McElroy Family Adventures

It's in the genes...

2011-01-16T10:50:00.004-05:00

Shawn, Finn and Uncle Scott....hamming it up!

Born a Steelers fan!

Scott & Pacha Momma

Finn love his Snoopy dog!

So, the original intention was to get some nice senior photos for Taylor. The whole gang ended up getting in on the fun and we came out with a ton of great shots. These are a few of the best of the best and the best of the worst.

Snowmageddon

2011-01-10T09:28:00.004-05:00

In the south, it's rare to have more than a general dusting of the white stuff. This is a treat to find this evening as we headed out at 10:00 PM to play in the snow. You have to get it while you can, we were uncertain if the rain would come in and melt it all away while we slept.

New Years Hilton Head

2011-01-02T15:03:00.000-05:00

Hilton Head

2011-01-02T14:58:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! Much love and joy in the new year for everyone!

Christmas Best 2010

2010-12-26T10:32:00.002-05:00

Click on the picture to view our full Holiday Album! I am trying to find an easier way to share our photos, let me know if this is easier for you all! Much love to everyone!

Duke TIP Video Production Morphs

2010-07-12T21:48:00.000-04:00

Kip & Brin

2010-07-12T21:45:00.001-04:00

~Cameron's Music Video~

2010-07-11T22:33:00.001-04:00

Avalon ~July 4th Celebration & Champagne Toast!

2010-07-11T14:50:00.007-04:00

Have you ever had a dream you can fly, but perhaps it is only 10 feet up, like hovering over everything? I imagine that's what the zip line is like, I imagine because I am actually to chicken to try it. At least this time. This time, I will stick to the dreams where my feet are firmly planted on the ground and create a root. A new root on our new piece of paradise, the creation of Avalon! Now, let's have a toast and go play some paddle ball.....that's better....

"Ready MaMa?"

Iron Pour

2010-05-16T12:52:00.003-04:00

As I get older, there are fewer and fewer things on the "never seen that before" list... This weekend I got the chance to take Cameron to an Iron Pour. "What is an Iron Pour?" you ask...just what is sounds like. The master metalworker has built a lawn version of an iron oven, pours a ton of scrap metal into the top and the melted metal is then tapped and poured into molds. We got to carve out our own molds too!

Pouring into the molds.

The iron oven sparks as the metal is heated.

Hot stuff!

Morning Garden

2010-05-16T12:44:00.003-04:00

The last day of school before summer is generally very exciting for older kids, I really think the Morning Garden friends we have are truly going to miss each other and our time together. It seems we all have relatively busy summers ahead of us, and perhaps that will make the time pass quickly...

Capes and Crowns

2010-04-27T09:49:00.005-04:00

Shawn made Finn a Birthday Crown to wear on his big day. Finn, however, was not a big fan and this is the only time we actually got him to wear it without screaming. Fortunately, it was made so he can wear it every year. Perhaps next year he'll enjoy it more.

Finn's friend, Evie, brought him a wonderful gift that included a silky scarf; a magic scarf, it can be anything you want it to be. His favorite incarnation is as a cape, running up and down the halls so it can fly out behind him. I wish I could wear nothing but my skivvies and a cape, run all over the place and have two people at my beck-and-call....what a life!

Finn's Birthday Cake! I have to admit, I was really surprised he got
BOTH candles out on his own! What a big boy!

Cameron takes Manhattan

2010-04-24T13:14:00.007-04:00

Cameron at the John Lennon Memorial in Central Park...it was a beautiful day and there were lots of people. From an adjacent park bench, melodies of Imagine and Strawberry Fields were being played.

On the ice at Rockefeller Center.

Cool escalator shot on the way to the top of the Empire State Building.

WOW! What a view!

The coolest park ever....see video below...

Is that REALLY Samuel L. Jackson?

The Best Park in NYC

2010-04-24T10:47:00.002-04:00

Spring Break in the Keys '10

2010-04-24T10:26:00.004-04:00

Here's what what I was hoping would be a complete photo journal of our Spring Break. We fished, we swam, we played on the beach, swam with dolphins and ate tons of amazing food. Somewhere on my computer there are many more amazing photos, especially the swimming with dolphins part! Enjoy what we have here, more to follow....I hope!

Snow playtime!

2010-02-13T19:51:00.003-05:00

We got almost 4 inches of snow Friday afternoon and perhaps more will come this Sunday! So far it's the most snow I have ever seen in Georgia. Finn and Cameron played for about an hour Saturday morning and Finn had the tantrum of a lifetime when we finally made him move inside. Poor thing, his mean ol' parents thawing him out and keeping him from his dream of becoming a popsicle!

Halloween and Dishes and Nibbles

2010-02-13T19:21:00.002-05:00

So, ya think yer funny eh? Finn absolutely LOVES to do the dishes! Lucky, lucky me!

Cameron and Finn were the best Zombie-Dragon duo you have ever seen this Halloween!
Ooooooh, scary.....
I must say though that I am proud of the make-up....looks good!

Raven's Cliff's and twisted ankles...

2009-08-20T13:01:00.005-04:00

The north Georgia mountains have so many beautiful trails and waterfalls to choose from. We were delighted to hike the 2.5 miles into Raven's Cliffs on one of the most pristine days of the summer with our friends Kirsten & Pete. Along the way, Cameron took a moment to chill on the rocks.

Shortly thereafter, Cameron sprained his ankle and was more that happy to be piggy-backed the 2.5 miles back out of the woods...miraculously, he was better at the end of the afternoon.

Finn with fish...

2009-06-22T13:53:00.005-04:00

I started to feel like Ariel from the Little Mermaid just about as soon as we entered the Georgia Aquarium. They do a wonderful job of immersing you without actually having to get wet...

Finn telling us how big that fish was, he was so excited!

...and we were fortunate to also see the Beluga Whales mate!

It really blew Finn's mind, seeing all those "fith" and "tharks"!

In Pursuit of Bubbles

2009-06-14T19:45:00.002-04:00

Well, I guess it's not as bad as the kid I know who ran into a barbed wire fence whilst chasing the elusive bubble...it doesn't mean it's any easier to see your baby on his face, half in the pool. Oh, how can he have fallen so fast I couldn't catch him? Poor little man, his first blood....bloody nose, bloody lip, scrapes all over. Good thing we have a magical "Boo-Boo Bunny" to soothe away the pain!

Marathon Key 2009

2009-06-02T12:12:00.005-04:00

The rest of a vacation is found mostly in the between moments. Going about exploring a new place and adventuring all day not only expends your physical energy, but is a mental exercise as well. As is evident in our Keys photo journal, we had a wonderful time exhausting ourselves!

The Keys.....so far.....

2009-04-08T08:52:00.003-04:00

The Florida Keys are famous for many things; Tropical breezes, sunny landscapes, serene beaches and pirates. None had yet seen a pirate as fierce as our "Barnacle." He may look squishy and soft but this little mutineer can tear down even the strongest buccaneer on the seas!

Sunset cruising...

...deep sea fishing...

...and the food is amazing!

Inside the "No Name Pub" the walls are completely covered in money people have marked and mounted. Here's Cameron's contribution.

Winter's Last Blast!

2009-03-16T19:23:00.004-04:00

The weather in Atlanta is relatively predictable, but this year Winter decided to punctuate her exit with a sweet little snowstorm. I was happy for Finn to get out in it and really did have to keep myself from bundling him up too much. I had a vision of the kid in "A Christmas Story" and how he couldn't move his arms or legs amidst the layers his mother bundled him in.

At first he seemed concerned, cold and confused.

Then seeing Mommy catching snowflakes on her tongue, the amazement crept in.

He was a quick study in the art of snowplay, loving every minute!

Ho Ho Holidays

2009-01-01T18:01:00.003-05:00

Santa Clause, gonna come and see me!

We all had a wonderful holiday with our family! We are so fortunate to have our health and happiness to bring us into the new year. We had an opportunity to make our first gingerbread men, and we had a fantastic time!
YUM!

Visiting the Big Guy

2008-12-14T22:16:00.002-05:00

We went to Atlanta Botanical Gardens to visit with the great Holly King himself! Santa got to meet Finn and check in with Cameron on how things have been going. Finn was not too impressed, and was only happy looking at him and not being held by him! That's alright, he understood, not taking these things personally. What a great and jolly guy! Ho ho ho!

This is one of the most beautiful things there. It is a Chihouly glass sculpture, oooh, aaah!

Thanksgiving

2008-12-14T22:01:00.004-05:00

When I started this blog, I had great ideas of weekly updates or at least pictures. Now I have realized that it is more like the tide, comes and goes. Not that the interest or intention isn't there, it's finding the time. Between school projects, holidays, kitchen remodeling and life in general...oh boy, another month has passed. Oops. So, I am catching up with a few pics and hoping to redeem myself!

This Thanksgiving was Bud & Connie's 43rd Anniversary!!!

Frying Turkeys, and you can take that either way...

Autumn in Avalon

2008-11-11T09:11:00.003-05:00

I was asked in a class once, "What is your favorite season?" And as I sat to write my paper, I recalled growing up with piles of leaves, planting flower bulbs, watching the leaves turn the tree tops into glowing yellows and reds. The fall is a time of reflection, often associated with the older years of life, with hibernation. That first inkling of the change of seasons, a smell of cinnamon and earth in the cool breeze. The fall brings a new delight to the senses and we had a wonderful weekend playing at Avalon!

Halloween

2008-10-31T22:14:00.008-04:00

The troupe of Cameron's friends set out on

the annual candy quest with:
One "Terminator"
One "Grim Reaper"
One "Ninja"
& "A stockbrocker, who had to sell
his pants. And his flesh."

HAHA

Daddy Beekeeper and his Baby Bee

This is Cameron's "Coolest costume EVER!" A Terminator, made
with aluminum foil and (would you believe) baby rice cereal!
I did use a little fake blood but the rest
was not only organic, but recycleable!

The picture doesn't do it justice,
the peeling flesh, the mechanical inside showing through,
and the utter fear spread far and wide...

Swinger

2008-10-27T18:56:00.005-04:00

The first time on a swing in a real park can be a frightening prospect. Finn was intrigued and held only a dollop of uncertainty as his maiden voyage began. As long as Mommy and Daddy were smiling and alright with it, he was. I believe this is the beginning of a new love for him, Candler Park, with it's array of pint-sized obstacles it is the perfect place to play!

Panoramamania

2008-10-16T16:42:00.003-04:00

One of the many talents of my sweet, dear husband is photography. Using a 1904 Kodak circut camera, he reveals the full spectrum of what would otherwise just be a scene. The camera pivots on a base and circles 360, creating visually stunning pieces! Over 10 years and what has amassed as a portfolio went on display (and sale) for the first time. We spent last weekend at the Candler Park Fall Festival and we were met with great intrigue and many people were delighted to see themselves in the volumes through the years.

It was interesting to watch people finding themselves.
Finding long lost sweethearts.
Finding fathers whom had since passed away.

Each one of those photos is a time capsule and a gift, as most photos are.
Inspired, I go into tomorrow and each day I remember to be present, in full circle.

This one's Finn on the new sofa...enjoying the prosperity!

Ante Up...

2008-10-05T22:38:00.007-04:00

When Shawn and I started dating, one of his hobbies was to go out playing poker at least twice a week, usually until the wee hours. You can imagine this was not what I saw at the time as one his most redeeming qualities, but I appreciate his dedication, sort of.

Knowing how much fun I had as a little girl playing poker with my grandparents it occurred to me that we should play a family game night while the in-laws are here! So Bud, Connie, Great-Grandma Bess, Uncle Scott, Aunt Nico and the rest of us bellied up to the proverbial bar for a rousing evening of Draw, Screw Your Neighbor, Bertha and other interestingly named "games."

You really start to see new aspects of people when cards are in their hands and the stakes are high. Shifty eyes, sweaty brows, silly poker faces. We had a fantastic evening and not only did we learn a few new games, we grew our foundation and ensured ours is not a house of cards.

A day at the zoo!

2008-09-27T19:28:00.008-04:00

Carrots

2008-09-25T22:12:00.003-04:00

Finn taught Daddy a couple of new things at dinner last night:

1. That "razz" noise Daddy taught him just before
dinner is even funner with dinner.
2. He really, really likes carrots. And he wants
to share them with his Daddy.
3. Gravity is the floors best friend and
also wants to share carrots.

Fortunately~ he also loves to eat bubbles!

1-1

2008-09-25T19:49:00.002-04:00

W-O-O-D-W-A-R-D!!!
Cameron's second football game was this afternoon, unfortunately, they lost.
BUT~ They did win last week!!
I really am enjoying seeing him go at this with such joy. He's the smallest guy on the team and it doesn't seem to phase him...not really sure if that's good or bad.
He is number 1 after all!

Cake

2008-09-13T10:49:00.004-04:00

Almost every parent I know has that one picture. The one your kids want burned, trashed, destroyed in a most pleasant manner. I imagine this will be one of those, so enjoy it while you can!
~Note, the other two boys were watching this photo session trying their best to defend him from the doting paparazzi. They were easily distracted with cake.

This Morning!

2008-09-09T09:51:00.005-04:00

Milestones everyday. The first time sitting up by one's self is a big deal! There are new things everyday in all of our lives, we just have to slow down and take time to notice them. I love being a parent, I love being reminded how we hold all the possibility in the world as children. It reminds me that even when my hands are full, my heart is too!

"Really, it wasn't me!"

2008-09-07T00:04:00.001-04:00

Are you sure? Because I could swear you were just on the other side of the room. Oh, no!
He's all over the place, the living room is his oyster and there's no stopping him!

Gratitude

2008-09-02T20:00:00.005-04:00

Bud, Connie, Shawn

Great~Grandma Bess & Finn

There are so many reasons I love my husband. His smile, his jokes, his laugh, his brilliance, and mostly his ability to open his heart to me and building our family. We have been able to find in each other a partner to help make our lives full and to bring the foundation for our children to grow. We also have wonderful friends and chosen family with whom we share this passion for living life to the fullest, being a part of this honest and loving community means the world to me.

~Thank You~

GO EAGLES GO!!!

2008-08-28T19:43:00.005-04:00

You better be scared! That dog behind him is an an attack dog! HAHA, kidding! Cameron's on the football team this year! Woo-Hoo!

Isn't he just the cutest little football player you have ever seen?
(Actually, this is just an attempt to play down my anxiety about my baby playing football...)

Oh Boy!

2008-08-28T19:30:00.002-04:00

Ok, so we went and spent two glorious weeks in Alaska.

Wide open spaces. Big. Open. Huge. Vast.

I suppose we were feeling a bit couped up in our wee kitchen upon our return. Shawn decided it needed to be more open. Open into this room, open into that room. Oh, gee, I guess we are now in the throes of a full kitchen remodel!

Alaska Part Deux

2008-08-28T19:16:00.005-04:00

Scott, Nico, Melanie and Finn, Shawn, Cameron, Connie & Bud
(and Edgar the raven...)

Wedding Memories

2008-08-25T18:46:00.007-04:00

February 16th, 2008
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Atlanta, GA

A few of you have requested a sampling of pictures from the wedding. Thanks for being patient and hope you enjoy these!

Our wonderful bagpiper, John Dipert!

Getting ready upstairs in the manor, do I look nervous????

Taylor had all the tricks up his sleeve...

Carol, Nico, Me, Jenny and Kate

The Party!!!!!

My Lovelies, My Sweets!

The Mister, Scott, Storm, Jim & Doug

A wonderful toast from the best man, and into the cake cutting...

Then we danced into the night...

ok, so we snuck off, but everyone else partied hearty!!!

It was a blessing to have so many wonderful friends and family there with us on our wedding day. For more pictures, please visit www.yelloideas.com to view Eli's album.

Scrubby Bubbie

2008-08-23T22:21:00.004-04:00

Loving the bubbles and the dollop of suds that adorn his noggin,

Finn has SO much fun in the bath!

OK, so maybe he's not actually smiling here, but he REALLY does enjoy a nice bubbling!

Big Grizzly Bear go "RAWR!"

2008-08-11T23:35:00.006-04:00

I can now understand what the word majesty truly means.
A sensory immersion of the finest and fullest array, Alaska.

The cabin from the plane, it's the one tucked into the trees at the top of the dock.

Here's the horse we rode in on.... a "Super Otter."
The one we flew home in was even smaller!

Mom and Finn at the Mendenhall Glacier, it was so beautiful and really blue!

Cameron's salmon. We were calling him Joe.
Boy oh boy, Joe was tasty.

Cameron filleting Henry the Halibut. Henry was tasty as well!

Chuck the Crab and about 30 of his friends joined
us for the flight home, Bisque anyone?

Here's the cabin at high tide, Funter Bay flows from the icy
straights of Alaska's inside passage.

The sloppy work of making dinner...ugh to yum!

An old Russian Orthodox graveyard.
Into the forest on the island, where the Aleutians lived.

The Flora and Fauna are unique and so lovely!

Sometimes we caught some of the weirdest sea slugs ever seen.

Finn, on the way home.....
(This is a video clip, to play click on the arrow at the bottom left.)

Baby's First

2008-07-23T09:41:00.001-04:00

Yep. Those are BBQ chicken bones...
Mmmmmm, yummy!

Is this thing on....?

2008-07-21T22:22:00.003-04:00

So, here we are, apparently my lure to get you here has worked. Now I have to come up with something clever to keep you here....ummmm....well, I am certain once I get used to this my creative juices will flow. As for now, let's just get to know each other.

This is me, your hostess, and my (yes, that's a black belt) wonderful husband.
Take a minute, we are quite lovely....

I have three wonderful boys.....

Taylor, who's hat is so shiny you can see the reflection of his school in it....

Cameron, who has been watching too much James Bond....

and Finn, who is soaking up the world and trying to figure out rice cereal.

We are soon off to Alaska for a few weeks and will return with salmon and stories!!!