Happy Halloween!

And the winner is...

Collin!!!




For the best hair in the fourth grade... on Crazy Hair Day!

Got Mums?

Homecoming these days is NOTHING like it used to be. I feel kinda old saying something like that, but it's true.

The kids that my oldest runs with are actually quite wonderful, though. Their parents are on top of their game which has resulted in a very tolerable bunch. The effort, on the other hand, that these parents put into making each year's experience bigger and better might be a little over the top, hence the incredibly detailed garder his date gave him above, but it's all for the love of the children, right?

And he absolutely did cherish it.



Gib and Nikki have known each other since we moved here 5 1/2 years ago. Besides her darlingness, she also happens to be the cousin of his best bud, Kent, which is common in our neighborhood. Cousins, that is. Children grow up here, leave to seek what the world has to offer and then return to raise their own families. The cycle is about three generations deep, as far as I can tell and no, we do not live in Arkansas.



Now, back to our regulary scheduled program... homecoming.

See these lovely little bonbons? Just a sample of what was offered to our privileged teens the evening of the mum exchange. Last year, they had a chocolate fountain.



Taylor and Anna at the victorious game. Go Mustangs!



Anna's date was also a long time friend that she has actually known since kindergarten. Noah is the kind of boy that moms and dads alike fall in love with. Intelligent, respectful and charming. Hmmm...



Most kids have a "group" that they dine, dance and after party with for the weekend. This was about half of Anna's group.



Anna, with her "All American" friends in their red, white and blue!



Sam and I had the pleasure of chaperoning Anna and Noah's dinner at Texas de Brazil. It was delicious and we were able to dine in the wine room which added an exclusive touch.



Gib, always the trend setter, in his suspenders.



And, if you'll notice, he, fourth from the left, is the only one not wearing a jacket. What a maverick, although, I don't know how impressed Nikki's parent's were of his fashion statement.



~Sigh~ The prettier half of the his group. And yes, they are only sophomores.



Nikki and Gib, right before they left in the limo. I should mention that one mom in the group is a wedding coordinator...which might explain some of the lavish details. ;)

And now, the festivities are behind us and I believe all i's were dotted and every t was crossed...until next year!

Beavers Bend

Isn't it beautiful? I think water is one of the most relaxing things on this green earth. So peaceful, serene and tranquil. My name, Jennifer, actually means white wave, which is significant, I think.



We left Sunday, later than we expected and arrived after dark. There was only starlight to help guide us to a suitable campsite. The boys set up camp like the pros that they are and we finally rested our sleepy heads well after midnight. It all seemed like such a good idea. The kids had Monday and Tuesday off from school and rumor was that this land in Oklahoma provided some of the best trout fishing known to man this time of year. So there we were, dreaming of what the next day would bring and then...

it started to rain,
and our air mattress popped,
and rocks were beneath us,
and the rain guard on our tent didn't guard... at all
and did I mention it started to rain?

As much as we wanted to wish it away, it continued drizzling raining pouring. Oh sure, intermittently the boys would fish (in the rain) catching some bass, but the glimmering trout was no where to be found. Eventually, our tent filled with over a foot of water and nearly slid right down into the river. Sam's entire bag of clothes was soaked as were all of our blankets and sleeping bags and of course our shivering bodies.



So, we spent about the next 6 or 7 hours together in the car waiting for the rain to stop, playing games and eating all the food we brought while laughing about our pail of luck because we certainly weren't willing to get any wetter from a shower of tears.



And then, just as the steam rose from the forest above and as Murphy's Law would have it, the sun came out to bid us farewell.

Without a doubt, I know everyone would agree when I say, this was by far the worst vacation, that none of us will ever want to remember,



without a smile.

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