Winter sun and sand

Patrick has been wanting to take the dumplings to the beach to dig in the sand a little bit.  So we finally found some time to do that the other day.  We managed to get down there about an hour before sunset, which you know is a dreamy time for the photographer in me.  It was very windy and bit on the chilly side. So they didn't get in the water at all.

 There were just a few others also out enjoying the beauty at sunset. So I snapped a photo of them too.  

After digging a bit, Caleb and Patrick tossed around the football.

While I love the boldness and brightness of sunsets over the river to the west, there is something special about the dreamy, pastel sunsets over the ocean to the east.  Most of the images I shot were to the north, as that was where the sky was prettiest....that is until the sun finally set, and then out of nowhere the sky to the south was full of soft, delicate pastel clouds, which I captured in the last photo.

The dumplings had such a great time digging in the sand and making castles. The boys also had a lot of fun playing catch.  And me?  I just loved watching them all enjoying themselves so much.  We really need to say good night to the sun more often while digging our toes in the sand, right?

His Birthday Eve

I mentioned in a previous post that Bammy was down from Connecticut to help Caleb celebrate his birthday.  Well, since she's down for a little while, we thought we'd put her up in some pretty nifty accommodations- our dear Peggy.  We set her up at a campground at a local park in town, about 15 minutes from the house.  On Caleb's Birthday Eve, we headed over to Bammy's place to help her get settled in and have some dinner and s'mores.  Caleb wanted to light the charcoal.

Then Baba had to head back to the house for a few things we forgot  (of course).  So in the meantime, the dumplings played with Bammy.  Caleb might have also pretended to be Santa Claus.

The meat head that I am brought my Nikon but left all my CF cards at home.  Duh!  But thankfully I had my Fujifilm in my bag and made do.

Havi may or may not have had a thing for the s'more sticks.

Eventually Baba made it back to the site as the sun went down.  We managed to eat by candle light, which was cool.  Then, although I don't think they're actually allowed in the campground, the dumplings played with some sparklers.  I guess you could call us rebels.

I wished I hadn't forgotten my CF card for my Nikon because it does so much better in low light that also has a lot of movement.  My Fujifilm is just slower in the dark, and my subjects have a hard time being still.  Not necessarily the best combination. lol Anyway, I'm glad I was able to capture the moment the only way I could.  Perspective. ;)

We had a lot of fun that night.  Good thing we just might be joining Bammy later in the week.

Happy Double Digits!!!!

I can't believe our precious Caleb is actually double digits!!!  Where oh where did the last seven years go?!

So, as I said in my last post, this precious boy of ours declared that he would like to play in a tennis tournament the weekend before his birthday, making it difficult to try to throw him a party back at home.  So we decided to let him play and that we would bring the party to the courts.  We left early in the morning, and boy was it cold! (40s is cold for us Floridians.)  We arrived about two hours before Caleb's first match so we could get the party bus/players' lounge set up.  One of his buddies had the lone early match.  So Caleb was eager to try to catch the end of it.

 Patrick and Bammy set up a couple tables in front of the RV for all the food.

 The cousins decided they would try to hit the ball around a bit. I'm just so glad that the kids playing matches right in front of us didn't lodge any complaints because we might have gotten a bit loud a time or two.

 Then all the boys headed out for their 11am matches.  A lot of them came back as winners, including the birthday boy. Then it was time to head to the party.

 There was a lot of laughter, eating, and good times.  There might have also been a game or two of tag thrown in there.

 I ended up baking several dozen chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, as well as chocolate chip cookies and rice krispy treats.  I also made my Aunt Alison's delicious Texas caviar.  Patrick did a great job grilling hot dogs and hamburgers.  He watched the first set of Caleb's first match and then headed back to heat up the charcoal.  It worked out very well.  

Then it was time to head out for the next round of matches.  Caleb had to play against his buddy Charlie (the other boy in the bright green shirt above), who is a tough player.  It was a really great match between them, but Caleb wasn't able to pull off a second win that day.  Still, it was such a fantastic day.  

 After his last match, we headed back to party central to clean up and prepare for departure.  We didn't want anyone to bring gifts, but he did manage a few from some friends and family.  He scored some extra wide sweat bands, which he loves.

 He also got a 2015 tennis calendar from Phil and Marsha, which he has already hung in his room.

 His buddy Walker, who trains with him back home, gave him some fun mustaches.

 And his buddy Charlie gave him a tennis shirt.

 A few party attendees decided to model the mustaches for us.

Since the sun was still up, and there was one more meal to be had that day, we decided to stick around a little bit longer and hit up our favorite little Italian restaurant in the neighborhood.  Phil and Marsha were able to join us again as well.  Dinner was delicious, as always.  I mean, how can you go wrong when everything is so fresh?  And in typical fashion, when we all went to sing Happy Birthday, that little stinker Havi blew out Caleb's birthday candle!!!  Madeline did it to him when he turned six, and now Havi has gone it done it when he turned ten!  Little sisters!!!!  Sheesh.

Anyway, what a way to spend his Birthday "Adam"!  Last month, I heard a fellow blogger refer to the day before Christmas Eve as Christmas Adam (because Adam came before Eve.) And well, I think birthdays can have "Eves" and "Adams" too. I'm so grateful that Caleb has the opportunity to play so many tennis tournaments at a great facility that's a stone's throw from my sister's place (and her in-laws too.) Our family may not be large, and we may not live in the same town, but we sure try to get together as often as we can (and tennis actually helps to that end!)  Speaking of my sister, we both ended up wearing very similar outfits- blue jeans, gray shirts and black jackets.  Craziness!!!  (And I'm kicking myself that I didn't get a photo.)  Needless to say, we confused a few players and parents. lol  Also, I have to give a big shout out to Patrick and Bammy for all they did to set up the party.  The day would not have been possible without them.

So, welcome to the double digit club precious Caleb.  

Can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for you this year!

Happy 10th Birthday, big guy!

(p.s.- And stop growing up so fast!!!  Please!!!)