We had wonderful weather to go the Wild Animal Park the day after Thanksgiving. I’ve taken lots of pictures this way over the years (holding the camera myself), and I have to say I’ve gotten some of my favorite pictures of all time doing it. Don’t know why, but it seems to capture a sparkle in people’s eyes because there is something fun about the situation. Anyway… I really like this picture of Jacob and I. Doesn’t he look old?

So I’m pretty late to post my Halloween pics… but at least I beat Christmas!

Look closely and you will see that I am being lasered by a very sweet Buzz Lightyear. Harry Potter on the other hand…

This pic was taken during our October trip to Texas to celebrate Monty & Carolyn’s birthdays. It was a wonderful trip. The weather was completely gorgeous and it was greener there than we’ve probably ever seen it. We are truly blessed to be able to take our family here whenever we can manage. The property is a jewel and we love going there. It is such a change from our day-to-day here in Southern California and a truly wondrous place.

The best part about it now is that we have been provided the opportunity to purchase a small piece of the land. We are very happy to be able to help keep this entire piece of property in the family, and very blessed to be able to call a bit of it our own. The house that Carolyn grew up in is on this piece of property. We’ll be fixing it up a bit and making it a place that our family of 5 can stay in comfortably whenever we visit. It will also allow us to hopefully make some longer stays in the near future.

Coming up really soon Jacob will be making his first solo flight to Texas to stay with his Grandparents between Christmas and New Years. Its a pretty big event. Not totally sure I won’t be hysterical when he gets on the plane, but it should be a great and memorable event for Jacob.

Oh, and the title of this post refers to our new business venture - “10 at the Bend” - a corporation we are forming to purchase these 10 acres at the corner of the property, where the road bends.