I agree with George...

WASHINGTON!

Hello Fall

To be perfectly honest, Spring is actually my favorite season. But if I had to choose a second, a close second, it would definitely be Fall, for obvious reasons of course. I also LOVE the fact that many of my dearest friends were born during this beautiful season, making each crisp, color kissed day a personal reminder of what amazing chums I have the honor of claiming. Furthermore, given that I was born and raised in this here, Lone Star State, Fall could never be properly introduced without the opening of the biggest, tastiest, one-and-only, State Fair of Texas. Mmmm, I can smell the Fletcher's corny dogs now. And speaking of food and corniness, of all the reminiscent flavors, including pumpkin pie and caramel apples, nothing instantly immerses me into this time of year like candy corns. Controversial I know, but I do treasure them. And I have my grandaddy to thank for that. :)

So, this fall, slow down, breathe deep and stop by sometime so I can catch up on the seasons of your life. No need to call ahead...you are always welcome.

I'll have a hot cup of cider and the candy corns waiting.

Farvegnugen

It doesn't seem that long ago that I learned to drive behind a wheel like this, however, it was a 1973 canary yellow VW Beetle, before my dad painted it Porsche red. That was the second Beetle my family owned. Come to think of it, there wasn't a time in my childhood that we didn't have a VW, or what we so affectionately called," the bug". And understandably so. These little german beauties have long been known for their fuel efficiency, and air-cooling placing them in an ecological category before green was green. But, their most notable feature has to be that charming habitual hum in the motor that we, as a family, and enthusiasts alike will forever embrace.



It wasn't until just a few years ago though, that Dad took a new direction with his love for this classic. No longer was it just a vehicle to get him from point A to point B, but somehow his occasional tinkering and cumulative knowledge lead him from the metropolis of ownership to the quaint vista of collector.

Suddenly the necessity of having an engine so clean that one would guarantee it had never been driven, was of utmost importance. Hours of searching for the rarest of parts, and detailing every square inch of his current 1962 Beetle demonstrated more passion than most of us know in a lifetime.



And eventually, his perseverance, blue ribbons and simple love of the hobby, paid off.



Earning him a worthy spot on the red carpet.

"The difference between try and triumph is a little umph." ~Author Unknown

Our Favorite #3 Boy

Blake couldn't be cuter with his toothless smile and contagious personality. As birth order would have it, he's the third son of five that we have been blessed with. Busy with baseball, we don't get to hug his neck as often as we would like but when we do, all is right in the world.

He actually came this weekend for his younger bro's birthday party, cause it just wouldn't have been the same without him or his wonderful siblings. Fun times were had by all and the snakes survived (but that's a story for another time).



Father and son. There's just no denying that something special happens when a Dad spends time with his boy.

Art

Ryan just celebrated his 4th birthday this week, although, he still seems to thinks he is as big as the others, and I'm not going to be the one to tell him he's not! :)

This is a piece in his latest collection from the iDoodle application. He titled it, "The Beetle Bug". I asked him what the little trail of green dots and dashes was behind the beetle, (wondering if I could possibly have a prodigy on my hands and already impressed with his knowledge of Van Gogh's technique) and you know what he said?


"Poop in the grass".

But, of course.

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!

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?

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.

Day at the Arboretum

Maren Elisabeth, Mary Elizabeth and Zoe Elizabeth

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...

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.

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.