Chloe Poppins

Although today is actually Wilson’s 7th birthday, I’m just getting the pictures from Claire’s first birthday posted.  So I guess I’ll have to post the photos of Wilson tomorrow.  Wilson spent the the morning today at LaCrosse Camp, the afternoon opening a “tub of fun” from his grandparents, and the rest of the afternoon playing golf at the Winthrop golf course with his dad.  Mark took the day off today and Wilson has thoroughly enjoyed that special present.

Claire spent her special day with almost all her family.  Her great grandmother, one set of grandparents and an Aunt/Uncle/Cousin/Cousin crew all joined us for the festivities.  Claire had a “Polka Dot” party and knew exactly what to do with the birthday cake.  Here are a few photos.

Claire is rapidly approaching her first birthday, when people stop marking time in days and months and begin keeping track by years.  It doesn’t seem like it’s been a year since she arrived.  She is most certainly the most content and unflappable baby.  Here are a few shots of her most recent activities.    

The last two weeks have been FULL of fun camp activities:  one week of half-day soccer camp, followed by a week of full-day Pony Camp for Sophie and half-day LaCrosse Camp for Wilson.  Sam took a week off and spent the mornings at home with Claire and Mom.  He did get a special outing on Wednesday with his good friend, Zach.

Crazy Hair Day at Soccer Camp

Sam takes aim at the goal in a drill with Hannah.

Wilson and his orange socks.

Sophie runs back to the tent.

Wilson enjoying LaCrosse camp at the YMCA.

Sophie turns her horse, Tigger, around the barrel in the corral at Friday’s horse show.

Claire enjoyed her first trip to a farm, and really enjoyed seeing Sophie on the pony.

We ended Friday with an “Island Party” for Sophie and several of her friends.

Original photo by Sam Walker, taken on summer vacation, 2008.  It has an interesting perspective. 

Sam flying his owl kite on the beach.

Claire’s first trip to the sand.

Sam tries his hand at the skim boarding again this year.

Wilson really enjoyed the “Cabana Pool” at the Veranda Beach Complex.

Mommy and Claire on the “shelling” expedition.

Dad driving his “dragon fly” powered golf cart.

Deer on the dunes at 6:40 AM.

Mommy and Claire at the Waterfront Park in Beaufort, SC.

Sam, Sophie and Wilson

Sophie jumps for joy.

The Walker children

Sophie and Wilson

Claire 

I’ve decided not to look at this as an injustice, but rather a great opportunity for my brother and sister-in-law to expand their listening library even further - though they already have one of the most eclectic music collections I know of anyway. This weekend they are attending a concert by Allison Krauss and Robert Plant.  Now, while I could take or leave Robert Plant’s involvement in many cases, I’m a big fan of Allison Krauss.  Some of the pieces from their album collaboration in 2007 , Raising Sand, are better than others.  Allison’s album (2007) A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection, is one of my favorite albums in years. In honor of Alex and Nichole’s evening out, here’s a list of some songs I’d love to hear Allison sing in person… 

• Down to the River to Pray
• Whiskey Lullaby (with Brad Paisley)
• Jacob’s Dream (This song is sad, but it’s one of my favorites.)
• When You Say Nothing at All  (Mark and I had this one sung at our wedding.)
•  Molly Ban
•  Teardrops Will Kiss the Morning Dew
• Oh Atlanta
• Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us (w/Robert Plant)
• Simple Love
• Your Long Journey (w/Robert Plant)

I’d also like to hear her cover a few of Nanci Griffith’s older tunes too.

• Going Back to Georgia
• Gulf Coast Highway
• The Wing and the Wheel
• It’s Just Another Morning Here
• Ford Econoline

 I think this would make for a pretty good show.  I hope they have a splendid time on Saturday night.

Well, we made it back from the week at the beach…. though a few of us would have stayed longer if possible.  If all goes well, we’ll have some photos to share later today.:) 

The rehearsals are over.  The final curtain has closed, and we are in the “recovery” stages of this year’s dance performance. Sophie was a mermaid and a small crocodile in the York County Ballet’s spring production of Peter Pan.  I do not have the photos of the crocodile costume.  Sam, my budding Jr. photographer,  took those and we’ll get them later.  So, for now we will have to make do with a selection of photos of the mermaid.  None of the photos are from the actual performance.  Apparently the “flying system” they employed for Peter was hush-hush.  Sophie did a splendid job, though she was constantly peering into the audience for a familiar face.  I’m sure that will wear off by next year.  :) 

Here are the photos from today’s adventures.  Everyone should sleep well!

You try getting four adequately rested children to smile at the same time!

 Big South Fork Railway 

  Playing in the River

I doubt it.  Although I have DSL internet connection at this cabin, email only comes in …. it doesn’t go out.  Phone service is apparently better with Verizon than Cingular.  Mark doesn’t have phone service until he’s 40 minutes closer to civilization.  Which, oddly enough, would make this a perfect vacation destination for Mark.  The only problem?  Mark’s working during the days, and we’re on our own. So far we’ve done okay.  Here are some pictures to prove we have indoor plumbing, food preparation facilities and a sense of adventure.

 Walking to Natural Bridge, Picket State Park, TN 

  The Marshmallow Pit

Hazard Cave, Picket State Park, TN

In theory, we will be back among you sometime Saturday.  Have a wonderful week!