Our Dog Jake

Our Dog Jake
Jake's a happy dog

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Little Zombies

Raven & Luke both decided to be a variety of Zombie for Halloween. Raven was a Zombie Bride and Luke was a Zombie Ninja.



Raven designed her own costume this year. You can't tell from these pics but she had a train of toul in the back.
This is her scary face (Luke's too)


It was a Happy Halloween!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Thankful

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Extreme Animals at FUMC Fall Fest

Extreme Animals visited our Fall Festival at FUMC this week. All of the kids really enjoyed the whole event.


Surprisingly Raven really liked holding the python.

She also let a tarantula crawl around her face, but she decided that closing her mouth was wise.


But Adam, not so much!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Monster Mash Akin Style

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Zombie Fun

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

dirt road HWY in NM & back in OK

So we are driving along the New Mexico Highway and it just turns to a nice gravel road then just a straight up dirt road. The road follows down an old canyon bottom and has a somewhat strong stream running along it. But, there aint no one there or using it. So, we saw some nice sandstone formations and just decided to stop in the middle of the highway and take a little snack and play break. Just turned the cruiser off and left the doors open right in the middle of the throughfare

Finally got to Oklahoma. This is just West of Black Mesa. But would not recommend Black Mesa as a destination.

Made the drive up to the Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado intersection. This was a nice time. Some had stole the benchmark from the monument. When they catch that person they are subject to a 500 dollar fine or imprisonment. I think they should just throw them in the pokey for messing with such an important point.
Posted by Picasa

CO to NM to OK

We left Colorado about an hour east of Trinidad. We are trying to make a new route to Black Mesa and just look around a little.


Here the kids are laying down in the highway at the intersection of the two states. Yes, they are professionals and no one should try this at home. Especially since you can see for 5 miles in both directions and that after being at this location for 10 minutes we realized that we may be there a few days before we see another person.

This is one of the better family portraits we have taken in a while. No one blinked!
Posted by Picasa

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Great Sand Dunes Jr Ranger


The visitor center has great multi-sensory and interactive exhibits. The short video gives a good summary of the history and science of the park.

Raven and Luke completed their Jr Ranger. The workbook for this park is a very good one, it is challenging and quite in depth with 3 different age/grade levels.


This is the Great view of the Great Dunes and mountains from the outside of the Visitor Center.
Posted by Picasa

Great Sand Dunes, NP CO


The initial views of the sand dunes coming into the Great Sand Dunes National Park on Medano Pass from Westcliff, CO were intriguing. The pass took us over Medano Pass through forested mountain canyon with views of high cliffs in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains then dropping us into soft sand with multiple creek crosses. It was a fun 4WD drive.

This is the area that we stopped to play in the sand. It is about 1000' up to the top of these dunes. We all scrambled to the top. The kids loved running around and playing in the sand. It was amazing to examine the sand up close and see all of the different colors of the sand. It is different than the sand in White Sands NP, here you can see different shades of brown, tan, black, and cream.

Posted by Picasa

Friday, October 16, 2009

Luke's 1st 13er summit

Luke did it!


Posted by Picasa

Going up Hermit's Peak





Posted by Picasa

A view from the top & bottom


Bishop's Castle was an amazing sight to behold. We went a ways to the top all together then JB went on his own the rest of the way to the top.

You can see the FJ way below.

Mr Jim Bishop was working to build an arch (I think) the day that we visitied. He was more than willing to share his opinion with anyone who would engage him. We steered clear. His life's work is a work of art and we appreciated the time we spent there. There's quite a story to go along with Bishop Castle and this one has been being written over the last 40 years!
Posted by Picasa

Bishop Castle - talk about "handmade"




Posted by Picasa

Bishop's Castle




Posted by Picasa

Coco's demise

Coco's demise
Luke's coconut cut open and not liked!

Green Sand Beach

Green Sand Beach
yes the sand is really green!

Easter 2007

Easter 2007
Akin & Puryear kids

Red River 2006

Red River 2006
New Mexico w/ the Hager/Puryear/Lee Family

New Mexico 2006

New Mexico 2006
Raven, Luke, Noel & Trey 1 year ago

JB & Kids in Bishop Castle

Field of Flowers

Field of Flowers
Elk Mountain's colorful wildflowers in early June