Hill Country Trip

A few weeks back, we took a long weekend and went down to San Antonio. We took our time and stopped several places in the Hill Country on the way there and on the way back. We did lots of hiking, ate lots of cool places and did a little shopping. And we got to spend lots of quality time with Aunt Mindy!

Now the funny thing is, that I seemed to take pictures of our hiking expeditions only! I guess I only wanted to remember how adventurous and outdoorsy we were. ;) However, my sister-in-law was also taking some pictures and posting them on Facebook during our time in San Antonio. If you were to view her pictures, you would think that all we did was eat! Maybe I'll have her send me some pictures and do a separate food post....

In the meantime, here are some snapshots of our outdoorsy, adventurous selves!

First up...Colorado Bend State Park. This place was truly in the middle of nowhere! You hike to a spring fed water fall...Gorman Falls. It was a long hike and a little hot, but we had fun!

We spent our first night in San Antonio at Aunt Mindy's apartment (something Alex had been begging to do). But we moved over to the Hyatt Hill Country for the second night. We had fun swimming in the lazy river and exploring...

Alex was not happy to leave the resort, but we had fun planned for the drive home! Our first stop was in Fredericksburg, where we ate lots of yummy food and did a little window shopping. Of course, I didn't take any picture here! Our next stop was Enchanted Rock State Park. I was quite certain we would not be climbing all the way to the top...boy, was I wrong?!

This is the marker showing that we made it to the spot of highest altitude!

Exploring the caves on the backside of the rock!

One thing is certain, we love going on vacations! Whether it be a short weekend trip, a camping trip, a trip to Nana's or a big cross-country trip...we love to spend time together as a family exploring a new area. And with the long hours our Daddy works, it is the best way for us to have quality, uninterrupted family time.

Any suggestions for our future adventures??

Anna and Nana

This past weekend Anna, Mom and I traveled out to Andrews to spend some time with Nana. She had taken a little fall and was in need of some extra TLC. As we spent time together, I was reminded of the special bond that Anna and Nana have, and have had since Anna was very little.

As a little baby, Anna would go several months without seeing Nana but always seemed to (happily) recognize her the moment we were together again. Before diabetes, Anna would go to Andrews with Nan and spend time together, just the three of them. I have pictures (that I am trying to find) of Nana dressed up in all kinds of interesting outfits that Anna created. They would have tea parties and play pretend and go to the DQ...Anna thought there couldn't be anything better in life!!

Fast forward to this past weekend, and it was bittersweet to watch as roles reversed just a bit. I explained to Anna on the way that this weekend was not about us, it was about helping Nana. She grasped what I was saying whole-heartedly....thankfully! For Nana really did not want Mom or I helping her, however she was more than willing to let Anna. She called Anna, "Nurse Anna" all weekend and while some of it was for fun, lots of it was for real. What an amazing blessing to watch as my baby girl helped her 84 year old grandmother shower, brought her things she needed and worked hard to meet her needs. For two individuals 73 years apart in age, they are amazingly close. In fact, we all are...all four generations. God heaped an extra special blessing on us...

Here are some fun photos of them together...I'm still trying to find some of the older ones.




Alex thinks that she is pretty cool, too!!



Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with Nana. I am thankful to be part of her legacy.



Lissa

Random.

Today, while working on a project I found this picture.


Be still my heart. This did NOT help my already strong desire for one more. Look at that face...and that hat. I need one more baby to wear that hat. Right??? Never mind, don't answer that.


See these pictures below of some of my favorite people. I took them (with a Canon SX120) and edited them (Photoshop Elements). I think they turned out pretty good. Would love to take some more. But the fear of messing up keeps me from it.

We are officially done with school until the new year! Yes, it's a week early. But, in all fairness, all they do at school the last week is have fun. So, we will have fun next week too! I'm just not gonna call it school. :)

We are enjoying the Christmas season. We hope and pray that you are too.

40 years

(sign made lovingly by Anna)

Late this summer we honored Chris' parents with a celebration for their 40th Anniversary. (This occured at the same time I was preparing to homeschool the kids for the first time...thus, why I am just now getting around to this post!)

Chris and his sisters had invited friends from my in-laws entire married life to join with us in honoring them on this significant day. When planning something of this nature you are never exactly sure how it will turn out...will people show up OR not? Will they be happy that we surprised them with this OR not? ;) If you know my in-laws, you know they were very happy and blessed. Getting together with the people they love is truly their love-language...and this was a perfect way to let them know that we loved them and honor their devotion to one another and the Lord. It was a smashing success!

Before I get to some pics of the party (photographed by Anna)...here are a couple of fun snapshots from the past 40 years.

The Wedding Day

A family of five

Who is that good-looking guy with the flat-top?

Here is a fun before and after...

My kid's favorite pic of all the oldies.

That was then, this is now! They were kind enough to reenact the scene above ;)!

Surprise!

Keith with his brother, cousin, son and grandson checking out the slideshow.

Cousins.

Sisters.

It was an excellent day...and a great reminder of the great heritage, example and legacy we have been blessed with. Congratulations Keith and Charlene on 40 years of wedded bliss...hoping for lots more!

The World Series

On the morning that World Series tickets went on sale, Chris and I stationed ourselves each on a computer and began our attempt to get tickets. In less than an hour, the tickets were all gone and we had none. Once the Rangers actually won the ALCS and were certain to be going to the WS, I was really wishing that we had camped out with all the crazy people and waited in line for tickets.

However, we did not. So, we had no tickets and no prospect for getting any. The only ones available were those through third-party vendors and we were unwilling to spend our entire yearly family vacation budget on two tickets to the WS. I had resigned myself to the fact that we would not be going...something that was so hard to take since it was happening less than 20 miles from my house!

My eldest brother had bought two tickets from a vendor prior to the Rangers actually winning the ALCS...still expensive, but not total craziness. I was excited for him and reminded him that should he be contacted about any additional tickets from any friends to let his dear sister know. The sister that kept baseball stats in high school, previously worked for a former Ranger and loved baseball. After all, I had gotten him into a suite at the Ballpark on more than one occasion!

Fast forward to the Thursday before the first World Series game at The Ballpark (Saturday). I find out from my mother that my middle brother has magically obtained two tickets to the game. I call him...he doesn't answer. I call my eldest brother and ask if he knows how this happened, his response, "I gave them to him." Me..."You MUST be kidding me. Do you not remember our previous conversation." Needless to say, I was more than a little unhappy. My brothers and their wives going to the game, while I sit at home...I think not!

However, I was still not going to pay more than face value for any tickets. I got on the computer Saturday morning just to see if magically any tickets had popped up as available on the Rangers website. No luck. So, I decided to call the box office. And call I did, off and on for the next 2 hours...I knew the names of all the phone tickets sales people...they were kind as they continued to tell me they didn't have any tickets. BUT...2 hours into my saga....I pressed redial and GOT A TICKET!!! Just one, mind you, but it was a ticket nonetheless...and I WAS GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!! And...I HAD PAID FACE VALUE!! :) But wait....what about my husband??

At this point we decided to drop the kids at Mom's and head to the Ballpark. Maybe we could get a ticket from someone for face value, right??? We picked up my ticket at Will Call and I asked the nice lady if she had any more...even though they had big signs posted on the windows saying they had none. She didn't say "no"! She said that they might release some more later, if I wanted to move down to a seller window and wait. At this point, there were about 15 people hanging around the seller windows but no one was actually in line. So, I did what any persevering person would do...I stationed us right in front of one of the windows...and we stood there and ate our lunch while the nice lady looked at us out the window. About one hour and fifteen minutes later (with her refreshing her computer constantly), she looks at us and says, "I got one!"

And this is the story of how we obtained two tickets to the World Series for face value on game day.

We had a great time! Truly a once in a lifetime experience to see the Rangers play in the World Series at The Ballpark and WIN!

Hanging out in the Home Run Porch Grill before the game

With Ryan and Ash

(Wade and Cathy were too busy enjoying the finest meats and cheeses in a suite to join us!) ;)

Nolan Ryan throwing the first pitch to Pudge

Look closely, directly above the medallion in the Budweiser sign, at the guy in khaki shorts in a blue shirt...that's Chris on the front row!! His ticket was amazing! I had an empty seat by me in Home Run Porch...but he stayed in his...and I couldn't blame him...it was an awesome seat!

Rangers Win!!

Who knows if or when the Rangers will make it back to the World Series, although I hope it is next year :)! It was such a fun experience to be a part of their first trip.

Just remember...perseverance pays off!