Loving Grace(Fully)

No longer MIA

2012-02-09T11:10:00.035-06:00

I know this is a super cheesy way to do this, but speaking realistically, this is the only way for me to catch up. As most of you know, I also scrapbook for Gracie and was even more behind on that, but recently had a chance to catch up, so I have photographed her scrapbook pages for the months that I didn't blog about here, November & December 2011.

Picking up in November then, Gracie attended her second Pony Class show (she placed 2nd) and since Romeo, my gelding, is being used for lessons by her trainer, he participated in his first competition show. Although she was scheduled to ride Romeo for her event, no preparations were made for him to get accustomed to the mirrored arena beforehand, so she ended up riding another very sweet pony that the trainer had luckily brought, Squiggy. She really had her heart set on riding Romeo & was understandably very disappointed, but other students that were scheduled in the open arena were able to ride him, so at least we were able to watch him perform. He did an absolutely fantastic job! We were soooo proud! He even had a chance to meet his twin (middle left picture - he is on the right) - not really, but they did look just alike!

The leopard spotted pony that you see in the upper right corner is not ours, but Gracie & I absolutely fell in love with him, so I thought it would be a neat memory for her later on.

We hope to enter more shows this season, where she can gain more experience and move to the next level, maybe even on her own pony, which you will see more of in a bit.

Gracie also performed in the 100 Year Celebration of the Girl Scouts held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. We had never seen so many little girls all in one place, all wearing green - EVER! There were many Saturday practices & she really stuck with it, making many new friends along the way. If making history was on her to-do list, check! Katie Couric was the guest speaker for the super-big, super-fun, logistically-nightmarish event, but even that played second fiddle to seeing our brave girl up there on the big stage!

Although we are members of the Houston Zoo, our animal-crazy family doesn't get there as often as we would like, but if I'm remembering correctly, we had gotten considerable rain and her riding lessons were cancelled one Saturday, so we made a very impromptu visit. The weather turned nice and we had a good visit, capping it off with her favorite part (or maybe it was her Daddy's!), a ride on the train, the "Jack Express".

Her school celebrates "Grandparents Day" the day they are released for the Thanksgiving holidays each year, so this is her class' performance at the top. Marmie & Popi didn't make it this time, but Jack & I played good stand-ins :) At the bottom, we were excited that Mom, Dad, Patrick, Lindsey and all four of Daddy's sisters were able to join us for our Thanksgiving feast.

Some family photos after our bellies were full...

Two days later, in the pouring rain, another visit, this one scheduled, to the zoo for Breakfast with the Orangatans. We got to meet Aurora, the new baby, and hear her story, as well as the stories of all of the resident Orangatans. Aurora's mom had surrendered her care to the zookeepers for no apparent reason and much of the zookeeper's talk surrounded around their diligence in getting the mother or another female adult to care for Aurora, as this would be the best for her.

Just recently, the zoo emailed us the story that they had finally been successful. You can read it here... http://www.houstonzoo.org/aurora-adopted/

Some early December Girl Scout troop arts and crafts fun...

A busy month indeed, the school Christmas musical, riding lessons, the Kemah Christmas Boat Lane Parade...

...more decorated boats from the parade...you never know what you might see! This year it was dancing Elvis impersonators - a bunch of them actually. This was their 50th Boat Parade, so I guess they pulled all the stops! We had brought our neighbor with us who is just one year younger than Gracie and all she had in mind was eating. Plus, it was very cold, so most of the time, I was out on the rail on my own, shivering and snapping photos, while Jack had care of the girls inside the warm restaurant lobby, waiting for our name to be called for dinner. Fun times!

Gracie's school class caroling at a nursing home and enjoying their class party afterward.

After the party, we headed to Palestine for the Polar Express train ride...

Gracie bundled up in her PJs, brought along her book and we were all set to meet Santa (he even autographed her book) and drink mug upon mug of hot cocoa!

Ahhh...Christmas morning! Mommy was suffering from food poisoning, but Santa overlooked all that and still delivered the greatest present ever! Gracie got her very own pony, Grayson! She was over the moon! What a big surprise! *Please ignore the fact that Mommy was so tired by this point in her great venture of scrapbooking May-December 2011 & January 2012, that she included the same picture twice on this page. I guess this is what you would call "scrapdrunk" :/*

Presents, presents, presents! Mommy only took a minor three breaks to go lose the previous day's breakfast...blah!

Just outside of Bastrop, Hyatt Lost Pines...a great place to be for New Years Eve...a ferris wheel, s'mores, long walks with Bandit, fireworks, a huge BBQ buffet! A very nice, relaxing weekend get-away. We liked it so much, we're heading back for Gracie's Spring Break!

Bandit made two friends, a very cute female Yorkie puppy and a pink balloon poodle. By the looks of it, I don't think he was too impressed by the poodle...he's looking at me as if I was trying to pull a fast one! "Mom, you know I know he isn't real, right?" Gracie made up for it with "Strike of Midnight, Happy New Year" sugars though, complete with fireworks overhead!

She also painted a ~~piggy~~ moo bank, enjoyed visiting the mini donkeys and longhorn cattle, and a visit to the kid's camp for a few hours. You see what Jack and I did while she was having fun...laid in the grass doing absolutely nothing, of course! The last shot is just a few miles away where all of the wildfires claimed hundreds and hundreds of acres just a few months before.

My Great-Grandmother's old apartment - lots of memories made here. Also, she and my Great-Grandfather's gravesite.

More of Mamie & PaPa...home, parents, church, even her old train case :)

A visit with Lilly (Gracie: "Mommy, I had no idea I had sooo many cousins!") and a sorrowful goodbye to the stray black lab (that we named Blair) that just mysteriously showed up on our front door step Halloween weekend. She had heartworms that had progressed too far to treat. She was a huge blessing for the short time she was a part of our little family. She had a very sweet soul and we miss her tremendously, but probably not as much as Bandit, who finally had a furry friend that would play with him. :(

Birthday Party fun with the triplets, Jack, Katie and Michael @ The Aquarium Restaurant...complete with a behind-the-scenes visit with the stingrays.

...& more riding lessons with Frost.

The top four photos are all of Gracie riding Frost at her lessons. The barn photo starts the ones of Gracie at home with Grayson...oh my, what a true love story those two are :)

Gracie's two favs...Bandit & Grayson...and a frosty January dawn of our herd running toward their breakfast...

Who knows what February might hold?!

Ahhhhh...bliss. Blog project...check!

On da bayou...

2012-02-02T13:02:00.006-06:00

I know that it has been an incredibly long time since I have posted anything. With the holidays, being sick most of December, and some very unexpected friend & family events (death, needing back surgery & cancer diagnosis topping the list), I haven't felt very bloggy. Indeed, 2012 has had a bumpy start. However, earlier this month, we visited family in Louisiana and had a lovely time.

This is Gracie with Lilly, my godfather's daughter's daughter (whew, I feel old!). They had a wonderful time playing together...wish we lived closer together.

Really catching some air :)

Lilly has two baby brothers, a curious & independent, looks-just-like-his-mama, beautiful William & an I-want-to-take-you-home-right-this-minute, snuggly Sam. I hope they make you have a smile as big as mine...these beautiful faces of our future.

I see a unicorn! 2011 Halloween Fun...

2011-11-03T10:45:00.000-05:00

Up, Up, and Away...

2011-10-25T10:58:00.000-05:00

I mean really SOARING...look at our girl's grades!!!

working hard...super...wow!

NASA's Ballunar Festival

Polo Match - Gracie LOVED this polo pony! I guess because it's the one color we don't have!

These guys and their ponies are so impressive, so athletic...a real joy to watch when the mallet connects and the ball goes flying!

Love being so close to the action!

It's a little whip-lash-ey (kinda like watching tennis!), but soooo much fun!

Pieces & Scraps...

2011-10-16T13:30:00.001-05:00

I know...it has been a while. With school and Girl Scout meetings (both for Grace and for me, as one of her troop's co-leaders) and riding lessons and my regular chores of caring for our home, our yard and our animals, well...blog posts always seem to get pushed to the end of the list. Hopefully, the following will catch you up...

Being members of the zoo, we received an invitation to some "enrichment talks" a few weekends ago...it wasn't too hot and was nice walking around the zoo, but the talks weren't too enriching :( For each, they threw some food out and let us watch them eat. The food did get them closer for photos though.

The kudu was trying to crack the watermelon with his horn...I felt like Dr. Doolittle, "Back up, buddy. Back up!"

I need the ant-eater for our yard!

Jack's Watusi...so big, but their eyes show gentleness, too.

They have major headache racks...

...and are in big need of a pedicure. ;)

She's wearing out...

You'll see us having breakfast with these guys soon...

All of the monkeys are very pensive today...

peek-a-boo, I see you

The sea lions are always a must-see, along with the elephants, giraffes and monkeys

We saved the train ride for last...then look at the one we got. Seriously? I guess this will be the name of his next car!

Garcie's first 2nd grade field trip was to The Children's Museum. We went here last year, too, but this time, they provided us lunch and we could stay for free time afterwards. Gracie had a great time playing vet...

checker at the grocery store...

flowmaster...

horticulturist...

scientist...

and waitress.

I wanted to get a class photo in the Scooby Doo van...the only one I can't see of the 16 kids in her class? You guessed it...mine! Grrrrr....

Gracie wants this on her ceiling...hmmmm...

After lunch...

they made a paper glider

pink, of course

Pinky really goes ( a little to the right of the upper right white circle)

When we arrived home that afternoon, she got into the halloween face paint...she painted her own face like Bandit's.

This past weekend, we were up before the sun to be at the Houston Zoo by 7:15 to have breakfast with the orangatans.

This is the baby, Aurora.

Nothing makes you smile like a baby orangatan!

The turtles get breakfast, too!

This is Aurora's mom, Kelly.

When it began raining, Solaris, Kelly's 8 yr. old son, took off with both his and Kelly's breakfast bowls...quite a feast!

Kelly taking shelter...it was quite the soaker!

Solaris reaping the benefits...

We were all drenched, but still had a blast!

On the way out, Gracie saw some kind of rhinoceros toucan looking bird...it kinda looks like he's wearing a mask!

Gracie said her scripture and received the Christian Character award this week...two trophies on her desk?! She was SO proud!

A lesson on Frost, a teacher's work day on Friday...

...and Miss Em's birthday party capped off our week :) This crazy girl was going "Ommmmmm" coming down the slide...she makes me laugh out loud!

Ice cream buffet

...and she was unleashed!

Last but not least, for Marmie...proof that we have bluebirds! :)

Next up, there's Halloween and Gracie will be in the Opening Ceremonies for the 100 year celebration for Girl Scouts at the George R. Brown Convention Center in early November...see you back here when I can :)

Smarter AND Braver than I...

2011-09-22T12:33:00.004-05:00

Gracie's first Second Grade Progress Report...all together now...."WOO HOO!"

She sang "I am a Christian" with a small group of girls in Chapel yesterday...they did a wonderful job!

9.10.2011

2011-09-14T11:04:00.012-05:00

While Lady had a conference with Lexie, Fynley and all of the cowbirds, the Tarpley crew took off to a riding lesson...

Rylie & Brittany helped Gracie tack up Frost...

Since Mrs. Robin was out of town with Miss Kacey at a horse show, Mrs. Lauren & Gracie broke all of the rules...mmm...we won't tell that Gracie rode through the barn on horseback :/

Our boys, Trashy & Romeo, having a morning snack together...

Gracie doing her thing!

Miss Kacey's boys, Donovan & Hampton, sharing a snack, too...a lazy Saturday morning around here for sure...all we need is some cartoons :)

Love it when she looks so proud of herself! <3

up and over...weeeeee!

who knew balance and trust exercises could be so fun!

A great lesson with Mrs. Lauren even though the heat has returned...thankful for last week's weather and praying some more shows back up soon...behind some RAIN! Enjoy your week! :)

My girl is GREAT!

2011-09-14T10:58:00.003-05:00

Let me translate: When we play "Horsie", my name is Cream Pie. This is a note to Mommy/Cream Pie from her "Horse Instructor"/Gracie.

" I love you (as big) as the (w)hole sky and world. and my puppys and Dad. but you are the second because God is the first." Sweet, smart girl.

Fiddle Faddle

2011-09-07T10:31:00.009-05:00

Well, despite the long weekend, we are officially back in the swing of school. Gracie loves her teacher, is enjoying being a big second grader (her favorite thing so far, besides the holiday!, has been reading for the Kindergarten & First Grade classes - she thinks she is big stuff!) and seems to be excelling in her school work. Below is her first test packet...looking good!

Another calf, Elly, was born to Cloudy & Dallas on August 19th.

She's a pretty little thing.

Also, our Lexie turned three on August 24th. She wanted nothing to do with her party hat or our peppermint treats, but we did sing to her and gave her lots of extra hugs :)

Bandit just keeps growing and seems to get sillier by the day...

...and he loves getting sugar from his pal, Fynley.

I know I said that I would try to blog more frequently...life just happens and some weeks just aren't very exciting :/ I'll keep trying. For now, I'm gonna try to nurse my sore throat and general funkiness back to health and keep praying for rain.

**God Bless all those affected by the wildfires.**

Tidbits...

2011-08-23T11:07:00.022-05:00

...from July & August, when I was in Blog Blitzed mode...

This is G & Jacqueline (Mr. Dan's daughter) watching July 4th fireworks in Kemah from the back of Daddy's truck

G & Zac (Mr. Dan's son) on a boat ride with us in Clear Lake

"Go faster, Daddy!"

Mr. Dan looking for a smile...

A riding lesson on Sonny...

My girl is so awesome for being so attentive in such hot weather!!!

Our own geldings, Trashy & Romeo, wondering why we don't have a summer home in North Dakota :)

Mrs. Dorothy, one of my dearest friends and the best grad school pal ever, treating me to a birthday lunch with Gracie at Pappasito's.

The best of pals having snuggle time...

A riding lesson on Trashy...my favorite lesson of the summer. She did so well!!!

Red beans & rice, swimming with friends, and chocolate covered strawberries...could it get any better?

No smiles here...y'all it's HOT!!!

So rare that I get a shot where all of our girls fit into the frame! From left to right, Foxy, Shelby, Sunny, Lady, Piggy, Holly, Bella, & Bossy. They are so ready for the cooler weather, too.

Lazy Saturday afternoon dress-up play...

...and then she decided that Oreo needed to join in on the fun...

He was less than thrilled!

Here we are today...one week as a second grader and still smiling. This is SUCH a GOOD thing!!!

Have a terrific week everyone!

Our SUPER second-grader!

2011-08-16T13:38:00.007-05:00

August 16, 2011...a new chapter in our little ladybug's journey.

She started 2nd grade this morning with both of us in tow.

She loves her teacher, Mrs. Smith, and although she knows some of the others in her class and even some being friends, she is not with her "besties". This will be an adjustment for her, but hopefully this just means that her list of friends will grow...

Looking forward to starting Girl Scout meetings soon and getting back in the swing of things... maybe I'll even manage to blog a little more frequently :)

In Remembrance

2011-08-15T19:17:00.002-05:00

Jack's mom passed away August 6. Some dear friends sent us this arrangement today and those lilies are making the entire house smell heavenly. Thanks to all of you who are remembering us in your prayers.

Summer=Sleepovers!

2011-07-01T11:43:00.001-05:00

It didn't take Miss Rayni long to find Lady while she and her Mommy were dropping off her sister for the sleepover :)

Queen Addy

Sky, Amery, Grace, Emma & Addy...a beautiful fivesome for the first sleepover that Gracie & I hosted! Pizza, floats and toys poolside...a good start!

Uh oh... Bandit escaped with a fishy floaty! :/

When it's flipped upside down, it becomes a car! Who knew?!

Amery was taking her shower to prepare for the movies, cookies and popcorn by this time, but the rest were still hamming it up in the pool!

Even though we lost one little one to homesickness at about midnight, the rest of the crew was up at 6:30 AM...just in time to help Daddy feed the horses :)

After blueberry muffins and fresh fruit for breakfast, they had a brief swim, showers, and then began making their bottlecap necklaces. Amery was a great teacher!

Then, it was painting...with lotsa paper towels and Windex close by!

...after mini corndogs for lunch, ICE CREAM!!! Ice cream decorated with sprinkles and Hershey's Chocolate Sauce - what could be better?

Just before Mommy came to pick them up, I think the six hours of sleep they had had began catching up with them! They all settled in to bed to watch Tangled...a sweet ending indeed.

A day later, this Mommy is still in need of a good nap... but it was tons of fun :)

Faces of Grace...

2011-06-22T16:52:00.023-05:00

...and where she gets them from ;)

Big Island Farewell

2011-06-22T14:49:00.011-05:00

The last day of vacation...first off...breakfast.

Best Omelet Chef EVER, Chris.

All of the eels came out to say bye to their buddy, Jack ;) We weren't even in the water. This is on the walk back to our room from breakfast...they must have some kind of telepathic connection!!!

Two...see 'em?

There was all sorts of art all arond the hotel...one of our faves, of course...

lagoon waterfall from the back side...

...and the turtles came to see Gracie and I off...I think we got the better deal :)

Solid white hibiscus with red stamen...I've never seen this before here...

'The dragon puppy'...one of Gracie's faves.

I have no idea what this is, but it has a subtle, heavenly scent...it really captures what Hawaii smells like...and it smells so much better than where we were headed :/

We want a ONE-way ticket back!!! Dreaming...just dreaming...

Hooray for Daddy's Day!

2011-06-22T10:56:00.023-05:00

Saturday, Gracie had her first riding lesson since before our vacation. She was so happy to see Frost. The Director of her old preschool, Mrs. Wyndi, and her daughter, Brooke, were also there to cheer her on, as Brooke is thinking of beginning lessons there, too. This added to her excitement factor exponentially!

For the first time ever, Miss Laura, her riding instructor for that day, took her over to the property across the street...no fences...just freedom for she and the horse. She did really well. I was afraid she might be a little anxious about the absence of security (the fences), but when she returned, all she could say was, "Mama, did you see me over there where the big girls get to go?"

Our Trashy was showing off for us, too...running and jumping, having a good time!

Gracie finished her lesson in the smaller pen where they could focus on some of her techniques.

Big jump!

After her lesson, we met Marmie, Popi, Lindsey & Pat for Father's Day at Popi's favorite restaurant, ate lunch and returned to the house for dessert and opening presents. Popi got the nook color, a reader's tablet with web capabilities. We think he's gonna have super fun with it!

Relaxing and visiting...

Aunt Lindsey opening her birthday present from us...just a few days early.

Daddy decided he would wait until Sunday to open his presents.

Gracie was completely tickled with her singing card for him - she picked it out all by herself!

Thank you smooches :)

A recordable book that they'll do together later...

Custom cuff links of Daddy's girls...one with pic of Mom and one with pic of Gracie...

"No more pictures, Mom!!!" ...but a quick sneak of his motorized, steam cleaning grill brush - trust me...he needed this one bad! ;)

We ended the day with him using that grill brush, grilling shrimp and playing in the pool...

Even Bandit joined in the fun!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! The rain is here now and we are so thankful...enjoy the liquid sunshine!

RIP Rosey (2.14.04 - 6.14.11)

2011-06-16T15:28:00.005-05:00

I was six and a half months pregnant for Gracie when Jack and I had our first baby horse...he had horses when we got together, but we had made all of the decisions for this one together (chosen the Mom & Dad (Piggy & Chief) for breeding, planned all of the extra feed and supplements for Piggy and had awaited anxiously what the baby would look like). She was born on Valentine's Day and was sorrel so we called her Rosey. I spent hours per day with her since I didn't have much else to do while Jack was at work but wait on my second red-head :)

Piggy showing her how to graze...Piggy was/is a great Mom, but with the horse market being so down the past few years, we haven't been breeding.

If she wouldn't have been so red and born on Valentine's Day, I would have certainly called her Seuss...can you see Dr. Seuss on her forehead?

She was a wonderfully gentle horse with a high need to please us. She wanted to do just whatever you asked of her perfectly and most times, she did just that. So, when we got some new renters at our barn with a young daughter that decided she would love to try her on barrel-racing, we knew it was the perfect fit. Rosey needed a job where she could perform and be a pleaser, so that young girl eventually became her new owner and they won at many events together. It was wonderful for Jack and I to hear of all of her success and still be able to see her on a regular basis.

Two days ago, Rosey and the young girl's brother had been out riding and when she went to load in the trailer, she hit her head and broke her neck. She had loaded and unloaded from a trailer so many times, it would be impossible to count. It was just a tragic, freak accident and such a hard loss for that family as well as for us. If you know me at all, you know that I have cried for two days straight. It seems as though in the animal facet of our lives, we have gone through so much loss in the past couple of years and it just isn't easy. We will always remember her, love her and miss her. Her time was cut so short. Our first baby...and I guess God's first clue that another red-head was on the way...only this one wasn't coming from a horse, but from my very own belly! Who would have ever thought?!? Rest in peace, Rosey.

So, I know I have some catching up to do on the blog...Gracie's last days of school as well as the last days of our vacation and hopefully, I will get to those soon...it's not as easy as when we were on vacation, as now the real world of chores and errands has caught up with us :/

Hope you all are staying clear of the heat and like us, continuing to pray for rain!!!

*Rosey, since you are in Heaven now, can you just give Him a little tap and ask that He send us some H2O...the rest of your family still down here needs it bad! Thank you.* <3

Mahalo, Paradise!

2011-06-08T03:33:00.011-05:00

We are destressed and have happy hearts about heading home tomorrow because of your soothing breezes, beautiful flowers, blue waters, and kind people.

Aloha dolphins, turtles, manta rays and fishies...see the little gar below...

Bye-bye best room in the house (2nd floor, 1st room from the right)...

Bye-bye wonderful breakfast spot...you have fed us well over the last 10 days...

Bye-bye sandcastle mania...one of our creations today was this turtle :)

Bye-bye comfy blue chair...Kenny Chesney sings about his old blue chair...this was ours!

Bye-bye snorkeling...

Bye-bye awesome waterslide...you were super fun!!!!

Bye-bye wrinkly fingers... we have loved being water-logged in Waikoloa :)

We have loved you and you have loved us right back and we are a little sad to leave you...

Your waterfalls tickle me from the inside out!

...and last but not least, this Mama Fishy, Sunny as we call her, is the best mama fishy ever...for as long as we have been here, she has never been anywhere but right here...we guess protecting her eggs that are hidden in the lava rock just below her...Aloha Sunny! We hope all of your babies are as wonderful as you :)

Back to packing...and Gaby...you need to get a bigger suitcase. Yes. One that fits 3, plus whatever you need to bring.

Bailey, Oreo, Bandit and all of the rest of our four-legged crew...we're on our way tomorrow!!! Get ready to be squeezed to death by a certain little redhead :)

Less than 48 hrs. left :(

2011-06-07T02:46:00.015-05:00

...but all of our animals are anxiously awaiting our arrival :)

This morning we were up by 6 and driving away by 6:45 headed to Kona for our fishing trip...

Gracie quickly found herself a bench seat, covered up with pillows and was soon napping...

Trolling for the big Blue Marlin...that turned out to be just a dream for this trip...

At 15 miles from shore, Jack caught three yellowfin tuna that he gave to our very hardworking deckhand, Kip.

Our guide, John...

Jack had several large fish on the line at different times, but they were taken by sharks. Both John and Kip mentioned at different times the problems they had been having with them...ummm....no swimming/snorkeling this trip!

Jack fighting one from the chair...another shark's meal :(

Gracie leaving the sharks for higher ground...don't blame her a bit!!!

In these buildings, they raise Maine lobster, seahorses, butter fish, shrimp, etc. The pipes you see to the left pump water up from 3000 ft below that is a constant 42 degrees for all of the sea life...

A Hawaiian Airlines plane - that will be us in just a couple of days...

Back at the marina...Jack and Gracie got a little seasick from all of the very rough water, so this was a welcome sight for them! LAND!!!

We stopped at Kekaha State Park and Beach to scope out our plans for tomorrow, but there were strong current warnings posted, so we think we'll stay at the hotel tomorrow. The 10:00 news tonight told of a kayaker that was overturned and killed today due to the rough seas and then warnings about two surfers that had chunks of their boards taken out by sharks...this was not a tough decision to make!!!

With the exception of Jack and Gracie playing a couple of games of pool, we stayed in the room for the rest of the day...we fed the birds, watched the dolphins (video on Facebook with the dolphins doing big belly flops - super funny to me!) and the waves of the ocean and listened to the live music at the Lagoon Grill...all from our balcony in our PJs! It was wonderful!!!

The torch lighter just before sunset...I'm caught up on the blog and on my handwritten journal, so I think I'll try to convince my little one to hit the hay (Daddy is snoring as I type this) so that we can have a full, enjoyable last day in Paradise tomorrow, for Wednesday, we'll only be able to play in the morning and then prepare to leave that evening...hopefully, we can sleep most of the 9 hr trip back to Houston since it's an overnight flight...

Enjoying the weather and the relaxation for just a couple more days...making the most of it! :)

I can't believe we've been here a week!

2011-06-06T02:30:00.026-05:00

This has been the most relaxing time that Jack and I have had in our 9 years together. Hawaii is indescribably beautiful.

Yesterday, we had breakfast and then headed back to the room with a plan to head up to the summit of Mauna Kea, the highest point on the Big Island, but we wnated to make sure of the hours of operation for the Visitors Center, etc. It was a good thing we did, as they don't allow anyone under the age of 13. There is 40% less oxygen at the summit as at sea level...OK...plan B.

We played in the pool, under the waterfalls and just people watched. We only stayed a couple of hours and headed in for showers. We decided in the pool that it would be a good evening to go to Kona and have dinner at Bubba Gump's. On the way, we stopped at this beach as we read it was safe for swimming and very beautiful. We think we may try this on our last full day here, on Tuesday.

Dinner was nice here. There was a Farmers Market across the street that we meandered through along the way...something different.

The waves and the color of the water were a sight to behold!

This morning we got up early, had breakfast and played in the lagoon almost all day. Jack & Grace even rented a kayak today. They saw a manta ray, turtles, and some fish we somehow hadn't spotted yet in all of our snorkeling adventures...

This is Sue...she operates the little hut where we pick up our beach towels each day. She is a real sweetie. Our other favorite employee is the omelet maker that helps make our breakfast extra special each day. His name is Chris and he has five children. I'll try to get a picture of him before we leave, as he and Sue have been especially nice during our stay here.

Gracie really enjoyed being Co-Captain of the kayak :)

After a brief rest and showers, we headed to the luau at our neighbor hotel, the Marriott @ Waikoloa.

Our tablemates were nice enough to take a family picture for us...

The food was so-so, but the show was fantastic!

Before the evening began, they showed us games of old tradition...Jack is trying to get the ball in the loop, but I don't remember what they called this one.

Gracie is playing an old version of bowling...and actually got the disk between the two sticks at the opposite end...she was very proud! It didn't look easy!

They allowed everyone to come look at how they cooked the pig underground, wrapped in banana leaves and burlap...here they are uncovering it.

Here it is...

Waiting for our turn in the buffet line...

The next shots are from the hula and fire dances...they all did an incredible job! We all really enjoyed it so much -

Loving the attention, she was!

My crew has been asleep for about an hour now as we have an early rise for a fishing trip in the morning out of Kona...maybe we'll be more successful here than we were in Florida last year and I'll have pictures of Jack and Squeezy with their big catches tomorrow!!! Keep your fingers crossed for us!

As promised...

2011-06-04T16:03:00.004-05:00

Here are the leis that Gracie made Jack & I yesterday...

The internet connection is pretty slow here, so I uploaded a video to my Facebook page of Gracie hula dancing...pretty good for one short lesson!

Also, blogger isn't allowing me to reply back to comments, but Popi & Becky...we are having a great time...just loving this most beautiful place and pace! We are beginning to miss our animals and Texas food though! :)

Day 5: I think I'm going crazy!

2011-06-04T03:46:00.009-05:00

...In our daily check-in conversation today, Mom told me that while she was watering and weeding in the yard, Lexie (one of our miniature cows) was trying to eat her hair through the fence...it made me kinda homesick! I know...crazy!!!

Gracie wanted to do a day of the hotel kids camp and after going through each day's theme, she decided the Friday theme, "Making Leis and Learning Hula", was right up her alley...and, bonus! We would finally get a real lei!!!

Well, after being up with her for 2.5 hours with an earache Thursday night, I thought for sure she would not be up for the challenge (and, to tell the truth, I wasn't very excited about getting her all the way across the resort by 8 AM either!), but when the alarm sounded (the second time), my feet were on the floor (and actually moving!). She awoke with one gentle nudge (definitely not always the case) and insisted on at least trying it out...here we go! Loved, loved, loved the happy Buddha with all of the children!!!

We dropped her off with my cell number plastered to the side of her backpack and on every form I had to fill out in case she began feeling bad again, but no phone call ever came. She made Jack and I both leis with orchids that smell good enough to eat (pic to come tomorrow - everyone but me is sound asleep), learned to hula (hopefully, I'll post some video tomorrow, too) and made a journal to write her own memories in... AND she made some friends & ate chicken nuggets for lunch. She thought her day was awesome :) quite naturally!

Jack and I explored some new areas we hadn't visited yet and found this beautiful crowned crane...he put on quite a show for the camera! I'm hoping we still make it to a luau, and let me tell ya, those fire dancers will have to put on a heckuva show to beat this regal lad!

We also spotted a manta ray...I wish we would have been in the water!

Jack and I snorkeled for over three hours and then took a seat under some shady palms to people watch and catch up on a little more reading...no house to clean or animals to feed...it was wonderful! After we showered, we toured some of the resort shops and headed across to get our little one.

She was tired after having a full day, but we needed to get some Tylenol in case her earache came back tonight...after a short grocery run and a snack, we came back to the hotel, thinking surely it would be less than a half hour before she was out like a light. She spotted the open pool table and all of her tiredness vanished! How funny!!! Not a bad way to end the day though...

We'll see what tomorrow brings, but for now, the bed is calling my name! Night, all!

Around the World in A Day (& one for our heinies to recover!)

2011-06-03T01:54:00.055-05:00

Day 3 - Wednesday morning, we spotted this guy on our way to breakfast...glad that is his job and not mine! He was very good at it, too, trimming each tree, swinging from each to the next like a little monkey - very impressive!

On our way out, I just had to take a picture of our bellman...I want his sarong! Really!

We stopped here to see our first black sand beach - we also found a shell in the shape of a heart - what a wonderful way to start the day!

She wanted to just dive right in :)

Our little fish...

Our next stop was Kona Joe's for some 100% Kona coffee for Jack.

The flowers were beautiful there, too...I have another budding gardener...PaPa passed this love to my mom, me and now his great-granddaughter.

The coffee plantation was beautiful...what a view, too!

Jack David with Gracie and his coffee in front of real coffee beans!

More pretty flowers on our way out...

The scenery changed to somewhat of a forest...kinda reminded me of home.

Quite a change from the road right outside our hotel, but only about an hour away...

Then, about 20 minutes later...something like Vermont scenery...

Had to stop here...unfortunately, PaPa passed along his sweet tooth, too! It's famous...southernmost bakery and all...what a great excuse!

While Gracie and I selected our pastries, Jack ordered a fish sandwich which included rice and salad...this little girlie and her man below feasted on his rice courtesy of Gracie!

I don't know what kind of birds they are, but he, especially, was just gorgeous.

Volcano National Park - steam vents, craters...very cool! ...or, I guess, hot, depending on where you were standing! :)

I wish I would have been this close to the magma, but, no...this is just a photo of a poster...

The crater outside of the Jagger Museum...

Gracie wanted a closer look...

This lava tube is amazing all by itself, but the fact that it's in the middle of a rainforest makes it just plain awesome!

Do you see the size of those ferns behind Gracie? We felt like we were in a scene from Jurassic Park!

It was dark with lots of stalactites...and very damp...

This was Fairy Gracie's little home...or so our story went as we made our way out of the rainforest...

Atkatsuka Orchid Farm...I can't keep one of these fragile flowers alive for a day, but Mom has grown to love them...and since she is watching our home and animals while we take a break, this stop was a must! They had an orchid there worth $20,000...wow. This one wasn't it...I was too afraid to get anywhere near it...but this one was stunning!

Now, back to the forest scenery, but this time, with lots of rain...

Waterfalls outside of Hilo...Hilo's Farmer's Market was actually our plan for the day, but it took us so much longer to get there than we expected, we were anxious to make it back to the hotel and out of the rainy mountains before dark that we decided to forego the market and keep going. Hilo Market - no can do. A drive around the ENTIRE Big Island of Hawaii - check!

The clouds were low on this cattle ranch outside of Waimea...very pretty.

One of the oldest ranches in the US, Parker Ranch. It sits at the foot of Mauna Kea, the highest point on the Big Island, and has tons of pretty cattle.

Random Donkey Crossing sign in Waikoloa??? We thought we were seeing things as we came to the end of our day-long drive around the island!!!

A long day called for a good night's rest and that's exactly what we had! It was nice to see this face when we awoke to Day 4 though...literally, I walked out on our balcony to take a picture of the sunrise, but as soon as I turned my camera on, pop went this little guy's head...I think this one is much better anyway!

Then, these delightful little yellow birds...how can you not smile???

We have some pictures in the water with the sea turtles, but those have to be developed from our water camera...I took this from one of the bridges...isn't she beautiful?! ...and HUGE? They move so gracefully in the water. This has probably been my most favorite part of the trip...swimming almost every day with the turtles...

Love seeing all of the angel fish, too...

Gracie spotted this horse, and of course, had to have her picture taken!

The water is so clear...the snorkeling has probably been the best Jack and I have ever done...and we don't even have to leave the hotel. This is such a great family spot!

This guy was sun-bathing and Gracie just couldn't resist a gentle touch...given how she is with our puppies at home, I was a little apprehensive, but she did good...the turtle didn't even open his eyes. I guess he's probably pretty used to it if this is his regular neighborhood!

That's what ya call chillin'! Then off to more snorkeling...Jack was again charged by an eel...he says it must be his cologne...Eau de Stinky Fish!! Thankfully, Gracie and I were building sand castles during all of that excitement!

{insert nap here}

She has been wanting to drink from a coconut since we got here...that has really been a surprise here...they don't give you a lei when you disembark the plane and there are no coconut drinks to be found! I guess we better lay off the Fantasy Island re-runs, huh?! We went to the grocery store for her coconut and after a little widdlin' by her Daddy, voila! Coconut drink for the princess!

We ended the day at the pool and waterslide...

He has a special name, but I can't remember it right now...he runs around the entire resort each night lighting all of the torches just before sunset...again, I'm so glad that is HIS job!

This is a plumeria TREE!!! These are everywhere, too. They don't grow like this in Texas, ya'll!

Can I just move this scene to my backyard? It is so peaceful here.

This is Tugboat Jack with his precious cargo...

Who knew Hawaii had cardinals??? Waiting on the best part of the day...

...in Hawaii...here it is...a great ending to a perfectly relaxing day!

Paradise - Days 1 & 2

2011-05-31T21:42:00.063-05:00

Our hotel aptly has village in its name...it makes me tired just riding the tram from tower to tower, but it's every child's dream. There is a saltwater lagoon that we can view from our balcony that is fed by the Pacific Ocean so sea turtles, eels, and lots of colorful fish come and go as they please. We don't have to leave to snorkel...Grace is in heaven!

There are also waterfalls...tomorrow we are exploring the island some more, but maybe the next day, we'll go out and play under it! :)

Coolest of all, there are 10 dolphins that live right outside our balcony!

View of the Pacific from the pool area...

Gracie building sand castles in the lagoon sand...yesterday, we just went back and forth between the lagoon and the pool. The pool has a slide, but the lagoon has turtles...Gracie never could decide which she liked better!

Jack going to snorkel...he soon had a sidekick! He saw two moray eels that he admitted kinda gave him the heebie jeebies!

They look like real pros, don't they?

Heebie Jeebie territory...

Pro #2

Can you say "scary"?

The princess constructing home #2...this time in the shade. Smart princess.

returning our pool towels - it looks like a cave! They have thought of every detail and they keep everything so pristine.

Pheasants roaming across from our front door...so pretty.

Later in the afternoon, we drove from Kona to the North Kohala Coast.

In the community of Hawi, Gracie saw this little purple house. She decided that we could move and live here...

They have lots of different trees than we do in Texas, but we like this variety of pine...they look like large versions of a Charlie Brown Christmas tree!

A statue of King Kamehameha...

Around the same community of Hawi, the landscape goes from dry and barren...

to lush and green...it seems like in a matter of seconds. This was also a one-lane bridge that we thought was cool...

We think these are the same banyan trees as we saw last year on our vacation to Florida...

A very old cemetery...

Tsunami sirens...

...and right around the corner...the prettiest color of water I think I've ever seen.

wow. that color in the water hitting the rocks...this picture doesn't even do this color justice. It was so amazing.

I don't know what this tree is, but we thought it was cool looking...

...and then the road ends at this lookout point...

literally. ends.

We met a local in a store we visited later that lives up here...how lucky! What a view to wake up to each morning.

She said that she often sees wild horses in this valley...

On the drive back, I noticed these windmills that provide energy to this porion of the coast...cool

This morning's sunrise...we were up before 6 again. We just don't want to miss a second of this beauty...

By 8 am, we were building castles again...now that's vacation!

awwww...my little architect did good!

By 9:30, Gracie was swimming with the dolphins...

She couldn't wait...

All suited-up...

...but there's always a moment for a friendly chat with the birdie...

"He feels like cold rubber"...

A good old-fashioned belly rub...

Seeing how the trainer gives commands...

so that she can give some, too...

She did it! Look at the series of tricks!

on the opposite side of this staircase is our room...

After his high jump, he's coming back for a treat!

I don't know who is more excited...the dolphin or Gracie!?

Yum!

Smile!

That's it!

She is gleaming with pride!

More tricks for Trainer Lauren...

An underwater view...

see...a pro. She should have been born with fins!

Belly views... for all!

Last close-up...a friendly see-ya-later!

Catching the ball...

The dolphin went right underneath Gracie...it looks like she's about to get a ride here!

"It's already over?"

The rest of the fam is in bed...I better head there, too...I'll be waking to this in the morning... :)...definitely could be worse!

The Star of the Show

2011-05-21T09:19:00.007-05:00

Gracie was "Star of the Week" in her class. She made this poster to tell her classmates more about herself and then got to bring a "Show & Tell" on Friday...

In January when the "Star of the Week" project was launched, as soon as she found out animals could be your "Show & Tell", she knew right away that Bandit would be her choice...that was after we had the discussion that "it would be too much trouble, Mommy, for you and Daddy to load our trailer with ALL of our animals, right?" Uhhhhhh.... "Yes, Gracie, that might be a little overwhelming..." :/ I'm so thankful she wanted to include everyone, but I'm DOUBLY thankful that she took mercy on her old and cranky parents and did not expect us to accomplish that kind of task! Oy vey!

Bandit did a great job - all of the kids bum's rushed him a little in the beginning and he put it in rapid reverse, but came around quickly...

"I need air, Daddy *gasp*gasp*...I need air!"

Once he was relaxed, Gracie led him around and allowed the other kids to do the same...

It was just before school dismissed, so even the car line got to see him...what a star!

It was very windy, as you can see by her hair, but she was so happy to share her precious Bandit with everyone...great ending to her last full week of school!

Crazy days...

2011-05-18T12:35:00.023-05:00

Glad we're leaving on the 29th for vacation...I need a break! These last few weeks have been bonkers with crazy schedules and tons of things to do...

Bandit is growing like a weed and, not unlike the rest of the members of this family, does what he wants, when he wants...he is listening-challenged for sure :/

Trashy had the cancer removed from his eye and looks so much better than he did in the 4/6 post...

He's even jumping like an ol' pro! Look at those legs tucked under!

The weekend after Gracie's party was her best friend's party. She had a pool party and their pool is a lot fancier than ours...Gracie didn't know what to do first!

Gracie holding Miss A down the slide...

Miss E & Gracie playing piggyback...

Lots of wet kids having a ball = lots of Mommys keeping a watchful eye!

Pinata fun! Gracie scored me some bubblegum! :)

Water blasters = Mommy moving further away :)

Gracie has always loved swings and slides!

Mother's Day 2011 - spent in Orange with Marmie and then dinner with Grandma...

I should have saved this one for Hawaii...y'all would have never known the difference! This is just down the road over the HEB parking lot!

This week, Gracie is the "Star of the Week" in her class...she got to bring the class mascot, Mortimer, home for the weekend and we had to journal about all of their adventures together. It was fun - he went everywhere! He had dinner at Outback Steakhouse...

slept with Sleeping Beauty...

got flattened during a quick nap in the car...

had pizza and played games at Chuck E. Cheese...

got a horse-riding lesson...

had brunch at Cracker Barrell after the lesson...he was starving! That's a lot of work!

Played checkers in Cracker Barrell's famed rocking chairs...

...and finally dress -up before he & Gracie had to get to their homework before going back to school the next day...

We tried to get him in the pool afterwards, but he didn't have another change of clothes ;) I didn't blame him...that water is still a little too chilly for Mommy, too!

To close the weekend, we met most of Gracie's other classmates in the park to add everyone's fingerprints to a table that one of the class mom's painted as an end of the year gift from all of us...super cute! I think their teacher is going to LOVE it!

It's still awfully dry here...watering almost daily to keep things alive, while simultaneously praying for the other Southern states and all of their flooding concerns...

Looking forward to no schedules, no homework, sleeping late, vacation, and hanging with my girl before she has to go be a big 2nd grader! But, before that, we have to get through the rest of this week's last exams, Field day on Monday, a field trip on Wednesday and the End of the Year party and Awards Night on Thursday...see...crazy days!!!

Lucky Number 7

2011-05-03T13:18:00.027-05:00

Gracie had more of a birthday WEEK instead of just a birthDAY {she's learning early :)}! She visited Grandma the Sunday before her birthday and among other treats, she received her first Easy-Bake Oven...no time to waste...we were making cookies that evening!

I have to say, they're not just super fabulous tasting, but they are pretty!

The next day, we tried chocolate cake...this is the crew patiently waiting for the microwave to *ding*

Same taste {eh}, same terrific decorating skills :)

Friday morning, her day had finally arrived...she began anticipating this beautiful morning 57 days, 12 hrs and 13 minutes prior...trust me...I had daily...and sometimes hourly...reminders! The alarm went off extra early so that she could open some of her presents before school. The alarm was extra, extra early for Mommy & Daddy, as we were making cupcakes for the second time until about midnight after our dear, sweet, new Boxer puppy, Bandit, decided to pull the 3-tier Tinkerbell-inspired cupcake stand off the kitchen island and scarf down nine of the cupcakes before we could get to him. Cleaning chocolate cupcake vomit off of our area rug in the wee hours of the morning was extra fun, too! Seeing this face the next morning though...yep, it was worth it!

Being silly with her horsie cap....

Sleepyhead modeling her new horsie shirt!

Jack and I both had this game when we were kids, too. That makes it extra fun! My forty-year- old hands are no more nimble than my nine-year-old's were!

That afternoon after school, the party was continued...one of her classmates that couldn't attend her party gave her this Paperoni craft set. She made this little mouse-looking guy that evening that was super cute! :)

The DVD of "Tangled"...her favorite! Oreo's face looks like, "Not a bone...next..."

Saturday, she opened her gifts from Marmie & Popi...lots of horse books to read this summer!

She also got this cloisenne bracelet that was blessed by the Pope when Marmie visited Italy last Fall.

Sunday afternoon, thankfully, the weather held out for us. It was a bit windy, but NO RAIN! Yay!!! The kids enjoyed Mr. Sergio's jump house and...

...the petting zoo! There were pony rides for the kids and turtle rides for the goats :)

Chicks, ducklings, baby bunnies, big bunnies, goats, sheep, a calf, a donkey, fluffy chickens, two South American cavies...wow! The whole farm was here!

Mr. Dan showing the kids how to be brave, but gentle...

"Bunny ears are soft, Mommy!!!"

Pony ride!!!

Gracie's cake...designed by her. Pink zebra stripes with her bown farm animals and fencing on top...even a little girl bottle-feeding a calf...yep, looks just like home...minus the pink zebra stripes :)

Mommy is thinking we need a bigger closet!!! Where are we gonna put all of these gifts??? Time to clean out our older stuff for donating! She was so happy...she got lots of craft stuff which will be great for this summer...bracelet making, suncatchers, journal decorating and writing...She also received handmade bows and a necklace which she absolutely adores and some clothes, shoes, jewelry and nail polish...which is all positively right up her little girly alley!!! Pool toys and other outdoorsy accessories, sidewalk chalk and washable sidewalk paint with some $ to buy more (you can never have too much sidewalk chalk, right?!) were the cherries on top of the cake! Best of all, she loved hanging out with her buddies and eating some of that yummy cake...

I think we pooped these poor little fellas OUT!

Even the fluffy chickens can't bear the thought of standing any longer!

It was so funny to see Mr. Joe just open the trailer door and have them all jump, hop and scoot in...Mr. Turtle was air-lifted. After all of the goat rides, he deserved the break!

The princess requested Chinese food for her dinner and it didn't take long for this little family to find their beds after that...must rest...many thank you notes to write! :)

Galveston Co. Fair & Rodeo 2011

2011-04-22T12:34:00.009-05:00

Gracie's first grade class took a field trip to the Galveston County Fair & Rodeo a couple of weeks ago...it was a little warm for April, but Jack and I enjoyed visiting with the other parents while Gracie enjoyed the freedom of just playing with her classmates...here, she & Sky are petting the policemen's horses...

Can't remember the name of this guy, but he is in the llama family and I think from South America???

and, we think he deserves a smooch?!

and speaking of smooches..."This goat is attacking me, Mama!" Obviously, she's not too worried...

A little face painting...especially when it's a horse and a unicorn...don't hurt the whole fair experience one little bit :)

Bubbles...lots and lots of bubbles!

Lunch in the park with a little game of beanbag toss ended our fun-filled day, but fear not...one more field trip to go...the bowling alley in May! ahhhh...an air conditioned field trip for May...now that's some smart thinkin', y'all!

The Clash

2011-04-12T09:24:00.005-05:00

Gracie's school is having "Alternate Dress Week" this week and today was "Clash Day"...from her socks to her hair bands, she's all mismatched! She's having fun with it :)

Since we last visited...

2011-04-06T10:51:00.028-05:00

...our yard has been torn to smithereens, but is now somewhat back to normal after a week of chaos and many hard labor hours performed by our nice sprinkler contractor, Juan, and his crew.

Our oaks along the driveway are finally able to get water when it doesn't rain...hopefully, they'll grow faster now!

I think our flowerbeds will be happier, too...now, they don't have to depend on me not being lazy and dragging hose forever to get to them...

Gracie had her first grade musical and did a super job...that girl loves to sing!

Gracie & Frost jumped her first real jump..."It wasn't just a pole on the ground, Mommy!" :) ...thanks to a new teacher, Miss Laura. Mrs. Robin will still teach her, too, but it's always good to have a back-up!

Strengthening those leg muscles....

We attended a friend's birthday party at a local park...

There was even some silly string fun...

Some of the gang with the birthday girl in the blue & pink party hat/ears?!

Took some bluebonnet photos in a local field that some nice person planted last Spring I suppose....

and finally, this morning...went to Gracie's riding lesson & visited with Trashy at Mrs. Robin's...This is his blind eye, but the growth you see has been vet-checked and is definitely cancer. He will have it removed Monday, so if you get a chance, please say a prayer that the procedure is painless for him and that it heals quickly.

Using the stairs to mount Squiggy (instead of getting a leg up from Mrs. Robin)...

...not terribly graceful, but it was a great first try!

Trashy getting a bath after a rather warm lesson...I think we have bypassed Spring and gone directly to Summer!

Romeo getting ready for the next lesson and new rider...

a Rodeo flashback...Gracie jammin' to Brad Paisley...

Showing that pony who's boss!

Posting without holding on...true talent!

Think you guys are all caught up now...doing yard work today if you'd like to join in :)

some Kemah fun...

2011-03-27T17:25:00.015-05:00

Before we told her we were headed to Kemah for some seafood and a carousel ride...

...and after...

I love white pelicans...

Gracie loves shrimp gumbo!

Gracie practicing her photography skills...

Taking a peek at some of the far out boats on a beautiful, sunny day...

Two rounds of Ring Toss...and thank heavens...no BIG red lion to show for it!!!

Carousel ride on a dolphin...

Loving her ride...

like... super loving it!

...and a hug goodbye to the end of a very nice afternoon indeed!

New Calf in Town

2011-03-27T16:34:00.003-05:00

Born the day before St. Patrick's Day, we named our newest little bull calf "Rocky", for he is our newest little shamrock :) I like the name "Lucky" too, but that was the first calf we ever had after rescuing our original two cows, Greta and Zsa Zsa, and buying Dallas, our bull. Lucky is now on the rodeo circuit as part of an act with their rodeo clowns...so "Rocky" was the next best name we could think of... To prevent fighting, it is best to only have one bull for a herd and we already have two other guys we need to sell, so we are thinking of selling this little guy (while he can be bottle-fed and raised to be gentle) to the owner of the petting zoo that is the star of Gracie's upcoming 7th birthday party...now, we just have to figure out how to get him separated from his very protective Mom without getting trampled...always a puzzle to be solved 'round here! He's gonna be a pretty thing for sure!

ahhhhhhhh.....

2011-03-13T15:45:00.003-05:00

Spring Break...

Enjoying some down time...no homework, no lunches have to be packed, no alarms, no place to be except a few performances at the rodeo...now that's what I'm talkin' about! :)

Mardi Gras 2011

2011-03-10T20:31:00.019-06:00

Waiting on the good times to roll...

One necklace of beads snagged and the parade hasn't even started :)

so excited...

awww...it's an initiation! the fruit loop brigade!

it's here...

Look! Sylvester Stallone attended our Mardi Gras!

King of Mardi Gras

uh-oh...the drizzles...

...but I caught a stuffed bumble bee so...who cares?!

...and a coin!!!

I think it has progressed from the drizzles to full-out rain :/

Throw some beads people!!!

Thank you!

Hard to keep your loot organized when you're weilding umbrellas!

"Mommy, I'm soooo wet!"

...and indeed she was... as soon as we got back to the car, she stripped to her undies and passed out on the pillow and covers I keep in the car just for that reason!

Ya'll...I think she got some beads...& a bracelet, too! SCORE! :)

a little taste of the festivities...

Happy Lent everyone!

Seventy Schmevety...

2011-03-06T18:08:00.019-06:00

...he gets around better than I do! All of that golf-playing keeps a man young! A few shots of Daddy throughout his 70 years of life...

Here I think he's with Aunt Ruthie...he's an itsy bitsy here! 1941 or 42??

Mom & Daddy's wedding... 1969

With me...maybe 1971 or 1972...my brother, Pat, is the age now that Daddy was then and I think they look sooo alike!

...and again...

Daddy & I with Aunt Mary (in back), Aunt Francie, and cousins Mary Ellen & Katie in 1974

Around 1980

1983??? Some big-to-do at DuPont...

At Mary Ellen's wedding, I think...with his Mom and all of his sisters...no idea who the guy on the right is, but it's funny that he thought he belonged in the picture :)

Chillaxing in our backyard pool with Pat & I... 1985 or so

On the summer vacation right after my senior senior year in high school... 1988

Watching Patrick's football game...1996???

Holding his grandbaby, Miss Gracie...2004

Christmas 2010

At Pat's of Henderson in Lake Charles, LA, celebrating his 70th birthday with all of us! Happy Birthday, Daddy!!!

Mom, Jack, Daddy, me, Gracie, Patrick & Lindsey

The more than two hours of traffic that we sat in on the way home was worth every minute...

I have no idea what kind of two car accident closes all lanes of a freeway, but after two hours of mostly a dead stand-still, we finally were able to get off and find another route...thank heavens...it turns out that my husband feels about Houston traffic the way that Daddy does. Impatient doesn't suffice, but it's the word I'll stick with :)

Thankfully, on the other side of the freeway now...

I just want to know where all of this beautiful weather of today was yesterday for Popi's special day and our travels...doesn't it always work like that???

Now that Popi is lucky #70, we better begin preparing for Gracie to turn Lucky #7 next month...and only one more week of school before Spring Break!!! Fun, fun all around!

tap...tap...anybody still there?

2011-02-28T12:10:00.009-06:00

I know...it has been a month since my last post! My friend, Becky, reminds me all the time! What can I say? The wonky weather, Gracie's school stuff, the freezes that turned everything brown...not good ingredients for making a girl feel bloggy! :/

2.19.11

Doing ditches...with NO lunge line...Gracie and Frost are in control!

With the warmer weather, everything is beginning to get greener. The weeds seem to be growing faster than the grass at my house, but at least they're green! Now, I just have to take the time to cut down all the brown stuff in my yard so that the new stuff can come in! That's what I'm hoping anyway since all of the plant nurseries are back to full price :(

This is a busy week...we have tickets to the rodeo tomorrow and Wednesday evenings, Gracie's school fundraiser auction Friday evening and a visit to Orange on Saturday for my Daddy's 70th birthday! :) Look out...here we come!!!

What a week...

2011-01-30T17:44:00.033-06:00

If I wasn't so dizzy from the congestion backed up in my ears or feel so totally awful, I'd think I was already dead! Whatever this "cold" is that we all have, it has hit us hard. Thankfully, Gracie is on the tail-end of it.

I finished up Gracie's class project for her school's annual auction fundraiser...a gift card bulletin board. I think it turned out really cute!

This week was a short week for her with only two days of classes, a field trip to the Children's Museum on Wednesday and home with sick Mommy for Thurs & Fri (in-service days for her teacher)...we've spent lots of time in our pj's!

Bandit is keeping us in good spirits with his HUGE personality!

Jack & I chaperoned her field trip...we didn't have the crud quite so bad then.

We only had twenty minutes each in five galleries...sounds like plenty of time, but when you have to wait your turn and listen to an introduction of each one, it just isn't. She seemed to still enjoy herself though...

Daddy helping her with the rope and pulley system...

Making animal tracks in the sand...

"surfing"

After a picnic lunch in Hermann Park, evcerybody headed home, but we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and take in a little of the zoo. This is the Red Panda...we saw two...don't know if they have more, but they are sooooo cute!

This looks like me in the morning! ;)

This orange monkey was so curious...he did everything Gracie did.

Gracie loves watching the meerkats!

The BIG white alligator...so glad the glass is REALLY THICK!!!

...and this little guy was totally cracking me up! I guess they are trying to wean him from his Mom, but he was soooo determined to get in there with her! Awwww....poor little guy!

The Daddy was performing all kinds of tricks for us!

No visit would be complete without seeing Jack's beloved watusi cattle...

The new African Forest section...

Gracie loved this chimp...they "conversed" for a good while, as if no glass at all were there.

This one looks like some actor that I can't remember the name of, but he really does look like a man to me!

The only view of the giraffes and rhinos we saw...they were still working on their new habitats.

a real stork....

The pretty flamingoes...

The sea lions "playing dead"

For Gracie's riding lesson, Mrs. Robin was working, so Miss Kacey helped out...

...and Gracie's school did post the chapel video where she sang with Skyler, so if you're interested, please leave a comment or email me and I will give you the website address, login and password.

Have a good week...hopefully, I will feel less like I've been thrown under a truck by the next post!

I needed a DO OVER button yesterday...

2011-01-20T12:24:00.006-06:00

Yesterday was a full day...Gracie & Skylar sang in Chapel, there were errands to be run, a house to get straight, animals to be fed (and potty-trained...*big sigh*)...that was enough...but, no. I picked Gracie up from school and from 20 paces away, I could see the big frown. She got in the car and told me that she had lost her necklace with her half of she and Skylar's "Best Friends" charm. Oh my. I then turned to where her class sits on the sidewalk and saw Sky's equal dismay. Gracie and I searched the playground for 20 minutes and no luck. With a clenched gut, I made a phone call to Jack David. Our friend, Sergio, had, at one time, let us borrow a metal detector..."what one time" you ask? OK, definitely worth the digression...When Grace was 1, we were out and about on one of our daily feeding journeys and she was fed up with being in her car seat and screaming her head off...we were at the 646 property and I needed to get out and feed horses and cattle, but was trying to soothe her first. She saw my sparkly wedding bands and was immediately quieted, as she often was. So, (*insert ultra smart here*) Mommy gives her the rings and bolts to feed in the manner of speeding light...as I'm scooping feed five seconds later, wailing again fills my ears..."OK, she's dropped them", I think. In my most angelic voice, "OK, sweetie, Mommy is coming..." I feed, return to the car, climb in the back seat, look on the floor...NO RINGS. Yep...I had left the window open so that we could "talk" to one another and she CHUNKED them with all of her one-year-old might. I'm pretty sure I threw up right then and there. But, thankfully, Sergio brought a metal detector later and miraculously, I still have my wedding rings. *pausing, making sign of cross now*

OK, now back to this story... made the phone call asking Jack to ask Sergio if he still had the detector, as there was much detecting that needed to be done...yes! Still had the detector...pick it up at his house...go detecting...check! In the dark, the lovely little detector found Gracie's charm and necklace last night at about 8 PM. T.R.U.E. L.O.V.E. All is right with the world again.

As for this little stinker...he's doing better with his potty training, but ugh...I need sleep!

...and the rains are continuing...but we don't need any more...God, do you hear me?

Lexie is trying to brighten the gray clouds with sweet sugars...with her long, very sand-papery tongue...*ouch*

I was really hoping to upload the video of Grace and Sky singing in Chapel yesterday, but the file is just too big...if they update the school site, I'll post the link then. However, you can go here for a joke from Mr. Cullins, Gracie's school director. I don't know about you, but I can use all the help I can get in the humor department lately...*another big sigh*

Saddle-Up Saturday, v. 1-15-11

2011-01-16T17:44:00.018-06:00

On the way to our lesson...thought this shot was cool. I was in the front passenger seat and she was sitting behind me in the back seat. I took this picture in my make-up mirror.

Bandit joined us for the lesson...Mrs. Lauren wanted to see him, as she was Santa's elf that took care of him before Christmas morning...

I wonder ALL the time how this beautiful creature could possibly be mine!?!

Preparing Frost for the lesson...

Mrs. Lauren & Bandit....

He loves those sugars!!!

"That's it?"

Both of our boys got some work today...here's Trashy...

Doing some balance work in the ditches...Trashy went along, too!

Here's Romeo with Miss Kacey...

Here's little Jack David enjoying the attention from all the ladies!

It's a puppy sandwich...courtesy of Gracie and Miss Milly!

Sharing the love...

Look at my boy jumping those jumps! Go Romeo!!!

Looks like we have another horse lolover on our hands!! JD is loving on Frostie!

Hay & horse treats after two great lessons! Thanks, Frost! See ya next week...

Saddle Up Saturday, v. 1-8-11

2011-01-12T12:37:00.013-06:00

The weather was perfect and she was excited to have her first lesson after the holidays...watching the older girls, hanging out with Frost before her lesson...

She was focused and pumped up and ended up having a terrific lesson!

Returning with Mrs. Robin from an exploration...

Ummm....does she know she's headed the wrong way? ;0

Back to the barn...

J.D. arrived shortly after for his lesson and Miss Milly, J.D.'s sister, kept her busy until we left!

J.D. & Mrs. Robin preparing for their lesson together...

Gracie, Mr. Gary & Milly having a chat...

Milly in all her glory~

a clip of Gracie learning to "change direction"

Happy Hump Day - enjoy the rest of your week & try to stay warm!

After much deliberation...

2011-01-04T09:03:00.002-06:00

...we think we've found some new furniture for the living room...this sofa...

with this oversize chair. This chair has the basic scheme of colors throughout the house and it would add some color to the room as well as tie everything together.

We've been needing something to replace our leather sofa and loveseat for about four years now after Moonie's kittens used them as scratching posts, but with all of the house-building going on at the time, it just wasn't high on the priority list!

We're going to measure and if everything would fit right, we may also get a chair from the sofa collection, but we're not sure about that yet.

What do you think?

Santa 2010

2011-01-02T12:35:00.037-06:00

Christmas Eve with Grandma...ice cream cone nail polishes...fun is for sure right around the corner!

Gracie's very own jewelry box

A puzzle to keep Grandma busy...

...and a recordable book that Gracie did for Grandma

Three generations...

Later at Mr. Eddie & Mrs. Robin's Open House...this is Mrs. Lauren looking on as her grandmother reads to Gracie the captions of the photo album that Mrs. Lauren & Mr. Cory gave her for Christmas...

The biggest surprise from Santa... a white Boxer puppy whom, finally, we named Bandit...

Please keep in mind that these are truly Christmas morning pictures...we all crawled out of bed and went to the tree...beware...no makeup or hairbrushes included! ;)

A DSi XL...she's not too awake here, but she has played continuously

anticipation...

True love...

This teddy is as big as she is!

...and now Marmie gets her recordable book from Gracie...

A horsie puzzle...

A perfectly orchestrated Christmas... :)

"I just want to know where my present is..."

The girl loves to build...still

A squeeze to her Pillow Pet monkey

"I have no idea who made all this mess, but it was definitely not me!"

...and a big monkey play mat for her room...

Love from Popi...he got a recordable picture frame!

all tuckered out...

Recognize this little guy, Becky?!

I think she's ready to go back to bed now!

...Bandit had other plans...

Dressed and ready for Popi's sisters to visit...

Aunt Mary loves her stole that we gave her for Christmas... A visit from Mr. Dan and Miss Jacqueline for gift exchanges...

Remember the ice cream cone polishes from Grandma??? Marmie is having her nails done in alternating pink and purple...see what I mean? Fun, fun, fun!!! Our little man...

...and his Mommy

Gracie spent New Year's Eve with Marmie and returned home yesterday, but this is what Jack and I did...

Happy 2011! Make it count! Blessings to all...

Grapevine Treasures...

2010-12-22T16:15:00.044-06:00

As soon as Gracie was released from school at noon last Friday, we hit the dusty trail for Grapevine. I had read in Texas Monthly several times that Joe T. Garcia's in Fort Worth had amazing Mexican food...and you know me and Mexican food...so, even though it was about a half-hour out of the way, I convinced Jack to go there for dinner before heading into Grapevine...what an experience! They only serve enchiladas and fajitas (there are no menus) and they don't take credit cards! Texas Monthly, please take note of this next time you write a recommendation for them...my guess is that they've had a lot of volunteer dishwashers! I'm glad we went, but The Original in Galveston is still my all-time fav!

Anyhoo...an hour and ten minutes later (I didn't plan for Friday 5:00 traffic), we checked into our hotel and had just enough time to set our luggage down, brush our locks and head out the door again for the North Pole Express -

They sat us down and had a small song and dance party before we boarded...

All Jack needs here is a white beard and red hat and he would look just like Santa...we have our very own! :)

trying to talk Daddy into dancing on stage...riiiiiight!!!

"Mom, this isn't ice - this is not real!" OK, Miss Smarty Pants...

anticipation...

In her jammies with Santa...she is growing so fast! ;(

Mrs. Santa, too...

We liked the Polar Express ride in Palestine last year much better, but now we know...and Gracie still seemed to be OK with it, which was all that mattered...

The next morning, we went to meet Mrs. Becky at The Gaylord Texan for the ICE exhibit...what a place!

This year, the theme was the Peanuts characters...A Charlie Brown Christmas.

The hotel is amazing and fully decorated inside and out - even if the ICE exhibit wasn't here, it would be worth the visit to just look around the hotel! Grace is watching a model train and fish here...

A wine bottle tree in one of the hotel bars...

After donning our big blue coats and watching a video about how the Chinese ice-men (for lack of a better term - maybe engineers?) carve these and ship them here, we entered into a nine degree refrigerated tent to view ICE...

Jack said this looked like him, but he's sooo not telling the truth...he has more friends than I can count!

We finally found help ;)

Becky and Gracie racing on the slide made of...what else? ice!

she's getting tired of the pictures...can you tell?!

Ahhh...I have my very own Peppermint Patty!

My boy & girl with Pigpen...

Love, love, love this shot! You can see my girl's spirit here...

The nativity in ice...

Three peas in a pod...

more of the hotel and visiting with Mrs. Becky - she and I worked together years ago and it was so good to see her again and have her meet Jack and Grace...

The girls...we had a lady take a couple of shots of all four of us, but she blurred both of them...oh well...guess we'll just have to do it again sometime, Beck!

I liked this tree - the sign said that it was a member of the lily family...weird.

Is she trying out for the part? :)

Jack liked the shotgun shell garland...

Gingerbread Land...

Everything is real candy...

see...

...another train...Gracie loves the model trains... "they really go, Mommy!"

the pre-show at the train...

what Gracie tried talking her Daddy into...ha! Can you imagine...?

After lunch on Main Street in Grapevine and a little window shopping with Becky, we got on the road...our chores at home were waiting...

Gracie attended a horse camp (where she takes her riding lessons) Monday-today...tomorrow...we're sleeping in if it kills us! Friday...cooking for Christmas! Soooo excited...

Holy Batman, It's Christmas!

2010-12-16T19:47:00.024-06:00

I have to get caught up blogging so that I can download my camera card and be ready for our train ride and visit to the Gaylord Texan this weekend...

We made our annual voage to the Kemah Boat Parade...it was soooo windy...half of the boats kept losing their lights. I felt sorry for everybody because I'm sure it's a lot of work to decorate them. But, we ate at Landry's and the food was great and we just didn't stay until the end of the parade so that hopefully Gracie wouldn't get sick...so far, so good!

I don't have a zoom lens for my early Christmas present yet, but here are some of the boats...you just have to squint to see them! ;)

High on a big fat brownie sundae!

A better view...

Then, a drive-thru visit to Bethlehem City courtesy of her school...

The next morning we woke up and Jack was looking through the window and told me it looked like a big toad needed to be saved from the pool...so I walk outside and to my surprise, a bat! We can only guess that the wind was blowing so hard that it carried him off course and

into our pool...so weird! We were very careful, but did cover him with a towel to dry and warm and that evening, we guess he recovered and made his get-away...

On Monday, I made gingerbread houses with Gracie's class...we had a ton of fun!

Sneaking some frosting - that's my girl!

Gracie's BFF, Sky...

Every little detail...

Another of Gracie's good friends, Claire, with her mom and my friend, Mrs. Laurie.

Voila!

Today was her class Christmas Party...more yummy food and visiting...and now...

Grapevine & Mrs. Becky, HERE WE COME!

The Light In Their Eyes

2010-12-14T10:21:00.011-06:00

Finished decorating the house, although not quite finished with the wrapping...got my Christmas cards out yesterday...it's coming together...

Grace's lessons are coming along...she's going to Mrs. Lauren's three-day horse camp while she's off from school and she's triple-thrilled about that!

As promised, there's video of my horse, Romeo, below, as well as Gracie learning the mechanics of stopping her horse...

This is Mrs. Lauren's new puppy, Piper.

She's pure sweetness.

This is a friend of Gracie's that has recently started lessons...his name is J.D.

Going to get his pony...just learning the ropes...I remember those days...

This is J.D.'s mom & my friend, Heather, with J.D.'s sister, Milly. They're headed off to see The Nutcracker soon...

Up and away...

Cowgirl Up...

Our annual voyage to the park that we used to live right next door to...

...and the geese that used to live on our dock...

Gracie & Squiggy learning to "ho"...

Romeo & Miss Laura learning to jump...

Hope everybody's Christmas shopping list is getting shorter and that your spirit is merry and bright...

We're getting there...

2010-12-01T23:50:00.004-06:00

Decking the halls is a lot of work!

We decided to just use our artificial tree this year and we went with a bronze and gold theme - I think it turned out pretty!

I have about a third of the gifts wrapped and maybe some stocking-stuffer type things to buy, but there is still a lot to be done...

Jack & Grace decorated the fence along the driveway and the gazebo this weekend - I think all they have left is our front gate. There are too many different pitches to our roof to do the house, but we're still the most festive of our whole street so far!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Trying not to be slow...

I really want to get done so that I can enjoy Grace's Christmas break with her -

it will be here before we know it! 16 days and counting, Becky!

Cause for Celebration!

2010-12-01T23:45:00.002-06:00

Ya'll....this is a BIG DEAL! We (trust me, this is definitely a family event!) finally made it a whole month (this school year) without incident! Wow! The apple cider's on me! You go, girl!

An Attitude of Gratitude

2010-12-01T22:29:00.007-06:00

The table is set and the buffet of goodies is warm and waiting... Eating, visiting and feeling a full tummy...
...but still contemplating dessert...

Gracie with Uncle Pat & Aunt Lindsey...

Daddy with three of his four sisters...Kathleen, Francie & Mary.

The food was yummy. The visits weren't long enough. I would say that spells success!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed their family!

Checkin' on the boys...Giddy up!

2010-12-01T11:53:00.013-06:00

The good thing about Texas winters is that your flowers stay pretty a lot longer...a good pick-me-up as Jack bundles up to go feed at 6 am every morning! :)

one of my treasured gifts...a bonsai bouganvillea from one of our gazebo contractors...

This one is a good one to usher in the holiday season...it looks like a candy cane!

Anyway...Gracie had a riding lesson the weekend before Thanksgiving and it was the first time I had seen Trashy and Romeo since they came to Mrs. Robin's to try their hand at being lesson horses...wow! They are doing so good!

Romeo just had a bath...big ol' stud muffin!

uh oh...

there he goes...

Now you know why I don't give baths that often any more! It's just futile...

So smart!

I'll get some video of Romeo next time, but this is another of Trashy...He has two speeds...slow and slower...and that's just about right for me!

But, alas, it's time to speed up...Christmas shopping anyone?

Purview from the Prairie

2010-11-18T22:37:00.007-06:00

Wow! I can't believe it has been over two weeks since I last posted, but then again, I've been raising kitties and not getting much sleep! Moxie didn't make it, as I expected, but so far, the other three are hanging in there.

Mom was in last week for her birthday...we mainly just toodled around, did some shopping at the Houston Ballet's Nutcracker Market (or Bankcracker Market as my husband likes to call it) and then, on Friday, before she returned home, we helped Gracie's class make pumpkin bread and turkey pinecones...

I was too busy poring and stirring to take pictures of us making our pumpkin bread, but we put each child's portion in a rinsed-out vegetable can and it worked perfectly! This is Gracie's teacher placing them all in the oven.

While the pumpkin bread was baking, we made turkey pinecones - Gracie and Skylar working their magic!

There's Marmie's group making turkey pinecones, too!

A fun game of "Hot Potato" (or in this case, "Hot Pumpkin") to close out the week...
Gracie was runner-up!

Then, on Sunday, we took Gracie to see her first Cirque du Soleil performance, Alegria. No cameras were allowed, but you can see some footage here from youtube. This is the first show I saw, too, about ten years ago, and I remember how fascinated and awe-struck I was and that's exactly how she was. The show is about two hours long (excluding intermission) and she was too excited to sit in her own seat, so she went back and forth between Jack and I. I actually felt her shaking at times. Her favorites were all of the mid-air events like the swinging and trapeze acts. We were on the floor in the third row and in the video where you see the wind and all of the bits of white paper flying...that was happening to us, too, since we were so close. That was her "next favorite".

This week, I've been catching up on my chores and trying to get the house in order for our annual Thanksgiving Family Feast. We're getting so excited to see everyone and are preparing to let our belts out a notch or two...yum!

Last but not least, we've made plans to take Gracie on a Santa excursion the day she gets out for her Christmas vacation from school, just as we did last year. We went to Palestine for the Polar Express train ride last year. This year, we're venturing a tiny bit further and taking her to Grapevine for the North Pole Express train ride and the ICE! and SNOW! exhibits at the Gaylord Texan. We're squeezing in a lot for just an overnight trip, but we know she'll have a good time (and she'll have a whole two weeks of school holiday to recover!)...now, that's a party!

Given this latest posting hiatus, I'm going to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving now...we wish you all safe travels, a full belly and the beloved company of family and friends...Cheers to making happy memories!

Found the rest of the crew...

2010-11-03T11:54:00.004-05:00

Due to all of the rain we've had in the past couple of days, the rest of the litter that Solo (the no-name kitty from yesterday's post) belongs to found their way into the barn some time last night. The other cream colored kitty, whom I've named Moxie, as if she makes it through the condition she's in, it will indeed be a miracle. The two black kitties seem to be a little more healthy, but still were very hungry. I think I'll call them Gypsy & Hobo...

This is one of the most pitiful things I've ever seen...

Poor Hobo, along with Solo & Moxie, have severe eye gunk...

Looks like my every-two-hour feedings just got a little more complicated...*sigh*

All dressed up... no place to go...

2010-11-02T18:00:00.003-05:00

Our boys were a day late, but they dressed up as themselves with haircuts! :)

...and we have a tiny temporary addition to the family...Jack found her when feeding at 646 this weekend...she had been abandoned so now I am the one feeding her every two hours...how does that work? She's a cutie...although at the moment...a no-name kitty...