18 Years

18 years ago on a hot summer day Marty and I got married. The years have been filled with good times and bad, but like I tell my daughter, it's been an adventure! I realized this weekend that I have now lived with Marty longer than I lived at home with my parents. Now THAT realization made me feel old!!!




We sent Heather off to youth camp with a church group yesterday so we have an empty nest this week. Last night we drove to San Marcos for dinner and to wonder around along the river.

We dined outside the restaurant on the patio overlooking the river and this was our view during dinner:

After dinner we walked around the park and enjoyed a very pretty sunset. More of the photos of the sunset will be posted in the days ahead.

Happy Anniversary Babe!

To see my fireworks photos visit my Seguin blog.

A Day of Goofy Family FUN!!!

We spent another afternoon yesterday with Marty's family. After watching "Mama Mia" everyone wondered outside. While Mike and Debbie played pool in my inlaws' game room, Marty and my father in law Freddie pitched horseshoes. Billie and I chatted while all this was going on and I suggested we join the horseshoes when the guys finished. I hadn't played in YEARS and as I tried to remember exactly when I'd last played, I realized it was when the kids were little and she'd hosted a family reunion at her house in Wyoming. That was a long time ago, so I held no high hopes of doing well with horseshoes this time. Marty and I played against Billie and Freddie and we lost. I made a few points but mostly any points earned were by Marty. Then Marty and I played Mike and Debbie and Debbie and I scored more points than the fellas! My grandpa (who first taught me to play horseshoes when I was small) would have been proud! We were definitely on a roll! There was much heckling from both the guys and the gals. The horseshoe fun had to end all too soon so we could eat dinner and head to town for an evening of bowling. We sure got some goofy shots while we played though!



Marty sent his horseshoe flying. He and I played against Freddie and Billie.





Freddie's turn.







Our spectators, Mike and Debbie. At times they looked like the paparazzi!








It's been years since I've done this, but apparently I've still got it! :0)








My mother in law Billie shows us how it's done.










Mike and Marty crack me up with how serious they take all their games. The look on Mike's face as he concentrates is so funny!







Marty shows Debbie and me how to measure for points.







I scored a point! Woo hoo!







And I got a RINGER!!!! Even though Debbie was my opponent, she celebrated with me. We had so much fun being so goofy all afternoon!





Debbie had a victory dance when she scored.





What fun times families can have together!!!

Ice

What a fun night!

We've been discussing summer plans the past few weeks with Jason and Erica. A few weeks ago Jason mentioned ice skating as a possible activity this summer. We often leave a lot of the planning of our outings to Jason but tonight's plans were totally up to Erica and me. We usually go out for date nights and just the adults go. I decided I liked Jason's suggestion of ice skating but Erica and I both thought this was an event for the kiddos too.



This was the first ice skating trip for Cameron, Riley, Heather and me. I was sure impressed with how well the kids all skated. If I didn't know better, I'd have been sure they'd all done this before!



I put my skates on and immediately felt like I was going to fall when I stood up and I wasn't even on the ice yet! When I did make my way to the ice, I was sure my feet were going to fly right out from under me. I stayed very close to the wall, moving very slowly for several rounds. One of the staff members skated over to me and told me it would be much easier if I'd skate faster. I was skeptical as I knew it was a long way to the ground and it was sure to hurt when I landed! A couple more laps and I did follow his suggestion and speed up some. He was right, and it was easier. Cameron, Riley, Heather and Mathew flew around like old pros in no time! Kids amaze me!

Me and Erica. Look! I've moved away from the wall! :0)

Marty and me. "Don't you make me fall!"

Heather.

Jason.

Gee.....you think Erica's cold???

Erica, Jason and Cameron formed a train.

Erica and Marty. They look like they are synchronized skaters!

Erica's clan: Riley and Cameron, Mathew, Erica and Jason.

Riley. She's such a cutie she had 2 boys flirting with her all night!!! 2 boys with blue mohawks at that. Watch out Jason!!!

The men comandeered the cameras for much of the night. I was afraid to go out on the ice with mine and was sure I'd fall with it!

The gals: Me, Riley, Erica and Heather.

Me, Cameron, Erica, and Mathew. Right after this Erica and Cameron took a tumble and bumped heads. Marty attempted to capture it on the camera but someone skated in front of him just as he snapped it! Otherwise you can sure bet I'd post it!

Check out Erica's blog for my wipeout. After I was more comfortable skating I attempted to skate backward. I did this several times and once something went totally wrong and I wound up flat on the ice. Marty missed the whole thing. But, Erica got it.

Marty's ice skated before so he had no problem maneuvering on that thin blade on the slippery ice!

Heather and Mathew.

Cameron, are you sure you've never done this before??? You sure impressed me!!!

All of us. Marty, Me, Mathew, Cameron, Jason, Erica, Riley and Heather.

After my spill on the ice I was through skating for the night. This is service!

When we were through freezing our tails off on the ice, we headed over to Starbucks for coffee for warmth....well some of us did. The rest went next door for ice cream! Brrrr!



Just chillin' with Marty at Starbucks.

Sunday's note: I was sure I'd wake up sore this morning but I did not!!! I'm ready to go again!

Texas Sandfest 2008

I've heard for several years of the big Texas Sandfest held each year on the beach in Port Aransas and I've seen pictures online and in emails and have always wanted to see it for myself. We decided early this year that this is the year we were going to check it out. It is a 3 day event but with our commitments at church we opted to only go down for a day. We missed getting to see the final results of all the sand sculptures but what we did see was pretty amazing.




It's a very small world as Port Aransas is not all that close to where we live, yet we were surrounded by people from our town. As we left from getting our parking permit for the beach and pulled onto the beach road, Marty's boss was in the truck right behind us and parked right next to us on the beach. On the other side of us was another family from our town and on the other side of them were our friends Jimmy and Paula and a bunch of their friends, all also from here. We also ran into some of our neighbors as we wondered around!

Upon arrival the first thing everyone did was check to see how cold the water was....much too cold for the adults to get in!!! Marty checks out the water temperature.

The coldness of the water did not deter Erica's kids from enjoying the waves!!

Riley and Cameron. Thanks guys for joining us for such a fun day!!!

Cameron, Mathew, and Marty walking along the beach.

Here are a few of the sand sculptures. Be watching for more photos on future posts!

Such detail! This dragon was one of my favorites.

I'm really curious about how this one will look when finished. I'll be checking the web for final photos of it!

Marty and me.

Erica and her kiddos:

Cameron, Mathew, Riley and Erica.

We're sorry you had to work today, Jason. We missed you!

Marty and me with E's family. Heather, we missed you too but we know you are having a blast on South Padre Island!

As E turned around to snap a photo of us I took one of her.

Our whole group after we met up with Jimmy and Paula.

Mathew, Riley, Erica, Marty, me, Jim, Paula, and Cameron.

Paula and Jim.

Marty with his two "dates" for the day!

Erica and me.



When we needed to get out of the sun for a while we hit the shops in Port A. All of us decided to pose for a photo in the shark's mouth in front of one of the shops.

Me and Marty strolling the beach.

Erica and I strolling the beach later in the day when it was a little chilly.

Erica's sign in the sand.

What is a trip to the beach without ending the day with dinner at the Crazy Cajun???

Before we got in line to board the ferry Marty took us over to the park where we walked along a pier. Here's E and her bunch on the pier.

Me and Marty.

As Marty looped around the long ferry line I got out of the car to snap sunset photos as I waited for him.

What a fun day with friends!

Let's make this an annual tradition guys!!!

For more photos of our day, check out Erica's blog.