Happy Fourth of July!

Griffin, along with the rest of the Marriner clan, wishes you a safe, happy and fun Fourth of July.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Today would have been my grandfather's 88th birthday. He's been gone for about two and a half weeks now, and it seems odd not to be heading out to Red Creek today for our family's annual "Fourth of July/Grandpa's Birthday" party.

Grandpa, I hope that wherever you are the sun is shining, the beer is cold, and the birthday cake is is good as Aunt Joan's. I love you and I miss you. Happy Birthday.

Griffin Marriner - Soccer Star and Ladies Man

Last night I finally retrieved the images from my new point & shoot camera that my kids got me for Mother's Day. My old Kodak bit the dust a while back and I had been missing having a camera in my purse for times when I didn't want to lug the big camera around. This new one takes decent pictures, nowhere near the image quality of the 40D, but it's good for casual, everyday shots.

One of the things I came across on the memory card were pictures from a couple of Griffin's soccer games. He's in the Under 6 Division of the Fulton Youth Soccer League, and this is his second season playing. I have to say his skills have increased dramatically from last year, when it was a struggle just to get him to get his foot on the ball. Now he's always in there trying to get at it...

Of course there are times when he's not on offense and there's not as much action to keep him occupied. At those times he just stands around...

...and flirts with little blond girls. No, I don't know her name, but he's been sweet on her all season. What is a Mom to do?? :)

And for those interested in viewing three minutes of a youth soccer game, here's a clip of Griffin and his team in action...

Falling water

Yesterday the boys and I made a trip to Chittenango Falls State Park. It was a beautiful, sunny day here in Fulton, and for most of the hour-long drive to the park, but as soon as we drove through the front gate it started raining. Of course. Fortunately it let up within about ten minutes, and we had the place almost completely to ourselves. I took waaaaay too many pictures, as you can tell. :) I just love waterfalls.


The very top of the falls.

Looking upstream.



Taken from a little overlook area about halfway down the trail which leads to the bottom of the falls. And can I mention that I was wearing the totally wrong shoes for a hike down (and then back up!) wet wooden stairs and a rocky trail. Must plan better next time!




Taken from a little bridge that crosses the water just past the bottom of the falls.


Is that grass really growing out of a rock??

These last few are just some shots of the water flowing around the rocks below the falls. I love the way it just swirls around.

Bubbles!

As I mentioned yesterday, Grant and Griffin got new bubble blowing contraptions on a recent trip to WalMart. Remember the good old days when you had to actually blow bubbles?? Now they have these gadgets that are battery-operated and do all of the work for you. Oh well, they had fun with them anyway.



Bubble war!!