Our Little Family

Here are some photos of our family from yesterday. We decided on an impromptu photoshoot and had a great time together! The weather has been very enjoyable up here in good, 'ole Yankeeland. A little on the chilly side in the morning, but very comfortable! Enjoy!

Abbie, Maddie and Jocelyn enjoying the moment


Las tres amigas


As usual, Abbie is the center of attention


She's getting to be such a big girl!


--Stephen

She's Drinking from a Straw!

With her first birthday only a few days away, Abbie has successfully mastered the art of drinking from a straw! Saturday night Jocelyn, Abbie and I went to one of our favorite restaurants - Salsarita's. Along with the important spiritual heritage we are passing to our children, we are also trying to instill in our child the important value of good Mexican food. Abigail loves guacamole!

We took along a cheapo camera that is displaying the incorrect date, but at least we have a couple of flicks to document this milestone in the life of our child. Abbie loves sipping Dr. Pepper through a straw. Of course we used Jocelyn's drink, because I did not want to be the one with Abbie's slobber backwashing into MY cup! Abbie is pretty adept at the art of downing sweet liquid via one of man's greatest inventions.

The four of us at Salsarita's (Jocelyn, Abbie, Stephen, and Baby Troell)


Abbie drinking Dr. Pepper through the straw


-- Stephen

Time With Friends

Not too long ago, Jocelyn and I had the joy of spending some time with some of our dearest friends -- the Hemphill family. Here are some flics of our enjoyable time.

The Gang on the dock looking for fish to feed


Brandon still waiting for a fish to feed


Melody and our Abbie


A silly picture with the kids


Melody showing Benjamin the Tennessee River


-- Stephen

Back in New York

We arrived safe and sound in Buffalo, NY after an all-night drive. Jocelyn and I had a delightful time in Knoxville. It was good to see our friends and coworkers once again. I wish we could visit more often, but time and cash flow does not permit that. We stayed busy all week and believe it or not, we did not take any photos while we were there.

I have to post a photo anytime we update the blog, so as I was organizing my workspace, I came across this photo.



It is the door lock of a 50's-era Chevrolet, shot it a couple of weeks ago. Enjoy!

Until the next post containing family photos...

-- Stephen

At the Tennessee Fair

We are in Knoxville to shoot a wedding on Saturday. Jocelyn wanded me to take her to the fair.

I am not sure if you have ever been to the fair, but it is quite an experience. I think it is more entertaining to watch the interesting people. The only thing more interesting than the fair is the demolition derby at the fair. Jocelyn really wanted to see what happened when cars get smashed up.... So, being the good husband that I am, I took her to see this amazing event (tongue in cheek).

Just as I expected! The stands were filled with good 'ole boys and their wives who were all hootin' and hollerin' every time a piece of metal went flying. I think the women folk were more excited than the men.

A good 'ole boy in the stands


A firefighter just itchin' to put out a fire!


Our friends the Umsteads -- we saw them there, too!


Jocelyn was itching to get some funnel cake, so after the demolition derby, we went to the fair. After the funnel cake, we rode a ferris wheel together. It was wonderful being with my wife, but I really do not like ferris wheels -- too high!

That's it for now.

-- Stephen

An Excursion to Santa Monica, CA

As many of you know, I was in L.A. for a couple of days at a photography class (something I desperately needed). I decided to take a little evening jaunt up the road to Santa Monica, CA.

I took the city bus for a 35 minute ride and what a ride it was! Every third person that got on the bus was inebriated beyond description. The smell of cheap alcohol mingled with the aroma of imitation cologne was enough to make a grown man sick.

I have been a few places around the world and have but have never been tossed about more than in the L.A. city bus system. The drivers are the worst in the world! I think I would rather ride in a NYC cab!

Alas, I arrived unharmed at my destination. I picked up a few prizes for my wife and child, grabbed a bite of dinner and watched the sun set on the Pacific Ocean.

Here are a couple of self-portraits I took while roaming the city.

My view out of the hotel room


Standing in front of the pier at Santa Monica, CA


Me and a friendly Santa Monica police officer


A sunset ocean shot


Until next time,
-- Stephen

The Mystery Destination

As promised, I am going to reveal the mystery destination of Tuesday afternoon/evening.

Tuesday afternoon, I caught a plane to San José, CA where Jow Troell, my sister, attends Golden State Baptist College. This is her last year as she will be graduating in May. I rented a car and drove the "lengthy" 3 minutes to the campus. A couple of her friends were so gracious as to keep her in the dark about our plans to surprise her. When I got to the campus I called her on the phone and told her I wanted to take her out to dinner. You can imagine her shock when she walked into the lobby where I was standing! The look on her face was priceless!

Self-portrait of me and Jow at a Mexican joint (yum, yum!)


We hopped in a car and drove a short distance to a Mexican restaurant. Troells love Mexican food! I think our parents fed us salsa through our bottles. After we ate, we drove to a couple of places looking for an outfit. We landed at the mall and wandered around arm in arm just enjoying the time together. All too soon the time was over and I had to head back to the airport to catch a plane back to L.A. The Lord was so good to us in giving us the special time together as brother and sister in the flesh as well as brother and sister in the Lord.

We drove back to the dorm, prayed together and as I drove away, my heart ached at the thought of the many miles that separate us. As the days turn into weeks and the weeks into years, I love my family more and more. I realize with each passing day how precious life really is. Each of us needs to be reminded of how good God has been to us in giving us one of the most precious gifts of all -- family!

Self-portrait of me and Jow in front of a really yellow Hummer


Self-portrait of me and Jow in front of the North Valley Baptist Church auditorium


Liz, Chris, Sarah and Jow... I want you to know how much I love each of you. I wish that I could do the same for each of the others. I miss each of you and am daily praying for you.

-- Stephen

Safe in L.A.!

I finally reached my destination in L.A. at 2.55 a.m. EST after traveling for nearly 24 hours. It sure feels good to sit and rest! More on that to come! (stay tuned)

While we were with Grandma and Grandpa Troell in Kansas, we went to Independence, MO to visit the hometown of President Harry Truman. What a man! It was interesting strolling down the streets and imagining him there. Among the sites we toured was the soda shop where Truman first worked; his home preserved in the same condition as when his wife left it years ago; the Truman Presidential Library; and various and sundry Truman Also, we saw a place in the quaint, old town where wagons had worn ruts in the hillside as they headed West to settle the wild land.

Here are a couple of flicks from the wonderful day we had as a family!

The nomadic Troell family is pictured in front of the old jail house in Independence.


The outside of the Truman home in Independence taken through the fence. No photos were allowed inside the wrought iron fence.


Abbie reflecting on the impact of the Truman presidency. This was taken as she waited for the tour of the Truman home to begin. She is wearing a Junior Ranger badge given to her by a National Park Ranger.


Junior Ranger in rare form!


Junior Ranger's feet clad in the most adorable shoe you ever have seen! (Courtesy of Auntie Jow)


In the next day or two, I will be posting some photos from a secret mission I had today. Ssssssshhhhhhhhh!!!!! Visit again real soon!

-- Stephen

Krispy Kreme

We went to Krispy Kreme for a little field trip. It is very interesting how they make them. If you ever get the chance to stop in and see donuts in production, you will enjoy watching them come hot off the "press". If you are nice to the people behind the counter, they may even let you try one for free.

Of all things, we caught Grandma Troell forcefeeding Abigail a donut!!! Unbelievable! You cannot turn your back on grandparents, they will spoil your kids!!! Of course Abbie did not mind. Way to go, Grandma!

Krispy Kreme was a good outing.

-- Stephen