A Different Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve was one of a kind.  Usually, we get up, head to my aunt's house for lunch, go to my brother's house for mid-afternoon snacks and open presents with my dad and crew, and make a mad dash back to Nashville in time for Santa's arrival.  This year we didn't go to my aunt's, my poor brother and his ENTIRE family were sick with the stomach bug, Wyatt was sick and couldn't have gone anyway, and my dad wasn't feeling well either.  Sooooo, we made the best of it!  Joel, Eley, Wyatt and I went down to Lake Conway to try and get some pictures of ducks or whatever we could find.  My happiest times are riding around and/or walking around taking pictures.  I don't always have a particular thing in mind I am looking for to take pictures of, just looking around to see what I can see.
The sun was really not right to taking pictures on the lake.  I'm all about natural light and such, but too much is not a good thing in this case.  So Eley suggested we go down the road to Bell Slough, a game and fish management area.  It had a walking trail by some wetlands he thought we might enjoy and see some wildlife.  So, off we went.
When we got there and I was glad we were the only ones there.  Not that I mind people, but they might interfere with my picture taking!  We checked out the map and started out on the trail.
I am basically fascinated with birds.  Doesn't matter what kind, I like to take pictures of them.  We hadn't been walking on the trail long when I spotted a robin.  So of course, I snapped a picture.

I love the way the sun shines on it.

We walked on through the woods (I wish I had taken a picture of the trail) and I noticed these little birds were hanging upside down on leaves.

We never did figure out what the bird was doing.  Eley thought there might be some sort of little seeds or something on the leaves.  I can't remember what kind of bird this is either, and Eley isn't in the house right now for me to ask him.  I will have to let you know later.

We kept on walking towards a back wet area where we might see some ducks.  I really wanted to stay with the birds, but I figured I would take more pictures on the way back.  Farther along the trail, I saw a much bigger bird in the tree.  If I remember correctly, I think it is a Yellow-Bellied Sap Sucker (once again, Eley isn't here or I would clarify).  Whoever thought up that name should have used just a bit more creativity!

They aren't the best pictures ever, but just so you get the general idea.  We continued on to our destination.  I had visions of ducks and cool things in my head to take pictures of.  Well...it was a let down.  There was nothing there; nada, zip, zilch, zero.  A beautiful sign displaying of all of the birds that I could possibly see, and really nice little hole of water.  But that was it.  So, we headed back.
Since it was Christmas Eve, I convinced Wyatt and Eley to pose by a "real" Christmas tree in the woods.

Just in case you wondered, Eley has a spotting scope, not a weapon.  As we headed back, Wyatt started looking at all of the cedar trees and picking out some for his cousins.  I don't know what made him think of it, but we saw a little one and I said it looked like Charlie Brown's tree.  He said it looked like one for Claudia, his cousin.  Then he proceeded to pick out a tree for the rest of his cousins.  Anyway...back to the story.
All this time of being disappointed in not seeing anything super cool, I kept thinking to myself that I was going to go back and get some more pictures of the little birds.  When we came to the fork in the trail, Eley and Wyatt went up on the ridge to go a different way and I headed back the same way, with Joel tailing me.  As I silently snuck back down the trail looking ever so carefully for the little birds, I noticed something.  Well, actually I noticed NOTHING!  There were no more little birds!  I have no idea where they went, but they went.  So once again, trying not to be disappointed, we headed back to meet Eley and Wyatt.  We got back in the truck and headed back to Conway for lunch.
I am going to stop right here and say that I have wanted to get a picture of a hawk for awhile.  I have taken pictures of eagles in our back yard (saw one today) and last spring finally got to photograph a Painted Bunting.  The only thing left (besides an owl) that I really wanted to get a picture of was a hawk.  I have tried several times, and it's even become our little joke when we see one.  It's usually really close and really beautiful.  And we are always driving in the car, which makes it nearly impossible to take a picture!  I had already tried to take a picture of one earlier that day, but it flew off.  So....as we were leaving, I spotted one in the tree.  I told Joel to stop and he did.  I jumped out and started snapping...hoping it wouldn't fly away.  The first shots weren't too great.

Not too fabulous, I know.  But I was afraid to not take a picture in fear that it would fly off.  But I kept on walking down the road, hoping it would't fly off.  I got closer and closer...

And so the shots were better!  I was so excited I couldn't hardly breathe!  I just knew it would fly off soon.  But I kept snapping, and it kept sitting!

And I almost liked this next one better, even though the branches were in the way.  And I must tell you that I cropped it to make it a closer shot.  I didn't think you would mind, just wanted you to know I didn't get THAT close.  And, it was also the last picture I took.  It flew away after that.

Eley is back now and said this was a Red Shouldered Hawk.  I cannot tell you again how excited I was.  Wyatt knew how much it meant to me too, because he promptly text his sister to tell her the good news.  So, even though it wasn't a normal Christmas Eve, I still got a perfect gift!

A Fun Holiday Treat: Branch Out

On the way to Conway on Friday, Grace was reading a 501 Life magazine.  It's a magazine featuring different happenings around Conway, and surrounding areas.  She saw an ad for a place called Branch Out.  It said it was a paint bar and boutique.  When we got to Mom's house, she went online to check it out.  They have a calendar of events that you can sign up for to paint a specific picture that they are teaching a class on, or choose open studio.  I didn't let her register then, because I felt like I needed some more information about it.  We found  where it was, but they were closed on Monday.  I decided we better go ahead and make our reservations in case it got busy.  The boys decided they wanted to paint, too, so we scheduled a time on Wednesday, during open studio.  The big day finally arrived...they were so excited!

Here is the sign inside..

Choosing their aprons

Ready to paint!

Once they were suited up, they were ready to begin!  Grace already knew what she wanted to paint, and  so did Garrett.  Wyatt wasn't so sure.  But luckily, there were lots of examples of other paintings to look at!

 Grace decided to paint a retro owl, Garrett was painting of his own creation, and Wyatt decided on a cross. Then it was time to choose their colors!

Once the colors were chosen, let the painting begin!!

Wyatt traced his cross first.

Garrett was off and running on his!

Grace started on the stump for her owl.

Of course I was snapping pictures the whole time, so  I think now I am going to post the progress of their  pictures  one kiddo at a time.  That way you can see them from start to finish!

The finished product!

Now for Garrett's turn!  He had his own idea of what he wanted to paint, but seemed embarrassed about it.  It is a cross between a dragon and a pokemon.  I thought it was great that he had his own idea and went for it!

Masterpiece #2 finished!

Masterpiece #3

It was such a fun thing for them to do, and very reasonably priced.  I am sure that we will be making a return visit another time we come back to Conway.  I highly recommend it!  It's a great way for kids (and adults) to express their creativity.  I want to do it next time, myself!!