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Quote of the month...

"Standing tall is a very admirable thing. There are very few stories in history of heroes who slouched to the rescue. Likewise, most individuals don't look up to people who are drooped over."
from Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra by Obert Skye

my family

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Foto Story Friday #129-- the week

Last Friday a very special baby and her bran-new parents came over for a little photo shoot.
 Just love baby toes and little shoes!
 Such a precious blessing.....
 given to make this wonderful couple a family.
 Daddy love
Mommy kisses!
Last Saturday, was the girl's choice formal, Co-Ed.  Shantel really REALLY wanted to go and we discussed it and said she could go to the dance but not with a date, as she is too young for dating.  She bought a solo ticket.  I did her hair and her nails, she just stayed home and ate dinner with us, then we took her to the school to meet up with her friends.
 A princess ready for the ball!
 Kicking it before the dance with one of her buds.
 And yet another bud.
At formal dances here, they have a grand march..... right out of a fair tale, like Cinderella.  They announce each girl and her escort.  Shantel was escorted by the neighbor kid.  They march across the stage meeting in the middle and he hands her a flower, takes her arm and they march down the steps.
 It was pretty cool!  I'm fairly sure this was the first of many formal dances we will attend the Grand March for!
 Shantel and her besties!
 This sweet girl has recently had to move to another town and she was able to come back and attend the dance.
This bud came to the grand march but not to the dance.
Of course we had a few pilgrims round here....
Don't ya love these outfits?  Freshly made at school!  Em was worried about having to dress up as a pilgrim, so she wore an Indian dress to school! :)
Tonight, we had the light parade, cold but fun.
 The reason for the season.  A float sponsored by one of the churches.
 A classic Christmas story.
I loved how they covered this old truck in lights.
After the light parade we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  It is time to let Nana know it is OK for her to go home, if it is time.
We gathered together this evening to tell Nana that it is OK with us if she is ready to return to her Father in Heaven.  Before we entered the room, we sat down in the living room where Grandma and Grandpa explained how Nana has not really eaten the last few days, despite their efforts to feed her and that she is unresponsive to touch or talk, and that it just might be time for her to return Home.  Some of the kids were not really hip on going into the room and basically saying good-bye.  I was able to convince them to step into the room for a photo.  (Robby was sleeping over at a friend's house.)
 The big girls quickly left as the "it's OKs" were said.
 Em loves her Nana and she stepped up to the bed and took Nana's old frail hand in her young strong one and just held it for a few minutes.

Scott stepped up next to her, but didn't touch her.  She was breathing and sleeping and we're not sure she knew we were there.  I think this helps us to let her go, when she is ready.
 As I type this I am having to do as Shantel and wipe my tears.  Shantel's friend was there to comfor her and Savanna.
EmmaLece grabbed a tissue and snuggled up.  When Grandpa went in to check on her later, Em was right there to see if her Nana was still breathing.  Life lessons are hard on the young and the old.  Each of us is allotted our time here on earth, we must love and cherish those placed in our timeline.

P.S.  Nana was called home today, 11-27-10.


PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Foto Story Friday #128-- The helper

I know that I have talked about EmmaLece and Nana in the past, but I'm going to revisit the subject with a few new photos of the two.
EmmaLece has a special love for Nana.  Anytime we are over to Grandma and Grandpa's she always makes sure to go say "Hi" to her and have a little chat with her.  After that she runs off to play or watch tv or whatever else she can find to do.
 Once it is time to eat, she magically reappears and is ready to get Nana's bib on her and to help her to the table.
Last Sunday evening, as we were all getting up to the table, here came Em beating Grandma to Nana's chair and holding out her hands to help her up.  It is so sweet that we nearly have tears spring to our eyes.
Together, they make their way to the table.... the young and the old!  Each one thinking she is helping the other.  EmmaLece gets her settled onto her chair making sure she is in the right chair and properly clothed in her bib before she finds her own chair.
As they made their way to the table, Grandma and I were walking behind and We both saw what a precious photo this will be in future years.  I quickly got out the camera to record the moment.  One day EmmaLece will look back at these photos and the tears just may spring to her eyes as they did ours.
Never underestimate the power of youth!  or the wise council to be like a little child!




PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Foto Story Friday #127-- Family photos

It's getting to that time of year when people starting thinking about a family photo to send at Christmas time.  We don't often do such things, we normally type up a letter and include some pix.  This year we wanted to do family photos.  What I learned is that it is much easier to photograph someone else's family!

We went to the museum and they have some outdoor stuff like a caboose and this old rail cart.  The twins wanted to sit up there so we gathered around and I set it up, put the timer on and ran back to get in position.  I can't tell how stiff or relaxed I look until after the shot is taken!

Then we headed to my favorite bridge for a few more.  this one is my favorite.  I like photos that show personality or family goofiness.

When we turned to face the river the other way, we saw this scene and I liked it as well.

Can't resist a quick couples shot also done with the timer.



PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Foto Story Friday #126--

A few shots from our Halloween festivities From Trunk or Treat ......
1st we have Shantel and her friend
aka Pocahontas and Emo Grunge Girl.... or is she just your average high school girl?
Moving on to Cody and Pocahontas
You can't really tell in this photo, but he happens to be wearing skinny jeans..... not just any skinny jeans, his sister's skinny jeans!  Don't know how he moved in those things!  It was pretty funny!  He was an Emo Skater Guy or Asian style according to his Aunt!
Next we meet Captain Jack Sparrow!
She makes a great Jack Sparrow, wouldn't you agree?
On Saturday, I realized that I didn't take a picture of myself dressed up, so I had to remedy that.  I drug Savanna up to my little studio space and set the camera up on the tripod had her stand there so I could adjust the settings and then had her snap a few photos of me.
So who was I?  My sister guessed The Lady in White, a kid at the trunk or treat guessed Cleopatra, a few others guessed a Greek goddess and one thought I was Aphrodite.  Any of those are just fine with me, but the costume said it was a Roman Princess.
Savanna and I carved a pumpkin Saturday evening.  She picked the patterns and we each tried our hand at it.  Isn't our pumpkin spider cute?



PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Lolli