The Next Generation

It is sad to know that this is the next generation we are rearing.

What other 'cool items' could possibly be included? Aren't "Grillz" enough?

Whiz!

Some of the toys we wanted to use for the Operation Christmas Child were too big for the box. One was a propeller that had LEDs that activate when you spin it to make it fly. Emily did it outside at night, and I set the camera to long-exposure 'night' mode. The pics ended up being cool!

Operation Christmas Child

Our church participated in Operation Christmas Child. We made three 'shoeboxes'.

You fill the box with hard candy, personal hygiene items, and small toys.

The church sent out this many boxes. We were able to track ours, and found out it went to Colombia!

Highlands and Islands 2009

We went to the MS Gulf Coast Highlands and Islands Scottish Games this year, and met our good friend Heather and friends Michael and Jenny Lee (and family) down there. It was a fun day, and the jousting was actually entertaining while you eat your lunch.

Be sure to watch the slideshow in full-screen (button in the bottom right)!

Funky carpets

We only have two rooms with carpet in the house (I pulled it all out to put down laminate flooring). We rented a very large carpet cleaner and put it to the test in Ian and Emily's room. Wow! You don't realize how dirty carpet is until it is really clean (or you rip it up and throw it out).

Veterans Day 2009

I attended the Veterans Day ceremony in downtown Hattiesburg, and it was a beautiful day. The bagpiper was Jessie Langham, and I also ran into former aquaintance 'Soup' Campbell (he was the actor in my very first television commercial for WarZone comics).

A slideshow is below. Watch it fullscreen by clicking the button on the bottom right.

Nap time

Jude and Candy sleep on the couch in exact mirror-images of each other.

(Please ignore that trash under the couch)

Can I cook?

No.

But I can stir a mean taco meat mixture (if it has been properly prepared by Janet)!

Fall

Janet and I have started walking around the loop at the bottom of the hill. Today we noted several 'fall'ish things.

Geese in a perfect 'V' flying south;

Leaves turning colors;

And Ian taking a leak under the big magnolia.

Ahh, the seasons.

Incredi-Mom the destroyer!

Janet killed a snake today. Well, it looks like it was more bludgeoned than 'killed'.

Weapons!

I let Ian and Emily hold an old survival knife I had in the closet (made famous during the 'Rambo' movie days). Immediately they felt like THEY HAD THE POWER!

Too Late... Sucka!!!

As we were pulling into our normal WalMart parking aisle, I noticed a fellow coming very fast in the next aisle. We were going very slow scouting for a space, and we just happened to get ahead of him. I could see in the rearview mirror he wasn't too happy about this. I mentioned this to everyone saying 'That guy is mad because there must be a good spot up front.' Sure enough, there was a golden spot right up front! As we were pulling in, I thought about saying 'Hey, one of you kids act sick so maybe he'll feel sorry for us.' Instead, Ian threw open the side door and stood up in the doorway, raised his little fist and yelled "WE GOT HERE FIRST, SUCKA!!!!"

Note: this is a re-enactment at home.

A Catholic Memorial

I performed at a memorial service on the coast for a Catholic diocese official who died while visiting Ireland. It was at the Church of the Nativity in Biloxi. I played in front of the assembly at the very beginning, then was free to go. As I left, I snapped this pic of all the other priests entering to begin the ceremony.

Fresh!

During one of our daily Wal-Mart runs, Janet decided to get some air freshener. Of course, she decided to test each one by spraying it in the air and walking into the scent droplets and inhaling. The kids quickly picked up on this and it started to look like a square dance of coming in and going out.

Trunk or Treat

Every year our church does a Trunk or Treat. This year had some surprise costumes!

A slideshow is below. It's best to watch full-screen: once you hit play, click the button in the lower-right corner.