Exotics Abunch

Our reason for heading to the Texas Hill Country this year was a trip to the Record Buck Ranch in Utopia, Texas with Grandpa Gary and Granny Buffie.

 

There were tons of exotics, and JR came home with a Jacob's four horned sheep

(which he calls a 'three-horned-four-horned sheep' since one of its horns is broken.)

And if you're thinking the Littles might have gotten bored while the hunting was going on...

Do these faces look bored?

 

 



Cousins and Chuy's

We took a different way into Texas this year since we were driving to the Hill Country instead of our usual East Texas or Houston.

 

This year's route took us through Lubbock.  Not only is Lubbock home to Texas Tech University, but also my cousin, David (our moms are sisters). 

David was able to meet us for dinner (at Chuy's!) and we were able to catch up on the last 12 years. (Yep, it had been awhile since we'd seen each other.)

 

 

Here's an oldie but goodie of David and me when I was 10ish and he was 15ish.

And here we are today (I've added a few kids to the mix) but, of course, we're still cute as ever!

Fourth of July Fabulous Friday

In years past we have decorated bicycles, wagons, big wheels, 4-wheelers and battery operated trucks.

Yet the coveted 1st place prize, has always eluded us.

 

Until this year!

 

This year, we finally found the right formula.  Ditch all the "bicycles" and concentrate our efforts into one super float by hooking up the trailer to the trail wagon for maximum decorating space.

 

 

The theme was "Old Timey 4th of July", and if you've ever been to my parents' house, then you know this one was right up our alley. 

Things for the float literally came straight from their kitchen, living room, or barn.

 

 

Uncle Sam with his flags and hats.

Betsey Ross at her spinning wheel.

A seemingly innocent Humpty Dumpty in 4th of July attire...but really a foreshadowing of JR's future U.S. Presidency.

(See Sitting on a Wall: Check if you don't get it.)

 

 

 Back of the float

Another Betsy Ross view

Float drivers

 Here they come! Is that a float, or what?!

Float wavers (sitting in the tiny rocking chairs Gypsies made my grandfather for letting them camp on his land).

1st place winners on the steps of the court house!

An Update I Can't Believe I'm Writing

You'll need to sit down for this one:

 

My tomato plants are still alive.

 

I know! I can't believe it either.

 

As you'll remember they started out like this.

I gave one to Sherry (and, of course, that one is alive) and I kept two.

 

 

And here they are today.  One's not doing so well, but the other I've had to stake.

And being that I'm not a gardener (and I'm still not sure I can keep this thing alive) I just used what I had around the house for staking purposes.

My hands even smelled like tomatoes after I finished "working in my garden".

I'm soooo Pioneer Woman.

Swimmy Swim

How funny is Kyle in his "official" swimteam cap?

Of course when they passed them out, Kyle wasn't thinking 'function', he was thinking 'accessory'!

Jason says they can swim better than me now since they can backstroke.

I told him I could float on my back and kick around if I had to.

Which I'm pretty sure is exactly what Kyle's doing here.

Some Texans in CO

My friend, Adrienne, and her family stopped in for the night on their way to Estes Park.

 

Like me, she has all boys.

(FYI, 5 boys in the house is even louder than 3.)

 

 

Her oldest and JR have the same birthday, just one year apart.

As you can see by the smiles, everybody had quite a big time.

How Reed Plays Ball

Continuing from Thursday in my T-ball series (don't worry, this is the last in that series) here's Reed.

 

He pays attention, does what he's supposed to, and does it all with a smile.