Grapefest, Alumni Rugby, and Arboretum. An XL post.

I am long past due on an update and I actually do have things to post! I have just been lazy. So heeeeeeeeere we go.

We went to Grapefest in Grapevine. It was a HOT day so we did not last long melting outside. We saw Alex, Laura, and Ruby while we were there, but they had been there far longer than us so they were just about kaput when we arrived. We had full intentions of looking at the petting zoo and playing on the playground, but it wasn't long before even Alex was done with the heat. Luckily, we had some friends at Grapefest too who texted to let me know they had secured a big table at Wilhout's Bar and wanted us to come in for a margarita. (well, if you insist!) We met up with them in the A/C for a bit before heading home. Their little girl is named Riley and she was born 1.5 days before Alex. I just think she is absolutely stunning.

Juuuuuuust about worn out

Alex and Riley sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g

I did not manage to catch it on camera but these two kept hugging each other. It was very funny.

I think it was two weekends ago (I lose track!) that went to the Alumni Rugby game. I try to go every year to see Dad and both of his teams play. He might not even know it but he beams with pride the entire day and I think this retirement from coaching thing is harder than he thought it would be since, well, he hasn't really retired! Alumni Weekend is always fun. With the rain we have had this month, the pitch was MUDDY! I really didn't want to put Alex on the ground at all but as you can imagine, that didn't go over well. I gave in and let him down and he did pretty well staying clean compared to the other chipmunks I saw running around out there. Note to self: buy little man rain boots. (Would have saved quite a mess.)

Alex after playing a bit

This is Zander Man at his typical speed

I managed to catch him in the .3 seconds he stopped to watch the game

Little Alex likes to point at people and say "BANG", but at close distances, "pointing" really means a finger in your eye, as Big Alex found out.

We went to the Dallas Arboretum this weekend. It was nice but very crowded! I went with hopes of getting a good picture for the Christmas card. After seeing what I have on my camera, all hope is lost. The only chance I have is that Alex got a good shot with his super duper camera. We shall see........... We arrived around 11:00, wandered around a bit for some photo ops, and then had a picnic. It was a good day. The weather could not have been better. So below are just a few shots of us at The Arboretum.

It is so hard to catch this kid standing still. We had another couple with us that had a boy Alex's age and he was so.......CALM! Barely ran anywhere!

Zander Man

Laura and KangaRuby

The ever so modest Rubicon

Thanks for checking in! With the holidays coming up, I hope to have a lot more photos. Hope everyone is doing well!

Alex is coming home!

So for those of you that don't know, my brother and Laura (AND RUBY!) will be home for good on September 1st (next Tuesday).

We are all very excited. I am super excited. I remember the night my brother left (Laura was already in London). I thought it wouldn't be that big of a deal, I mean, he wasn't leaving for good right? Just a few years and then he'll be back. He left that night, and we were both a little teary eyed, but I was surprised at how upset I was. I sat down and had a good cry after I realized he was gone for a while.

Things have changed so much. Between Alex and Ruby being born and five years gone by without the entire family at birthdays and holidays.............I could not be more excited for them to come home. I am also uber anxious to meet my niece and watch my brother be a father.

Hurry up Tuesday!

Long Time No Post - Lake Trip

So with the economy the way it is, we didn't think it the best idea to take off and do some lavish vacation this year, but we wanted to do something. Amanda found these awesome cabins in Broken Bow Oklahoma for rent so we decided that would be a fun trip.We got an awesome group together, loaded up the boat, and headed to the lake. Chris and Stacy, and Amanda and Jason went with us and we had a great time. The boys played golf one day while us girls checked out town. (as far as that goes, if you haven't been to Broken Bow Oklahoma to shop, don't) We also played on the lake quite a bit and the boys tried their hand at fishing. They weren't successful, but the DID try. It was a good weekend. The cabin was awesome and I am already trying to figure out if I can get my family to go during the holidays.

Below are some pictures from the trip. Take a looksie. See what Broken Bow is all about!

Chris and Stacy by the fire. It was so nice and cool at night!

Allen and I hanging out by the fire. It is so rare to get a photo of Allen smiling! He always has to do something goofy. I almost couldn't believe it when I saw this!

Amanda and Jason

Allen, doing what he does best......

My gal Amanda and I by the fire. Ready to roast some marshmallows

Drinking our new wine-a-ritas. They are awesome!

The girls at Girls Gone Wine

Just thought this was funny at the nail salon. I mean, if they can make your nails look good holding a 40 caliber, they can do anything right? Sign me up

Again, couldn't help myself. Really? Bushwackers? And is that a beaver on the sign? REALLY?!?!?

Allen found the tubing to be a bit on the beginner level

A water filled weekend

Today is the Fourth of July! We have some friends coming over tonight so Allen went to work in the (newly sodded) yard and I was going to clean inside. Well, that plan flopped. Alex was not about to let me do anything. I got one load of laundry done and swept the kitchen floor with Alex throwing a fit every step I took. So I gave up.

Allen was trying to fix one of the sprinklers outside so I yanked Alex's clothes off and took him out to play. He LOVED it. A new hobby I am thinking. ;)

Alex's first real swim

Allen took the day off Friday, which was a surprise to me! So we went over to Sheila's house for a swim. Allen, Alex, Jack, and I all piled into the Murano and took off. Alex has never actually been in a real pool until today. He loved it. He hated it. No wait, he loved it. No, he hated it.

He really couldn't decide. One thing he did know was he was all annoyed that we were so close to him all the time. He could not understand why we were walking one step behind him everywhere he went by the pool, and I think that wore him out more that the swimming.

A man and his dog

Love it

Hate it

Really, he's very shy and reserved......like his Mom.

On Wednesday night Allen and I had a ton of shrimp to boil, so we asked our neighbors Joe and Teresa to come help us eat them! We see them often and Alex is growing incredibly fond of Joe, whom we call Uncle Joe.

I think most kids would run from a grown man flailing his arms about and growling, but not Alex. In fact, he just does the same thing right back atcha.

Couldn't help but post this video. He just makes me smile.

Also in other weird news, Teresa and I sound identical on video. That is her talking not me, but we even confused ourselves.

We are moving on without Stretch. Jack is very bored, sad, and lonely. He is just a little slower to get out of bed, and not as excited to eat, etc. He is adjusting though and so are we. Thank you everyone for your sweet sentiments.

Post again soon.

:)

Stretch Roberson

We lost our dear buddy Strech-a-Reno Roberson this afternoon. We have been having some issues for a while. Allen took him to the vet for some testing this afternoon and it quickly became clear that Stretch was in the fairly advanced stages of dementia. Stretch was 16 years old, had recently lost a significant amount of weight, and we would find him wandering around the house, bumping into walls in the middle of the night. He didn't ever seem to know where he was.

This, and quite a few other factors, prompted the vet to agree, that is was time for Ole' Bean. Allen made the difficult decision for Stretch this afternoon.

It goes without saying that Allen, Myself, Alex, and most of all Jack, will miss him terribly.

Stretch Roberson

4.26.93 - 5.29.09