"Little Apple" and the Apple of our Eye!!

I asked Ashlee if I could have a photo shoot with Margo for practice as I was doing a maternity shoot with video just days before and felt a little out of practice.  We did the shoot out at Yosemite Lake near Merced (about 10 miles from us) on October 18th, 2011.  Margo had fun on the shoot and had very little direction in the video.  It all came together with a cute background song, "Little Apple".  The video is below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1btYeS2lSM

Eastman Lake Campout September 24, 2011

One thing about the Eastman Lake area is that there is plenty of wildlife and the animal/bird you might see the most are vultures.  Although a bit hideous, they are graceful in the air and fun to watch.  To see more wildlife and what we were up to this camping trip, click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VipoVOfaRFA

Camping McSwain and goin' BATS!

Cliff and I went camping at Lake McSwain September 17th, 2011.  We so enjoyed watching the Western Bluebirds in camp.  There were many of them and they liked landing in the trees next to us.  They are really pretty.

This is a baby rattlesnake.  Yes, we have rattlesnakes in our foothills and mountains here.  They say if you see one baby rattlesnake there are others near by.  Luckily this one wasn't right in camp, but on a gravel road about a block or two away.  We spotted another one on the same road, but squished by a vehicle.  I was not thrilled to see this little creature of God, so tiptoed all the way back to camp!

This was our view from camp before the sun rose...looking out onto Lake McSwain.  So peaceful.  HOWEVER, not so peaceful was the evening before.  Cliff and I had an encounter with the Lake McSwain bats.  Check out the video link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e8QHE_yyQw

Vernonia Visit with High School Chums!

Friends...really more than friends...family!  These are people I grew up.  Miles & years have separated us, yet we remain friends...family!!  Cliff and I were blessed to have time with old friends while in Vernonia.  I cherish the memories we made that day/evening!  Video link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzVBB-pfMM8

Oregon...Yearly Trek...August 2011

The years we have traveled I-5 north to family in Vernonia, we travel through this high mountain meadow that always causes me to day dream..."what would life be like in this beautiful place?"

Our first stop is an overnight visit with our good friends Cathy and Dave...oh how we have missed their company since they left the Central Valley.  But, oh how happy they are to be in their new home in Oregon.  We picked up where we left off a year ago, but our visit was WAY too short!

Video link below of the first Trek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaONmzePoqk

 

 

 

My highlight returning home is always to be with Mom!  As I miss Dad terribly, I look forward to still having one parent to enjoy a little time with.  Mom's eyes were lit up when I took this shot.  It warmed my heart. 

Our hosts (and my brother-in-law and sister), Cracker and Daf continue to open their home for family gathers, for folks like us...family coming to visit.  We are blessed to have them in our lives!

...AND, there is the "good lookin'" brother, Ronald, and his family...Sandy, Heidi and Nicholas!  We also were blessed to have a meal with them a couple days later.  We sure do eat good when we visit our Vernonia family!!

Then there is the "little" brother of the 4, but still my big brother, Darwin, and his wife Linda.  I have come from a family of story tellers, and I think Darwin is the best (or is he the biggest?)!

My nephew, niece and great nephew...Tim, Allison and Cannon!

Last, but not least, my niece and nephew, Teresa and Pat.

Five generations...Eric (my great nephew), Ron by brother, Mom, Angie (my niece) and Stetson (my great, great nephew)!!! 

Video link below of the family gathering:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze5y-27RM_I

2011 July Summer Fun

Maycin is 8 and Margo 3.  Life in the Central Valley, in the dead of Summer, is just plain HOT!  What would the kids do without swimming pools and other bodies of water to play in?  Maycin is truly a great big brother to Margo shown here.

Puppies (dogs) and kids (grand kids)...nothing better...and the joy they bring to each other.  It's pure and it's moving and it's love!

AND, the wonders of books...even if you don't know how to read yet!  Summers...reminiscent and new all over again!

Birthday Girl! Margo's Three!

Our little Margo has turned 3 (June 21, 2011)...and the balloons were a hit from start to finish!