Ice on the Pond

As I was approaching the pond this morning, I scared a flock of black birds. It must have been a little below freezing last night because I saw a little bit of ice on the top of the water.

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.