Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Only One Word To Describe the Weather - HOT!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Lake Ouachita's Bird Island
Sunday morning, 31-AUG, Rosie and I met other members of the HSV Audubon Society at the Lake Ouachita State Park for a park led boat trip over to Bird Island on Lake Ouachita. The boat left at 5:15 am so we had to get up at 3:30 am to get dressed and drive over to the state park. Yes, there is a 3:30 in the morning; I just don't make a habit of being awake at that time very often.
Bird Island is the nesting spot for a lot of purple martins (they leave in the morning and come back at night) and white cattle egrets. Our leader guessed there were 20,000 martins and several hundred egrets.
The boat ride over to the island was really neat. It was dark and there were lots of stars in the sky. We got to the island about 5:45 - well before sunrise - and before the purple martins left. Here are some pictures of the martins beginning their day. They take off from the trees after much chattering, flying low near the water and then circle upwards in a clockwise motion. Some of the martins fly to Oklahoma where they feed their broods during the day before returning for "adult companionship" in the evening.
The sun rising over the water was beautiful.
The egrets were at the other end of the island. From a distance it looked like trees that had been "flocked" for Christmas. However, the trees were full of egrets and a few ibis.
The egrets were in the trees and walking over the ground. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but there were plenty of baby egrets walking around and sitting in the trees.
The trees were also full of nests. These guys look like they're waiting around for something to happen, wearing their yellowish breeding plumage. Is there a cool egret "pick-up" line; e.g. "Hey baby, can I ruffle your feathers?"
There are a couple of nests in this tree (in addition to the birds).
It's difficult to see, but in the center of this picture is a brown pelican. See him?
Here's our dedicated group and state park guide, Susan.
And yes, I'm looking directly into the sun. Let's snap this picture quickly!
We had a great time, and my Sunday afternoon nap was appreciated!
Bird Island is the nesting spot for a lot of purple martins (they leave in the morning and come back at night) and white cattle egrets. Our leader guessed there were 20,000 martins and several hundred egrets.
The boat ride over to the island was really neat. It was dark and there were lots of stars in the sky. We got to the island about 5:45 - well before sunrise - and before the purple martins left. Here are some pictures of the martins beginning their day. They take off from the trees after much chattering, flying low near the water and then circle upwards in a clockwise motion. Some of the martins fly to Oklahoma where they feed their broods during the day before returning for "adult companionship" in the evening.
The sun rising over the water was beautiful.
The egrets were at the other end of the island. From a distance it looked like trees that had been "flocked" for Christmas. However, the trees were full of egrets and a few ibis.
The egrets were in the trees and walking over the ground. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but there were plenty of baby egrets walking around and sitting in the trees.
The trees were also full of nests. These guys look like they're waiting around for something to happen, wearing their yellowish breeding plumage. Is there a cool egret "pick-up" line; e.g. "Hey baby, can I ruffle your feathers?"
There are a couple of nests in this tree (in addition to the birds).
It's difficult to see, but in the center of this picture is a brown pelican. See him?
Here's our dedicated group and state park guide, Susan.
And yes, I'm looking directly into the sun. Let's snap this picture quickly!We had a great time, and my Sunday afternoon nap was appreciated!
Ft. Hood / July 10-16, 2011
While Chris was back on R&R from Afghanistan, Rosie and I drove down to Ft. Hood to visit the Callicott gang and keep Adam and Lottie while Chris and Amy had a short "get-away" in nearby Fredericksburg, TX.
Adam and Lottie enjoyed having their Daddy home, and Chris enjoyed the time with his family. He had fun reading to Adam and Lottie.
Wow - love those skeleton PJs! They glow in the dark, too!
In the morning, they're dressed and ready to go.
WASHING THE CAR. Since the weather was HOT and DRY, it was a great time to wash the car and have fun in the water. Adam and Lottie worked hard to get the car clean.
Chris enjoyed a change of pace.
Amy was getting some great pictures of the kids as they worked away.
MAGIC BEANS! Amy helped Adam and Lottie plant some beans that would grow into small plants with dinosaurs on them. They were just about to stick their heads up before we left.
STORY TIME. On Wednesday morning we went to the last story time for the summer. Chris (along with other parents) got drafted to help with the story. 
Outside they had a chance to shoot water and get some fun prizes (you needed to get through this area while they "reloaded"). After going to all the stations, the kids had their picture taken inside by the castle.
While Chris and Amy were away, Dougie - a neighborhood friend - came over to play for a morning. All three kids played hard. Here we have a picture of dress-up time with Batman (Dougie), Woody and the Princess.
KNIGHTED. On Friday afternoon Rosie and I took Adam and Lottie to the library to receive their rewards for participating in the summer reading program - A Midsummer Night's Read. The King (complete with sword) came to anoint all the readers as knights of the round table.
Adam and Lottie got an up close visit with the King.
COOKIES and Chocolate Covered Bacon (Yum?)! Amy and Chris brought back goodies from Fredericksburg. Adam got a big frog cookie, and Lottie got a watermelon cookie. They looked delicious and I assume they were since I didn't get any. They also brought back a piece of chocolate covered bacon. Lottie really seemed to like it; even Adam took a bite. We also got to sample some really tasty fudge - I can absolutely say that it was delicious.
PUPPIES! A neighborhood dog recently had puppies. The kids really enjoyed playing with them. Here's Lottie, Adam and neighbor, Mary, each holding a puppy.
Even Gram (aka Rosie) got into the puppy holding act.
Chris, Amy, Adam and Lottie - Thanks for letting us visit and sharing your brief family time. We had fun!
Adam and Lottie enjoyed having their Daddy home, and Chris enjoyed the time with his family. He had fun reading to Adam and Lottie.
Wow - love those skeleton PJs! They glow in the dark, too!
In the morning, they're dressed and ready to go.
WASHING THE CAR. Since the weather was HOT and DRY, it was a great time to wash the car and have fun in the water. Adam and Lottie worked hard to get the car clean.
Chris enjoyed a change of pace.
Amy was getting some great pictures of the kids as they worked away.
MAGIC BEANS! Amy helped Adam and Lottie plant some beans that would grow into small plants with dinosaurs on them. They were just about to stick their heads up before we left.
STORY TIME. On Wednesday morning we went to the last story time for the summer. Chris (along with other parents) got drafted to help with the story. 
Outside they had a chance to shoot water and get some fun prizes (you needed to get through this area while they "reloaded"). After going to all the stations, the kids had their picture taken inside by the castle.
While Chris and Amy were away, Dougie - a neighborhood friend - came over to play for a morning. All three kids played hard. Here we have a picture of dress-up time with Batman (Dougie), Woody and the Princess.
KNIGHTED. On Friday afternoon Rosie and I took Adam and Lottie to the library to receive their rewards for participating in the summer reading program - A Midsummer Night's Read. The King (complete with sword) came to anoint all the readers as knights of the round table.
Adam and Lottie got an up close visit with the King.
COOKIES and Chocolate Covered Bacon (Yum?)! Amy and Chris brought back goodies from Fredericksburg. Adam got a big frog cookie, and Lottie got a watermelon cookie. They looked delicious and I assume they were since I didn't get any. They also brought back a piece of chocolate covered bacon. Lottie really seemed to like it; even Adam took a bite. We also got to sample some really tasty fudge - I can absolutely say that it was delicious.
PUPPIES! A neighborhood dog recently had puppies. The kids really enjoyed playing with them. Here's Lottie, Adam and neighbor, Mary, each holding a puppy.
Even Gram (aka Rosie) got into the puppy holding act.
Chris, Amy, Adam and Lottie - Thanks for letting us visit and sharing your brief family time. We had fun!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Ashley's Wedding Shower / 03-JUL
Ashley and Doug are planning to get married on December 10th in Columbus, OH. While the family was in town for the Adams reunion, the women decided it was a great time to give Ashley a family bridal shower. Ashley's Mom, Anne Kulju, also drove down from Columbus (along with her husband, Bill) to attend the shower. It was great to have Anne here and for her to meet some of the extended family.
Anne, Ashley and Rosie pose in front of the table. Looking Good - of course I'm talking about the cupcakes on the table!
Ashley and Rosie are having a laugh about something; Rosie is probably sharing some embarrassing moments from Doug's childhood.
Karen, Savannah and Ashley enjoy the shower.
Jennifer and Amy got to have a little "adult time" without kids.
Becky, Julia and Marylynn enjoyed getting together with the women.
Welcome to the family, Ashley. We hope the combination of the family reunion and shower didn't scare you off. We think you're great!
Anne, Ashley and Rosie pose in front of the table. Looking Good - of course I'm talking about the cupcakes on the table!
Ashley and Rosie are having a laugh about something; Rosie is probably sharing some embarrassing moments from Doug's childhood.
Karen, Savannah and Ashley enjoy the shower.
Jennifer and Amy got to have a little "adult time" without kids.
Becky, Julia and Marylynn enjoyed getting together with the women.
Welcome to the family, Ashley. We hope the combination of the family reunion and shower didn't scare you off. We think you're great!
Adams Family Reunion / 02-JULY-2011
On Saturday, 02-JUL, 55 adults and children gathered at the Family Farm near Glennwood, AR, for the James L. Adams and Robert H. Adams family reunion. It was a fun-filled day with lots of activities, eating and visiting. Here are the five direct descendants of James and Bobby Adams:
From the left: Gayle Walthall, Rosie Callicott, Jim Adams, Cathy Burson, Julia Stonecipher.
Amy got a great picture of the entire gang. Smile everyone!
Here's a picture of the "Callicott clan" (current and future) who attended the reunion:
left to right: Karen Flachman, Logan Flachman, Bob Callicott, Rosie Callicott, Kayleigh Flachman, Lottie Callicott, Amy Callicott, Adam Callicott, Doug Callicott, Ashley Kulju (Doug's fiancee).
The Family Farm - run by Stan and Donna May - was a great place to hold the reunion. There were alot of activities for kids and adults. The zip line was a favorite of all age groups. Here's Lottie finishing her ride down.
Adam also enjoyed his trip down the zip line.
Logan is all smiles.
The adults also got their turn on the zip line. Amy, Ashley and Doug had fun rides.
The carousel was also enjoyed by the young and not-so-young. Adam and Logan are the carousel daredevils.
Gram and Kayleigh enjoyed the "wind in their hair" as they rode the carousel.
The Family Farm also had a John Deere train. Except for the driver, the train was for kids only - bummer!
Next came the paddle-boats. Kayleigh enjoyed her ride with Doug and Ashley. Wave to the crowd. 
Here go the three musketeers (or should that be three pirates?) - Blayne, Adam and Will - for a trip around the lake.
Karen and John took Logan and Lottie for a spin on the lake.
After the paddle-boats it was time to jump into the canoes. Lottie has her paddle ready.
Here I am taking Adam, Lottie and Logan for a canoe ride. Luckily they didn't know my level of canoe skills!
Keith Beckhan was in charge of fishing at the Family Farm fishing pond (a non-paying job with great fringe benefits - seeing kids catch fish). Charlie was focused on catching a fish.
Focus paid off - Charlie caught a nice catfish. Way to go, Charlie!
The Family Farm also had a petting zoo. 
Adam enjoyed holding one of the cats.
We all enjoyed a dinner of hamburgers and hotdogs (and all the trimmings) prepared by the famous chefs, Dave Stonecipher and Doug Callicott. Here they are hard at work:
After dinner we had a family sharing time complete with singing. Doug and Bob accompanied the singing on guitars.
After the sharing time, it was getting dark and time for the hayride.
The final event of the day was fireworks. What a great way to end a fun day! Thanks to everyone for coming and helping and especially to Stan and Donna May at the Family Farm!
From the left: Gayle Walthall, Rosie Callicott, Jim Adams, Cathy Burson, Julia Stonecipher.Amy got a great picture of the entire gang. Smile everyone!
Here's a picture of the "Callicott clan" (current and future) who attended the reunion:
left to right: Karen Flachman, Logan Flachman, Bob Callicott, Rosie Callicott, Kayleigh Flachman, Lottie Callicott, Amy Callicott, Adam Callicott, Doug Callicott, Ashley Kulju (Doug's fiancee).The Family Farm - run by Stan and Donna May - was a great place to hold the reunion. There were alot of activities for kids and adults. The zip line was a favorite of all age groups. Here's Lottie finishing her ride down.
Adam also enjoyed his trip down the zip line.
Logan is all smiles.
The adults also got their turn on the zip line. Amy, Ashley and Doug had fun rides.
The carousel was also enjoyed by the young and not-so-young. Adam and Logan are the carousel daredevils.
Gram and Kayleigh enjoyed the "wind in their hair" as they rode the carousel.
The Family Farm also had a John Deere train. Except for the driver, the train was for kids only - bummer!
Next came the paddle-boats. Kayleigh enjoyed her ride with Doug and Ashley. Wave to the crowd. 
Here go the three musketeers (or should that be three pirates?) - Blayne, Adam and Will - for a trip around the lake.
Karen and John took Logan and Lottie for a spin on the lake.
After the paddle-boats it was time to jump into the canoes. Lottie has her paddle ready.
Here I am taking Adam, Lottie and Logan for a canoe ride. Luckily they didn't know my level of canoe skills!
Keith Beckhan was in charge of fishing at the Family Farm fishing pond (a non-paying job with great fringe benefits - seeing kids catch fish). Charlie was focused on catching a fish.
Focus paid off - Charlie caught a nice catfish. Way to go, Charlie!
The Family Farm also had a petting zoo. 
Adam enjoyed holding one of the cats.
We all enjoyed a dinner of hamburgers and hotdogs (and all the trimmings) prepared by the famous chefs, Dave Stonecipher and Doug Callicott. Here they are hard at work:
After dinner we had a family sharing time complete with singing. Doug and Bob accompanied the singing on guitars.
After the sharing time, it was getting dark and time for the hayride.
The final event of the day was fireworks. What a great way to end a fun day! Thanks to everyone for coming and helping and especially to Stan and Donna May at the Family Farm!
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