Gulf Shores, Alabama

The whole Sands clan headed out on our annual pilgrimage to the shore. The 14 hour drive to the Gulf coast went by quickly as we drove through the night. 

The view from our condo's balcony. Beautiful! 

Every car ride meant some kind of entertainment for Ella. Chris is practicing for his spot on "So You Think You Can Dance." Ella is his protege. Scary! 

Recent hurricanes have uncovered a mysterious ship that has been buried under the beach in Gulf Shores for hundreds of years. Not a soul knew it was there until its protective blanket of sand was blown away by the storm. The skeleton was amazing...ropes, wood, nails still intact. 

The Isenhours return from Sweden!!

It was a long, long year. We are all so thankful to have Amblen, Cindy, Ben and Luna back home safe and sound. 

Mama Bird always flies back home

Ella is starting to get the hang of our weekly routine, and is paying attention to weekdays and weekends. Every mornings she asks "where will I go today?" "Is it the weekend yet?" and "are you sure you have to go face the day without me, momma?" (yes, I know. Heartbreaking.)

Since we recently upgraded her to a big-girl bed, we moved the furniture around in her room—leaving a few blank walls that needed some artwork. I decided to do a piece that would show a mommy bird coming home to her family, so it would assure Ella that my favorite time is truly when I fly back to the proverbial nest of 2124 Belvo. I watched her face as I unveiled it. I thought she was terribly moved but she was actually focusing in on the second baby bird. She has determined that this is the little brother she will have someday...and his name is Alex. LOL!! 

It's mostly cut paper. All the patterns are either from found objects, poetry, musical scores or printouts of patterns I made to build texture.

I did an Eric Carle-style dry brush painting and cut some of the leaves from that. 

Summer Ends!

Ella participated in her first charity bike-a-thon. I think the highlight was getting to wear her pink barbie helmet, which she spent a considerable amount of time pointing out to people. 

She kicked! She blew bubbles! She floated! She pushed off the wall! Ella has officially graduated from the "Guppy" swim class and will move up next summer to "Dolphin" status. Sweet. 

And, to mark the very end of summer, Ella started her first day of class at Creative World of Montessori. We were more nervous than she was. That night we asked her what she did at school. She said "I played!" like it was the most idiotic question she'd ever heard. I hope she always feels that way about learning. 

Andrea & Chris's Wedding - June 28 08

After 11 years of dating, Chris and Andrea finally joined hands in marriage on Saturday. Ella made a lovely flower girl, I did a reading, and Derek sang. 

The day of the wedding we were all a little nervous...but the entire thing was just perfect. Ella made it down the aisle with no problems and behaved herself on stage for a full half-hour ceremony. At one point on stage she decided to do a couple of token pirouettes, but can you blame her? You're three...you're in a pretty dress...what seems more appropriate? 

Post-ceremony: hour #7 in the gown. 

Mr and Mrs Boy exit the church! 

Andrea was an absolutely beautiful bride! Congrats to the happy couple :) 

Miscellaneous June stuff

I was standing on the deck the other day and looked up at the sun shining through our trees. There are times when I'm frustrated with this canopy, wishing we could grow a garden or see the sunrise. Then I remember...that thick trees make good neighbors, the light is always filtered just right for photos, and that there is no sweeter symphony than the million leaves above us, applauding in the breeze.

The Kline Camp Trip 08

We had a few setbacks on Friday night, but all in all the trip was a lot of fun. Ella has a new playmate at Kline functions - Craig's girlfriend Kelli has a daughter (Nora) that's almost 3. If Ella is sharing her raft with someone besides Amblen, you know they've made fast friends. 

All the cousins found great joy in watching Aunt Francis' face as Mindy brought in 15 LaRosa's pizzas for Saturday night dinner (yes, Klines CAN be spontaneous!)

Dad's homemade ice cream and Patti's texas sheetcake. Deliciously Sinful!!!