Is it really August already? The summer has been full of a lot of work, a little travel and some home improvements. I have plenty of posts and photos to add, including one of Monty in flight. Stay tuned.

Last weekend we went to a beautiful wedding in the historic Leesburg, Virginia. In between wedding events, we headed to downtown DC which was full of patriotic spirit for the Memorial Day weekend. We visited the National Mall, including the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, as well as Arlington Cemetery. We also stopped by the popular Ben’s Chili Bowl, where we chowed down on chili rich in flavor and history.

It was a wet day at the track for our fourth year attending the Mutt Strut. Despite the downpours, the event still raised over $370,000 (exceeding last year’s amount) to help the animals at the Indianapolis Humane Society. If you are considering adding a pet to your family, please remember to visit a humane society or shelter near you. There are so many loving pets in need of a good home!

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year and a half since our last trip to Chicago. We went last weekend to celebrate my birthday and were greeted by much warmer temps than our November visit in 2008. We took the typical tourist photos at “The Bean” in Millennium Park (shown above), walked down Navy Pier and had celebratory drinks at the top of Hancock Tower. Overall, a great birthday weekend.

Mexico! March Madness! What a month it has been. The city of Indy has come to life the past few weeks as the Butler Bulldogs marched their way to the Championship Game. It’s been quite an experience to see Andy’s alma mater gain national attention not only for their athletics, but also for their academics.

We have also been back from La Paz, Mexico for a few weeks now. With just a touch of tourism, La Paz has a wonderful laid-back authentic atmosphere. We enjoyed daily trips down the Malecon, snorkeling with sea lions, dolphins and whale sharks, visiting nearby beaches and enjoying the friendly hospitality of the city.

It’s also that time of year that house renovations are back on the list of things to do. Stay tuned for photos of final stages of the kitchen remodel!

For as much as I disdain cold temperatures, it seems that I can’t resist taking photos of snow. Here’s a (snowy) pictorial trip down memory lane:

Snow Dog February 2007
Snow Run December 2007
Chickens in the Snow December 2007
Another Gray Day February 2008
Branching Out March 2008
Sunset & Snow March 2008
Another Season January 2009
Single Digits & Snowfall January 2009
To Grandmothers House We Go January 2009
White Out January 2009
Wide Open Spaces January 2009
Piling Up January 2009
Extra Layer January 2010
It Begins February 2010
Snow Power February 2010

Last week, we attended the Stella Artois Happy Hour at the Symphony with four of our friends. Despite the crowds (which the ISO says it will be addressing in future Happy Hour events) the hour long performance was a great mix of old (Beethoven) and new (Coldplay). In addition to the obvious instrumental music, the event also included a dance performance and even a few vocals from the conductor. The next event will be February 18, with special guest Time for Three.

On January 1, 2010 my official business name changed to Jackson Sky Web Design & Development. This name change results from, and allows for, the expansion of services and staff as my business continues to grow. Check out the site for a new portfolio, testimonials or to request a quote.

Rhaya.com will continue to exist a personal site for general updates and posting of photos.

PurGood Organics is a new company here in central Indiana that is committed to providing organic and eco-friendly products that are pure enough for even the most sensitive of skins. Co-owners Christi and Jessica came to me once they had their logo and packaging designed (by Kelly of KleverGirl) and were in need of a web site where they could feature and sell their products. Also as part of this project, I also took product photos for the company to use online and on printed material.

Now’s a great time to check out the brand new PurGood Organics web site and possibly pick up some products for the little ones on your gift list this year. Not only will you be getting a wonderful product, but you can also feel good about supporting a locally-owned business.

Holidays are fast approaching and shopping season is already here. Take the guesswork out of giving gifts and encourage your friends and family to start wishing with Clearwish. This Facebook-friendly application gives you the option to install a button for your browser allowing you to add items to your wishlist with one simple click.

Clearwish is a start-up company founded by Brian Zuercher. He along with Steve Krause and Brad Griffith brought me in on the project last year to design the logo and web site. The site recently got a facelift to allow for future expansion, and is currently sporting a wintery header for the holidays.