TAGGED by Amy ... I've been so busy I haven't been looking at everyone else's blogs. When I was going back through Amy's today, I discovered she had tagged me in a game. So here's the 4th picture from the 4th folder on the computer I'm sitting at right now: This was taken at Valentine's Day last year. Laedyn had pulled out her present - these two adorable little unicorns. She's watching Jennifer examine a ball that Brandon got. It was one of those ones you squish flat so it's a flying disc, but when you catch it or it hits the ground it pops back into the shape of a ball.

Now, in order to continue the game.... I tag the following people: Mom, Robin, The Barton Family, and Josh & Jenny

Here's what you are supposed to do:

1. Go to your fourth folder where you store your photos.

2. Select the 4th photo (no exceptions)

3. Post the pic with an explanation and a link back to your tagger.

4. Tag 4 people to do the same!

Mid-December we were in Dallas for the White Rock marathon. Nick and Jennifer did the half together. On the way to registration, we found this amazing sculpture garden with an entire LIFE SIZE cattle drive complete with a river to cross and cowboys on horseback herding the cattle. It was pretty amazing - and very extensive. Laedyn wasn't quite sure what to think ... there's a little bit of fear lurking in her expression I think. It would be scary if the cattle were real! Brandon, on the other hand, wanted to climb on the cattle like some of the other bigger kids who were wandering around the herd.We found a nice flat rock for them to sit on for a sibling pose, but it had a steep angle and they kept sliding down it and laughing at me. Eventually I caught a decent shot!Later we met up with Amy, Eric & Aubrey Cate for some kid time fun at a nearby playground.

Laedyn took to Amy right away, which isn't usually like her. Laedyn and AC kept us busy on the big curving slide for quite awhile. The kids all had a good time until we had to leave ... can you believe tears were shed???

After the playground, we went in search of dinner. We started at the Old Monk for a cheese and cracker board appetizer. Our waitress left something to be desired, so we moved on to the Blackfriar Pub, another place owned by the same people. It was a warm evening so we were able to sit on the patio. We had a really great time!! Aubrey Cate and Brandon were going strong to the very end.
Laedyn was out of the game as soon as we left the Old Monk, and she slept through the rest of the evening.

There's a little park in North Little Rock behind Pulaski Tech called Emerald Park. Nick was itching to check it out, so one day at the end of November that's what we did. This is taken from the top of the cliffs over the quarry. We've been to the quarry many times via the NLR River Trail. It was fun to see the same view from a different perspective.

Nick found this yard full of yellow leaves one day & thought I'd like to take some pictures. I had Brandon pose for me and he was happy to oblige, as usual. Nick wasn't the only one who thought this yard needed to be photographed. There were two other people there taking pictures when we showed up! One of them was taking a bunch of close ups of the leaves on the ground. I wondered why until I got close enough to take a look. You'd never guess the leaves were such an unusual shape & the water droplets made it even more amazing.

An old friend, Heather, from Ohio was passing through Little Rock Thanksgiving weekend. We all went out to dinner and then had a nice visit at the house. Heather's parents are friends with Nick's parents and were friends with my grandmother when she was still with us. This picture is another successful use of the automatic timer!Heather lives outside Dallas now and is finishing up her french horn studies. She brought her horn in to show the kids. Brandon thought it was really neat & had fun trying it out. Brandon enjoyed his first french horn lesson. Thanks for sharing your horn, and some tips on how to make it work, with him Heather!

TIME TO CATCH UP!! That's my blogging goal for the weekend anyways. We're unpacked from the trip to Ohio & everything is put away, all the laundry is caught up, the tree is down ... and we've only been home for 2 weeks!!! Now maybe there will be some breathing room. So ... let's look back to mid-November!

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Nick, while out on a long Sunday morning run, discovered a little park off of Crystal Hill Road in North Little Rock. We decided to check it out. It's a lovely piece of property right on the river, but it's not much more than a big back yard. The house that is there is now used as a rental space for small private parties.

There were some large boulders that the kids had fun climbing on. Self portrait with Laedyn. I'm not so good at framing these shots...

I guess Nick was in the mood to pose for the camera that day. He and Brandon found a big fallen tree to climb around on. There was a white fence all around the property borders and Nick suggested setting the camera on it to get a whole family shot using the automatic timer. What a great idea! I framed up a shot as best I could, set the timer & rushed over to get into position. Considering it's the first time I ever tried the timer, it turned out pretty well!

Silly boy!After freezing our tails off in the cold and wind we headed back up the hill to get a closer look at the house. The look of this road going up a hill reminded me very strongly of Breakheart Reservation in Massachusetts. Nick & I used to walk the paths and trails there 3-4 times a week when we lived in Malden. We both got a little nostalgic...

On the hill behind the house was a little paved patio area - perfect for a portrait, and a second use of the automatic timer. I think I'd better stash my tripod in the car - I doubt I'll always be able to find a suitable flat surface for the camera!

Uncle Mark and Jennifer gave the kids their presents before we left for Ohio. All the gifts were a big hit! The kids gave Uncle Mark a frog mug for his collection.

Uncle Mark gave Brandon a set of Star Wars Legos - Brandon's most wished for toy this year. He was thrilled.

Laedyn got a set of My Little Pony toys. She too was thrilled.

Jennifer gave Brandon a train he can build and paint. He wanted to do it right then and there. Having to leave it behind to do when our travels are over was rather traumatic for him. Laedyn got a cute little purse with a duck in it. She huged and kissed the duck. I don't think she's quite knows what to do with the purse yet!

Atashi came to visit us a few weeks back. It was a short visit but we had a great time hanging out. Unfortunately it rained most of the time she was here, so we couldn't take her out to see much, but we did make it out to Pinnacle Mountain where we walked up to the overlook.Some serious conversation.... followed by the fine art of chocolate martini making.

Then we played Dance Dance Revolution late into the night. Nick crashed about 2 am, while Atashi and I continued to dance and laugh until around 3:30... Are we getting too old for this???? Nah ... !! They were unstoppable!Atashi's visit overlapped Mom & Dad being here by one evening. Brandon was disappointed Mamo & Papa weren't going to be at the campground where they could have a bonfire and toast marshmallows, so Papa rigged up a "firepit" for Brandon's toasted marshmallow craving. He took an old kitchen pot and drilled some holes in it. Then he got some metal mesh and hung it on some hooks inside the pot. He built the fire under the mesh with some newspaper and kindling -- just enough blaze for marshmallows. When we were done, the lid snuffed out the flame. Pretty cleverly done Papa! Brandon was thrilled...

The last couple of pictures from the family visiting ... Papa did some reading with Laedyn. She's all about sitting and reading these days. Art & Nick crawled under the house to clear out loose lumber. Our termite control people wouldn't certify us this yezar until it was completed. Yuck! Look at all the junk they found under the house. An old mantle, pieces of an old radio flyer wagon, rusty paint cans....not to mention all the fallen insulation. Hmmm - I guess that's a job for another day!

Last month while all the various family members were visiting, we decided to go to the Rebsamen Park soccer fields and fly a kite. It turned out to be a beautiful day - clear and windy - perfect for our objective. It was also quite COLD!!! We had a veritable crowd for the expedition ... left to right, Audrey (Nick's Mom), Art, Mark and my Mom [aka Mamo]. My Dad [aka Papa] & Brandon are in the background building the kite. Papa set up shop on the perimeter wall and began the kite assembly process.

While Papa was working on the kite, Nick and Laedyn were out on the soccer fields running off some pre-kite flight steam. Laedyn was pretty pleased with herself for having gained possession of the "moon & star" ball.This shot was just too cute to pass up (in my humble & unbiased opinion...)Mamo settled into a bagchair with her Nikon and a warm jacket to observe. It was pretty darn chilly down by the river that afternoon & the wind, although great for our planned activities, made it extra shivery.Brandon waited impatiently as the grown up male folk decided the best method of getting the kite aloft. Laedyn wasn't quite sure what everyone was doing, but was interested none the less. She always wants to be in the middle of everything. Nick made the first attempt at flying the kite. Not bad! Everybody stepped back to give Brandon some room to fly solo. Much higher than Daddy!
Brandon quickly figured it all out and made it look easy! The kite made two escape attempts. The first time the string broke, Nick chased it to it's landing area at the far end of the soccer fields. Dad & I reeled the string back in, unknotted some the tangled mess it had become, and tied some hefty knots in it before reattaching it to the kite. Alas - our knotting was to no avail. The minute the kite got some good altitude going the string snapped again. This time, the kite had some serious escape plans. Nick had to go on the other side of a tall chain link fence and trek through dense underbrush to make a recovery.

In the end Nick saved the kite ... yeah Nick! Brandon was disappointed he couldn't join Nick on the other side of the fence, but was happy to get his kite back.

Our obsession with Mariocart Wii has seriously cut into any spare time I might have otherwise devoted to updating this blog... So - here's a little evidence of our addiction!

While Nick was playing, Brandon helped me put out Christmas decorations. This is the ONLY picture I took of any decorating we did. I'll take some completed pictures later, but otherwise - that's it.

My parents arrived in Little Rock two days after Audrey & Art arrived. We all went out to U.S. Pizza for dinner. Mom & Dad were impressed with the new location that just opened in Hillcrest.
Our end of the table was in high good spirits...
Brandon was all about the cheese dip.

At the other end of the table, Art & Dad appear to have been having a very serious conversation.

Audrey was next to Laedyn & enjoyed watching her antics- she behaved very well really.

As long as the crackers and corn chips are flowing freely, she's content. The pizza - she's not so interested in. Weird!