We got a Wii !

I have to admit... I'm not a game guy at all but this thing is pretty cool! 

Vrolijk Kerstfeest, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noël, Buon Natale, Boas Festas, Noflike Krystdagen and Merry Christmas... y'all!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas!

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; 

Someone got a gift he liked! 

In the throes of gift opening... 

Spongebob made an appearance ;-) 

A charm bracelet just like mom and Aunt Joyce had! 

Showing Christopher his new iPod. 

Track Santa Christmas Eve

We'll be tracking Santa tonight here!

I think he's over Japan right now... at least that's what it looks like (Mount Fuji and Bullet Train) in this top-secret government picture shot just minutes ago!

Last minute shopping

One of these years I'm going to avoid this and just do nothing on Christmas Eve... one of these years... 

Santa's Little Helper

Kiersten is our resident Christmas tree decorating expert, so to get in the spirit she put on her "Santa's Little Helper" outfit while she was rearranging the ornaments! 

80 degrees and Christmas card pictures on the beach!

So... it was 80 degrees today so for something different we went to the beach to take our Christmas card pictures... ended up with some nice shots though...

we took some pictures... but it was mostly general silliness... but then again with us it usually is ;-) 

Marco Polo on land ;-) 

no, Kiersten is not photoshopped she's just releasing a little bit of energy ;-)

and a rouge wave or two made thing interesting ;-) 

Wreaths Across America

What started over 15 years ago, as one's man's dream to honor Veterans with Maine wreaths for the holidays, has become an annual event cherished by many. Humbled with a new understanding about the impact the Arlington Wreath Project has made, not only in honoring the dead, but recognizing the sacrifices of the living, Morrill Worcester - President of Worcester Wreath Company committed himself to doing more, by reaching out across the country.

Spurred by the tremendous outpouring of letters and interest, and to celebrate the 15 years of giving, Worcester Wreath Company solicited Civil Air Patrol and its members to help expand the reaches of the Arlington Wreath Project with Wreaths Across America – the placing of memorial wreaths during a special ceremony at each of the over 230 State and National Cemeteries, and Veterans Monuments across the country. 

Blast from the past!

Just a picture from three years ago that I always liked. 

More unusual animals in our neck-o-the-woods

A Greater flamingo from Africa that escaped from a Kansas zoo (left bird in photo) was spotted here this weekend, 678 miles from it's "home" in Wichita.

The bird was part of a wild flock of Greater flamingos the zoo acquired from Africa in 2003. In the summer of 2005, the zoo was preparing to clip the flock's wings to keep them from flying off. But some of the birds weren't ready, and zoo staff postponed their clipping.

A breeze blew through the flamingo exhibit, ruffling their feathers, and two birds discovered their wings were long enough to fly. After that they were never seen again until now.

The flamingos' instincts probably took over, directing them south to water and warmer climates and one of them ended up here.

In addition to the escaped bird, a Caribbean flamingo (right bird in photo) has also been hanging out here. That bird, bright pink, almost orange in color, first was seen in October 2005. Its leg band identified it as part of a flock from the Yucatan. Biologists suspect it may have come to Texas during last year's hurricanes.

They are both believed to be males and have been hanging out together.

Sleet and snow flurries!

Not like this in '04, but unusual for us nonetheless! 

"No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted"

If you have a daughter you should show her this video entitled Evolution from Dove's Campaign For Real Beauty

The mystery continues

Here's a shot of where she was found. She did not drift in and apparently swam in herself. When she was found her gills were still pink indicating she had been alive shortly before she was found.

I'll post more as I get more information.

Beautiful animal. 

Uh oh!

This 9-foot Shortfin Mako shark was found in the bay.

The shark carcass was found in about a foot of water near the beach Tuesday morning. It was a healthy animal and scientists are baffled because it had no wounds.

Shortfin Makos are renowned for their aggressiveness and speed and their ability to leap out of the water. An animal this size weighs around 1,200 pounds!

Since a shark like this has never been recorded in any coastal bay, the question is why was this shark in the bay, thirty miles from the nearest ocean inlet?

Since we wade fish and play in the bay, finding this animal there is sorta scary and creepy!

Kiersten has made it to Japan!

She's on a Japanese website! (click and then scroll the down the page to see)

OK... some of you have emailed me asking what it says... yeah, I don't speak Japanese so I'm only guessing it says something about how cute she looks. But then the Japanese word for cute and kicks boy's butts is the same word so maybe they're talking about how fast she is. Dunno... it's cool, though!