The Southern part of Alabama has a lot of History dating back to the Civil War.  Some of it is near my own back yard.  Today while the girls were still out of school and going stir crazy I took them out on a photo shoot.  A Trip Back in Time.  Confederate Soldiers Rest in Peace

As I got out of my car I didn't realize the feelings that were about to come over me.  Feelings that I didn't know would overcome me in such a way.  When I first saw the White Crosses reality hit.  These were young men who fought in the Civil War.  Many of them unknown.  Unknown soldiers1 Unknown Soldiers But never forgotten.  Cannon It was like I could hear the cannons firing.  Wheel As the angels  look over the unknown soldiers from the Civil War.

Our camelias are blooming and the bees are out.

bee 1
bee 2
bee 3  

Before I take down the tree I thought I would share a few pictures that I took of my decorations.

 101_0625 A Christmas Decoration

101_0631 The Leaning Tree.  Don't laugh too hard but it is leaning badly.

101_0632
Old St. Nick by the fireplace

101_0640 A Child's Dream

Okay, I finally got my new camera for Christmas.  It was a little late but I love it.  It has a 10x optical zoom and here are a few pictures that I was messing around with today.  Where are you Little Bird?

Mr. Moon, Why are you Hiding?

This past weekend we went to Auburn for the Auburn/Florida game.  Here are the slideshow from the pictures I took.  

I smell it.  It is the smell of soccer in the Fall Air.  My oldest daughterjust started playing this season.  This is her third season to play.  

Saturday was supposed to be their first game but the schedule was messed up so the Wizards played the Phantom Team or the invisible opponents. game day In simple words the Wizards played against themselves and just used this extra hour to practice for Monday's game.  

She made a few plays during this game.  She kicked the ball in after the opposing got it out.  Finally it is break time and  she comes running.

Some people know the story and some don't.  In the early part of summer my husband decided to take up scuba diving.  As a safety precaution his doctor decided to order a nuclear stress test.  At the time we didn't know the severity of the test but later the scuba diving actually saved his life.  The test revealed a blockage and a heart cath was performed.  During the heart cath we discovered my husband (age 38) had a heart attack three years ago.  He had one artery blocked at 90% and a stent was put in it.  Another artery was 40%.  After resting for several weeks the doctor gave him the okay to scuba dive again.  So here are the pictures.

It was a nice,  calm day in the Gulf of Mexico off of the Alabama Coast.  Waves were at a minimum and the temps were not too hot.  As we left the dock the first thing I saw was crew boatdocking to one of the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.  We continue our voyage out into the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.  After we went out approx 30 miles we reached  clear blue water.  It was so clear that you could see the jelly fish in the water.  

Time to put the Diver's Flag out to warn all boaters that there is diver (s) below.  After getting all of the gear on my husband is ready to go.  In the water he makes sure the  Dive computer is working before swimming off.  Looks like everything is going smoothly.  Off for a great dive and  swimming toward the buoy which he will go down.
Giving me the signal that everything is okay.

Every August beach goers and boats come to watch the  boat races or  Thunder on the Gulf.  Even the bugs joined in the fun.  I am not sure what  boat the bugs were cheering for but they were having the time of their lives.  Just for protection Fire and Rescue along with the Coast Guard were there to help in case of a problem.  I am glad to see that these guys relaxing and having a good time because they work very hard!  The beach was full of people that the chairs at the pool were empty.  On our way home I caught a something pink.

I know that some of the pictures are grainy.  I think this is due to the fact that I was trying to shoot from a distance and didn't have enough zoom to get a perfect ungrainy picture.  Anyway I hope you enjoy.  The race was fun like it is every year.  

Remember the first time your child started preschool.  Or your baby starting preschool.  Well today my youngest daughter went to her new school to meet the teacher.  The first thing that caught my daughter's eyes was the large gate.  She was so impressed by the large iron gate that she wanted to play with all of the toys behind it.  So we are off to meet the teacher.  My daughter and I.

When I became a parent I never dreamed that one day I would be planning a funeral and memorial service for my baby.  It is not natural!  This is my entry for pain and suffering.  The pain and sufferingthat no parents should ever have to go through.  Only the eyes show the suffering of a mourning parent.  Many times the body and mind is numb.  Years later his favorite toy brings tears to my eyes. Now the horse rocks by itself when it is occasionally brought out of hiding.  The rocking horse in black and white.  I tried to add more contrast to this one.  rocking horse.  I wasn't sure to post this one but I figure I must share my  angel with you since I have already shared my three angels on earth with you.  I know this is not a very good picture but I had to scan it in.  I didn't have a digital camera when my son was alive.  

Once again I found myself at the beach for the weekend.  This time I decided to try black and white photos.  Be honest and tell me what you think.  Theocean's surf started to splash the rocks and then return to its home.  The rockshelp protect the point from the ocean's fiery.   As we walked down the beach we came across a  sand castle or in terms of my three year old thinking, Cinderella's castle.  As I walked around the sand castle I notice that the inhabitants of the castle were Mrs. and Mr. Octopus.  Must give credit to where credit is deserved.  The artists were from good ole NOLA.  Later that night I notice that the surf was really started to come in.  

A few bonus pics in color.
Sailing

 Sea Tow to the Rescue

Soaring High

Strange cloud formations over the Gulf

Storms to the West of Orange Beach

It is that time of year again.  Yes, the time when the school buses runs, the bell rings, and football is in the air.  Today is more than that for two little girls in my house.  One little one startsher first day of school, Kindergarten.  It is a big day for  her and I think she is a little scared.  Today is also a big day for my oldest  daughter.  She is going into the  second grade.  New school and new classmates this year for this little  gal.  

Before leaving for school the two oldest girls had a little  fun.  The oldest daughter got the last  laugh in.  Two sisters starting their day right! The littlest one doesn't understand why she is not going to school today.  She starts in one more week.

The time is near.  It is almost time to go.   my kindergartener is ready to go.  I first take my oldest to school while my husband takes our kindergartner and waits by the park for me.  I think we have a proud daddy here while walking our daughter to the gym to wait for her teacher.  

Another day, another year, another great year in the making.  

It is amazing what one .  can find just outside their back door.  Nature is everywhere.  You just have to open your eyes and look.  Sometimes it is in plain view for all to see and sometimes it is the simplest rain drops on a rose.  

And to end a perfect morning there is nothing like a good cup of coffee in my old Mickey Mouse cup.  Then top it off in mid morning by a nice cold cup of frappuccino.  

The geese were in rare form this afternoon.   Someone had messed with them and they were not happy at all.  It was not the duckwho sat pretty and admire her own reflection in the pond. Or the lonely little
duck who was being a good ducky while chasing Mr. Turtle.  It could had been the  Invisible Photographer that had the geese all in a temper tantrum.  The other animalscame to see what all of the fuss was about.  Even the duck and the turtle stopped their play for a moment.  The seagulls started to swarm and fly around the other birds and animals in the park.  Even the turtle decided to leave the scene.  Mr. Turtlehad a  better place to go.  

Our town is rich in art.  We were driving down the road by the art center which I have taken many of times but it was something that my five year old said that got my attention.  Mom, Look at that funny tree.  At first I was not sure what she was talking about so we went down the road again to see the  funny tree.  As we were turning around in the parking lot of the local art center we came across another neat piece of art.  

On our way home we drove the scenic route and came across this beautiful  old episcopal church.  I was intrigued with the windows.