me. I love that!! They hop and dance around as if they haven't seen me in days and it just warms my heart. Then Craig was sitting on the back porch waiting for me. We had about a 10 minute conversation while he was grilling the pork chops. Yes, dinner was almost ready and I didn't have to lift a finger for it. The kids had the table set and within a few minutes we were all sitting at the table enjoying each other. I was starting to feel myself relax from the stresses of the day.

Oh, it's good to be home........

It's Almost The Weekend

Tomorrow is Friday and I already have my weekend planned. I basically have the whole weekend to myself with no obligations. Craig and the kids are booked up Saturday and Sunday so I've made a list of things that I want to do by myself.

It's going to be wonderful weather weekend as well. Only in the 60's and sunny......Yahoo!!

Friday night Craig and I have a dinner date. I get to pick the restaurant but I haven't decided yet where I want to go. Let's see, do I want DiMaggios pizza, PaPa Vinos Italian, Gallagher's Irish Pub??? I'll see what I feel like tomorrow.

Saturday is my big plans. First thing early in the morning I'm going to hop in the car with my camera and tripod and head out to the nature centers, the beaches, and wherever else I end up for a day of photography. I'm packing a lunch and taking a bag chair. I'd like to take Zoe with me but I'm afraid that she would be too much of a distraction for me to concentrate on my photography...I'll take her a different time.

Sunday after church I'm not exactly sure what I'll do but I have plenty to do around the house and I need to do some shopping too.

And then before I know it the weekend will be over and I'll have to go back to work on Monday.

She's So Beautiful

I snapped these pictures of Jordan tonight while she watched Shane's soccer game. I know that I am her mother but I just think that she's so beautiful and I loved these pictures of her.

Church Picnic

One of my favorite things of the year was today.....our annual church picnic. I'm only posting a few pictures so you won't get the whole picture but we had over 125 people there this year. That's double what we usually have!! We devoured 100 pounds of ribs, 70 pounds of chicken, 7 dozen corn on the cob in addition to all the potluck food and deserts that people brought. The weather was beautiful and we all had a wonderful time!! We have a wonderful church family and I am so grateful for all of them. Guys on the grills.Dad overseeing the corn.Craig sharing with me. Caleb, Lindsey & Aly

Jordan, Lindsey & Aly.

My Dad & me.

Craig and Pastor Ron.

Some of our church family.

I Couldn't Help Him

I was up at the church this afternoon getting a few things ready for the church picnic tomorrow. When I finished and walked out to my car I saw a little dog running around the parking lot. Poor thing had no collar and was all alone. He looked full grown and healthy, but he was a tiny thing, not much more than 10 pounds. I tried my hardest to make friends with him. I wanted him to come to me so I could save him. I wanted to help him find his home. As long as I didn't step towards him he stood still and listened to me sweetly talking to him. I think he wanted to trust me but he just couldn't for some reason. Several times I tried to approach him but he wouldn't let me near him. After about 5 minutes he ran on his way. I hope that he was close to his home and found his way back there, if he even had a home. I hope he isn't hungry. He's on my mind tonight.......

First Day of Kindergarten

This was Caleb exactly 12 years ago on his first day of kindergarten. My mind has been going back to this day a lot this week with Caleb just starting his senior year of high school. I remember this day very vividly!! I didn't think I was going to be one of those emotional mother's who cried when they dropped their kid off for the first day of kindergarten; I was wrong. But mine was a different kind of cry. Caleb was not the clingy type of kid that didn't like me out of his sight. In fact, he was the opposite. He was very comfortable going to school. My tears were tears of pride. I was so proud of that little boy and my pride was spilling over. Much the same way that I am today when I cry at Caleb's musicals or any of the kids activities. That's just the way I am and always will be.

Senior year is really different from kindergarten. What will Caleb do after graduation? Where will he continue is education? What will he study? Where will he work? Who will Caleb fall in love with? Where will he live? I only hope and pray that the decisions Caleb makes after graduation will make him happy.....equally as much happiness that he has brought to Craig and I.

Much to do about nothing...

What this photo has anything to do with what I am blogging about tonight, I have no idea. In fact, I have no idea what I'm even blogging about.

A few minutes ago I was outside with Craig and Caleb (and my camera of course) just walking around while they were cutting up the tree that fell on the shed 2 weeks ago and I spotted this bug. I'm usually snapping pictures of the dogs but my attention was drawn to this creature climbing on one of the logs. Man is he ugly. I don't even know what type of a bug he is. Does anyone know what he is? I'm assuming it's a "he" because no female bugs could possibly be this ugly!! I finally got tired of him and let him be.

I wanted to stay outside with the guys tonight just to keep them company as I'm not much good with a chainsaw and plus the temperature has started to cool somewhat tonight after a few 90 degree days but I just couldn't. The mosquitoes were eating me alive!! This is the worst they have been all summer. The paper tonight said that the 12 inches of rain we got in August has made the mosquito population explode and boy have they ever.

I'm glad it's almost the weekend. Since we were gone the whole holiday weekend I got nothing done around the house before the start of the work week. I hate going back to work after weekends like that. I just feel like I am behind the whole week long. I did manage to go grocery shopping tonight so that's one less thing to do on my to do list for the weekend.

Until next time.....