This weekend, we had to say goodbye to our kitty, Merlin. This post is a tribute to a cat who, despite his snarky personality would be the first to cuddle up on the sofa with you when you were sick. He will be greatly missed by all of his human and fellow animal companions.

More photos of Merlin on Flickr

Merlin: A Tribute

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.

Rainbow Bridge – Author Unknown

You're reading Merlin Crosses the Rainbow Bridge by Kristi Hines, originally posted on Kikolani. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Kristi on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!

• Macro Photography of Merlin the Cat
• A Double Rainbow
• Meet Our New Kitten Natasha
• Dow Gardens in Midland, MI
• My Grandmother

This past weekend, I attended the Star Trek Convention at Hilton in Las Vegas with my hubby and my mom. Here are some shots from the convention.

The Stars

These are my snaps from during the convention. They’re not the best of quality, considering how far back we were, but I thought they were pretty good for the distance.

The Costumes

Besides the stars, one of the best parts of the convention was the costumes! People were dressed up left and right for days before and after the contest.

The After Party

And last, but not least, was the end of the day celebration with some drinks from Fat Tuesdays!

For more photos from the event, check out Trekmovie’s Flickr.

You're reading Star Trek Convention 2009 – Las Vegas Hilton by Kristi Hines, originally posted on Kikolani. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Kristi on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!

• Las Vegas | The Roadtrip
• Las Vegas | Favorite Photos
• Las Vegas | Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
• Las Vegas | Bellagio Conservatory Holiday Show
• Las Vegas | Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat

Here are some photos from a surprise trip my hubby planned to Mt. Lemmon in Tucson, Arizona a few weekends ago.

If you enjoyed these, be sure to check out some photos from our first trip to Mt. Lemmon last September.

You're reading Mount Lemmon – Tucson, Arizona by Kristi Hines, originally posted on Kikolani. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Kristi on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!

• Photos from Mt. Lemmon in Tucson, AZ
• Morning Glory at Mt. Lemmon
• An Evening in Tucson
• Fountain Park in Fountain Hills, Arizona
• Cacti at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Here is a sampling of some of the critters I see around Arizona. These were taken around my office, apartment, the Desert Botanical Gardens, and on a recent trip to Mt. Lemmon in Arizona.

You're reading Southwest Critters by Kristi Hines, originally posted on Kikolani. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Kristi on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!

• Butterflies at the Desert Botanical Gardens
• Chihuly Glass at Desert Botanical Gardens
• Cacti at the Desert Botanical Gardens
• Flowers at the Desert Botanical Gardens
• Mount Lemmon – Tucson, Arizona

It’s been awhile since I have posted some photos of our handsome little Miniature Schnauzer, Dobby. So here are some photos of him – pre and post haircut.

For more Dobby photos from his puppy pics to his first haircut, check out the Miniature Schnauzer archive.

You're reading Dobby the Miniature Schnauzer – Latest Pics by Kristi Hines, originally posted on Kikolani. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Kristi on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!

• New Photos of Dobby
• Dobby’s First Schnauzer Haircut
• Dobby is Growing Up
• The Weekend Puppy Post
• The Weekend Puppy Post

For the final installment of scenic honeymoon photos, I have saved the best for last. Here are the photos from Coronado Island Beach, plus a little clip of soothing ocean waves (soothing until someone walked near the camera at the end at least).

Waves at Coronado Island Beach from Kristi Hines on Vimeo.

For the more personal photos of my hubby & I at Coronado Island Beach, see the Coronado Island Honeymoon album at Soulmates Wedding. The shots there, and the one with the footprints above, were all my husband’s idea – while I’m good at scenery and nature, he’s creative with people posing.

You're reading Coronado Island Beach by Kristi Hines, originally posted on Kikolani. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Kristi on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!

• USS Midway Museum in San Diego, CA
• Disney’s California Adventure Park
• Disneyland in Anaheim, California
• Flowers Photography Around California
• Photos from Mt. Lemmon in Tucson, AZ

These are the scenic photos taken around Disneyland in Anaheim, CA on our honeymoon.

For the candid, personal shots, be sure to see the Disneyland Honeymoon album on Soulmates Wedding.

You're reading Disneyland in Anaheim, California by Kristi Hines, originally posted on Kikolani. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Kristi on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!

• Flowers Photography Around California
• Disney’s California Adventure Park
• USS Midway Museum in San Diego, CA
• Coronado Island Beach
• New Photos of Dobby

Since discovering macro-photography, I have really enjoyed taking pictures of flowers. Here are some from around Coronado Island and Anaheim, CA taken during the honeymoon.

You're reading Flowers Photography Around California by Kristi Hines, originally posted on Kikolani. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Kristi on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!

• Macro Photography of Little Flowers
• Disneyland in Anaheim, California
• Flowers at the Desert Botanical Gardens
• Macro Photography of Merlin the Cat
• Disney’s California Adventure Park

Here are some shots from around Disney’s California Adventure Park on day 3 of the honeymoon.

Photos of the Pixar Play Parade by my hubby. You can guess which one was shot for humor value.



Local resident of the park.

For more of the candid, personal shots, see the California Adventure Park Honeymoon album at Soulmates Wedding.

You're reading Disney’s California Adventure Park by Kristi Hines, originally posted on Kikolani. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Kristi on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!

• Disneyland in Anaheim, California
• Turtle at the Park
• Fountain Park in Fountain Hills, Arizona
• Flowers Photography Around California
• USS Midway Museum in San Diego, CA

Here are the first set of scenic photos from our stay in San Diego during our honeymoon. These are photos shot on the USS Midway Museum aircraft carrier, with my new Fuji S2000HD.

For more of the candid, personal shots, see the USS Midway Honeymoon album at Soulmates Wedding.

You're reading USS Midway Museum in San Diego, CA by Kristi Hines, originally posted on Kikolani. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Kristi on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!

• Disneyland in Anaheim, California
• Disney’s California Adventure Park
• Coronado Island Beach
• Flowers Photography Around California
• Macro Photography of Merlin the Cat