Date: February 21, 2010
Official Sunrise: 8:23 Photograph Taken: 8:15
Temperature: 33° Wind: None
Photographer: Ron Day Camera Used: Nikon D200
Looking forward to more rain today, according to the weather predictors. Today’s high temperature should easily be 5° and tonight’s low around 25°. Unusually mild around here for it still being February
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“If the English language made any sense, lackadaisical would have something to do with a shortage of flowers.”
~Doug Larson~
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Dakota still shooting well in league
Yesterday was a day of grandchildren again. Early in the morning I picked up Dakota and took him to BearPaw Archery for league shooting. He is doing well this year, lacking only in consistent consistency from day to day. When he is able to keep his arrow groups tight on every round of shots he will be tough to beat.
Dakota stands beside a nice group of arrows on his league target. I’ve told him that I buy him a steak dinner every time he puts all five arrows in the bulls eye during league shooting. If these arrows had been about three inches lower he and I would be eating well today.
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Judy Vanderwilt of Bearpaw archery assists a young archer during Saturday morning’s Kid’s League.
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Dakota and I play around with a mannequin head at archery league while we wait for his turn to shoot. This wasn’t exactly conducive to good focus and concentration when he next went to the line. But we had some fun taking this picture.
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Brylan turns three years old
After archery was over we went out to Randy and Jenny’s home to help celebrate Brylan third birthday with a small party in his honor. All of the usual aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandparents were there, plus of course, his brothers and sisters and parents. It was quite a group when you think about it.
Brylan was pretty excited about this day, eyes bright with laughter, and excitement in his little boy voice. When I first arrived I sat down at the kitchen table, next to his birthday cake, and he came running over to show it to me. Climbing into the opposite chair he told me all about Tow Mater and Lighting McQueen, the two famous movie stars who adorned the top of his cake. He and I then examined his cake very carefully, trying to pronounce each color of the icing properly and counting each and every candle. We had a very nice visit, Brylan and I, lasting at least a full 2.5 minutes before he was off, scooting across the floor with a cousin to look at the stack of brightly wrapped gifts in the middle of the living room.
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Are those excited birthday boy eyes, or what? Brylan could hardly contain his excitement as he and grandpa examined his third birthday cake.
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Because he loves the movie Cars, and watches it nearly every day, Brylan is very knowledgeable about it’s characters. Here he is describing some of Tow Mater’s antics to me.
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After all of the guests had arrived it was at last time for Brylan to open those gifts. With cousins and siblings gathered with him in a small group on the floor he wasted no time in getting to it. There were many of toys, of course, but there were also new clothes, new boots, and a brightly colored coat for playing outside. With all the cameras flashing, people gathered round laughing and talking, and all eyes on him, Brylan knew for sure that he was King Of The Day. He was a happy grandson, and grandpa was happy, too.
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Brylan, (top) Dalton, Dayton and Kiley intently study Diego’s Jeep, a newly opened gift. I’m not too sure why they were just sitting there like they are, with hands held in laps, not touching anything. Maybe it was just an awkward moment, or perhaps they were simply discussing the best method of getting the toy out of the box.
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As Kiley helps pick up wrapping paper, Dalton helps Brylan open yet another birthday gift.
After all of the presents had been opened, spread nicely across the living room floor, Mom carried out that nice birthday cake and lit every candle. Brylan smiled broadly as we sang Happy Birthday to him then easily blew out his candles to thunderous applause.
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With Aden assisting, Brylan blows out the candles on his “Cars” birthday cake.
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After that it was mostly free for all as the children discussed which new toy to play with next, who broke what, and who’s cake and ice cream was spread for several feet down the hallway floor. It was a good time for all, adults included. Who can “not” have fun at a birthday party when there are so many happy kids around you?
Next up it’s Dakota, in March, when he will be fourteen years old.
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Destiny and Paisley politely shake hands in greeting at Brylan’s birthday party.
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Gramps Day is happy to take his turn at holding baby Destiny.
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Kinsey, Brittany and Kiley figure out exactly what’s included in one of Brylans birthday gifts.
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Uncle Cody and Chief, a new, very pleasant, Rottweiler puppy.
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Brittany and Umpa Roy enjoy the festivities while sitting together on the couch.
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A moose ‘most missed
Just as I was posting today’s blog Becky called me on my telephone to tell me there was a moose in our yard. I glanced out of my studio window and sure enough there was a moose in our yard, a young cow.
It’s uncanny how Becky is always right when she says there’s a moose in our yard.
I was able to get fairly close to the animal, closer than I was comfortable with to tell the truth. I took several pictures but I liked this one of her looking into the morning sunshine the best.
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A few minutes later, on her way to church, Becky stopped in the middle of Bayview Drive to take a picture of the moose, also.
