Krewe Krejci

THe auction project

2012-02-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

Joe's school is having an auction to raise money for programs at school. Each class is responsible for making a "Class project." I was feeling a little crafty, so I signed up to work on his classes project. The children have to be involved with making it.

This is where I found my idea. I really thought this was cool. I like the look of it.

So, I had each kid paint a tile and then had it fired. Then I built the coat rack around the tiles. I am really happy with how it turned out. The auction is Saturday night. We will see how high the bids go!!

The name of his school is Highlander.

Ski Trip 2011

2012-01-03T05:27:00.000-08:00

Our little cabin in the base of Palo Duro Canyon, near Amarillo.

Let's just say I threw our Joe's socks after this hike. Fun muddy mess.

Supper fun skiing at Sipipu Ski mountain near Taos, NM.

Ended our trip at Cadillac Ranch. Very cool, 10 cars buried nose down off the side of the highway. You can stop and spray paint a design on the cars. Very cool!

Lake LBJ! Thanks Ken, Ardis, Cathy and Randy! Always fun!

2011-10-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

summer fun...

2011-08-02T06:45:00.000-07:00

Hammie came to town for a week of Kamp Krejci. Six Flags was one of our stops. Super fun and super HOT!

Then our annual beach trip with the Schieber's.

Good times...making great memories!

Easter weekend and a little more...

2011-05-04T14:34:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Memaw's birthday

Mike was the Book worm for KLTY's Easter event!! So funny!

Dyed some eggs...found some eggs...

The Schieber's

My sweet friend joined us for Easter lunch.

Fran and her cute boys!

We let the kids have adult glasses. I like being fancy!

Then to top off the weekend we went to Cedar Hill Nature Preserver for some hiking and fishing.

sometimes you get a good one...

2011-04-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

So love this picture!

Joe man's crazy 8th birthday party!

2011-04-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

Here's our crew! Lordy, 9 boys at an amusement park. Note to self: never again!! ;0

All the boys were tall enough to drive their very own go-kart! I can't tell you how funny this was to watch! Wow! they had fun.

Joe-man and his BFF Will.

Arcade games...go-karts...and mini golf! what more could 9 little boys want!

Happy Birthday to my little man!! Love you so very much!

going to the lodge....going to the lodge...

2011-03-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

We had Christmas in March! My mother gave us a night at the Great Wolf Lodge for Christmas! We had a blast. What a place! Lots to do. The rooms were great, they had bunk beds for the kids! Kinda felt like we were at Disney World!

Spent some time in the arcade. My kids love the tickets!! So does Memaw! That is one thing I remember when I was a kid, my mom liked the games too, almost more than me.

THANKS MOM!

Our Christmas present from our husbands!

2011-03-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

On the flight at 5:20 a.m. We landed in Vegas at 7:30...what's a girl to do in Vegas at 7:30 in the morning without a room to sleep? I guess we should have some mimosa's...;)
we had a spa day...

had some margaritas...

and the reason for the trip....we saw Celine! Man that girl can sing!

Good times with my bestie!

yes, I said 126 miles!

2011-03-14T07:49:00.001-07:00

This is a shot of the I-10 bridge coming over the Mighty Mississippi River. The start of the race. Mike started the race Friday night at 8:00. Forecast called for rain...and lots of it!

Some of Mike's family that came out to kick off the start.

Nathan and I stopped to see the sights along the river road. Mike ran 126 and I rode 126.

Very proud of him!!! He wanted to quit about mile 102...I said no! run it in...

Here it is...the finish line...after all the rain, wild dogs, lighting, crazy parties...he made it! 34 hours and 23 minutes. Nathan brought him home, running with him for about 30 miles! This is what Mike wanted! He turned 40 a week before this race and this is how he wanted to celebrate! crazy, I know!

Here they are after the hour ride back to Plaquimine, where we were greeted with some of Uncle Jimmy's finest! Some kind of crab/shrimp mixture! After a long nap we dug in...

Here is a little video of the rain....poor Mike!

I gotta get me a plantation!

2011-03-09T09:28:00.000-08:00

Our annual hig school girls trip. This year we went to Natchitoches, Laouisiana! We took the Steel Magnoila Tour. They filmed the movie in Natchitoches! This picture was taken on the pourch of Truves Hair Salon. We had a blast, of course I loved my hat!

how did we get to a size 5 so fast?

2011-03-03T10:26:00.001-08:00

Converse has a program where you can design your very own converse. Sara just loved creating her own pair. Good job converse!

But REALLY-size 5

my sweet little/big girl...

2011-02-24T11:08:00.000-08:00

I LOVE FRECKLES!!!

She is so cute!! I added some flowers to my hat. She was my model!

Good times in Galveston

2011-02-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

Our first beach trip of the year. Complete with Fran, Zach and a walk on the jetty.

Nothing like a fire on the beach.

My little man, so very happy, doing what he loves to do.

it's official... Christmas has begun!

2010-12-14T04:57:00.000-08:00

The annual Christmas choir performances! I love this time of year.

Happy Birthday Nathan...40!

2010-12-09T03:55:00.000-08:00

Well, Vegas again! Yes, it's Nathan's 40th birthday...where else would we go?

We started the weekend with Nathan's marathon run. Great job Nate!

Only in Vegas...

Jamie, Mike and I doing the crew thing to do...wait! It was a beautiful day. We found a nice comfy spot on the astro turf.

Oh! The shirts. I had these shirts made as a surprise to Nate. Man did we have fun with these. EVEREYONE was giving Nate a shout out for his birthday. Even Prince at the Prince tribute band show that we went to. So very funny, we just might find another use for the shirts.

What an awesome tribute band. If you are ever in Vegas, go to Hooters and see this band! Very good. We had a ball.

As if we didn't have enough fun...the ACA, a new country award show was filming at our hotel! So we went to the red carpet event. Jamie and I were acting like two little high school girls.
Celebrity love!!

Carrie Underwood! So very pretty!!

Yuck, Carrot top!

Not sure of his name, but he sings that song Lover, Lover.
What a weekend! I forgot to mention I saw the Garth Brooks show! Oh my what a cutie! I sure do miss the G-man...

Nathan, Happy Birthday! Thanks for the memories...

a full life..

2010-12-01T18:43:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite pictures! It is my grandparents on my Dad's side. Grandma Lilly and Papaw Mac. My grand ma passed away in 2007, my grandpa passed away before Thanksgiving. I just couldn't let it go by without sharing a little bit of their life with you.

They lived in Texas City, a small town in far south Texas. they were married for 63 years and 11 months! What a joy to be around. My grandfathers biggest joy in life was family. Oh how he loved being around people and he gave the best hugs! He was 93 years old. He was the founding member of the Texas City AA chapter. He was sober for 39 years. He was a man to be honored!

Love you Papaw Mac!

my little boy of fall

2010-12-01T05:58:00.000-08:00

Well, the Joe-man was not a big fan of football! So I thought I should post these pictures because this might just be the last pictures of Joe playing any kind of sports! Really. he is just not that in to it! To say the least. Notice him in the huddle?? He is in the orange shorts.

Joe is playing center. He only liked this position because his goal was to see if he could hike the ball over the quarter backs head...

Oh well...on to the band! ;) If he is in the band I still can go to the Friday night football games!! Hey, maybe the drums?

our Marine...

2010-11-17T13:16:00.000-08:00

We are so very proud of Uncle Zach. Last month Zach received his Purple Heart form the US Marines. The service was held in at the base in Tex arcana.

Here is the General placing the medal on Zach's uniform. Man, I can't tell you what a special moment this was for me and my family. Zach was injured back in July. He was driving his truck when he ran over a buried bomb. He and several of the men in the truck were injured. Needless to say our prayers were answered, although his foot is hurt he is safe!

Zach's parents, Fran, Greg and his birth father Chip.

Thanks for your service Zach!!!!

where have you been...

2010-11-15T10:59:00.001-08:00

ok, I am back in business? Sorry for the delay... all my waiting fans...

Sally, Sara and Joe at the Texas State Fair!

so long white van...

2010-07-26T08:28:00.001-07:00

Well, I wish I could say that I am sad, but....I am NOT! Last week my van died. Have you ever seen that car that is smoking and spuing liquid from the engine? Yup, that was me! Drove it straight to the shop and they looked at me and said, "you will not be driving this car home." I just kinda laughed. The repair cost is WAY more than the car is worth. So ,we are donating it to the Dallas Can Academy.

So long chitty chitty bang bang!!!

Joe got a ride on Grandma's walker.

2010-06-19T17:21:00.000-07:00

Memories that will last a life time! I never dreamed my children would ever get to know my grandmother. We were visiting her and while we were walking back to her room she said to Joe, "get on, I'll give you a ride!" I didn't think she could push him! And of course she proved me wrong. Even though she is only 86 pounds, she gave him a ride. Joe loved it.

the beach is open for business...

2010-05-20T09:17:00.001-07:00

Olive enjoying the wind in her hair. She can't get up to any speed these days!

Oh, to feel young again.

Sara and her red fish. Nice job honey. In true Sara fashion, she caught this fish and then pretty much stopped fishing. She looks good though. And I got the picture. That's all that really matters, right?

Catch of the day. Joe had the best fishing day ever, one Mike could only dream of. Fishing according to mike: catching a red fish, speckled trout and a flounder all in one day. Joe achieved Mikes dream this trip. Joe caught all three in one day! Keepers too!
Let's just say he was a proud poppa!
above is his red fish(one with the dot)
below is the flounder and speckled trout

"cut the fish, Daddy! Let's eat!"

my lucky client!

2010-05-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

I can't even stand it!! I can't believe I didn't take a before picture of this chair. I have a client that is redoing her living room. We went with the standard sofa and two chairs. But, we needed one more small accent chair to make the room all come together. This chair was sitting in a small office covered with books and upholstered with terrible fabric from 20 years ago. I love a good channel back chair. I love texture. I found this fabric and fell in love with it. Never did I dream that my upholstery shop would do such a fabulous job! I am dropping the chair off tomorrow, I'll try to get a photo of the entire room. Sometimes it's hard not to keep things for myself!

My sweet little angel, from the hand of God!

2010-04-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

I gave Sara her first bible on Christmas day. I was so very excited to give her the perfect gift. Well, shortly after, she lost it! We searched everywhere, all over church, all over the house, we just assumed it was gone forever. She found it about a two weeks ago, buried in on of many bags she collects. She was so excited! She asked if she could take it to school and read it there. I was kinda worried she might get in trouble or something, but I said yes.

Yesterday, she was so excited to show me a letter she wrote. Read below!

I can't wait to see the work God is going to do in her little life!

Thank you God for my sweet little angel!

The Joe-man turned 7...father time please!!! slower...

2010-04-05T15:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks Uncle Nathan for the traveling Nome! Joe loved it, he knew exactly what it was b/c we love the amazing race. They often have to carry the Nome around while they race.

Joe and is main man Will.

Check out my shirt! I ordered it on-line. Joe loved it!

The perks of having your dad work for the radio station! Joe's birthday was announced on Mike's station, KLTY! Joe was excited but a little scared he was going to be late for school! Too funny!

Off to war...

2010-03-18T05:26:00.001-07:00

This is Mike's brother, better know as Uncle Zach. He shipped off Monday to protect our country! He will be stationed in Afghanistan. Needless to say we are proud and supportive. However, this has become a new prayer in our family, please God keep uncle Zach safe! I am not sure how long his tour is, please join us and add Zach to your prayers.

Thank you Zach! We love you!

The Rah Rah's Annual girls trip...

2010-03-09T15:23:00.000-08:00

I love this little gem! I so wanted to ride away with this bike!

Jennifer in the Bonqueque wig! How rude!

Shopping in Gruene!

Elizabeth!

That a girl, Michelle

Sara, oh so pretty!

My friends are going to kill me!! I love this picture! Most of us had a blast taking it! I know we will love this picture in 10 years! Too much fun...thanks ladies!

I gave up alcohol for lent! I enjoyed some near beer! Who knew? It was good.

Robin and I outside at The Gristmill. Great town...good food!

Here we are all dressed up(for real)! I love these ladies so very much! It is really a treat to get away and just be silly and catch up with some great friends! This makes year 7!

Crazy snow!

2010-02-15T08:58:00.001-08:00

Our little house all covered in snow! This was the biggest one day snow fall Dallas has ever had. 12 inches. The snow fell all day. It was so pretty.

Sara and her friend Lilly

Joe loving the sled we bout 2 years ago! He was so excited to use it. I picked them up from school, we came home to get all the gear. Then we headed up to Flag Pole hill, with the rest of Dallas, to sled. It was so much fun! Giant snowmen, snow ball fights...what a day!

The video is of Sara sledding, then look in the back ground. Mike and Joe go sledding by, Mike has a yellow jacket on. I think Mike enjoyed it as much as the kids. :)

You better get yourself to the Grand Canyon!!

2010-01-05T16:35:00.000-08:00

A trip of a life time!

On our way, the kids asleep on the road. We left Dallas on Dec. 26th at 6:00 in the morning. It was the day after Christmas, can you say tired?? Our trip was planned, 18 hours to drive. 12 hours the first day and 6 hours the next.

Our first stop, Old Rout 66. Along the side of the High way in Arizona.

The second National Park we have visited. The Petrified Forest! Very cool. Wood that had turned into stone. I have no idea how? I am sure I should have read it on a sign somewhere? Something about water and surviving hundreds of years...

Stop number 2: The worlds most preserved meteor site. Let's just say Joe went crazy. Yes, son a really large rock can fall from the sky! Very large hole in the ground. Neat to stop and see if you are driving through the desert in Phoenix.

Here we go! The descent! I can't even begin to tell you how scared I was to be taking the kids down in. Can they make it...can I make it...can we get out...how many people die doing this??? Just a few thoughts going through my head!

I can honestly say after the first 5 minutes I was the happiest girl on earth. What a site! The kids were practically running down the GIANT hole in the ground. Really, Sara never really stopped! I was so impressed with her. She had a ball. We got out of the snow about 3 miles in to the climb down.

When Joe first took in the view he said, "Momma, we are almost in the picture!" The further we went in to the canyon he kept saying, " we are in the picture now!"

YEAH!! The river!!! This means we are close to the bottom! 7 miles to get to the bottom, it took us 4 hours to get there. I can't say there was not any pain. I was really hurting about mile 3. Towards the end Sara was about 25 yards in front of me. I never would have guessed! I was so proud of her!!

HOME

Hangin' with the mules at the ranch.

Brushing teeth in the community sink. We washed our dishes here too, BTW.

This was on our way back out. We stayed 2 nights in the canyon and then hiked out 5 miles to another camp site. Then another 5 miles out to the rim. It rained on us for about 4 of the 5 miles up to the camp site. We set up our tent and then the rained turned to snow. Yes, it was cold!

Gotta stay dry!

Joe kept Mike busy for, no kidding, 4 hours asking questions about Indiana Jones. Mike told Joe they filmed the movie in the canyon. Joe was hooked!

Sara did awesome until about 1.5 miles to go. Her toes got cold and she could see the path of the mules and could tell where we had to go and just couldn't recover. Let's just say we had some tears. But, in her defence, we were going straight up!! Switch backs like I have NEVER seen. The name of the path was Devils cork screw.

Back at the car. While we were in the canyon, the rim got 6 inches of snow!

The next morning watching the sun rise on the canyon. Our God is an awesome God!! What a creation!
I must say this was the best trip I have taken in a long time. I truly enjoyed every second! It was fun to watch our kids challenge themselves and watch them grow up right before your eyes.

A White Christmas! 2009

2010-01-03T12:57:00.000-08:00

Texas had it's first white Christmas in recorded history! It was so beautiful.

We had our Christmas Eve get together. Before church I try to have some friends over and just hang out and celebrate the season. I LOVE a full house.

Miss Caren, D'Lane and myself.

The LaLa's! This is Sara's number one friend. Sally. Crazy enough they both have the same family nick name, LaLa. Named for the place they most often visit, LaLa make-believe land! ;)

This is our family tradition, a huge puzzle that we work on for the entire month of December. The puzzles usually have 1000 pieces. My mother work a puzzle like no one you have even seen!

Funny little story. Sara and Joe get to go and pick out their very own presents for everyone. This usually happens at a special event at church, but we missed it this year. So, Mike took them to the Dollar Store and let them pick out whatever they wanted for the family. Sara got everyone a roll of their very own Duct Tape! A girl after my own heart.
Notice in the picture my PINK tool belt! Thanks Honey!!

The Rah Rah Brunch...First of the Christmas Parties

2010-01-03T10:52:00.001-08:00

All our children. We have a total of 14!

Sara and Baily Balderson (Robin's daughter) and Mike as Santa

Our annual Christmas Brunch tradition always kicks off the season for me. I have a group of friends from high school that get together every year for Christmas. We have done this for the past, I think, at least 7 years. We always invite Santa, this year played by Mike. He did a great job. A little skinny Santa, but very cute! I love these ladies and our continued friendship!
(Robin is missing from the picture.)

Christmas at Autumn Leaves 2009

2009-12-17T16:50:00.000-08:00

Just in case you have ever wondered what it is like at an assisted living/old folks home Christmas party. Let me shine a light on a fun night we had with my 93 year old grand mother.

(can't turn the silly thing)

My family and I went to the annual Christmas Party at my grand mother's nursing home. We go there, found my grand mother(sitting with "her Friends"). We got in line and waited for our cold shrimp and cubed cheese. Then went to sit down and I went to ask my grand mother to come and sit with us at our table. She sat with us for about 5 minutes and started to get up, I asked her, "grandma, where are you going?" "To sit with my friends!" She replied. I said, "we came to see you." Off she went, back to sit with her friends. She was not too concerned about us! Too funny! My sweet grand mother may not know much these days, but I thank God for her wit!
I guess you gotta dance with the one who brought you!!

The happiest Place on earth...

2009-12-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

The Castle, Cinderella is so lucky!

Mike wae in the Indiana Jones stunt show. Great memories!

Too much fun...Disney 2009!
We will be back!

My birthday present!!

2009-11-09T06:18:00.001-08:00

This was my very first car! A 1967 Volkswagon Bettle! I loved this car more than words can say! My parents bought it for me when I turned 16, for $300! I only actually drove the car for about 3 years. I totaled it in an accident on my way to Krystala and Shawn Hogues wedding in 1993. I didn't have the money to replace the engine(which is what it needed). So, it sat in my mom's driveway for the next 3 years! I did NOT want to get rid of it, I was planning on fixing it some day! Meanwhile, I met Mike and we were planning the wedding and we needed money for the weeding. During the 3 years the car sat in the drive way, a particular VW lover, would often stop by the house and ask my mom if she was ready to sell? Well, one day she said YES! I was away at SFA and had NO IDEA she was selling MY car!! She did and needless to say we were able to have a DJ at the wedding. :) I have missed that car for many years! If I had it today I would still be driving it, I love the sound they make...like no onther car EVER!! I often talk about this situation and the fact that I would love to own a bug again!

On my birthday this year our dear friend Nathan gave me a true gem! He found a trunk cover of a VW Bug and painted it green, just like my car!! He even made me personalized plates, like I always wanted! I hung it in my office! I just love it!!

Thanks Nathan!! I LOVE IT!!!

Sara's first concert...Miley Cyrus

2009-10-19T06:05:00.000-07:00

First, I little bit of history. Mike and his friend Nathan were in a band in high school, in the 80's. They actually had paying gigs! Nathan was the front man, Mike played the bass and they had another friend that played the drums, Stacy Jones. Fast forward 25 years...Stacy now plays drums for MILEY CYRUS!!!!! Which is very cool! Mike and Nathan have kept up with Stacy through the years, Stacy has played for several bands. He is a very talented drummer. He actually is the music director for Miley.

Enjoy a few pictures from their band, Paris!

Mike and his first bass and amp!

Nathan sitting behind the drums.

Here they are recording. Mike is on the far right singing with Stacy.

Present day, on Stacy's tour bus!

A few months ago we learned that the tour was going to pass through Dallas. I begged Mike to make the call and get the hook up. But, he had not talked to Stacy for a while and didn't really want to call and ask for tickets. Mike did call him just to see if he had time to get a bite to eat or just to say hello. While they were one the phone Stacy said he didn't have much time, "why don't you just come down to the show, I can get you in and show you around!!" YEAHHHH!! Sara was beside herself! So it was on, the ultimate date with Daddy!

Back stage. Miley's mic stands. one for Hannah and one for Miley.

Their seats. They sat next to the sound booth.

I can turn the silly thing ???

Sara loved this part. Miley road through the air on a motorcycle.

again, can't turn it...sorry!

After the show the met Stace backstage again and he gave Sara his drum sticks. His name and Miley Cyrus are printed on the sticks. What a gift! Thanks Stacy Jones!!!!

our new kitchen...

2009-10-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

My little kitchen remodel. I have had a picture torn out of a magazine for as long as I can remember. In the picture was open shelves in the kitchen. Our kitchen is a normal galley style, long and narrow. I have never really enjoyed the style. I have always wanted to up date the look. So, I tore down the upper cabinets and replaced them with shelves!

During...

After! I am really happy with the finished product! And Mikey likes it too! ;)

Oh! Mr. Flu...please go away!

2009-10-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

This is all I have looked at for the past 7 days!
Last Wednesday I picked up Sara from school and she started to cry. Her teacher said she began to cry about an hour before they let out. I asked her what was wrong and she said, "I don't feel good." We went home and took her temp., it was 100. Let me just say it has not come down in 7 days!! Joe got it the very next day!
Last weekend we had plans to go the Kansas City to visit the Sheebs. I have not canceled a trip, ever! I was very sad! Coming up in 4 days the McMartins are headed to town to stay with us...I am starting to get worried about them coming????
I am NOT one to take my kids to the doctor, I never have been! I know there is nothing they can do. The flu is a virus, it has to run it's course! But, at 9:30 today I am taking the kids. I think just because I want to get out of the house. ;) I am going to make them wear mask. I'll try to get that on film too... hee hee!

My new favorite song!!

2009-09-24T15:53:00.000-07:00

I love this song! Makes my heart happy!

here she is...big RED!

2009-09-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

My new sofa!! I have waited for 11 weeks for this to come in! I am so in love with it I can't even stand it!! I LOVE RED!!! I know I need some pillows, one thing at a time. What do you think I am a designer!
I have discovered what you do professionally, you don't do at home!

Uncle Ken and Aunt Ardis' Lake house-Labor Day!

2009-09-10T18:04:00.001-07:00

Imagine this...we are fishing???

Joe has learned to bait his own hook, thank God!

Uncle Ken and Aunt Cathy, Fran's brother and sister.

Sara making friends. I love looking at her freckles! So very cute.

Uncle Ken, cruising on lake LBJ.

Again with the freckles...I love it!

I think you will be seeing a ton of videos now! I just love discovering I can do this!

Ken and Ardis, Thanks for always being so great to us when we visit! We love seeing you!

This is in Cathy and Randy's front yard. You can feed the deer corn, almost out of your hand! So very cool!

The Krewe at Randy and Cathy's pool!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

2009-08-26T19:29:00.000-07:00

Well, not that great of a picture. I tried! Here she is...93 years old! I took the kids by after school to wish her a Happy Birthday!
She is in good spirits, as always! I usually get the same line of questions, she only has about 5. This time she had a new one, "Does your mom have a cat or dog?" We have NEVER had a cat! We are not cat people. Too funny. I have no idea what is going on in her brain. It is very sad to see her slip away from us. I am grateful to have her, I know. But, she will be the first to tell you, she is ready to go. She usually tells me if there was a pill she would take it. I tell her she is too mean to go, God is still working on her! She laughs. I never dreamed she would be alive to see my kids. I keep telling her before we know it she will be at Sara's graduation. Her reply, God I hope not! Here's to you Kathryn! BTW, her sister is 95.

Off they go....3rd and 1st

2009-08-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

By the time the bell rang there were at least 400 parents out front! Love the neighbor hood school!

We walked up to Joe's locker and I said to him, "oh look you share a locker with Jared, you will have to get to know Jared!" Joe replied, " mom, he is the guy that gave me the black eye last year!" My reply, "well Joe, stay clear of Jared!"

As I am posting this it's already 1:00! Where did my day go???

Sara's Dancy Party!

2009-08-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

OK! So this is my first video blog! I am so excited! My little camera takes video, so fun!

Sara wanted to have a dance party and teach all her friends how to do the dance from the Hannah Montana Movie, hoe-down, throw-down! This meant that I had to learn the dance enable to teach the dance. Sara and I had a blast learning the dance on you-tube.

Happy Birthday Sara!! the big 8...please slow down!

Come back to Texas! Our big Show!!

2009-08-12T14:47:00.001-07:00

Well, here we are...too scared to start! Here how the performance went. Our dear friends the Osborn;s are moving to Omaha( actually today) They had a going away party. D'Lane was busy planning her performance and writing lyrics to a farewell song. So, Sara thought it was going to be a night of performances by our friends??? And I was not going to inform her she was wrong. I am always trying to get her out of her shell and be silly and teach her it is OK if people laugh "WITH" you. So she picked a song "Come Back to Texas." Very appropriate. And we made up a little dance. yikes!! The night of the party Sara had asked her friend Sally to help with a small part in the dance, Sally agreed right up until showtime! Sara lost it! I began to cry too, I DID NOT WANT TO get up in front of 100 people and do a little dance! ;) Just really watering eyes. I am terrified to get up in front of people. We regrouped and reset the ipod. And off we went! She did great and never missed a beat. Here are some highlights. BTW, those are my new boots! Thanks momma! Sara insisted that we wear our boots, I aim to please!!

Good bye Niki and Doug, Patrick and Olivia!!

"Come Back to Texas"

oh, one last trip to the beach, summer 2009!

2009-08-10T17:09:00.001-07:00

What a view!!

This was our spot! We spent three days at the beach and lasted only because this $20 cover saved our lives! Each day we would spent at least 5 hours out on the water. So fun!

Holly and Sara

Joe and Wesley

You can only see a sunset like this at the beach...

All the kids playing under the house.

D'Lane and her girls.

Lisa and her kids.

My sweet friends. Thanks for the memories ladies!!

We made a fire on the beach and then roasted smores! So yummy!

Sky Ranch!

2009-07-27T10:29:00.001-07:00

This is Sara's first year to go to summer camp. We signed her up for Sky Ranch, in east Texas. She went with a friend from church, Hannah. First, we had to get her a trunk and she had to decorate it, with the help of little brother!

If we decorated the car there were free cookies at the gate. So, of course we did! Here they are, READY to go! Two little girls so ready to be at camp! Sara was more excited than I have ever seen her!

On the trailer heading to the cabin, you can't hear all the screaming and yelling from all the counselors! So fun! I would have stayed if they would have let me. I love camp!!!

The name of her cabin! (Don't cry Sarah Keith)

Sara and Hannah on their bunk beds. Sara is on the bottom. The girl before her left behind a fan, Sara thought she was so lucky!!
So sweet. Mike has never been to camp. I think all of this was a little too much for Daddy.

Off they go!! All I could think about was the day we left her in Kindergarten. The teacher had to PULL her out of my arms, as she was crying and pitching a huge fit! She has grown up so fast! She was so brave.
I am one proud momma!
I pick her up Saturday.

Mike's # 1 Girl...

2009-07-23T06:31:00.001-07:00

Allow me to introduce you to Mike's Grandmother! My husband loves his grandmother more than you can even imagine! When Mike was a little boy she would often rent beach houses and his family would enjoy a week at the beach. So being at the beach with his MiMi brings back a ton of childhood memories for him. She has been a major support and influence in his life. She has not been to the beach for about 2 years, when he invited her and she sad she would go he was like a little kid in a candy store!! He could not wait to take her to the beach.

Joe caught his first KEEPER speckled trout.

What a trooper Fran was. Mike said she fished just as hard as Joe. She held up her big catch too! Good day on the boat! We brought the boat home to Dallas to get prepared for another Hurricane season! No big ones please!!

4th of July in Memphis

2009-07-15T05:24:00.000-07:00

We headed to Memphis for the 4th. Greg's family is from Memphis. His sister Jane lives on a lake and has an annual 4th of July party. A fun filled weekend with a boat parade, fishing contest and fireworks on the lake. Great memories!!!
The annual boat Parade. We decorated Aunt Jane's boat and joined the others for a very fun stroll on the lake. The private lake is only a 1/2 mile long and about 100 meters wide.

Aunt Jane, Greg's sister, steering the boat in the parade.

This is what we looked like most of the weekend, just chilling in the lake!

Sara fishing in the fishing contest!

Her winning catch!! 2 perch and a small bass. She won the girls contest! She was so excited. Yes, Joe fished and fished and fished...all weekend. He was so disappointed he didn't catch ANYTHING! and let em tell you lately fishing is the only thing Joe wants to do. He finally caught a fish the morning we were leaving.

Sara collecting her prize!

Fishing contest group photo!

Finished the weekend off at the famous DRY rib restaurant, Rendezvous! We Texans discovered we like a messy rib, not the dry stuff. Although a very cool destination and worth going!

Thanks Aunt Jane for the memories!!!

WS100

2009-07-01T07:13:00.001-07:00

and away we go....

mike and I by the big sign announcing the race in Squaw Valley Ski resort.

Truckee River outside of our condo. Ice cold from the melt off of the snow.

Mike, Fran and I at Lake Tahoe. Crystal blue water.

This is the guy who started it all 36 years ago. Gordy Ansley. These guys think he is more famous than Brad Pitt! Really! He is a hero to the ultra community. He first ran the 100 miles b/c his horse gave out during the house race that takes place on the same course.
The tall guy is Mike's pacer, Steve from Wisconsin. Thanks Steve! He was supposed to take Mike to the finish and run a total of 30 miles. But, he only completed 7. :(

Some of Mike's running friends, Drew and Matt.

This is A.M.

Awaiting the start. Nathan, Fran and I.

Mike was very excited to get started, after waiting 365 days!

Almost 400 people started, half dropped out for one reason or another.

This is what is looks like while we were waiting for Mike to stop by the aid station. It is kinda like pit row. He comes in and we give him whatever he might need at that point. Turn him around as fast as possible!

This is what he looks like when we saw him at mile 30. BTW, the last time we will see him well! It was about 11:30am.

Us driving to the next aid station

the Krewe WAITING at an aid station. Michigan Bluff.
CREW stands for cranky runner endless waiting.....

My poor baby! This is the result of vomiting for about 6 hours and not being able to keep anything down. It was a very hot day to run. Mike does not do well in the heat. He completed 62 miles. He stopped running about midnight. At midnight we MADE him go to the medical tent to see if he needed and aid. He did, of course! Mike is deathly afraid of getting shots let alone having an IV. He looked at me with a death look and said," I AM NOT GETTING AN IV!" I said, "oh yes you will." He finally gave in after the medical team finally just said to him, "which arm?" He was so very brave and after two hours of fluid rushing into his body he felt better and was finally able to urinate. Which is the sign of health in these kinda races!

ALL BETTER!
Now off to RENO so I can throw some dice!!
I love you baby!!!
I'll keep you all posted, he is entering the lottery for next years race.....

Madagorda Island...

2009-06-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

Don't know if many of you know the story of Matagorda Island? Nathan and Mike first went( I think in college), then Mike took his brother when he graduated high school. Needless to say he has always wanted to take me...and the kids. This island used to be a state park, it's now deserted. We had to take EVERYTHING we needed for 4 nights, yes w/o electricity! I was NOT very happy about going. I was scared someone was going to kill us and no one would ever find us??

REALLY!

On the boat dock ready to go. Boat loaded down, sun screen on and gas in the tank.

Our camp site. Home sweet home!

Not kidding, within the first 5 minutes we were there Joe slices his toe open in the water on an oyster shell. Literally, the words are coming out of Mike's mouth,"Joe watch out for the shells and keep your shoes on!" Sara, "TOO LATE DADDY!"

Keeper red fish. This was supposed to be our last meal of our stay, but an alligator got to it before we did.

Oh yeah! more fishing!

Searching for minnows. This is what the kids did the entire time. All day long.

Funny story about the light house. Did I mention it was 3 miles from our camp site? It took us 1 hour to get there. We brought the kids bikes and we ran beside them. HOT! HOT! HOT! Great memories. This light house is on the national registry of historical sights.

This is my man, doing what he loves to do...this is why we went!

Hami and Joe great buddies! Just like their dads!

Back at Galveston, with Nate and Hami.

My favorite picture of all from dinner, there was no way the Hami was going to eat the crab we caught so we scrounged the house for a meal for him...this is what he chose. Apple sauce, doritos, and left over pancakes with grape jelly on them. Classic! BTW, his mother was not there.

This is what the rest of us enjoyed!!

Last night, swimming, bonfire, and Uncle Nathan with the fireworks!

Summer here we come!!!

And their off...

2009-05-13T06:21:00.001-07:00

Off to the races! Our annual tradition for Mother's Day! Lone Star Park in Arlington.

Granny and Big Daddy...they are so cute!

We kinda ignore the fact that we are teaching our children to bet on the ponies. ;)
The kids have a ball, they run around in the grass and eat as much as they possible can!

Good mom picture. Nancy(memaw), me and Fran(Granny).

Michael Paul and his mommy.

my running man

2009-05-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

This is what running 100 miles looks like. I never knew one would "need" so many different kinds of shoes to just run! I took this picture in our garage, I don't allow these shoes to come in the house. You can only imagine what they smell like. We began talking last night about heading to California again for the Western States 100. There are a tons of things that we have to prepare for to run this race. Mike is in heavy training mode right now, we are about 50 days away from the race. I was so proud of his accomplishment when he finished the Rockie Raccoon. I can only imagine how we all will feel when he crosses the finish line for Western. A race we have planed for for about two years! I'll keep you posted...
Thanks for all of your support. Race day is June 27th...

All grown up....

2009-05-07T07:37:00.001-07:00

Before

3" off

After!

This was NOT my idea! He said he wanted to be bald like daddy. I begged him to wait until summer. He couldn't stand it, he wanted a buzzzzzz

NOLA

2009-05-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

As they say in New Orleans! Let the good times roll! And I must say, we did just that.
We headed to NO for the first times since the hurricane. We had tickets to see Wilco( Mike and Nate's favorite band) at Jazz Fest. Beautiful weather and good friends too! Nathan, Jamie, Shannon, "cul-de-sack" Mike and us.

This is the most disgusting grocery store you could ever imagine. Inside it is much like the soup guy on Seinfeld. But, they sale the most famous Mufalatta you have ever eaten! Really! It was our first stop.

The boys enjoying a bloody mary, on the street of course!

This is "cul-de-sack" Mike. Nathan has about 4 "mike's" in his life and they are distinguished by their specific titles. Also, if you could not tell it was his first time to New Orleans.

Oysters on the half shell. If you so choose! Not me.

Jamie and I enjoying some Margaritas at Jazz Fest.

Ok! I'll try to tell this story the best I can. We went to Jazz Fest with about 5000 other people. The only band the guys wanted to see was Wilco. We had our plan all worked out, where we were going to sit and how close we were to the Margarita Machine! THEN, Jamie and I had to go potty. We found this special area REALLY up close to the stage. But, you had to have a certain sticker for the guy to let you by...Jamie and I started flirting with the guard and then he said to us," hand me that sticker on the ground!" We looked down and picked it up and stuck it on Jamie's shirt and walked right by the guard!! We had made it in!!! But, the guys were still back at our original spot. After a crazy exit from the guarded location I got the guys and we all got into the secluded area on just ONE sticker!! We were feet from the stage! I don't think we could have ever given the guys suck a great treat! They were in heaven!!

Here is Wilco.

Happy as ever!

Crazy cow bell man! Lots of laughs!

Dance Party!

2009-04-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

If you have ever been to our house, you have taken part in our DANCE PARTY! Mike puts the tunes and the kids get their groove on. This time Hami enjoyed the groove!

Hami with the stage leap! I love it! Nice Form! You make your daddy proud!

Easter, oh the outfits!

2009-04-27T06:53:00.001-07:00

The GIANT turtle! At our church egg fest they held a contest to see who could guess how much candy was in a giant jar. So, I got Joe and we put in our guess...AND he won!! I have never seen Joe more excited. When Ms Debbie called out his name as the winner he ran up front to collect his prize. He loves telling the story about how he won the GIANT turtle. Did I mention it was GIANT??

Yes, they did wear the matching outfits! I am not sure how many more years I will be able to pull this off.

Joe fell asleep on the way home from Granny's....too much Easter fun!
No, I didn't pose him. He really fell asleep like this.

oh yeah, this little blog of mine....

2009-03-24T15:43:00.001-07:00

In the world of of Facebook...my blog is suffering. So sorry for ALL of you enquiring minds!! ;)

so let's get you all caught up.....Joe lost his first tooth!

Sara wore a dress! I mad a few dresses for her about 2 years ago and that is just about the time she decided she was no longer going to wear dresses! The dresses all hung in her closet for at least 2 years. She came out of her room dressed for church and said, "what do you think momma?" I nearly lost it! I told her she looked like an American girl doll and she bought it!

Amber and Rick came over for dinner. My kids love when they come over b/c they don't bring any children with them and they give my kids full attention!!

The Sheebs came for spring break! The kids had a ball and Lisa and I had a case of her new wine, gotta love that Winking Owl! Lots of laughs and catching up with our old friends. She is still promising a move BACK!

I think that's it.....later for now!

Vegas Baby!!

2009-02-26T05:24:00.000-08:00

Vegas Baby

I was going to blog about our trip to Vegas, then I read My friend Lisa's account of the trip and she just about sums it up better than I could! So, I STOLE her blog entry!! ;)

About a month ago, Adam suggested we go away for a weekend. Suggestions like this don't come often enough for me, so of course, I was all over it. Adam's reasoning was that soon enough it would be AT&T strike time and that would mean long hours of him at work for who knows how long- weeks, maybe months.

I immediately got online and started looking for destinations. A cruise? Mexico? Maybe Florida? I sent off all my brainstorming suggestions to Adam in the hopes that he would agree with me on at least one of them.

Adam told me that he wanted the trip to be a surprise for me, but not to worry, I would love it.

Okay. I can do this. I love surprises. My only request was that we NOT go to Vegas. I really had no desire to go with just Adam to a place that almost screams "Friend Vacation" (it could also be because we've only been to Vegas with friends, so I equate Vegas with friends).

I did great not bugging Adam about the big weekend. Occasionally I would try to sneak some info. out, but for the most part, I just enjoyed the anticipation.

Two days before we were set to leave, Adam lets the cat out of the bag. We were on the phone and he was telling me about a story he was telling a guy and says "Yeah, I'm really excited. We're going to Vegas this weekend..." I so wished our conversation would have been in person. I would have loved to see the look on his face right after he realized that he blew it. I laughed and laughed.

Although Vegas was my last choice, I wasn't completely disappointed. Never look a gift horse in the mouth, right? He was planning all this, and taking me away. I could, I would make the best of it. It was time away with Adam, restaurants, a good book and no alarm clocks - good enough for me.

So off we went. I still wasn't sure what Adam had in mind, but he assured me that we would have a packed schedule of fun stuff planned. Alright.

On the bus to our gate, Adam told me that we were going to be staying at the Golden Nugget (Nickerson, his buddy, stayed there and loved it). The Golden Nugget rang a bell for me. It's where Virginia, my BFF, always stays. I immediately texted her "Golden Nugget." I got a confusing text back "Can't wait." Hum. "Are they coming?" I asked Adam as my heart lifted a little of the thought of a "Friend Vacation." "No" he says. Drop goes my heart. But I'm still confused. My mind starts going... okay, I got it. A few weeks ago I was emailing Mike (V's husband) regarding his 100 mile race he was about to undertake. I mentioned that we should all go to Vegas sometime. V's text must be in reference to that conversation. I got a text back a bit later from V - "When we going?" Okay. I was right. I texted back "I'll be there in 3 hours." I felt a little bad about this text. What I wanted to say was that my silly husband doesn't understand that you don't go to Vegas without your buddies - not to worry V, I'll talk to him next week to make sure this never happens again.

Once we checked in, we headed to our room then went to the bar for a drink by the pool, took a few laps through the casino and Adam gave me a few lessons on craps. I didn't get craps. It seemed like the most confusing game ever. Adam tried to explain the game to me 2 more times that night. I didn't get it.

For dinner we headed to the strip and had a nice sushi meal at the Bellagio. We watched the fountains and finished the meal off with tiramisu from the Paris. On the surface, our night looked great, but inside I was secretly frustrated. During dinner I asked Adam to tell me all our plans for the weekend so that we could talk about all the fun things we were going to do. He refused. He said he wanted it to be a surprise. "But honey," I said "we have nothing to talk about. We're at the Bellagio in Vegas at a fancy restaurant and you aren't making any conversation with me." Adam stuck to his guns - he wanted it to be a surprise. Okay. I was so confused. Usually Adam will save up things he wants to talk to me about so that when we go out we have great conversations. What was going on??!!

After our desert at the Paris, Adam informed me that we needed to head back to the Golden Nugget. Back in the room I changed into some more comfortable clothes and off we went - for I don't know what. As we're walking through the halls of the hotel, I am attacked from behind by a women screaming "Hi friend!!" It was Virgina. My heart lifted to the ceiling. I was shocked, surprised and about to cry with delight. It all made sense now. I soon found out that the whole thing was her idea, her planning, everything. Thank God. My husband's not an idiot after all. Poor guy. He was so concerned about the timing of Mike and V's flight, that he was too preoccupied at dinner to make conversation - he was just stalling.

I'm so glad I didn't pitch a fit about "his" weekend get-away plans. I would have felt like such a boob.

What a weekend we had. Probably one of the most fun times I've ever had. Oh, I hope we do it again next year.

ps. Virginia taught me how to play craps in 5 minutes and I was glued to the game all weekend. I love rolling dice.:)

By the pool - right when we got there.

On the strip. This guy should get a gold medal for evangelizing.

Loved seeing Jesus in Sin City.About to watch the fountains.All by myself in Vegas.Praise the Lord! My friend's here! Can you tell I'm happy? I didn't know I could smile so big.V and Mike. At "EL CORTEZ" (said with my arm raised).V has the giggles.Saturday, V made plans for us to have pedis.On the strip before our show.We saw Folies Bergere. I don't know if it's my appreciation for dance or my love of glitter and feathers, but I LOVE Vegas show girls!
Dinner at Hooters Casino and Hotel after the show.
The craps table.
In front of our hotel.

Just a few beers in.
Me and my friends on our "Friend Vacation."

Good bye, Guy!

2009-02-17T06:17:00.001-08:00

This is guy!
We have had this stuffed animal since Sara was a baby. I got it from a baby shower, I don't even remember who gave it to me. For two years it just hung on the crib, until we had Joe. One day I heard a funny cry coming from Joe, I went in the check on him and he had the tie from the bumper(that I made) wrapped around his neck! YIKES! He liked to chew on the ties. His face was very red. From that point on I ripped the bumper out of the crib and I gave him Guy! When he was a baby he enjoyed chewing on the tie on the top of Guy's head. I have no idea how this satisfied him but he loved it? So, there began the love affair with Guy. We carried Guy everywhere for FIVE years. He could not sleep with out him.
Well, last night I was putting Joe to bed like every other night...I said prayers...kissed him good night and found Guy and gave him to Joe...I walked out of the room and turned the light off...then Joe calls out to me, "mom, can you put Guy in the attic?" (Joe knows that's where we keep our family memories) I said, "are you sure????" He said, "yes!"
I almost cried! Now that I am writing this I am crying! I have always said, this is all going way to fast for me. Joe will be 6 in a about six weeks. How can this be!!!!

Hug your babies!!!

Alright...I have caught up on my sleep!

2009-02-13T04:42:00.001-08:00

Here are the kids and their picnic. Chips and sunflower seed. Does a body good!
This was at mile 60!

The finish line! Here we are at 4:00A.M. Nathan and I had been up all night and we had seen Mike 3 miles back and were able to time the finish line just right. Nate and I woke everyone up at 4:00, we expected Mike to finish around 4:30. Fran, mom, Jamie, Hammy, Huy and Nate.

Finally, out of the darkness! Mike and his amazing pacer, Jeff. Jeff timed Mike perfectly and pushed him to run his last loop faster than the previous loop. Jeff is the guy to the right of mike.

Here are the guys after the finish, trying to warm up.

Well, most of you know I love cowboys! ;) Let's just say I have my running cowboy! The prize for finishing the race is a belt buckle! Now all we need is a tight pair of Wranglers. hee hee! I don't know that Mike will ever wear this buckle, but it makes me very proud that he earned one!

I am amazed by my husband. I always say he does not have patience, but he has mastered this running business and staying out there for 22:45 hours takes a ton of patience! I am so very proud of him for achieving his goal. I keep telling people that he could not even finish a 5K only 4 short years ago!

Way to go Honey! I love you! I would be happy to KREWE you any day!
Now let's talk about those Wranglers....

From 1 to 100

2009-02-09T06:36:00.000-08:00

Rocky Raccoon Race weekend!

We started the weekend off with a kids race. 1 mile.
Sara and Joe did amazing, Sara finished in 9:08 and Joe right behind her 9:53
They loved running in the woods.

The next morning at 6:00a.m., the start of Mike's race. Nathan, Jamie, Hammy, Fran, and Greg....let the wait/race begin!
Mike was very excited to get started. He has been waiting on this chance for two years.

the boys waiting....

playing at the park...waiting...

Yeah! the first time we saw him after 4 hours!

He wanted a cheese burger from Whataburger. Very unusual fro a runner to pound a burger in a race, but that's what he felt like eating. BTW, it didn't taste that good to him.

We sent him back out and went to town!

The kids at the Sam Houston Statue. This statue is on the side of Highway 45.

Back to the race, this is Huy, Mike's pacer for miles 60 -80. Thanks Huy! After 50 miles they allow you to have a "pacer," it helps so much b/c usually you are running in the night and your mind isn't working very well.

more to come...

Oh, the Bob Books!

2009-01-27T08:59:00.000-08:00

Joe can now read!! It is so fun watching him sound the words out and "get" the story! After he realized he could read he told Mike, "everyone in our family can now read...except Olive!"

I love this little boy more than words can even utter!

This is how I found Sara yesterday. Painting her own nails with her own princess polish. She was so happy she can do it all by herself. Thank God she remembered to paint in the bathroom. We talked about having a contest to see who can grow their finger nails out faster. Unfortunatly, she has my bad habit of biting her nails. I'll keep you posted.

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-18T12:41:00.000-08:00

Uncle Nathan did it again! This picture really does NOT do the dinner justice! He made homemade mac-n-cheese and bacon wrapped shrimp. AND my favorite garlic butter dipping sauce! To die for REALLY!

We finally met "cul-de-sac Mike" Nathan has several "Mikes" in his life and he nick-names them and this is cul-de-sac Mike. We shared New Years Eve with him and his wife Shannon. They live a few doors down from Nathan and Jamie, very fun night!

Our loot....Nathan did NOT spare a dime! We popped fireworks for HOURS!!

Sara and Emily, Mike and Shannon's little girl.

Party like it's 1999!!
The last time we range in the new year with Nathan and Jamie was in 2000. I think we went to bed around 3:00a.m., I am sad to report I was the first one to give in!!

80's Lady

2009-01-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

YIKES!!! here is my new hair cut. BTW, I am getting another cut today and try to salvage this! I thought my days of bad cuts were gone....

Christmas Day 2009

2009-01-13T14:33:00.001-08:00

The only thing she wanted...Mia the American girl doll.

Joe and all his jelly bracelets...150 to be exact! this is his thing. He never takes them off and he passed them out to all his friends.

Uncle Flint trying to keep up the family tradition to finish a large puzzle in one day! BTW we still have it laying out. It is the hardest puzzle we have ever worked on.

Her first BIBLE!

Funny Funny story! Every year our church puts on this Santa helper shopping event for the kids. It is really cool to see what the kids pick out. You take your kids to the church and then they go behind a big curtain and they pick out and wrap a gift for the people on their list. The kids are so proud of what they picked and can't wait until you open it to tell you all about their choice. This year Joe picked a very special Cat Calendar for Mike. BTW Greg got some really nice camo gloves! We are got a huge laugh from the cat calendar. Joe said that Mike can take it to work and use it at his office! hee hee....

Views from Christmas Eve

2009-01-13T05:18:00.000-08:00

After the Christmas Eve service we had our church friends over for some good food and hopefully a new tradition!

Sally Sara and Carson

My little family. This is by brother and my mom. Yes, all at church! My brother goes once a year with us, if he likes it or not! ;)

Fiona in the Christmas pageant

Hannah also in the pageant.

All the girls singing.

My other side of the family, earlier in the day my Dad stopped by to see the kids.

Good Bye Texas Stadium!!

2009-01-04T17:45:00.000-08:00

The last hoo-rah. The last cowboy home game ever to be played in Texas Stadium. I have had a ton of memories in that stadium. I won't even begin to mention The Von Erick's, Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin, Chris Adams and Sunshine! AND Garth himself. Am I getting old??

Our friends Nathan and Jamie came in town to tailgate for the game and to celebrate the farewell. It was a very cold night, but enjoyed making the memories!

the 1st party of the season!! THe Rah Rah Christmas Brunch

2009-01-04T17:05:00.000-08:00

Liz and her nephew.

Jennifer with her boys.

Our Marathon Runner Darcy and one of her girls.

Look at this picture!! Dylan and Santa. Sara Brown's boy

No way getting in that man's lap!

Robin, Bailey and almost Riley

The gang's all here! As I have mentioned before I have been friends with these girls since we where in Jr high school! I am not going to do the math for you. About 5 or 6 years ago we started having a Christmas brunch and then when we had kids we invited Santa. In the past Santa has been Jennifer's father-in law, but now we have been blessed with Liz's uncle. Funny Funny time...really! Our posse has grown to 10 kids. G
Good food and great memories...

Do you know Laminin?

2008-12-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

This takes about 8 min. to watch. very powerful to me!!

Way to go Bush!

2008-12-15T15:44:00.000-08:00

This just makes me laugh! and kinda sad! I told me kids about this and I showed them the pictures and they just could not believe that someone would throw their shoe at the President!

I can't wait to see what SNL does with this.

My mommy finally gave it to me!

2008-12-12T16:53:00.000-08:00

This is a piece of furniture I have wanted my entire life! My mother got it from her mom, it was the first piece of furniture my parents had when they got married. I have asked for this for a REALLY long time. She is afraid I am going to have it painted and distressed! Which I will! But, she made me promise that if she gives it to me now I have to wait until she dies before I "ruin" it...her words!

Enjoy a little diddy!

2008-12-08T15:08:00.001-08:00

My friend Sarah found this little song and I just fell in love with it!! This is how I feel about art.

Our Thanksgiving weekend

2008-12-02T04:53:00.000-08:00

Our small group this year! We headed to Houston to see Mike's grandmother, MiMi. She had just undergone knee surgery so was recovering in the hospital. This is Mike's mom and step dad.

Then we headed to our beloved beach house that only by the grace of God is still standing!
We didn't have electicity but we had plumbing. :)
These are our dear friends Jamie and Nathan and their son Hammie.

These guys have a blast together. Hammie might be the only cousin our kids ever know!

Sara is a sure thing on the boat! She is our best luck for catching a fish! Really!

Are we cute or what!!!

The Rah Rah's

2008-11-25T10:59:00.000-08:00

These are my high school girls...minus one...Liz. I have known some of these girls since grade school. We have spent many long hours together. We have traveled on from middle school, high school, college, weddings, kids...all that life has brought us and we have remained friends. Now we get together once a year for an entire weekend to share and catch up with each other. But, last weekend we thought we just needed to get out for a girls night out! We also get together for our annual Christmas party with the kids...yikes. Which now between us all we have 10 kids. Sometimes we even invite our high school teachers, Sue Davis and Gail Hervey! FUN FUN!! Let the holidays begin!

Look what I bought in Canton!!

2008-10-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

So the story goes...this is an antique corbel/bracket from a house in New Orleans. I have walked pass this for months now! I love it! I finally snatched it up...the guy said this was his last weekend at Canton. Sure??? As you can guess my husband LOVES when I bring home junk like this, I am hoping to win him over with the New Orleans slant! :) here's hoping. The last time I went to Canton, a few months ago, I came home with an old door I bought for $5. It's still leaning up in the garage! hee hee.

Had to share...a project I just completed.

2008-10-25T05:02:00.000-07:00

Before

After

I just wanted to show one of my jobs. I talk a lot about my work but many don't ever get to see my projects. I feel so blessed to be able to make things pretty and transform interiors for my clients! I should really consider a portfolio! :) Who has time for that...I must blog and facebook! hee hee...

Our little weekend trip...1200 miles in 3 days!!

2008-10-22T11:22:00.001-07:00

Yes, I traveled with the kids to see Lisa in KC. She is my dear friend that moved away and left me here in Dallas! :) We went for the home town college homecoming.
Northwest University Bearcats!

Sara and Holly are going as the Little Mermaid for Halloween!

Joe and Wesa are really good buddies.

I love this man.....

2008-10-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

Big TEX!!
I get to see him once a year. We have a very simple relationship, he waves and we pose for pictures!! hee...hee...

Can't you hear Joe laughing. This is the ladybug ride. My personal favorite! My kids are not scared of fast rides at all, it was hard to get them out of the main Midway this year. They didn't want to go to kiddy land. Joe saw the single loop ride and said, " that one momma, I want to go around and around!!" He didn't get to ride it.

We stayed till dark this year! Oh the lights. I just can't get enough.

Why don't we...get together more often?

2008-10-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

This is my college buddy Sarah. We met during some interior design class and became fast friends. We lived together for a while and we were in each others weddings, I love her dearly! Our families got together for dinner at her new house in Heath. We had a blast. I never understand why we don't share more time together with the ones we love!!

This is Sara, Joe and Addie playing. Addie and Joe are just weeks apart.

Wes and Lily...the twins! :) Wes always happy to pose for a picture...

Thanks for the memories...

Camping @ Caddo Lake

2008-10-08T18:54:00.001-07:00

Here is our gear! We pulled the pop-up and tied down a canoe and off to Caddo Lake for a 3 night stay. Mike's Aunt Nanie and Uncle John came from Louisiana to camp with us. We usually head to beach every year, but still no power at the beach house.

I LOVE this picture. This is just about all Joe wants to do...FISH...FISH...FISH

Our Crew!

Is that a crooked smile I see from Joe-man???

Our first break...

2008-10-08T18:44:00.001-07:00

Well, here she is with her cast! Sara fell off the monkey bars at school last week and landed on her wrist. We first went to the doctor on wed( the day of the fall), her doctor said she had full range of motion and didn't want to x-ray. By Friday she was really in pain, so we went back and then they x-rayed it and YES! it was broke! She loved getting the cast and loves having people sign all over it...

Memories at the beach!

2008-09-17T06:19:00.000-07:00

We have seen a picture of our house and it is still standing!! yeahhh! I can't tell you how happy our family is to see the house! This great little house has become a perfect retreat for our family and friends. Last weekend when we thought we were going to lose it all our family was very sad! They will not let us in the subdivision yet, so we will continue to wait for more photos from the sky!

It is done!

2008-09-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

I had to labor on labor day! A mothers' job is never done! I don't know if you can even see the detail in the rope, let me just say it looks good! :) hee. hee. When I first set out to do this I thought the kids would just live out in the tree house. Well, they are bothering me right now as I blog this page! They even have a pulley to raise items from the ground. Oh well, it was fun to build! I have been using my mother's favorite line...go play OUTSIDE!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

2008-08-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

I would have never even dreamed of having four generation in my family! Here we are. My grandmother turned 92 this month. I think she looks great! Her mind is not all there but she could walk circles around you. She still walks everyday! That is her claim to living long. Gotta keep moving. I love her and I am so glad that my kids are getting to know her...or at least the cookies she keeps in her cookie jar!
Grandma-92
Nancy( Memaw)-61
Virginia(me)-34
Sara- 7

First day of School!

2008-08-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

This is all going to fast for me. I keep asking myself what does a momma bird do all day when she kicks her babies out of the nest??
Sara is in 2nd grade and my baby boy has stated Kindergarten.

Our last summer vaca: Leadville, CO

2008-08-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

We took one last summer vacation to Leadville, Co. When Mike couldn't run in the Western States 100 he quickly found another race to run and it was in Leadville. So off we went!

Below are some picture from our trip. Mike ran his race on Sat. the 16th of August and then we camped out for a week. We had a blast. We hiked, made a ton of fires and smores! We just love our little Pop-up camper!

This is Joe and Sara feeding fish at a fish hatchery. Can you see the joy on Joe's face?? I thought he was going to come out of his skin...he had never seen that many KEEPERS! in all his life.

Joe trying to catch some of those keepers! He caught 2 rainbow trout.

Sara came out of the pop-up with all of this in hand and asking if the fire was ready to make some smores! She could eat her weight in marshmallows! really.

I smell a Christmas card picture!
We took three hikes total. A one miler on the first day and then a 5 miler and then a 6 miler! And yes the kids walked the entire way! They really surprised us, they were awesome!

Here she is...the pop-up...I think we should name her???

Here we are at the start of Mike's race! It was only 3:30 AM. :)
I must say I am very proud of my husband! He was just shy of the 50 mile cut off by only 20 min. He said this race was the hardest thing he had ever done in his life! I keep saying Hope pass got him! Hope pass BTW was a MOUNTAIN he had to climb that was 12,000 feet high! Needless to say he couldn't breath! Check out his blog for a more minute by minute account of the race.

Yes, that is snow on the mountains!

Here he is coming down into the aid station of Twin lakes(mile 49). Tough course!
Isn't he cute. He was really working hard. And BTW he was freezing. It was the worst weather ever in the history of the race.

Back at camp playing checkers with Granny and Aunt Cathy!

Happy Birthday Sara!

2008-08-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

We went bowling at my old stomping ground...Jupiter Lanes!! I bowled there when I was a kid. Such fun to see Sara and her friends enjoying the game!

Happy Birthday Sara!! The big 7!!

Promises...Promises...

2008-07-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

Sara just makes me so happy! She has REALLY helped me...you can see Joe in the background catching bugs. :)

The past few summers I was really busy at our church doing a ton of volunteering. This summer all I wanted to do is spend some time with the kids. So...I made a promise I would build them a tree house, not thinking they would press me as much as they have been. Last week we bought a book and started planning! Here is the beginning of our tree house!I'll keep you posted!! ha ha

Playing in the street!

2008-07-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

Remember when it was OK to play in the street. We didn't have much water to splash in, but this brought back so many memories when I was a kid. I lived near an intersection where all the rain merged together...we used to sit in the street and just splash around.
Oh! the good ol' days....

Uncle Ken and Aunt Ardis' Lake house!

2008-07-17T06:37:00.000-07:00

We have enjoyed the lakes this summer. Fran's brother has just retired and purchased a house on Lake LBJ in Austin. We had a great time enjoying family and free time! Thanks Kenneth and Ardis...

Yes, that is Fran on the tube!!

Aunt Ardis loved helping Sara with MORE ice cream.

Uncle Kenneth teaching Joe the skills of video games!

Sara is on the boat with Joe and Mike on the tube in the back ground! I love this picture.

Happy 4th of July! Big weekend in Dallas!

2008-07-07T10:35:00.000-07:00

Joe man and his big catfish.
Let's just say he has caught the fishing fever.

Catching bait at the lake with Amber's mother, Honora.
Never tried this before? She put a towel under the water and floated bread on the water and then waited for the bait to come, then lifted the towel and there they were! Very exciting to Joe!

The Lake Highlands Parade! What fun it was to ride in a parade. It's only one block long
and can I just tell you it was HOT. Great neighborhood gathering. I just love our little neighborhood.

Missing my friend Lisa!
Read the koosey(sp?) carefully. I got this with her on my trip to Maryville.

Hanging out in the pool with Niki and D'Lane! Again, missing Lisa! :)

Hanging with friends at the Maselunas. The Thompsons and the Willis.

The race that wasn't...

2008-07-02T19:54:00.000-07:00

Mike has been training for this race for almost a YEAR!! He was ready both mentally and physically, which this race would have taken BOTH to finish. When we arrived in Reno on Wednesday, we could not figure out if it was smog or smoke or fog that was floating in the air?? Come to find out it was for sure smoke! Smoke from the CA wild fires that started burning the day before. Shortly after we landed we picked up Mike's pacer, Steve , he flew in from Wisconsin. We found out at soon as we arrived in Squaw Valley(start of the race) there may NOT be a race after all! A LONG 4 hours later we finally found out that there would in fact be NO race. Just too dangerous to send the runners off in the woods with fire! So we made the best of it!

Lemons in to Lemonade!!
See the smoke??

This is Mikes "pacer" Steve! He was going to help Mike run the last 40 miles! After you run 60 miles alone the race allows you to have someone run alongside you, a "pacer!"

Isn't he cute! ALL READY TO GO!! We hiked UP a 3.7 mile path to the top of Emigrant Pass, which was the first aid station. It took us 1 hour and 24 min! TOUGH!! trust me!

Part of the trail!

I just love the shirts!

See you next year!!
WS 100