holiday

On Tuesday while I waited for the rest of the family to get home from school (I stayed home with Lucy who was coughing pretty bad... actually, she's just really good at playing hooky), the Crooms called. We made quick plans for a afternoon rendezvous and they drove down from Ashford, AL and spent a few hours with us.

We'd never met Ella or Nate, so it was fun to finally see them and steal some hugs. It was also great to see Chip and Shelley. After the visit we were ready to move back into our little three-bedroom house down in Barão Geraldo, Brazil.

A short movie of the kids playing in Brazil: Following the Leader, 2006.

pumpkin heads

Taking pictures of pumpkin heads... fun. Shopping for furniture with pumpkin heads... not fun.

cougar basketball

This past Thursday Amy put just some of her talent on exhibition at the Perry Memorial Gym. She and some other teachers and past alumni lined up against the current girls Grace Cougars basketball team. While only managing 4 total points in the first half, the faculty/alumni team roared back and lost a nail biter at the end. Amy didn't score (this time), but pulled down some big rebounds and basically shut down whoever she was guarding.

new work on computer paper

So I'm an art teacher now. I've enjoyed it and when the students get down to business, I can even work on some stuff with them. We all worked on a portrait from a black and white photograph. Here's mine.

Ad Vanderveen-black and white
After photo by Marco Bakker
photo of artwork taken under natural light
#2 lead pencil

hallow-weaned

First, no more candy, please. Unless it's Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. If your unclear about the characters in the picture, on the left we have Snow White with a twist (watch out, she's got a microphone). In the middle it's Storm Trooper with a super, improved rifle with bazooka attachment. And on the right, Luke Skywalker with an old, Obi-Wan lightsaber.

Unfortunately, Simon learned some new tricks for trick-or-treating. Instead of "trick or treat" when he knocked on the door, he said "Git r done," thanks to his friend Jon, who was dressed as Larry the Cable Guy, pocket knife and tattoos included.