We were just hanging out and I wanted some shots of Brandon & Laedyn together. Laedyn wouldn't look at the camera - she was too busy watching Brandon. Check out her cool boots. Goo gave them to her for Christmas. They're really nice because they're higher around the ankle so she has a harder time pulling them off. It seems like we're forever hunting down her lost footwear. She just loves to pull it off and chew on it. It's especially challenging on walks. There have been several times that Nick has had to run back along our path hunting for her slippers or socks. Brandon has become really good at keeping an eye out for fallen footwear as we travel. Aren't they cute?
Daddy's girl :-)
She's good at sitting now as long as there's something in front of her to keep her occupied. She's really interested in these peek-a-blocks, but they're a little big for her to pick up yet. This was one of Brandon's toys when he was a baby.

The other night Jennifer had other obligations so the rest of us walked without her. Anyway, we decided to go the opposite direction (we usually walk through Hillcrest). We walked all around the state Capitol grounds, and read all the memorial signs. Jennifer is probably glad she wasn't with us as she reads that bit of info!!! I didn't have my camera with me, so I kept nabbing Mark's. Next time I'll be sure to bring my camera if it's daylight- even when we're in our own neighborhood!

Here's Laedyn all ready to go, but before she's wrapped up in layers of cozy blankets and all that's visible is her pacifier, her nose and the whites of her eyes. Her knit hat has a little kitty face on it and kitty ears. Too cute. She gets really excited when we're getting ready to go out for our walks ... then she sleeps for the majority of the time we're out!
This is the new memorial to the Little Rock Nine - the African American kids who first integrated into the all white Central High School. Little Rock had alot of activities honoring the group at the 50th anniversary of the integration last year. For those of you who have not been to Little Rock, Central High School, which is still in operation, is also a National Historic Site. They have a visitor center and offer tours of the school. If we're still living in our current nieghborhood when Brandon reaches high school age, he'll attend Central. Brandon enjoyed getting a closer look at the sculpture while the rest of us read the surrounding signs. There were nine signs, each one a quote from one of the Little Rock Nine. This monument is on the north side lawn of the capitol building.

Directly behind it, under that conctrete structure, is a replica of the Liberty Bell. Apparently all 50 states have one. They were made by the same bellmaker that made the original Liberty Bell that's in Philadelphia. The U.S. government gave one to each state in honor of the bicentennial and they were all rung simultaneously during a nationwide celebration. Do you know where the one in your state is displayed? There's also a time capsule displayed next to the bell. It was sealed during the bicentannial celebration and is scheduled to be opened in 2075.

This was taken on the Capitol Mall which is directly behind the capitol building - to the West. It was nice and deserted when we were there, but during the week it is impossible to find a place to park along there. The buildings house various government departments like the AR Department of Education. There's also a very nice library along here. (I only know that because I was sent there to get some legal information when I was clerking at Chisenhall, Nestrud & Julian). Most of the buildings do not have signs identifying what's in them - at least as far as I could see. Along the center of the Capitol Mall is a wide grassy lawn. It's on a slight slope and Brandon wanted to run all the way to the other end. I told him he could go to the first sidewalk.

Here's where he stopped to turn around at the first sidewalk ... and I've zoomed the camera a bit to make him a little bigger!

This giant boulder, weighing 20 odd tons, was quarried near Little Rock and placed on the Capitol grounds in honor of 100 years of statehood. Needless to say, it's been there awhile. Brandon and Mark are standing on the back side of it, which has alot of smaller rocks mortered together to form some kind of support for the actual boulder, which is smooth. Since it's on a slight hill, it's probably meant to prevent the boulder from rolling down that nice grassy lawn that Brandon ran down and back up. Do you see Nick peeking out from behind the boulder? He was hoping to escape being in the photograph. Haha...I'm very patient. There's another boulder across the steet, closer to the Capitol. It's an example of bauxite which was (is???) mined in Arkansas. The boulder was placed in rememberance of Arkansas' contributions to the war effort in WWII. Apparently Arkansas was one of the largest supplies of aluminum. Who knew. All in all a very educational walk ... I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit too.