SUNFLOWER

Here is Lee Ann's most recent ceramic work. If it is not clear from the picture, there is one highly detailed and 3-dimensional sunflower and all the other flowers are abstract and 2-d. One thing she has discovered is she that really enjoys putting her artwork in old frames -- in fact they often serve as inspiration for her. So an emerging style of hers is mosaics of flowers in antique frames -- it's a pretty cool and unique look she has achieved.

MOUNTAIN VIEW

We were lucky enough to get to go on vacation this year to Mountain View, AR; one of our favorite places in the world. If you have never been there before it is something of a sight. It is home to some beautiful caverns and a folk center... but more than anything it is the bluegrass capitol of the Ozarks (or the world, depending on who you talk to). Unlike tourist traps like Branson, most things are either free or really cheap. The main event in Mtn View is that almost EVERY evening impromptu bands gather around the courthouse square and play music. Whether you actually love bluegrass or not is really beside the point, the experience of a summer night, the mountains, authentic music, the kids dancing their hearts out -- there really can't be anything better!

Here is a fuzzy picture of what happens literally all the time...

And we got to enjoy our fair share of nature as well...

On this trip Reed got a banjo, but the real hit was that Jennalee got a ukulele. Some of the locals were even kind enough to let her sit in on their Old-time jam session.

And with the kazoo Adeline got, we could make our own bit of sister music on the river right outside our tent door.

But then sometimes it's just nice to play by yourself...

A "FRANK" CONFESSION

Considering our history (the six animals we posted about and two mice we didn't), it seemed wise to swear off all animals until our children go off to college. But, alas, we have broken our own rules and taken the plunge again - but this is completely different. We would like to formally welcome Frank into our home.

We met Frank at the Fayetteville Farmers Market and fell completely in love. He was a rescue dog and we couldn't help but adopt him. He is four-years-old and totally housebroken. He is a Labradoodle and is simply amazing. Labradoodles are often used as therapy dogs for young children and we can attest that Frank is so gentle that either one of our daughters can handle him on a leash. It is quite a sight to see a 30 pound little girl walking a 50 pound dog!

Since these pics were taken he has gotten a really short haircut due to his horribly matted hair. We will probably let his hair grow back to more this look.
The girls can do anything to Frank and he patiently puts up with them. We have so often tried to get pets the girls would like. This was the first pet LA and I wanted for ourselves, and the girls have been way more into him.
Lee Ann would want you to see his eyes.
Welcome home Frank!

DOGWOOD

Here is some of Lee Ann's recent art. The large wall hanging - which is hanging over our mantle - is a ceramic mosaic. She pulled an old window out of a garbage heap back in Philadelphia that became the frame for this piece. She also did a bit of iron work to create the tree branch.

Also pictured is a representation of our family on the left and a tiny tea set on the right. She did both of these this last year using the handbuilt method of ceramics. On the far right is an abstract vase she made in college. On the far left is a vase someone in Indonesia made and we got as a wedding present. :)

Twinkle Twinkle

Well, the recital was a hit! It was one of the coolest things we have seen as parents in the last four years. Jennalee got on stage before everything got going, while the students were still tuning, and she played her whole song through... she then bowed, came back to our seats and said, "I did it!" There were several cute moments like that. When the big moment finally did come (you can see the video below), she did as well as we could imagine.

She looked tiny all by herself on stage. And we felt confused emotions -- our chests bursting with pride and the feeling that someone had ripped our hearts out, all at the same time. The song was quick, but it seared into our minds and hearts. It was wonderful.

RECITAL!

This is a big weekend at the Dunn house. On Saturday, at 2:00 pm, Jennalee has her first violin recital. She will be playing "Twinkle, Twinkle" for what I am sure will be a packed house. In typical Jennalee fashion, she does not want anyone to be on stage with her - not her parents or instructor. She feels she can handle it herself. We hope to post a pic or even a video so check back in sometime soon.

And say a little prayer for Jennalee if you think of it this Saturday - this is kind a big deal for a four year old.

MOUNTAIN GIRL

One of the nicest things about our recent camping trip was watching Jennalee. Anytime we get even close to the wilderness there seems to be a unique peace and calm fall over her. This trip was even more the case. Jennalee, who inherited my (Reed's) sense of melancholy, was as happy as we have seen her. I don't mean to make her sound like she is always sad, but the outdoors bring out something very special in her. She walked, climbed, played, talked, and twittered. She was so satisfied and content - for the entire time we were on the trip. It makes me so happy to know that the wilderness, which has brought me such joy for so many years, is now the source of real serenity for my eldest daughter.


She loved being near these falls. And at one point I noticed she was just sitting there, watching them. This was not a posed shot, this is just what she was doing.
Along with the Thoreau-like contemplations came a sense of adventure. Until we realized it was pointless, we tried to keep her out of the mud; once we gave in, she could not find enough mud puddles - and there were tons.Here she is snuggled up in her sleeping bag. With the way she took to all this, we may need to trade sleeping bags: from Cinderella to Mountain Hardwear.