wishing you all a blessed and joyous Christmas and New Year!

Jim, Laurie and Calvin

how lovely is your heavenly pine scent! our little family decided on a “real tree” this year. I am so glad we did… last night we loaded up in Jim’s pick-up and headed to a nursery in Donelson.

 here a few photos. all taken in available light… ISO jacked up to 1000

ta ta for now…

man it was COLD! today we went through ICE, How the Grinch Stole Christmas display…. Everyone gets a big blue long parka to wear inside, BECAUSE IT’S 6 DEGREES! Here are some photos I was able to take between putting my glove back on so I could FEEL my fingers again… Actually it was very beautiful and whimsical but did I mention it was COLD…?

before we went in…  {jump shot} sort of… we were still warm here, even though it was probably 34 degrees!

the kids loved the ice slide and went a ton of times… here is a shot of Mrs. Titan, my wild and crazy friend as she was whipping down the slide. A lady next to me commented, “She is really flying!”  If you’re wondering, NO, there are no photos of me flying down the slide!

Mr. J was hanging out in the ice cave..

this nativity display is remarkable…

before our group went in I took the opportunity to capture a few shots of Mr. J… are these eyes stunning or what?!

thanks for your visit…. I’d love to hear from you… comments are open… 

yeah, this is where it went! Love this kid! link

really smiling, a bunch of yellow smiley face balloons are JUST THE THING!

Thanksgiving weekend our little family headed to Asheville NC. to tour The Biltmore.  The most incredible home imaginable! I only wished we could sneak away and hide until tours were over to spend time alone in this amazing home… but there are cameras everywhere, big brother watching like a hawk…

This was our 2nd trip here. Several years ago Calvin and I joined Jim on a business trip and he and I went on the audio tour together. We loved it. All of us getting to go together this time was a lot of fun…

Here are some photos I took while there. No photography inside so I got some the caught my eye outside..

I turned around and fired this shot of Jim and Calvin. I love this of Jim. He still melts my heart…

us…. reflected… right before we had to run out of the way of this road as a van was coming…

ta ta for now~~~~~

Friday afternoon Calvin & I headed out w/our friends and met some friends at Belle Meade Plantation.

Love this old home… I’ve been many times and I never tire of touring the house and grounds… the cold made it a little less enjoyable outside but I did manage to get one group shot (well, missing a couple in that too) and I wrangled a friends daughter for several quick photos before we ran to the van….

Miss K, has such beautiful green eyes with her dark hair… It was just screaming for me to caught a few shots!

Thanks for dropping in….  until next time….

November 28th, our 21st Wedding Anniversary. This photo is the very first picture taken of Jim and I.

life is GOOD…

until next time~

a father and son adventure..

last weekend trip to Monteagle Tn., South Cumberland State Park, Stone Door Trail…

I love this photo. of my guys. of their time together. time they both will always remember. these Boyscout events are so much more then just a hike or a camp out. they are precious time spent with a father and son. skills Calvin is learning along side his father that he would never do otherwise. memories Calvin will take into his adulthood. memories of a caring present father.  the encouragement, joys, struggles, wonder and success, involved in these outdoor hikes and camping trips together are the best of times… something they will always have together… priceless!

My always thoughtful husband, picked up 5 tickets from Bridgestone to the dress rehersal  of The Student Prince, Opera  for me to invite 4 of my fabulous friends to attend last Thursday night. Bridgestone employees are often given the opportunity for FREE tickets to the dress rehearsals, which are actual performances, of events at TPAC. We had a wonderful time. Starting out taking a few quick point & shoot photos at home, Tricia was home sick with the flu so we held a balloon to represent her anyways! We had a marvelous dinner at Wasabi Japanese Steak house and grill… The Opera was wonderful… And we will never forget Cindi’s little incident walking over the grate! A true Marilyn moment! :)  I am grateful to have such fun friends to share times like these… and a husband who is always so thoughtful!