Ryan's First Hike - Devil's Punch Bowl

Shortly after Ryan turned 4, we decided to take him for his first hike.  Hiking is not by any means new to Ryan...  He has hiked a few mountains and strolled on many trails.  This hike was his first walking by himself with no stroller in tow.  Enjoy the photos (when I get them uploaded!)

Emily's Second Birthday

Ryan and Emily's Preschool Photos

Antelope Valley Poppy Fields

Over the past weekend Mimi, Ryan, Emily and I went to the poppy fields that are located not far from our house.  Here are a few of the photos from our trip.  It was a gorgeous day!  Enjoy!

Ryan wasn't feeling very photogenic...

This is not a postcard - My Mom took this!  Beautiful!

Snuggling and One of Callie's Creations

Thoughts of the day both Religious and Political...

Although not widely popular topics of casual conversation amongst my fellow generation X 'ers, two of my favorite ideas to discuss and ponder each day are Religion and Politics...  What is happening in our world, Who, What I think, How I feel, grow and change, Where, and Why...  How to live a Christian Life...  Walk with God...  This is where my mind/heart is wondering today.

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His will,
That I may reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

- Karl Paul Rienhold Neibuhr
 Serenity Prayer

Reinhold Niebuhr
Born	Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr June 21, 1892 Wright City, Missouri
Died	June 1, 1971 (aged 78) Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Education	Elmhurst College, Eden Theological Seminary, Yale Divinity School
Occupation	Theologian, professor at Union Theological Seminary (1930-1960), magazine editor (1941-1966)
Years active	1915-1966
Known for	Christian Realism, Serenity Prayer
Religion	Protestant
Spouse(s)	Ursula Keppel-Compton Niebuhr
Notes 1964 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient

And what are Religion and Politics without a little History too?

Emily's Easter Photo Shoot 2010

Emily Anne

Butterflies

Mommy's Shoes

Mommy and Emmy

Can we be done already?

Second Wind

You are My Sunshine