Special Shadows with My Family

 My boys riding the bicycle built for two. Two brothers in a beard competition.

 Ridge lives in WA, so he and Gene do not get together very often.

.

 This was “war” waiting to happen. I was a wreck as they would push 

each other until they would almost flip over.  Too much for a mom. 

This has been going on for 40 years. They are so cute together. 

Their love for each other warms my heart even if sometimes they scare me.

 Eloise learning to fish out at Douthat State Park. A first time for Eloise and the WA cousins.

Eloise and Ben

 They kept getting the hook stuck in the rocks,

 but my fearless Eloise was the designated finder.

Of course, Buddy was the teacher. Thomas with his red hair can be seen in the background.

I know these are not shadow shots, but I could not end this post without including pictures of Ben and Thomas. Thomas and Eloise are two peas in a pod (just like Ridge and Gene) 

and are both 10. Ben  is 12. 

Bud and the Cousins

Thomas

 Ben

This post is linked with  Shadow Shot Sunday 2.

“What greater blessing to give thanks for at a family gathering
 than the family and the gathering.”
~ Robert Brault

Happy Memories

I am SO TIRED of SNOW (5 inches again today) I decided to post HAPPY shots from my birthday weekend.

Last month I celebrated my 75th birthday out at Douthat State Park where we go each year. This time it was special because all three of my children came...and, of course, Eloise, Jack, and Buster. It was gloomy and spitting snows off and on all weekend, but we still had a wonderful get together. There were so many of us that we had to have 2 different cabins this time.

 Gluten Free Birthday Cupcakes

My Birthday Sign Created by Eloise

I used to be teased with the Mrs. Robinson song from the movie, but now it is Lady Baga! 

Birthday Table in the Big Cabin

Opening Presents in My Traveling and Folding Rocking Chair 

Eloise and I always make her Valentines at my birthday wweekend. This is her Uncle Ridge. All I can say is...she ADORES him! This year she dipped her thumb in white paint and made thumbprints to make a bunny...Some Bunny Loves You. Then she added the whiskers, eyes, and nose with markers.

Most of the lake was frozen.


Yes, they are fishing.

The Dam

This is a typical Douthat hiking trail sign.

OOPS!

The skies were dark and dreary the entire weekend, but they were still beautiful.
Our cabin was the first on the right.

The reflection in this shot makes me think of a rotting canoe on its side.


I think the reflection of the fence is really neat.

This pond was absolutely beautiful.

"Thank goodness I have finally gotten a break from Buster."

"Where’s the birthday cake? I’m tired of waiting."

"May I please come in....I’m cold."

Eloise ready in her mom’s coat to race Ridge outside from one of our cabins to the other.

My Favorite Shots from the Weekend

Ridge Beside Lake


My Three Guys


Eloise and Mom...taken by Gene
You’ve gotts LOVE that red hair :-)

This post is linked with:

Our World Tuesday

Water World Wednesday
Black and White Wednesday

Signs2
Weekend in Black and White

Weekend Reflections

Camera Critters 

Saturday’s Critters

Buddy's Black and Whites

Dinner Bell at the Knick House

 The Dam at Douthat Lake
The lake is really down so there is no water flowing over the dam.

 Just Another Winter Hike

Buddy took all of these pictures so I need to give credit where credit is due. I really would love for him to start his own photography blog devoted to his hiking and rural lifestyle. He is so good with his iPhone and his Canon Point and Shoot. I really love these three shots and must say I am sososo proud of him.

This post is linked with:

Weekend in Black and White

Weekend Reflections

Shadow Shot Sunday

Douthat Lake

The Lake at Douthat State Park ~ January 1, 2013
It was an overcast day when Buddy and I went for our walk, but it was a quiet, beautiful one. The lake was down and just a bit of snow was left on the surrounding mountains. I think we were the only people there. We had the whole park to ourselves. It was wonderful.

This post is linked with Tricia's Watery Wednesday II.

Snow on a Tin Roof

Roof of a Cabin at Douthat State Park

This post is linked with Weekend in Black and White.

Reflections from Douthat State Park on New Year's Day 2013

The Lake at Douthat State Park

The lake is really down right now. We are in the middle of a very severe drought here in our party of VA. Still, it was a beautiful gray skied walk for Buddy and me on New Year's Day. This is the place we go every year for my birthday party with Gene, his wife, and my Eloise. We are so fortunate that it is only 30 minutes from our home.  It has now become a tradition. Our reservations are for the weekend after my birthday on Feb. 7th. It's gonna be my 74th. Can't believe it. I hope by that time the water will be back up and there will be lots of ice on the lake and snow on the ground. PS...This mosaic went way easier than the last two. Perseverance does pay off. The nuns weren't fooling :-)

This post is linked with:
 Weekend Reflections
NatureFootstep Waters

Sunset over Lake at Douthat State Park

This is one of those unusual shots that is SOOC. The lake is being partially drained for maintenance, but off in the distance it is much deeper.

This post is linked with SkyWatch Friday.

Signs from Douthat State Park

How many hikers does it take to read the sign? My answer to that one is “more than these three.” They did not read it correctly and we ended up going the wrong way and having to turn around and go back.

Don’t guess the park rangers wanted us to read this one.

Do you know what this is? I didn’t.

Here is your answer.

My birthday present box that Eloise decorated for me. The grandchildren call me Baga...but Eloise changed it to Lady Baga!

This post is linked with Lesley’s Signs, Signs.

The Waterless Dam

The Dam at Douthat State Park

Much of the lake has been drained for maintenance so there is no water running over the dam. There is still water at the lower lever, and there you can see reflection in the water. The area behind the dam is a beautiful field of grass with a walkway above the lake. We were so disappointed that the lake was not its beautiful self, but we understand that maintenance during the slack months has to go on as usual.

This post is linked with Watery Wednesday.