Parting group shot en route back to the airport. 

Cold sprinkler fun -... 

...but after a minute or two, I think it became more fun than cold! 

And, I don't know where he got this pose, but Kyle cracked everyone up with it. 

Great photo cutouts at the Toledo Zoo. Kyle, Casey, and Mom..... 

...and we took photos at every single one! 

There were lots of these great cutout boards at the zoo.... 

Siblings of the corn.....that doesn't have the same ring to it as..... 

Children of the Corn!!! 

Another playground visit..... 

There was lots of playground time during our visit. 

These were our July 4th mini-desserts for after the barbeque, lightning-bug chase, and sparkler / poppers blowout. 

Photo Upload News

I've decided to spring for a larger memory account at the photo sharing website, Flickr. You can click here to see the photos in a strictly photo format, now, instead of having to think back......"now, when was she in Nepal? Where was that picture.......what month archive should I look through?". I see the stats....I know that it's really my family and friends that actually read the site, most friends check it out periodically for photo updates. By saving the Flickr link, you can see new photos at any time withouth having to read my little musings and ramblings. And no, I don't plan on uploading the home repair type issues to that site....it's just a means to highlight what are some of my favorite photographs. Enjoy!

Calling All Landscapers.....

I've got a landscaping dilemma. When facing my house, the left side is horribly unbalanced with the right as far as visual landscaping action, flow, and color. I've solicited my mom for ideas, but if any gentle viewers (to borrow a phrase from a friend) have any suggestions on something not too maintenance-heavy to add some zing to the left side of the house, please suggest ideas via the comments button! Now, the tree in front of that window is a crabapple tree, and it becomes loaded with flowers in April. I understand the little berry things it's growing now turn red at some point, so that'll be a nice addition of color. Also, and I don't think you can see it well from here, there is a vine that should one day reach that willow trellis adjacent to the front porch. That vine is a firethorn and will, come autumn, have bright orange little berries visible. But, the next entry is the right side of my yard - it's a great little mishmash of plant life, colors, and undulating patterns (you may not be able to see the little 'hill' in the front right corner of the yard). But this side, it's got an english ivy that's just really slow to act, and some lilly of the valley that have already bloomed, all along the hitching post front fence. I don't know what that corner shrub will do - it's taking forever just to leaf out. So, any suggestions for adding a little visual punch here would be appreciated.

Here's the right side of the house (when facing it directly). Now, see how much is going on here? There's the purple maple that I'm just standing under to take the shot, whose leaves you can see at the top left of the page. Hidden behind the fence are the new surprise lillies, to the right of them but washed out by background light is the yucca, lots of those tall stalky things with yellow flowers, and along the house are the red and orange lillies. There is also, to the right of the yucca but hard to see here, a shrubby bush with reddish tipped leaves. It's a cornucopia of color on this side of the house. It's pukingly Strawberry Shortcake looking, but I love it.