Finding Joy

I was hanging out in the hammock earlier this week, watching Hannah and Lizzie pour watering cans full of water over each other, shrieking with laughter. It was one of those moments where I just wanted to freeze time and live in the joy of that moment forever. I think that's why I enjoy photography so much. Videos can record an event, but really, if you want to freeze a moment, you've got to have a camera (or a really good memory.)
Earlier today, my dear friend Rachelle, sent me this movie that captures not only gorgeous moments, but couples those photos with inspirational words. Here's the movie. It's only a couple of minutes long, but I think you'll enjoy it. I tried to figure out a way to add it to the blog, but apparantly I'm still too technologically challenged to do that, so here's the address. You should be able to just click on it, and get to the movie.
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

More painting

Here's my 'painting' of Hannah and Lizzie

Brenna

I've been playing around with Photoshop and having a great time with it. Here's an attempt to take a picture and turn it into a painting. It's of my niece Brenna ... aren't those blue eyes just scrumptious??? Her brother has them too ... watch out when these two reach high school!!

Getting the Point

In addition to the birthday fun this past weekend, I was also introduced to the Wii which I thought I'd go out and buy until I saw the pricetag and wasn't sure if I had THAT much fun. I especially tanked on Guitar Hero, which, since I've played guitar for 40 years or so, I should NOT have been booed off the stage.

Yet I was.

I thought I was off the hook when my sister Tally took a stab at it. While she, too, got booed off the stage, she beat me by ONE POINT.

For those who know us, this is the story of my life. Even Tally's birthday is just a couple of weeks ahead of mine. Tally got 99s on tests and I got 98s. She was the majorette out in front of the marching band, I wore the way too hot red and grey knit suit and oversized hat to play the flute in the band.

Things haven't changed.

And neither have they changed so much that I'd be above putting a silly picture of her on my blog. Here's Tally beating me (by one measley point!) in Guitar Hero.

Oh, and for those keeping score (like T.A.) T.A. did kick both our butts in Guitar Hero.

Birthday Extravaganza!

We had a great time in New York this weekend, helping Tommy to celebrate his 6th birthday and T.A. and Tina celebrate their (well more than 6th) birthday.

In the interest of saving gas, Rob decided to take the teeny tiny Civic and DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT (well, you know, ALMOST the speed limit.)

We discovered that by driving 60 to 63 for the entire trip and back we saved a good quarter tank of gas. However, we also discovered that my bladder is much more primed for 70 mph or more. :) Oh, the trade-offs we make in life!

The party was a lot of fun and Hannah and Lizzie just LOVED playing with their cousins. Brenna seems to adore her Uncle Bob, while pretty much barely tolerating Aunt Tracy. Everytime I checked to see what Rob/Bob was doing, Brenna was taking him on a walk or talking to him. Once, when he was sitting on the deck, Brenna was banging on the glass slider door trying to get his attention. Clearly she doesn't yet understand that AUNT TRACY is the one who picks out all cool and expensive gifts .... but whatever ... she'll learn. :)

Here are some photos...

Tommy blowing out the candles on his pirate cake:

Here's a close-up of the cake (which was delicious, by the way!)

The kids all got to go on a treasure hunt and then paint their own personal treasure box, into which they put their treasure. Hannah and Lizzie both collected 5 pieces of treasure, which Rob promptly put in the bank and told them they could have when they retired...

After the party Tommy opened his presents (Hannah and Lizzie gave him a tent) and there seemed to be a Star Wars theme. Here he is wearing his stormtrooper suit (NOT A COSTUME, PEOPLE!) with his groupies.

Here's just a nice picture of Hannah, Tommy and Lizzie. Brenna was being camera-shy...Until, of course, we let her sit with Uncle Bob...

Lordy, Lordy

Guess who's 40!!

UNCLE DUDE!!!

Here's our special birthday message for you...

Meow

The first week of summer vacation is upon us and Hannah and Lizzie have decided that if they cannot HAVE cats, they will BE cats. Even if it's 87 and humid outside.

Aren't they just purrrrfect?? :)