Not Mine

If you read this blog you will know why I chose this picture.
The trip to Indonesia and the Philippines was great. We had to weather a typhoon in Manila, change our travel plans that ate up one nights sleep and got a day behind in our very tight schedule, but we all survived and almost without any problems.

As expected, the younger guys, Danny Carrigan, Greg Smith and Gary Daniels, all suffered from the food they ate, but it was an illness of short duration and minor consequences.

Greg and Gary were the photographers who documented our China trip last year. They did the same job on this trip. We were able to witness 95 eye surgeries on the island of Nias. We went to Cebu and saw the "Give A Kid A Goat" program that is going extremely well and has potential beyond anything we have done to help move people out of poverty.

We went to the island of Mindanao and visited with the Leyte orphans that we have built houses for. These kids who have lost so much, are doing remarkably well. We have received a few more students, so we are expanding both the boys and girls dorms.

To summarize, this whirlwind trip of 12 days covered abut 26,000 miles, 12 flights, 50 hours in the air, included 4 countries and 6 islands. Our hotel cost were minimum because we were flying on four of the nights.

I have some great pictures of eye surgeries, pretty scenery, beautiful people, but I hesitate to post them because I am unsure if anyone visits this blog.

Lake Weekend!

Bailey brought a few friends to the lake...it was so fun spending the weekend with them!

Bailey and Reagan

Reagan's First Wakeboard Run of the Season

Happy Birthday Papa!

I have no idea if you will see this but know that we are thinking of you today and wish you a happy birthday! I blogged a few pictures of Reagan's track meet. He ran the 200, 400, 4x100 relay and did the long jump. Midland Christian won the meet. I thought you and mom could talk about your old days running track...for Western Christian and of course Mom's Farington Field glory! Love you both.

MCS Banquet

Hutton actually just took a few pictures at banquet and then had dinner with us at the Country Club...but he looked very handsome. He promised he would go next year and take a date if I wouldn't make him go this year...we will see!

On your marks...

This is the start of the 4x100...he looks pretty focused!

2nd Place 4x100 Team

Reagan ran the first leg of the 4x100 relay for the 5th graders. We were second to a sixth grade team from Odessa but we beat our own sixth grade team...let's just say our boys were pretty pleased with themselves!

Long Jump

Reagan was 7th in the long jump out of about 30 5th and 6th graders. He jumped 10'10''...I'm sure it is in his genes from Papa's "hop, skip and jump" days in Canada ;)

Roy & Helen Visit

Play Ball!

Reagan and some his baseball buds at Opening Ceremonies. Go Rangers!!!!!

Happy 17th!

I love these boys...Happy Birthday Hutton! I am so proud of you.

Let it Snow!

We had great snow all week...starting after dinner at P.F. Changs in Colorado Springs.

Mountain Men

Reagan loved skiing with Tod...I was a little slow for him!

This is the Colosseum, and the last one is of me in the Capoline Museum in Rome.

Greetings from Italia!

Hello family! I am enjoying my semester abroad and just wanted to give you an update and post some pictures. I have been enjoying Florence, and we just got back from a ski trip after a trip to Rome. Early next week we leave to tour southern Italy, so we have been exceptionally busy. I love you all, and I would love to hear from you...but I don't have much time to respond to emails. Here are some pictures I think you might enjoy:

The first is for Rainey; it's the European 99 cents store.

On the right is a view of Florence from the top of a hill.

The great deer hunt of 2007

Hey Bailey Gang,
As you probably know I have never been a hunter, but Hutton has always loved hunting and fishing. Earlier this summer our friend Paul Horne asked what he could do to help us. Paul is one of the most respected outdoorsmen in this part of the country. I asked him if he would help me stay connected with Hutton. Since then he has invited us on a couple of hunting trips. He called me earlier this week and asked if we wanted to hunt deer. I almost had the words out of my mouth before Hutton said yes. He was great to bring along his little brother. We met Paul's friend Tommy Hill in Big Lake. This is only my second time to hunt for deer, and I have never heard anyone describe an experience like ours. John, I think you would have loved it. We saw more than 12 bucks in 3 blinds, including 3 twelve points. We had to choose between several to shoot. They asked us to shoot 8 point bucks and leave the 12's for next year. Reagan's was a mainframe 8 with 2 extra stickers. The boys and I had a blast. Paul was great. I think we are spoiled. I don't think it is supposed to be like that all the time. The pictures are a little grainy, because they came from my phone. One of the guys took better pictures and should send them to us later. Thought you might like to see what we were up to this weekend. Tod

Reagan's Trophy

Reagan shot this deer with the first shot he ever fired from a rifle.

The next morning Reagan shot a beautiful 10 point.

The happy hunters. It was getting dark, but the boys were both excited.

The great hunt

Hutton's first buck, a nice heavy bodied 8 point.