1st day of School 08

Jun 29th - our first day of school. Thomas is a 6th grader, Lauren a 4th grader and Laynie is in Kinder. Our school goes year round so starting during the summer is a little hard, but the 2 weeks we have off every 9 weeks is GREAT! Laynie is the most anxious. She will have the same teachers as last year. After her first day of Kinder - she announced that this would be her last year of school. She didn't need to go on to first grade, she will help her daddy! I hope Mrs. Gonzalez teachers her everything she needs to know. Thomas is taking Pre Algebra (7th grade math) in the 6th grade. He is very excited. Lauren is glad to be in a new room and she will be changing teachers. Her homeroom teacher, Mrs. Hester has many pets in her room. Lauren was chosen to be the janitor in homeroom. Anyone who knows her, knows this is the perfect job for Lauren. She is very organized! Next year we should be moving into a brand new school. WOW!

Frio Record Book Trip

This year Lauren and Thomas both entered 4-H record books. Anyone who has entered or helped with one knows the amount of work that goes into one by who else than Mom or Dad. It is a great way to keep track of your many accomplishments throughout your youth that comes in very handy for resumes/scholarships/etc. Anyway, the kids were not very enthused about helping until they went on the Frio Record Book Trip. I know that next year they will be typing and making sure Mom doesn't wait until the last minute so they can go on next years trip! Thanks Barbie for keeping them safe. Mom actually had to accompany them (so Laynie could go!). I was able to get the cabin next door to the 4-H group (how lucky) and Keith's sister Kristin came along with Samantha, Sarah and Caleb. We had a great time. It wasn't much fun walking the river with 4 kids. Kristin and I came up with many shirt logos that would have sold for lots of $$$$. The most fun was spent watching others and the kids jumping off the rope swings. We made snowcones (raspas) and had great fun cooking and being together. I hope we can all do it again next year!

Auction raising funds for Driscoll's Childrens Hospital

This year we participated in the Cattleman's Roundup raising money for Driscoll's Childrens hospital. Thomas make Grandma Dorothy's sourdough bread (yummy), Laynie helped with Brownies and we made Carmel Corn for Lauren (she was spending time with Grandma Dorothy). Each child that donated items was asked to go into the auction ring and "sell" their baked good. Thomas did a great job, looking really nice in his cowboy hat! Laynie on the other hand was a little nervous. I sat in the audience to capture photos. As you can see from the pics, Laynie was not about to smile, but when she did she sold cookies for over $200.00. It was fun and for a great cause.

A game with Nolan Ryan 08

We feed cattle that can qualify for Nolan Ryan's Beef product that is sold in Super S stores and Krogers. As a perk we were invited to a Corpus Christi Hooks Game with Nolan Ryan. The kids were able to purchase items at the gift shop and have him sign them. I think the adults ended up more excited than the kids! This year Keith's dad, David, and Dorothy were able to join us. David, an avid baseball fan, has his very own signed ball by Nolan Ryan. The Hooks stadium is very kid friendly and we had a great time.

07-08 School Awards Assembly

Laynie receiving her certificate!

Thomas receiving his awards. Lauren is in the brown polkadot waiting her turn.

The end of the first year at our new school. I think we all get an A+ for a job well done. Laynie will soon be in Kinder, Lauren a 4th grader and Thomas a 6th grader. Way to go guys! Mom loves you!!!

The swimming pool - Summer 2008. We decided to put in an underground playroom. Two Christmas' ago it was the trampoline. The kids loved it and it wore them out so everyone was ready for bed. Now it's swimming! It works as a reward system also. If you clean your room -you can swim! We began on May 19th and started filling on June 19th, Lauren's bday. The kids loved watching it fill up and couldn't wait to get in - so they did. We decided to put a salt generator in to cut down on Chlorine because the girls blond hair turns green. It has been maintenance free for the most part. The first evening Keith and I decided to use the heater for the hot tub a fire started in the heater - it was replaced and now all is well. Yes we needed the heater because the prevailing southwest wind (there were white caps in the pool) makes you cold.

Pigs for the County Fair

After experiencing his first County fair with his steer, Butch, Thomas decided he would like to try pigs as well. Mom wasn't so sure but Dad said "Why Not?" So we did. Here we are picking our first two gilts for this year. We haven't named them, but Laynie said the white blue butt is her pink pig that she will show. Lauren just doesn't want to feed them. She took the bucket in one day and had a ride! They are a little messy but an easy project so far.