Life (Theme 200)

This is life in a fun way. We all had a blast out on the lake. The kids jumped off the boat time after time and made these strange sounds that Shane taught them. After hours of fun and sun we went home and talked about how we are going to do that again.......can't wait.

Joke (Theme 324)

The Dept has hired a new Fire Inspector and the current Inspector has set up his new office so when it's time for him to move into his new job he will be set. It looks like he will have everything he needs right here......don't you???

Portrait (Theme 322)

This is Captain Clark's shift at the Alcoa Fire Department. We will be sending this photo to one of the Fire Fighter's son who is currently serving in our Military over in Iraq. When we are done with the photo it will have a full showing of both of these engines and all the signatures of those on this shift.

Costume (Theme 303)

Erin dressed up for this photo......Fire Fighter Ernie to the rescue and Jr. Fire Fighter Avery close behind. We tried to get Avery to try on the jacket but she would have no part of it until Erin tried it on, then she would touch it but that is as far as she went. I guess she is just too girly!!!!

Wavy (Theme 197)

Shane said yes to going water skiing not have done so in over 12 years. Well, you would have never know it because he was pulled right out of the water and skiied like he did it every day. He was really good and in this photo he was coming back in to swim with us and let go of the rope and this was the best photo. Way to go Shane.......

Boat (Theme 31)

Summer fun in Grandpa Ed's boat and Regan and Ryan are being pulled on the tube. If you look closely so is Tom. He was on the raft and then grabbed onto the kids feet for a little ride. Look close and you will see the top of his head....oh he let go right after I took this but it got the kids going thinking they were going to be pulled off.

Hug (Theme 160)

This was a fun day on the lake with Pop. Erin was about to move to Anchorage, AK so we had to get in some summer swimming because I don't think she will be doing this much up there in the frozen waters of Alaska. We all had a wonderful time playing with the kids and visiting with each other. Here Dad is giving Erin and I a hug......awww, it's that so sweet?????

Cheese (Theme 171)

I had to say Cheese so Avery would look at me and smile. She is the one in the little Fire Truck being pushed by her cousin Regan and her sister Riley standing behind them watching.

Precious (Theme 87)

I said this theme was precious because I know it's a boy thing to take bugs and put them on you or someone else to freak them out. Here my son did this by hanging the dead bug on his retainer and walking up to all of us. The precious part is that some of the just FREAKED OUT!!! Ain't it great having boys around????

Souvenier (Theme 199)

Here we are getting a tour at the Fire Hall for my Sister and her family and Ryan walks up to us with this thing on his lip. In the next theme the faces on some of the crowd is PRICELESS. Take a look. OH, and yes the bug was dead.

Commitment (Theme 179)

Lake Ontario, NY and this is what Chuck was talking about. This skier saw us and came right over to play in the surf. It was great watching him jump and fly all over and the kids thought it was cool......so cool that they wanted to do it. Right, like that would happen!!!!

Surf (Theme 135)

Ryan is watching the wake/surf as Chuck used the power of the boat which is twin 350 engines. It was great fun and like he said that once Jet Skiers saw him coming they would follow him just to play in his surf. Next them will be one of those wild skiers playing in the water and Ryan was waiting patiently to see it.

Bridge (Theme 220)

While boating with friends and family on Lake Ontario, NY I was able to get a few fun photos along the channel into the lake and this was one of the bridges we passed. Many of the bridges you would see kids jumping off but this one was a little to big for that and traffic was heavy so I thought it was perfect for a theme...so here it is. I know, your so excited!!! HA HA HA......

Beginning (Theme 260)

Here is a fun photo showing our cousin Jaci 3 days away from her due date. I chose this for beginning because she is embarking on a wild ride with a newborn. From Left is Regan, Jaci, Michael, Ryan and Amber. All cousins and it's really great to get together with them since it has been 5 years or more since we saw Jaci and Michael last.

TREASURE (Theme 123)

I arrived home from New York at around 10am and at 11am picked up my sick cat Molly from the vet. It was one of the worst day for the kids and I. Molly was so sick that we had to put her to sleep. You can see we brought her home to say goodbye and I was actually resting from crying and Molly laid with me in her spot. I had Molly for over 15 years and cancer took her from us. It was awful to see how she was suffering and I couldn't make her do it any longer. We tried everything to save her over the past few months thinking it was a sinus infection but it wasn't, it was Lymphoma. This was my reason for being so behind on my blog....I miss Molly! She passed away on 7/17/2008 knowing we loved her.

Beach (Theme 354)

Silven Beach on Lake Ontario in New York was a real blast this year. There really isn't much beach so many of the boaters just anchored near shore and swam. I was really hot and the water was so refreshing. The best part of it for me was that I could take off my arm brace and get in the water and feel the sand under my feet. It was perfect.

Update soon

Just a quick note to tell you that I was out of town longer than expected and came home to an sad event that has taken my time and spirit. I will post my missed theme days from Tuesday to current and explain all by Monday. Please check back...........Jen

Trinket (Theme 19)

Normally at the 4th of July celebration called Freedomfest here in Alcoa we always get the kids the glow in the dark necklaces but this years new trinket is the glow necklace that you can change the batteries and keep the fun going. Here is Ryan with his new glow jewelry.

Umbrella (Theme 235)

Freedomfest 2008 in Alcoa and a fast moving thunderstorm hit the area. All of these people moved under the trees. I had to take the picture thinking that they sure could use an umbrella right about the time this rain it. Hard to believe that so many took the shelter of the trees when not too long ago lightening struck a tree in this same area and split it in half.

Tradition (Theme 247)

This is a tradition for many places, making salt water taffy. The bar you see the the right of the maching has the taffy in a roll and it squeezes it into a smaller roll for the machine to cut and wrap. When the taffy hits the basket in front it's ready to be sold. You can see a small amount in the basket and a piece coming out of the machine.

Carved (Theme 100)

Around the Smoky Mountains it is customary and tradition to carve wood. Here is a fantastic carving done by a local artist of a tree that is no longer living. It is sad where it sits, the back of a parking lot in Gatlinburg, TN but hey, it's the Smoky's and you never know where you will run into a bear.

Bent (Theme 358)

Here is a building in downtown Gatlinburg, TN and by God it's bent. Makes you wonder if the builder was sober or not. Then you walk around to the front and it's a Ripley's Museum so to answer the question about the builder, NO he was sober......HA HA HA!!!

House (Theme 108)

This is my favorite house in Gatlinburg, TN. It sits on the perfect spot to overlook the main road in town. You can look from one end to the other if you were lucky enough to be sitting on the deck of this home.

Sweets (Theme 266)

This was my favorite candy growing up but we didn't have the different colors ours was clear. I loved it just the same and always will. Fun to look at and fun to eat. Ok, I walked away from this too to save my hips.....shhhh, don't tell but I will be back for some one day.

Desire (Theme 79)

Now who doesn't desire fudge??? Here are 2 different kinds. I just took the photo and walked away. I figured I save my hips the trouble of a few extra pounds.

Cobbles (Theme 330)

Gatlinburg, TN and I put my camera as close to the ground without it touching and took a few shots. I liked this one but wished the people were out of it. I guess that's a future job for me in photoshop. I shows the cobble walkway from a different angle.

Climbing (Theme 99)

Tom was hanging the flag and climbed up the wall of the house to show Ryan that he could do it......and he did so here is the proof. Ryan tried it but never got that far. I'm sure he will sooner or later.

Archway (Theme 168)

Taking a rest in Gatlinburg, TN and boy it was hot. In the mountains the air should be cooler but not on the day Julie and I got together to visit. None the less, we had a great time and took many photos.......this one Eddie took.

My Favorites---First 6 Months

My favorite 5 in the first 6 months of the 366 are Transport, Reflection, Cat, Laughter and Dance. Any comments would be great.

Telephone (Theme 86)

Walking around in Gatlinburg, TN we spotted this little old phone booth and it had to have its photo taken. Actually I had to stand in line because there were 2 other photo buffs taking a shot of this booth. I know I really should photoshop the stuff out of the way but I'm out of time for now and have it on my list of things to do.

Body (Theme 39)

Here is a warm body that as she took my photo I took hers. Let me introduce you to Julie. What a sense of humor she has.......just like mine!!! LOL!!!

So here is another body.......me. This is the view back from Julie's camera.

Crowd (Theme 175)

Freedomfest crowd of 2008 and this was taken just before the fireworks and right after a fast moving rain storm rolled thru the area. It was not bad in that it helped with the heat this time. Happy 4th of July just a few days early.

Fireworks (Theme 177)

Here is a shot from Freedomfest 2008 in Alcoa. The fireworks are put on by Alcoa Fire Department every year and each year it gets better and better. This was the best display and I was able to capture a few shots.