A Baptism and the 4th

Paula and I made a quick trip out to Vermont over the 4th of July.  The primary purpose was to attend the baptism of Anders.  Hard to believe that my little girl has a boy old enough to be baptized! 

Dad was naturally very proud.



This is really a great little family!



For some reason this trip included very little work time for me.  I really had a great time hanging with the kids while Paula and Chelle shopped, went to cooking classes etc. 

Our walks were really fun in the perfect Vermont summer weather.  It is hard not to want to walk when the lake is just out the back door! This shot is taken with a 50mm lens just outside Chelle's back door. 



Eddie is really growing up to be an interesting person.  He epitomizes cool!








And I am really proud of Anders and Maddie for the big brother and sister that they are.



These shots were taken in the gazebo across the lake from Chelle and Brig's on a pennisula.  That is Chelle's house in the background. 



This is the same perspective with a zoom lens. 

Of course we had to notice the birds.  These guys are actually now calling my attention to the ones they see.  We got really close looks at several including this House Wren,





And a proud Common Yellowthroat



For this post's mystery critter, can one of you grandchildren tell me what this bird is?



Is it the same species as this one?



Sadly, on our walk we saw this Canada Goose who had apparently swallowed a fish hook and had a float permanently hanging from it's bill.  A few days later it appeared to have shed it however so we hope it worked out ok.



Even the flowers were stunning however and it was hard not to be really happy to be outside.



Later that evening we did another walk, and enjoyed the full moon.



As I said earlier, we were in Vermont for the 4th of July week.  All the classic activities were ours to enjoy.  We saw the parade in Brownsville...









Got in a swim at Grandpa Jim and Grandma Carol's pool...





And before the day was over we got in the fireworks up at Hartland before the thunder storms arrived!





The storm passed quickly however, and there was that beautiful moon again.



We got home just in time for Tulia's shower. 



Lynn who recently lost her husband and our friend Don with little Tulia.



And Aunt Hailey with Dorothy looks a lot like a mom who loves babies.  Maybe another?



It's a good life!

 

Catching Up June

It has been since little Tulia Beesley was born that I wrote.  I miss doing so, and have no real excuse.  I thought though that even if it is only to reflect on my amazingly full life, I really wanted to get some pictures and thoughts down for my family.  So here goes.  I know it is sad to some that my photographic life seems to be dominated by birds, but I am sure lucky in that sense as well.

 

 upon our return from the Biggest Week, Brig and I were pretty excited to share our birding with the rest of the family, and had (yes had) to watch The Big Year with everyone.  Anders got really excited, and so Brig and I took he and cousin Wyatt down to Herinck's Cove for a little dawn birding!

We got a list of 15 in a couple of hours, including the Veery, shown above and below.



The Gray Catbird



A very striking little Chestnut Sided Warbler



And perhaps as beautiful from the back as any bird on the planet, the Blue Jay, found only in the eastern US.



Upon our return to Scholls, it was time for the Semi-Annual Piano recital for Paula's students.  This was the first one to be held at the Lodge, and it was really a great setting.  Even though the 130 year old Steinway we shipped out from Vermont was not everything we hoped it would be, it was and is perfect for the Lodge, and was a great piano for the recital students.  Paula looks good at it doesn't she!



So does little Jacob, as did all the great students!

 

 Paula made each of the students a certificate to show their completion of the program for the year. 



 Of her 16 students, 12 are grandchildren!  The oldest of the student-grandchildren Lyann Pham (who is becoming quite an accomplished pianist and even composer), presented Grandma with a bouquet of flowers.  In Grandma's arms is Dorthy, certainly a future piano student!

 

 Speaking of the Lodge, it has been a really busy summer.  It looks great and has been the site of some very fun family reunions, wedding gatherings and even a funeral gathering for a family who lost a dad.  Paula is really enjoying the experience of working with the brides, grandparents and others who are experiencing the special spirit of the "farm". 



 

 

 The other big event in June was a Wright family gathering in Yosemite National Park in California.  Uncle Ty had rented a house with a pool that was the primary gathering place for meals etc.  From there we explored the park and just enjoyed each others company. 



Fun in the Pool



And Out!



Some like Jasmine were pretty excited to be there.



While others were just chillin, like Weston and CC.



Not much in the way of birds, but I did get this shot of a Brewer's Blackbird.



This valley, formed by a glacier moving downstream is full of beautiful scenery. 










From high in the mountains above the valley were some amazing views, including of the famous Half Dome!







One of the main activities in Yosemite is rock climbing.  The famous rock face El Capitan is one of the most famous in the world.  Our own Tucker even had some of the family on the rock!



To look up at the face of El Cap is nothing short of breathtaking.  Here with the Tiet and Ty Pham family in the foreground is a shot of the whole rock.



Even from a great distance it really appears imposing.



With scopes and long lenses, we were even able to see people sleeping on the side of the rock face.  Imagine hauling all that gear up the mountain.



One of the highlight activities in the park is rafting the Merced river.  Of course the Vial boys had to organize a mega rafting trip that proved to be a real hit!

From the launch point





To the last man in (Spencer what's up?)



It was definitely an experience.  I am not quite sure that the Do family had enough to wear however!



Folks were chillin'



Executing full speed ramming action



And generally having a great time.



Nothing quite like a family reunion.

Well so much for a June update.  Life is full, I just need to make sure that my camera is along to get it recorded!