With eyes that watch the world

During our January trip to NYC, we each picked a special thing to do - Harry's dream was to see Van Gogh's Starry Night, which he had been studying in his art class. We tried the MoMA Family Programs which focus on certain aspects of their collections (and it is FREE!) - we lucked into a lesson on "lines" and joined a nice group of 4 other families to take in some classics.

The boys couldn't resist the chance to be silly while waiting our turn
First up was Harry's favorite - what a wonderful opportunity for him to see the real deal that he had been learning about in school. Each person was encouraged to recreate the lines that resonated with them

Harry titled his drawing "Strait Liner by Harry" (and really did enjoy it, despite this expression)

He thoroughly enjoyed the lively discussion and introducing Dean to his favorite painting (so far)

Pablo Picasso's Girl before a Mirror was the second stop on our tour and had Jack making observations and asking questions

We saw so many different artists and started a few interesting discussions

This was the best 'find' of the trip - and it all started with Harry's experiences in art back in our little hometown!

Don McLean's Vincent

From HARRY to Eternity

The boy knows how to pose!

Frank Sinatra's From Here To Eternity - it's a hinky cover, but has some cool video from the movie's iconic scene

It's a sweet life living by the salty sea

Frolicking by the waves - we lucked out with a beautiful day. While this is the most crowded 'our' beach has ever been, the pix remind me how lucky we are to have such a gorgeous place to play!

Harry making sand angels
The boy takes flight

Jack always likes to try out new games with Daddy

Harry practicing his snorkeling - latest goal: scuba diver!

Body Surfing

The chase is on!

ZBB & JB's Knee Deep

a little Heaven on Earth

Arriving on the ferry

Reflective Ahabs

Even paradise can handle a toy or two

We've been sitting in this spot for over a dozen years....it keeps getting fuller!

Sun-kissed Harry

Happy Jack

It never gets old

Willis Gupton's No Walmart on Ocracoke

won't take nothing but a memory

My beloved gramma called them precious memories, and I never really got it until I watched our own babes moving through life at warp speed.

2007 - age 3
2011 - age 7

Miranda Lambert's The House That Built Me

There's a feeling I get when I look to the west

We heading back to the island on Sunday. Since I still have pix from 2009 trip in my to-do folder, I thought I'd try to do better this year.....

Friendly seagulls above the ferry

Stairway to Heaven?

Ferry men

Do you see what I see?

Land ho!

Cheesy tourist shot

Led Zeppelin's Stairway To Heaven (1971 live version, 10.3 minutes)

Leave old pictures in the past?

I have been so slack lately and had no idea where to start to catch up, so I'm going to dig thru the old 'blog' picture file and try to catch up....starting in August 2009

I seem to get a picture of Harry following tire tracks every year, and one of him airborn
And there's always a serious teaching moment with Jack and Daddy

This was a Dean's screen saver for a while....they look so ittybitty....a few of Daddy's favorite things

Their castle and moat, complete with drawbridge

Harry practices hangin' 10

Jack imagines catchin' a wave

A little teamwork goes a long way

It really is a beautiful place, and our hearts are always there

Nickelback's If Today Was Your Last Day