Lignumvitae Flowers

Our Lignumvitae tree ("Tree of Life") is exploding with beautiful purple/blue flowers right now! It is so awesome! It is my favorite tree in our yard!  It is very slow growing.  We planted it when we first moved into the house.  It has a very unique trunk that is "bonsai-like" in the way that it grows into crooked, neat shapes.  The Lignumvitae tree has extremely hard, heavy wood that is said to be the second heaviest in the world! The wood won't float - sinking quickly in water - and I've read that it is impossible to drive a nail through it!  The wood used to be harvested to make bearings for submarines in WW2 and is still valued for ship propeller shaft bearings, bowling balls, pulleys, neck bearings, and machine parts because it has such a great high content (30%), non-contaminated, self lubricating resin.  The resin is also useful for treating arthritis! Cool, right?  Unfortunately that's why this amazing tree is an endangered species... I had to take a close-up picture of one of the many beautiful, star-like flowers on this fabulous tree.

Buddies

I shot this picture today at baseball practice when my son and his best friend were hanging out in the dugout drinking some water. Definitely a "Kodak" moment! :)

Crazy jumpers

Bet you can't look at these happy kiddos on the trampoline and not SMILE!  (Click on the pic to see it closer.) Try it!  :-)  They had quite a blast jumping around like lunatics this afternoon!  They were laughing hysterically, being very goofy, and having the best time.  The highlight?  When a deer walked UNDER us on the trampoline while we were jumping to cross to the other side!!!  Good thing she didn't get knocked unconscious!  

Beautiful sunset

I had a great photoshoot at the beach tonight and snuck this picture in...  What a beautiful night!

My handsome catcher

My son played Catcher for part of the baseball game today.  I got a close-up of that sweet little face hiding in that helmet right before he went out to the field.  He's growing up so fast...but in my heart, he'll still always be my baby. ;-)

Lounging around

Ah, the beauty and simplicity of childhood....no timetables, no worries or responsibilities, no stress...  I remember lounging around on the floor watching Sesame Street when I was little too.  My mom would bring me snacks and drinks, and I'd watch my show on the floor or upside down on my head on the couch... ha ha!   Life was so easy and fun.  :)  We had our priorities straight.  Sometimes, I really wish I could be a child again... Why does life make grown ups change?

First baseball night game

Tonight, our son's team, the Cubs, played its first night game against the Marlins.  Cubs won 14-4!  Here is our little Cub getting ready to go up to plate.  He hit a great one - pretty far into left field! We were so proud of him!