Gold Finches

We had a bunch of gold finches visit us this morning. This is a shot through the kitchen back door. The birds go crazy feeding this time of year.

Tug of War

Maggie and Julia in a tug of war. To the victor the spoils.

Morning Glow

This is what it was like this morning around 6:30am. A view from my back door. I really don't like the fact that I have cleared land in my backyard until I get views like this. It reminds me of Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world, Gods invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. :o)

Pond starts to hold some water

In October we had the broken dam fixed and created a walking path around the pond. It has been raining regularly for the past two months. We are hoping it will be full this year. The dogs really love to play and we like to play in it too.Julia found this clump of frog eggs. I am not sure the tadpoles will survive the winter but I am sure we will find out soon enough.

Beth teasing Precious.

Kenya, Africa Mission Trip

Click on the link above to read more email and information on the Kenya Trip

Through the years, our church has sponsored short term missions to Kenya, Africa. A few of our church members and other volunteers go to Kenya to build churches and much needed school classrooms. Even though I would admire and support their acts of faith and service, it never crossed my mind that I might go. As usual God works in mysterious ways, and Michael, my 14 yr old son, was touched by the church’s efforts. He asked Beth and I if he could go on the next trip in 2008. Amazed by his conviction and unable to deny his calling, we cautiously agreed to let him go if he and I could raise support and go together.

This photo is of myself, Stu Ross,our mission team leader, and my son Michael. We will meet Stu in Kenya at the Nairobi airport .

8 Days of Hope Waveland, MS

Michael and I went down to Waveland, MS to help out with reconstruction from the Hurricane damage 2 1/2 years ago from the storms Katrina and Rita. We went with a group from the Vet school.

We volunteered to help a family hang some drywall in their home.

They are still living out of a FEMA trailer.

Snowball Fight

Merry Christmas! Click on image.

Family Portraits

This family portrait with our dogs and one of our cats was a gift from God. Everything worked out for that day.  I am a photographer but getting my family together for portraits is tough. This time we had an extra challenge adding the pets. Sam was wanting to chase the cat and Maggie wanted in on the fun. We got a neighbor to stand behind the camera and take pics.

Phillip, Michael, Tee, Julia

Archeology Museum Visit

We visited the Archeology Museum with our homeschool group

Early morning Run

Sam is lit by the early morning sun and he is ready for his run.

Bethlehem...Calhoun, MS

Thanksgiving

Beth's Mother and step Dad visited for Thanksgiving. We had a great time.

Fall Color

It's nice to have fall colors in November.

Images from Noxubee

I had to test out my new 80-400mm VR lens. Awesome!

Reformation Day

October 31 is really the day but since that didn't fall on a weekend we celebrated on the 27th. It was the first time we held this church event at our house. We had the traditional play, hayride and bonfire. Some of us even dressed for the occasion.

Huckleberry hideout

This swing set was not your Daddy's swing set. We had to take this whole set apart and rebuild it on site when we moved. I kept the lumber in the barn until I could work on it. We were having a big party at the house and that was incentive enough to get it built. The timing was right. Michael and Phillip helped a lot.

Fall Camping

The weather was next to perfect and we enjoyed our stay. We are fortunate that there are some campgrounds nearby that are beautiful.

Run for Rabies 5k

Beth, Michael and Julia went Saturday morning to the Run for Rabies 5k event here in town. Michael and Julia took photos while I was running with Sam. It was perfect weather. Sam came in first.

Photo Contest

Michael took these photos for the Refuge photo contest.

We went out specifically to phototgraph alligators and cattle egret, we ended up finding both.

The great egret/alligator shot took second place and the mushroom shot took third. Way to go Michael.

Memphis Visit

We visited Memphis for a home school field trip. Found this cool replica of the Mississippi River at the Memphis river walk park. (Mud Island)


At the Memphis welcome center there is this mosaic egg. Julia is looking at her photographic results.

Webkinz

The latest craze. Julia with her new webkinz kitty. Thanks Baily!
You might also notice Julia has lost some more teeth.

Sam gets his regular bath

Sam gets his regular bath as Maggie looks on. She knows she
's next.

On the way Home

I've been wanting to photograph this ever since I moved to our new home. I see this red caboose every day on my way home from work. The cows gather around it at times and I wanted to capture the moment. So I hopped the fence and snapped a few shots. I was worried that the bull was a little mad (bottom photo) , but he kept on eating after looking me over.

Mushrooms everywhere!

These mushrooms popped up after a long drought and a little rain. We walked through the woods and couldn't believe the varieties of colors and shapes. Michael and I took these photos I challenge you to guess which images are his and which are mine. Click on the photo to get a better view.

New friends

Puppy and kitty get along just fine.

Hot dog day!

Sam uses this baby pool for a giant water dish and to cool off when its too hot. We have had some record breaking heat and drought this year and are now at approx -20" of rainfall. http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2007-06-15-southern-drought2_N.htm

"Most adorable pup ever!"

That's what Beth told me when she called me from work one day. "I have a surprise for you when you get home." So be prepared." UHHH.... was the only thing I could think of. She couldn't pass up this pup that was rescued from being mistreated. I am still in shock that we now have yet another adopted pet. She is so sweet and fluffy. We call her Maggy for short. Her full name is Magnolia.

Chicago

Visited Chicago and took these photos from the Sears tower and the chrome sculpture at Millennium Park.

Baby Bat

Phillip found a baby bat when we returned home from Applebees.

Fathers Day fun

The kids took me to Applebees for Fathers day.

Kitten

Well we have new addition to our pet population. I still don't know what to name her but I think the girls want to call her:

Cassiopeia (IPA: /ˌkasiˈəʊpiə, ˌkasiə(ʊ)ˈpɪə/) a northern constellation which Greek mythology considered to represent a vain queen who boasted about her unrivaled beauty. It is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy.

The boys want to name her Puppet from the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean. I think that name fits better.

Phillips Graduation

Phillip graduated today. We had a good crowd for the homeschool graduation ceremony. Phillip played guitar for the opening song and I presented him with his diploma.

LFR Church Camp

Our youth group went to camp at LFR for a church weekend retreat. I brought the whole family except for the cat. Sam got his own bunk below Michael. We had a hard time getting him to give up his bed.

Tales from the Crypt

We went to a semetary in a town close by and enjoyed a community drama portraying the history of the towns people.

In the pond

Sam's favorite place is in the pond. I run with him in the mornings, Michael takes him in the woods for lunch and
Beth walks with him in the afternoon around the pond.

Julia and Michael

Julia and Michael try out one of the tire swings next to the tree house.

We love Sam

Having this dog has been the best thing for us right now. I can't say enough good things about him. He learns quickly and needs lots of affection.

Sam

We named him Samwise. (For Samwise Gamgee on the Lord of the Rings)

Sam for short.

From Wickpedia:

In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, Samwise Gamgee, commonly known as Sam, is a fictional character who was Frodo Baggins's servant and companion on the journey to Mordor. He is one of the major characters in The Lord of the Rings.

I will post more photos later. This one is of the first time we met. Someone gave him as a Christmas present and they couldn't keep it so they were giving it away to a good home. He is a pure bred border collie, smart, obediant, and loving. The kids love him and he has plenty of room to run at our place.

He is only 7months old and will get just a little larger. I have been running with him in the morning. He has been a great companion.