Colorizing...

I am having a good time messing around with photoshop. Here are some pictures I colorized - I know SIMPLE - but hey simple minds...

Photoshop fun...

I love learning new things. I just figured out how to add a cool border to my pictures. Here is one that I did for my ODN's picture.

Playing around with photos

Here are some pictures from Colorado

Family Portrait...

So I was messing around with photoshop and created this. Enjoy.

State Fair Part Four: On a Stick...

As a society I am amazed at how we can put food on a stick, and it sounds that much more appetizing. Walking around the State Fair, we found many vendors that were selling things on a stick. There were the classics - corn dogs and candy apples; but then there were the "odd" items such as cheese or fried peaches. Here are the signs...enjoy!

State Fair Part Three: Fun and Rides

So after the parade we headed for the fun activities that the State Fair has to offer. I really enjoyed watching the Dock Dogs, while ODS took off with his friends. In fact we only saw him once for the picture I took, then he was gone! LOL! Meanwhile YDS had to take on all the rides on the Midway; I think the last picture sums up his joy from that day. Enjoy...

State Fair Part Two: Family

My family and my husbands parents came to watch the kids march in the parade. It was fun to be there with all of them, and - of course - to take some pictures of them. Enjoy...

State Fair Part One: The Band

We did so much at the State Fair and took so many pictures that I decided to put it into 4 parts. The main reason we went to the to the fair was to watch ODS and my DN&N march in the band down Main St. Our ODN was the majorette for the band, and ODS and ODNephew were both on the drum line. Both boys looked so serious throughout. I was even able to get a shot of all two of them in formation. ODN is facing away from the camera directing the band, ODS is in the front and ODNephew is three people behind ODS. I also took a few pictures of ODN dancing. Enjoy.

3 week update...

So it has been awhile since I updated the blog with stories of the puppies. We have had Ebony for 3 weeks now, and she has truly made herself at home, and she has fit perfectly into little family. She is spunky, lively, and just an all around sweetheart. She is so grateful for the warm bed, the fun toys, the yummy food, and the love that she has received over the past few weeks. Ebony is always so happy to see us; even if we have just walked outside for two minutes, she is always there with a smile and puppy kisses. She doesn't mind posing for pictures - in fact I think she kind of likes it. She had to get use to a few things when she first got here (just like the others). She had the stairs mastered within a few hours, but the TV was freaked her out. She had to learn to jump up onto the couches and chairs (which only took her 2 days), and she had to learn to walk on a leash. All of the dogs now enjoy going for walks together although we look like a parade coming down the street. Many people think we are crazy for having four dogs, but others think it is amazing that we have opened our homes to four dogs that had rough lives before they were rescued. When people ask me, "Why do you have four dogs?" I always respond, "Because God believed we had enough love in our family to adopt these precious babies, and give them a life filled with love and care."
Ebony spends quite a bit of time playing; in fact, I think that is all she has done since she came home with us. Toys and Gigi are her main infatuations. Gigi and Ebony spend hours wrestling and chasing each other around the house, and the yard, and over the furniture...
Here they are in action. Trust me, getting this picture was harder than it looked!

Chewy enjoys playing with Ebony and Gigi, but on his terms. Here they are getting ready to pounce on each other. It is a game we call "King of the Couch", because sooner or later someone is going to fall off! LOL!

This was the hardest picture I have ever had to take in my life! I finally got all four of them within lens shot, but I couldn't get them all to look at me. All four of these babies love being outside. They play and sniff; chase frogs and roll in the grass; run fast and sun bath. Oh - what a beautiful life!

Thank you again HUA for four amazing dogs. We couldn't imagine our lives without them.

A gentle soul...

Today we received the news that our beloved Grandfather (Dh's Grandpa) passed away.

He had such a gentle soul, and was a genuine man. One of my favorite pictures is to the left. It was Thanksgiving of 2006, and the day was quite warm for that time of the year. So Grandpa sat with his Great-Grandsons just talking. They talked about when Grandpa was young and how different things were from today. The boys shared their philosophies on life, which Grandpa just had to smile and laugh about. He loved listening to the boys and he relished every word they said.

Here are a few of my favorite memories I have of this gentle giant...

• How he made me feel loved from the day I met him.
• On our wedding day he told me I looked so beautiful, and then he cried a little.
  
• His hugs. Grandpa had the best bear hugs!
• Listening to Grandpa about how proud he was to have Great-Grandchildren.
• His unexpected calls. He was always so excited to call and talk to us and the boys.
• Our unexpected visits, and the joy that would wash over his face when he saw us pull up. And he always had candy on hand for the boys.
  
• His words. He had a way of saying things in just a few words, but we all knew it meant so much more.

Grandpa has gone home...
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." Matthew 25:21
As I struggle with the loss, his 10-year-old great-grandson (YDS) has put it into perspective the way Grandpa would have; so simply, but meaning so much more: " You know, sometimes we get to go to a friends house for a few hours, but then we have to come home after a while; that is kind of like our life on earth, sooner or later we have to go home."

We all need to remember we are just passing through, this is not our home, and when God calls for us we can finally go home. Love you Grandpa, we will be see you at home...

That time of year again...

The pool is down, school supplies have been bought, and the first day of school has arrived. This year seemed hard for me...ODS is in Jr. High! How can that be? He is in the High school side of the school now, he has his own locker, and is moving from class to class! He was really excited for today, and by the time he came home he said he had everything figured out. :)
YDS started the 4th Grade, and I quote from this morning...
"YDS why are you so excited this morning?" - Mom
"I am now in the upper elementary! Sweet!" - YDS
Here is a picture DH took this morning before they headed off...

Fishing with Grandpa...

So my dad has been wanting to take the boys and my nephew fishing, and we found the perfect day today. We took off early and caught a few fish. The most important thing about today was the time together, and not how many fish we caught. Here are some pictures from our trip. Enjoy.






This is the only fish ODS caught...

This was the smallest fish my ODN caught; he also caught a 15 inch bass...

YDS did well with hooking the bluegills...in fact he caught the first fish of the day.

Gpa drove the boat, but here are the boys with him...