Young Adventurer plays piano at the mall

The first piece is Waterfall by Jon Schmidt, and the second is Sonata Op. 49 No. 2 by Beethoven.

Salutatorian Speech

As Flickr won't let me upload a four minute video on my free account, here is THE SALUTATORIAN SPEECH in all it's completeness. It's definitely better with the end left on.

Sunset, and playing in the leaves, because it's fall here, in winter

Young Adventurer's recent adventures

Young Adventurer played in his school orchestra Christmas concert this week. He played with the 7th grade orchestra and as part of this quintet. The same day he ran in his first cross country meet.

started strong

Finished strong

This week's wildlife

Found the snake in the backyard, the rest were at the Riparian Preserve. Can you spot the non-native species?? :-)

Rebuilding Freedom

We visited New York this past July as part of our summer vacation. These are some photos I took of the 9/11 Memorial, St. Paul's Chapel, and the Freedom Tower. Rebuilding and restoring hope in the face of evil, and the idea that destruction is not the end should point us not to just a vague idea of freedom, but to Christ, who rose from the dead to secure our ultimate freedom from all evil. 

The New York skyline, seen from the crown of the Statue of Liberty 7/8/2013

New York City and the Freedom Tower as seen from the Liberty Island ferry

St Paul's Chapel

Freedom Tower

The Memorial Pools

Reflecting pool, with the Freedom tower in the background

The Survivor Tree, which lived through the terrorist attacks in spite of it's location next to the twin towers

The Firefighters' Memorial

The Freedom tower, lit in red white and blue, from our hotel in midtown Manhattan

I do not think that means what you think it means...

You know those medical history forms you have to fill out at the doctor/dentist/chiropractor?

That form could be the very thing that makes the office visit worthwhile. No, no, (puts on glasses) no, no-not right now, no, no, ...uhhh...well...what?

Marketing people take note

This is gross:

This is dumb:

This is the one I bought:

Arlington Observed

The Frolicking Giraffe

The heat didn't stop the youthful giraffe from tormenting the other animals this morning.

A picture is worth a thousand words, right?

The Baptism

For the Lamb at the center before the throne

will be their shepherd;

'He will lead them to springs of living water.'

'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'

Revelation 7:17

The Apple Tree

Usury Mountain Hike

This is the Wind Cave Trail. 3.2 miles round trip, 800' elevation change. I had never hiked it before. Not disappointed! It's a lot of fun and really beautiful in spring!

You never know what you're going to find along the trail...