3rd Annual San Antonio Trip

We love the free tickets to Six Flags that the kids earn through school by reading so much.  This year I scored one for myself (thanks to Paige's wonderful Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Elsasser).  We stayed at the Westin La Cantera again, as it is so convenient to depend on their shuttle to and from the amusement park.   Not to mention the tons of fun the kids (okay, adults too) have at the pool slide, the shopping nearby, the fireworks you can see each night from the balcony and the smores each evening.  Check it out!

My favorite picture of all!  LOL! 

Until next year!!

Visiting The North Carolina Hargers

In July the kids and I took a trip to North Carolina to visit my brother, Jeff, and his family.  It was the first time we have been there (waaaaay over due) and the first time the kids have flown on an airplane (that they remember).  We had a blast and I can't remember hearing Trey laugh so much in so many consecutive days.  Thanks so much for the fun times Michelle, Jeff, Logan and Austin!

At a playground

Sweet Ellie

At Marbles

Goodberry's custard - yum!

Duke Chapel

Playing Wii

Summer Fun - June

Out to eat!

Sun City pool

Noodle anyone?

Sprinkler time

All Aboard the Daddy Express

Bell Tower at Central Texas College (visit to Planetarium)

Feeding ducks at CTC

When it's too hot out, go to the library!!

Boy June flew by!!

Paige's 2013 Recital

And our third year of dance has flown by.  Paige, once again, kicks booty.  This girl knows her stuff and has that spunk.  See for yourself!!  (FYI - If you can't pick her out, she is the center in the line of 11 girls for both dances.)  

And following in the history of our family, I screwed up the video taping of her tap dance at the actual recital so I am posting her recital rehearsal dances.  This explains the lack of clapping at the end of the dances as there were only moms present, not a full audience. ;.)

Woohoo Paige and all her little dance friends!

Tap Dance Heigh Ho link:

http://youtu.be/pTCYorKPxqU

Ballet Going To The Chapel link:

http://youtu.be/-r8JU10NJ-M

Saying Goodbye

RIP Tucker Doodle Noodle Dog

11/1/1999 - 4/13/2013

I had to do the hardest thing I have ever done in my 40 years...say good-bye to my sweet fury baby.  We were blessed to have Tucker just 11 days shy of exactly 13 years.  

When we were planning to adopt a puppy, I was wanting a lab mix.  We went to Petsmart to see the pound puppies from Lago Vista Paws that were having their adoption day there.  There was a lab puppy and it was C R A Z Y; jumping in the water bowl, barking at the big dogs, running wildly.  

And then there was this calm, sweet, shy, blonde, skinny 6 month old whippet mix.  As I was sitting on the floor Indian style (or criss cross applesauce which is PC these days), he came and literally sat on my lap.  He licked me and looked up at me with his big brown eyes.  Who could resist that??  The shelter had named him Blonde Boy and we renamed him Tucker because of the way his tail tucked under his butt, especially when he was running.  And we actually had to fight for him as another young girl wanted to adopt him also.  We won as we had a backyard with a fence - something he would be safe to run around in.  And boy was he fast. The whippet in him you know.  I wish I had my iPhone back then to record him running.

He had found his forever home.

He was my little guy.  Tons of attention was poured on him.  Treats, toys, cuddles, kisses and walks every night.

Then Trey came along and Tucker (and Maddie, our cat) dropped a rung on the attention ladder from first place to second.  But he didn't mind.  He was very sweet and gentle, allowing Trey to pull on him and lay on him and love him.  And of course when Paige came along, he moved even farther down the ladder.

Tucker had a nervous side to him.  Boy could he shake.  He definitely had some separation issues when he was younger and trips to the vet made my stomach turn to see him so nervous.  I called him my Nervous Nelly.

 I will miss incredibly his soft, silky ears, his beautiful big brown eyes, his smart tricks, his sweet disposition, his unconditional love.  He was a fantastic dog.  And yes, I know he was blessed to have us too as his family.

Now that we said good-bye, we are healing as a family.  Crying and talking about what he is doing up in Dog Heaven.  Meeting up with Maddie again, running like a wild maniac, eating whatever he wants (he always had a bad tummy and couldn't have treats b/c of his special diet), spinning and curling up in a cloud to sleep.

You have a big piece of my heart Tucker and I will always love you.

Kindergarten Texas Day!!

Kindergarten celebrates "Texas Day" every year.  The kids had a blast riding ponies, designing their own bandannas, learning about cowboys and square dancing.  Yee haw!!

Cutest cowgirl in Texas

Stick Pony barrel racing

Grab your partner!

Sun City Square dancers teaching the kids

Have a great day!