Sean's Backpacking Trip 2

Well, since the blog would not let me continue in the previous blog posting I started another one to finish the story. So if you have not seen "Sean's Backpacking Trip 1", scroll down the page to see the beginning of the trip.



Well at our back country, we woke up to rain. There is nothing like breakfast on the trail in the rain. This is a picture of John cooking breakfast and Sean waiting to eat. Notice they our both still smiling. Well we were hoping the rain would stop after breakfast, so we could pack up and get on our way. Well it didn't.







The rain never let up, so we packed up in the rain and got started on the trail. Sean did a really good job hiking up hill in the rain. He stopped a few times on the trail to rest, but he never complained about the hike in the rain up hill.















Well here is the after picture. Sean did an excellent job backpacking. This was his first trip and says he enjoyed it. Maybe there will be more trips. Notice Sean is not smiling in this picture, I guest he had enough,

Sean's Backpacking Trip 1

Hello Everyone, Amy usually updates the blog, but since I was on the bakcpacking trip with Sean it may be easier for me to do this posting. (Jeff)


The first night Sean, his Uncle John, and myself setup camp at Big Meadows Camp Ground. Sean was put in charge of some important tasks. One of the task he completed was to build a fire. Sean gather most of the materials needed, and with those materials he was able to build his first ONE Match fire.







After eating dinner in the camp ground, we went on an evening hike into Big Meadow. There we saw many deer. Most of the Deer let Sean get very close to them. The deer in the background is a four point buck. After the hike, we sat around the fire for a little while, then Sean went to sleep in the tent. Then about 10:30 in the evening a thunder storm came by and forced John and myself into the tent, so we went to sleep as well.









The next day, the real hike began. This picture is the the before shot we always take before we go on any backpacking trip. The trail we chose is all down hill for the first day, which means the last day will be all up hill. See we are smiling now.














The first along the trail was Rose River Falls. At the Falls, we ate lunch and swimming under the Falls. The water was very cold.

















After our swim, we put our gear on again and continued the hike down the trail. We walked down into the valley for about another half mile and then we went off the trail and headed to the back country. We didn't go real far, just enough to get away from the main trail. This picture is of our camp we setup in the back country. This camp sat above the river. It was just short walk down the bank to the river to get water.

July 15th

Ha, my pictures are way out of order. This photo was taken this morning at Homestead Gardens. Did Kathy just catch a fly?















Hi, sorry about the 2 week lag in posts. I was able to snap one pic of the 4th Parade, before my camera batteries went dead. Jake was riding in the fire truck, but we didn't see him because we were on the wrong side. Other than that, it was a pretty good parade. The dumb politicians really need to stay home next time, their heartless campaigning ruins it for me.






Homestead again, Nan is happy and Kathy approves.

It's July

FINALLY, another post. Where do the days go? Tangles was helping me read the paper this morning, wasn't that nice of her? She is so darned cute.












Many of you responded with your guesses of "who is my worst enemy". I had some interesting answers, but Nan got it - the Japanese Beetle! It was hard to get a close up with my camera, but you can see the damage the beetle is doing to my rose. We go thru this every year, the beetles and I. They arrive, eat my roses, I kill them. This year I put out the traps and have only had to manually kill about 20. Usually, I off hundreds in a week (I am NOT exaggerating.)





Sean goes to camp tomorrow evening for, almost, a whole week. Here is a view from the dinning hall. He loves going, and it's only 2 minutes up the street from our house - very convenient.












Sean staggering under Tangles incredible bulk. Notice Mrs Butterworth came to visit (or is that Aunt Jememiah?)












My lace cap hydrangea has bloomed like crazy. The dumb camera did not capture the purple, blue and pink. That's what we get for being low budget I guess.

Thursday

Scarlet got a crew cut! Jeff shaved her over the weekend. So, this picture is what she looks like after a 3 mile walk, in the heat. I sort of look the same.











Hey Melissa, you need some hollyhocks, butterfly bush and salvia in your sun garden. The hollyhocks get about 10 feet tall and are easy to grow. The butterfly bush does attract honey bees, as well as butterflies, so you make the call.




















Salvia is hardy and easy - and blue.














Nan, this is that wierd flower I was describing to you. Is this a weed or a legitimate plant? It's not very attractive, so I may rip it out anyway.

In my next post, be prepared for pics of my arch enemies. Some of you may know who I mean. Here's a hint: they come to call each June, I hate them and I kill them.

Sean's Promotion

Okay, Sean has passed 5th grade. The school had a big promotion party/ceremony for the kids. It was a zoo. Also, most of my pics turned out dark, making them unpostable. Here is Sean eating a cupcake in front of a drapey thing. That is NOT a urinal to the right, it's a water fountain - duh.







Posing in his Mr. Man ensemble.



















Isn't this a cool cake? There was one for each class. Sean's face is sticking out of the cupcake at the very bottom right.













Sean and Shawn, both looking cool and happy.














Here is one of my dark shots. Sean and the kids were supposed to be singing, but were barely making any sound. These are the same kids that burst your eardrums in the lunchroom. Weird.

Anyway, congrats to Shady Side Elem. 5th grade and good luck in Middle School.

Sean's Promotion

Saturday

Here is a pic of my neighbor surrounded by the animals. They just love her.














Let's see, I wonder why Yoda is so sleepy. Hmmm, I suppose if I was up all night maiming and decapitating poor defenseless bunnies, I'd be tired too. He is now sporting a new lilac collar with a purple bell. And, he will be in lockdown until the spring babies grow up.








Poor Tangles, she's not very ladylike sometimes. Believe it or not, she is sleeping in this picture. And, why are there always swords or weapons, of some sort, on my floors?

posted by: Amy

Fire Academy Graduation

Jake graduated from the Fire Cadet Program last Tuesday. The ceremony was held at Odenton Volunteer Fire Company. Here are Danny and Jeff.











Jake and the other "Deale" boys getting their Firemen's Prayers. The Lady in the photo had them framed as gifts. It was very nice of her to do it.













Jake and company. The Deale Fire Station had 4 Cadets in the program this year. The class was made up of kids from stations all over the county.













Wow we all look wierd, whats uppp?














Jake getting his diploma.

Saturday

Here are the two bohemian crystal goblets Jeff brought back from Czech Republic. They are really beautiful. Also, new toaster. Having a 4-slot is such a luxury!












Here is some bounty from our small garden. The last of the lettuce, and two of a million radishes. For those of you who think you don't like radishes, give them another try. They are spicy and crunchy and fun to eat.

note: not endorsed by the National Radish Assoc.









Some duckies came to call today. .......













and Scarlet promptly chased them away.

Jeff's trip

Bet you thought I'd never post again. It's been a very long time, but I'm back for a spell. Here are some pics of Jeff's trip the Czech Republic. He is not here to describe them, so I will do my best. Okay, this one is some sort of elaborate building, maybe a church. Like you couldn't have deduced that for yourselves.








Next up, we have some street mimes. Fairly self-explanatory - and creepy.













Here, you see a classic, narrow, cobblestoned, European street. The archway in the back is sort of a bonus.

















And, another narrow cobblestoned street. Very clean.




















This seems to be some sort of tram. Jeff said the trams were everywhere, and inexpensive too. Looks like lots of people ready to hop on.

This concludes todays tour. Tune in next time for another non-exciting blog post.
Amy

visiting friends

Went to visit my friend, Sue, at her super fab new house, this week. Here is a pic of her cute courtyard. For some reason, it makes me crave a drink with an umbrella in it.


















This pool is not finished yet. I repeat, this is not finished! I promised I would make that clear. It looks pretty darn good so far, so you know it will be great when it's done. Don't worry, I'll post "after" pics as soon as they become available.










Pretty kitty! (Patches)














These turtles are super swimmers.

I Love Spring

This is why I love spring. Beautiful flowers and they're FREE.













Sean holding up some sort of toy he got at school. It looks like we're in the parking lot at the dentist's office. Good times!
















This rose is going crazy. Lots of flowers and good scent. You'll notice that I don't grow the tea roses. I have enough children to take care of.



















This is the new peony, I just planted last year. I was expecting no blooms this spring, but was rewarded with two. This one is just starting to open. The smell is fab.











My mother was kind enough to buy me this old English rose for Mother's day. It's called Geoff Hamilton or something. Anyway, not only is it beautiful, but again, the smell is lovely. I'll be planting this tomorrow. Thanks Mom!

That is why I love spring.