Toobin for Tots

I know what you're thinking, "How fast was he going when he landed in that tube!?" But, no. This is really how it works. We saw another kiddo with it and had to try the "inner-tube shirt". OK, if you can stop giggling long enough to read on, this really is a cool deal. While he may look a little those videos of fat guys in inner-tubes, this is about as comfortable as Isaac has been in water. We've had a blast the pool this summer and now Isaac can even got out (somewhat) on his own. Guadalupe river, here we come!

Before you run out to get one though, be warned they only come in children's sizes. If the big people try to put them on they're likely going to get hurt or posted on YouTube!

iPhone ... oooooo ... ahhhhhh

Apple computer fans and Gadget heads everywhere have been waiting for this day - the iPhone has arrived (well, at 6:30 pm it will, anyway!) In case you've been in a hole for the last 6 months and have not heard, the 'iPhone' is Apple's insanely publicized entry into the mobile market. Entry is a bit weak of a word for this event; it has been billed as the death of (insert other smart phone of choice), the dawn of a new era and quite a few other titles that hint more at the amazing zeal of the Apple devotee than the deliverable goods on the phone. My own skepticism toward the device may be showing at this point, but I'm duly impressed with the magnitude of the launch event they've created.

I had opportunity to go by the AT&T store today and the zealous (I did intentionally refrain from calling them 'zealots') are camping on the sidewalk already. I've heard tales of individuals around the country that started camping as early as last Monday. While I don't ever plan on doing this, it is quite a sight to see.

The real question now is "Will the phone live up to the hype?" I've already heard a couple of reviews that while positive put the iPhone squarely in the realm of its mere mortal peers. Even Apple exec's have been quoted saying they hope those that buy the phone are not disappointed given the amount of attention. One thing does seem apparent, though - Apple is off on the right foot. The next few steps will be the real test, though!

Webshots - Pretty Pictures

Knowing that both of my brothers' families have enjoyed photography, I thought I'd share a website that I've really come to like for both posting photos and finding great shots - Webshots. I'm constantly amazed at the gorgeous images I find there, not to mention the great layout of the site - it is pretty amazing, too! Here are a couple of things that make it great:

• FREE! - yep, it's free. For the cheapskates like me, "Eeeet's the oooonly way to fly!"
• Beautiful - the site is great and makes you photos look great!
• Comments - there is a large community there, too. If you participate, it is easy to get great feedback on your shots.
  
• Widgets - the site offers easy access to 'code' snippets allowing you to put webshot on your own site, blog or even in an email. I placed the photo in this post with code from my album in webshots. Also, scroll to the bottom of the blog to see a larger module that displays your photos as an animated slideshow.

Webshots is a great place to have photographic fun! Enjoy!

A Long Journey Home

I have a new love-hate relationship with travel these days. While the prospect of seeing family or new places is inviting and exciting as ever, traveling with children adds a level of logistical difficult that can cross your eyes and leave you longing for the couch and remote! But alas, wanderlust and family ties prevail and we hit the road on a regular basis. What I’ve learned at this point is that patience is the key. Timelines, shimelines – those things will kill you when the family picks up to go! It is imperative that the male urge to conquer the road be quelled in favor of flexibility. Case in point: our current drive home from Arkansas.

We are setting a new record in the amount of time it takes to drive home from the family farm. The trip began innocently enough with aspirations of an early departure after breakfast. And, 10:30am is after breakfast. So far so good. But, right before lunch the events turned ugly – blow out, left rear tire! God was looking out for us: the tire went out without any sudden jerks or loss of control; we pulled to the side and immediately onto an off-ramp (we literally didn’t have to drive on the shoulder at all!); at the end of the ramp was a business with a parking lot where we were able to pull in and park completely away from traffic! Thanks God. With the spare on we knew we would be buying a tire, but lunch was the first priority for the kiddos. 5 hours in Rockwall later, we headed into Dallas. Realizing how late it would be getting in we decided to see if we could stop in Belton and stay the night with Cheryl’s sister, Karen. They were great hosts.

We are heading home this AM, but who knows where the road will take us!? Maybe we’ll take a detour for site-seeing. Patience and flexibility can go both ways, ya know!

Reunion 2007

The Crain Family Reunion has come and gone again with all the family fun, some new faces and even a few new faces on the way. A little smaller this year than in years past, the reunion still brought together the families that have come down from the Crain clan. Sadly, we celebrated without Mammaw Landes this year. Hazel Landes was the last of the Crain siblings living until she went to be with the Lord last Summer. Jerry Crain kept up the Crain name and was joined by the Hargis’s, Casady’s, and Landes’s for a total of 24 family members this year (26 counting our adopted family – Peggy and Billie!). The number included two members whom we’ve not seen before. This year was the first year for both our daughter, Julia and Joel and Mandy Hargis’ daughter Josey (sorry if I’ve misspelled it!). Next year should even more new faces, too. April’s baby due in October will be one of two new additions! Mandy Hargis is also expecting in October! Congratulations! We look forward to seeing everyone back next year!