Friday, August 29, 2008

The Dallas World Aquarium and a Birthday Boy



All summer, sweet Grandma has wanted to do something special for the kids. You know, like take them for a day to Six Flags or Hurricane Harbor. Honestly, though, given the crypto scare and the July and August temperatures, I was hoping for the gift of air conditioning. So, I suggested the oh-so-fabulous Dallas World Aquarium where everyone could enjoy the day. But, by the time we were able to actually get it on the calendar, it so happened to be near the day Mr. Collin turned the big 10! So a celebration was in order, Gram and Dad Dad joined in, and cake was on the menu!



The guests arrived by air and water...




And then it was time to dig in...




to our delicious cheesecake, that is, per Collin's request. (I think the animals would have shared their dish, if it weren't for the language barrier.)

All in all it was great day and I think everyone got their fill...




well, maybe not this guy!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The Big LXXX



Dad Dad, on his eightieth birthday. He is the wonderful paternal grandfather to my first four. His legacy is all over the map, literally. Doing mission work from South America to North America for over half a century. To sit and visit with him for just a few minutes is pure pleasure and the stories he has to share... simply amazing.



The famed family photo... can't have a gathering without a few of these!



Josh dishing out a little payback from his own birthday memories...



Cousins, Josh, Gabe and Drew




And all joined in for a little Red Raider salute...wait, what's up with Dad Dad, is he a Raider or an Aggie???



Oh, just a couple of missing fingers explains it all!



And here is the fabulous Aunt Liz who put together such a celebration!

Dad Dad, were already gearing up for the nintieth... are you ready?

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Do you see what I see?


Two brothers, twelve years apart
couldn't be more fun...
or should I say funny looking! :)

Don't really have any idea what
magnetic force pulled their eyes
similtaniously to the left, I mean
right, well from this view, left, but
whatever it was, somehow the
moment was captured... digitally.

I love the art of photography.

Almost as much as I love being
their mom.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Day at the Arboretum

















Maren Elisabeth, Mary Elizabeth and Zoe Elizabeth


Thursday, August 14, 2008

Yesterday

Crazy day.

I woke up feeling good, although I have been battling some under-the-weatheredness (is that even a word?) that won't seem to go away. So, my doctor wanted me to swing by the lab for some testing. I did. Came home and my long lost friend, Susan was here to greet me. Perfect timing. Strange how two friends can live just a few miles from each other but never get to spend any quality time together. She brought her cute little guy and a pile of to do work. We successfully solved all kinds of world problems as we talked and talked. Then I decided to feel worse in some ways that nearly warranted an ER visit. Probably a panic attack given the info that my stressed husband had shared with me thirty minutes before. A trip to the hospital wasn't necessary after all and soon I felt better. However, maybe a trip to California would be in order where they have incredible places like this...



















and this.

Who knows what the future holds? What I do know is that it's always promising, wherever we are, if we just take a moment to see it that way.

I'm taking a moment...

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

A Blur in Time



10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 (including my oldest daughter not pictured) are their ages now. Wow, have these girls changed! They grew up together in the same neighborhood from about 3 on and now just look at them. I realize that you may not have known them as little girls but it really does seem like yesterday when they were learning to ride bikes and begin kindergarten.

When we lived here...



meals were shared, duties were split and memories were made.


Eventually, we all moved away, but when we reunite, it is as if no time has passed at all.

This kind of golden friendship makes the world go 'round.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Another River, Another Story



Cousins are awesome. My immediate family is actually pretty small, with my mom having one brother and my dad being an only child. My first cousins consist of 3 guys whom I love dearly but then there is my extended family... including all kinds of second, second once removed, third cousins and so on. You get the idea. The great thing is, years ago, before I was 10, my maternal grandfather's side got busy with family reunion plans, plans that turned into traditions that have allowed me to have some of the most amazing friendships and times with these kinfolk. But it doesn't stop there, not only did I have the privilege of spending summers with my cousins learning about the country life, swimming in spring fed ponds and living on a diet of the biggest, juiciest hand picked peaches in the world, but now my kids are doing the same. And loving every minute of it.

So this summer, we made a trade. Some of my kids visited their cousins in West Texas and then, a week or so later, he came here to absorb a tad bit of the city life.

And to our joy, the halfway meeting point, to exchange these cousins, was at their river cabin, where we stayed and played for a few days.



But this was not just any 'ole cabin, this was a dream cabin including every possible luxury one could imagine. And hummingbirds galore! See the tiny thing on the tree branch?



I stood very still so he came a bit closer...



and even closer.



Their cabin was on the Llano river, a little low this time of year, but still such a beautiful blue green. That's Maren at the bottom of the pic.



Gib spend hours fishing. This was one of his favorites, a Guadalupe bass.



And here is Dalton walking on water... actually he's trying his best to sink the canoe!



Awww, sweet Kate the pillow dog.



Oh, and the fence lizards... we can't forget them. Males have this bright blue belly.



The kids spend hours catching and building a great habitat for them. Interesting how the cage they built was portable so we now have several beautiful blue bellied reptiles here in our habitat... lizard anyone?



Wildlife was everywhere. This was a white tail deer, but mostly we saw axis deer (covered with white spots). They came right up to the feeder by the screened in porch every morning.



Here, Caelan showed his skill with the bow and arrow. Nice.



And what would a cabin visit be without a campfire and smores?


Ronald and Nancy, thanks again for sharing your river haven and Jodi, Dalton and Caelan, thanks for the memories. We love you guys!

Calling all Cowboys



...and Cowgirls, of course! Recently I saw an advertisement in the paper that reminded me of this treasure of a place right here in the metroplex. And you know why it is so amazing... because Ft. Worth knows how to incorporate the arts into a family friendly environment perfectly. Don't get me wrong, I love the big D, but they could take some pointers from our western neighbors.

Anyway, we had a blast, although some were a little shy at first, smiles were soon to follow.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Finding Nemo



A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of retreating to a land near the Brazos River called Nemo. Population 473, two of which include the wonderful Mr. and Mrs. Southward, who so graciously lent us their guest home. And let me say, this was just the kind of place we had been looking for.

Incidentally, as we roamed about the acreage, we also found things like...



a Red Eared Slider,





a leopard frog,




a brown furry mama spider carring her babies on her back,




a ribbon snake




an few unfortunate downslides,





another leopard frog




and eventually the road back home.