Shannon Ranch

2021 Thanksgiving Photo Shoot

Saturday, November 27 –

Cim and Courtney hosted this year’s Thanksgiving get-together at their home near Afton. We managed to snap a few pictures and they turned out pretty well despite some tears and other mishaps.

Jordan and Atlanta with kids (oldest to youngest)Marian 7, Alan 6, Elsie 4, Travis 3, Charlotte and Hew (19mo)

Cimarron and Courtney – Bella 5, Axel 4, Mia 2

Laredo and Andrea – Callahan 4, Magnus 2, Daniella 8mo.

Stockton, Aspen, Carolina, Cim, Atlanta, Laredo

Grammie and Granddad with all twelve grandkids.

the Boys

the Girls

Video

Snow Day Video from Tennessee

A beautiful new video from the Axe & Anvil Youtube channel.

Swimmin’ in the Creek

Wednesday, August 23 – A Trip to Cane Creek is standard operating procedure when in Tennessee.

Tennessee Outdoors Fun (and Work)

Tuesday, August 22 –

The Total Eclipse – Photos & Video

Monday, August 21 –

One of the highlights of our Tennessee trip was getting to be in the path of the total eclipse. We attended a watch party at a home near Nashville. There were lots of people there and everyone was so excited to be in a position to witness something very few will ever see.

Have watermelons will travel.

The light is beginning to become noticeably strange.

As the sun went into eclipse, it became very suddenly dark. The cicadas and crickets began to chirp and the stars were able to be seen.

This NASA video will show you what is happening across the U.S. The little black dot at the point of the triangle shows the small area (22 mile wide strip) that will experience the total blackout.

This picture of the eclipse doesn’t really do it justice. There was only a very tiny ring of light around the sun. I guess the camera is designed to magnify all available light and so it seems brighter than it was. My new Nikon camera got some good pictures. I was so glad I had it. Cell phones and other cameras just wouldn’t hardly capture it.

As soon as the sun began to peep out again, it became bright right away. I think if a person didn’t know they were in a totality zone, they could be completely surprised by an eclipse. There really was an amazing difference between one instant before the total eclipse and during the eclipse itself. This one only lasted for two minutes or a little more approximately. Hardly enough time to really grasp what you were witnessing and experience it. Quickly, it was over and the light was all around once again. See for yourself by viewing this short video of the event. It’s a combination of Stockton’s cell phone footage and my Nikon footage.

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Trip to Tennessee and the New Camera

Saturday, August 19 –

The kids and I made a fast trip up to see the Tennessee branch of the family. After many years of needing a new camera, the decision to buy one was finally made. I used some rewards points to help buy a Nikon D7500. I had it delivered to Tennessee and it was almost there waiting on me. I had a lot of fun testing it out and trying some of the fun features and effects while capturing the activities going on around the house during our stay.

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Elsie Meets Granddad

Saturday, May 6 –

We just returned from spending a few days in Tennessee. Nathan was anxious to meet Elsie, Atlanta’s new baby, who is already 5 months old. The visit wasn’t long enough, but at least we were able to spend some quality time with Jordan and Atlanta and re-connect with Marian and Alan, as well.

When we first arrived, two little monkeys were peeking out the window. Then Jordan brought little Elsie out to meet granddad.

It didn’t take long for him to fall in love with her.

Later in the day we took the kids to a park nearby at Mouse Tail Landing state park on the Tennessee River.

In a couple of days, all the kids had warmed up to Granddad nicely.

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Video

Marian Cooking Supper

Saturday, February 25 –

If you saw Marian cooking cupcakes on her 2nd birthday, you won’t want to miss her cooking supper a few days after her 3rd birthday!

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Elspeth Victoria Goodwin (Elsie)

Tuesday, December 6 –

Another darling child was born today in the Goodwin home in Tennessee. Little Elsie came without much fanfare or trouble. Everything went well (considering her midwife was delayed with another birth and didn’t get there in time). However, not to fear, the midwife’s daughter, Carol, being a midwife herself, had no problem helping Atlanta deliver her baby at around 3:30 in the afternoon.

Jordan keeps his place beside laboring Atlanta

Alan’s nap takes him right through the birth of his younger sister

Marian was sleeping, too, but was awakened in time to see the birth.

Mom and Dad’s first glimpse of their new little girl

Midwives, Cheryl and Carol check out the baby.

Pretty and pink, little Elsie is happy with mom.

Are you my dad?

Siblings are anxious for a kiss.

Alan loves her already. He calls her “Else Else”

A quite moment by the fire that evening.

Can’t get enough kissing…

Nanna meets Elsie

Grammie; so happy to be there

Getting warm by the fire

Uncle Stockton takes a turn

Poppa came over after work

Meeting Aunt Sarah

Aunt Julianna enjoys her time with Elsie

Marian got her sister

Naptime the next day…

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Fall Visit with the Goodwins

Wednesday, November 10 –

We had a wonderful visit with Atlanta & Jordan and our little Goodwins, Marian and Alan. They are so darling. We kept busy mostly around the house playing with toys and games, playing restaurant in the playhouse and enjoying the warm days in the sandbox. They got to ride horses one day and we took a long walk together, another. One of the highlights was getting to know their new cousin and spending time with family. It’s always so sad when they leave and we immediately begin looking forward to the next time when we will be together.

Marian inspects Stockton’s lizards while Alan is busy in the living room shooting a play snake.

Enjoying a snack.

Meeting little Bella for the first time.

Sweet cousins.

Catching up with Siblings at Mambo’s house in Matador

Another fun day together playing games

…and watching the kids play

New baby and significant baby bump.

Yummy pizzas and proud Aunt

Selfie time

Marian and Carolina romping on the trampoline

Hanging out and driving around

How about a tea party?

Atlanta with Great Granny

Andrea stirs up a white sauce and Bella practices adorableness.

Fun with the Tidwells and Granny

Welcome to Marian’s Cafe…

The boys played Risk all day…

Time for some pony rides!

Story time with Gram Gram

Bella teaches class…

Fun with playdough

Playing with legos…

Going on a walk…

Video

The Baby Bump

Friday, August 19 –
Cute video of Marian and Atlanta discussing the new baby. I added a few subtitles so you wouldn’t miss what all Marian has to say.