function preloadImages()		//define and preload menu buttons and images
{

	// make placeholder Image
	btn_about_dn=new Image(92,50)
	btn_backyard_dn=new Image(92,50)
	btn_donation_dn=new Image(92,50)
	btn_forum_dn=new Image(92,50)
	btn_guest_dn=new Image(92,50)
	btn_search_dn=new Image(92,50)
	btn_story_dn=new Image(92,50)
	btn_success_dn=new Image(92,50)
	btn_tips_dn=new Image(92,50)
	btn_home_dn=new Image(92,50)
	
	pl_aboutus=new Image(92,92)
	pl_backyard=new Image(92,92)
	pl_donation=new Image(92,92)
	pl_forum=new Image(92,92)
	pl_guest=new Image(92,92)
	pl_search=new Image(92,92)
	pl_story=new Image(92,92)
	pl_success=new Image(92,92)
	pl_tips=new Image(92,92)
	pl_home=new Image(92,92)

	//assign src
	btn_about_dn.src = "buttons/btn_about_dn.gif"
	btn_backyard_dn.src = "buttons/btn_backyard_dn.gif"
	btn_donation_dn.src = "buttons/btn_donation_dn.gif"
	btn_forum_dn.src = "buttons/btn_forum_dn.gif"
	btn_guest_dn.src = "buttons/btn_guest_dn.gif"
	btn_search_dn.src = "buttons/btn_search_dn.gif"
	btn_story_dn.src = "buttons/btn_story_dn.gif"
	btn_success_dn.src = "buttons/btn_success_dn.gif"
	btn_tips_dn.src = "buttons/btn_tips_dn.gif"
	btn_home_dn.src = "buttons/btn_home_dn.gif"

	pl_aboutus.src = "buttons/about.gif"
	pl_backyard.src = "buttons/backyard.gif"
	pl_donation.src = "buttons/donation.gif"
	pl_forum.src = "buttons/forum.gif"
	pl_guest.src = "buttons/guest.gif"
	pl_search.src = "buttons/search.gif"
	pl_story.src = "buttons/story.gif"
	pl_success.src = "buttons/success.gif"
	pl_tips.src = "buttons/tips.gif"
 	pl_home.src = "buttons/home.gif"

	return true;
}