December 27, 2009
We were thick in the blues when we when on a hike on our camping trip. We found the blue berries on the top of the peak. They were perfectly ripe and we spent quite a bit of time picking and eating the little blue orbs.
On the way back down, we came across an unidentified blue blob that still evades identification.

December 26, 2009
During our “Boys Camping Trip” in September, we found ourselves in a downpour when trying to get our camp fire started. So we took turns at holding an umbrella over the fire so that the wood would stay dry.


December 25, 2009
My favorite part of Christmas this year was lighting the final Advent candle and reading the Christmas story. Those familiar passages come alive once again and remind us of the promise that we have in Jesus. A gift far better than the ones under the tree.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
– Isaiah 9:6-7

December 24, 2009
It’s good to know when to just be a kid and throw caution to the wind.
It is also good to know when to stop.
I obviously have a problem with that.
December 23, 2009
On a camping trip in September, we went on a hike where we encountered a number of wild horses on the trail, including a mare with a foal.
The one laying down wasn’t dead or injured. It got up as we walked past.

December 22, 2009
When we bought our house 4 years ago, it came with an ornate iron gate that opened up to block our driveway. Why? I have no idea.
But we lived with it, not knowing exactly how to rid ourselves of it, but thinking, “Hey, somebody would pay money for this thing…” And so, in late July, an A/C repairman was admiring the gate, when my intrepid wife asked, “Wanna buy it?”
He did (he wanted it for his horse farm), and we sold it too him for more money than I expected to get for it. (Thanks to the family negotiator…i.e. not me.) Hey, I was so sick of it, I would’ve given it away. But my better half always seems to know better than to give something away. Maybe that’s why she always beats me in Monopoly.
And so, now we live in a gate free community.
December 21, 2009
While on our July vacation, we experienced some not so warm, not so dry weather. The whole week was fairly cool and rainy, but we tried to make the best of it. One of our stops in the Pisgah National Forest was Sliding Rock, a place we came when I was a kid.

It is basically a natural waterslide that flows into a 6’ deep pool of 45 degree water. So cold that it takes your breath away…

But so much fun we had to do it again…and again.

December 20, 2009
Ok, it is a little out of order to post a December picture after July, but we just got dumped on pretty good (16 inches on our picnic table), and thought it would be fun to post some pictures.
The boys have never seen so much snow and are making the best of it.

