Family

Totally off subject...

We had a interesting weekend and had a surprise party for MOM, I'll let her tell the story, but I got some wonderful pictures of Big Grandma & Hunter so I thought I would share.

Does she look wonderful or what?

Is this the most angelic face you've ever seen?

Concert Time!

Mason & I took Ethan & Hunter to the Blue Man Group last night. It was so good and Hunter started out dancing and jumping around - but after the busy weekend we've had going to the State Fair & a hockey game Friday night - he was just plain tired and was a little less energetic.

Ethan on the other hand, was so enthusiastic. He didn't want to go, but after 60 seconds of the opening act he was hooked. He danced and wiggled and screamed and said it was "Awesome."

Surprise, Surprise, even Mason enjoyed it.

Texas State Fair

Today was Ethan's Fair Day so the family took off to the Texas State Fair. We checked out Big Tex, all the cars, and of all things road the Texas Skyride. This was not a pleasant thing for the chicken (that would be me) I held on to the seat tight, but I didn't close my eyes and Ethan, aka "Mr. Daredevil" got out of his seat and posed for a picture. It was a good day if you don't count the over-heating walking around in temperatures that are just WRONG for October.

Check out the photo album below.

The Parents

These are my parents, Judy & Walt. My mother wants to dress me weird and my father just wants peace and quiet. They are good people - we love them, the kids love them, even the cats love them. I know this to be true, because Zelda only sits in Dad's lap (she won't even sit in mine) & Turco told me so.

Thanks for having us this week. You Rock!! (that means you're cool in my generation)

One big, happy family!

We actually got a picture where no one is making a silly face. This is our last night in San Antonio with my parents - guys it was great, thanks for having us, thanks for feeding us, and thanks for putting up with us. We love you!!

Night in old San Antonio

Well, we got to San Antonio, and after dinner, the gang and I headed over to Big Grandma's house. I spend the time visiting with her, while the boys took off outside and went for a night swim with their daddy.

First time in a Canoe!

This afternoon we went to Lake Quichita and Mason took the boys on their first canoeing trip. Mom stayed at the shore. But the boys had a great time. Hunter & Ethan said it was awesome.

Hot Springs National Park

We started out at the bottom of Hot Springs National Park right after breakfast this morning. Little did we know we were climbing to the very top, but we did and the view was tremendous. Mason & the boys went to the top of Lookout Tower, I decided to stay at the bottom. Not a big fan of glass elevators. Mason got a great shot of our hotel from the top.

Hot Springs

We will be spending the next few days in Hot Springs - at the Arlington. After dinner on our way back to the hotel Ethan snapped this picture of Mason & I outside a spring at The Hot Springs National Park.

Crater of Diamonds!

The boys and I are digging for diamonds - we didn't find any. Poor me, I can't even find a diamond!

Lunch in Historic Washington Park

We had lunch at Williams Tavern, in Historic Washington Park. It was a treat, of course everything was fried, but the peach cobbler was delicious.

On our way to Arkansas

Do I need to say more?

Blake the Snake

Blake, our nephew, spent the night with us last night so that Stehle and Robbie could go out. We attended a birthday party and Dave & Buster's and the boys had a great time. Here's Blake and Hunter playing on a bar stool.

Then it was off to bed and they couldn't resist making a face for the camera.

More pictures with Big Grandma

Its always important every time we go visit the folks to get pictures of each of the boys with Big Grandma, my grandmother and my children's great-grandmother. She's 86 years young and doesn't get around as well as she used to, heck she doesn't do anything as well as she used to.

But she's got a good attitude and she's lucky enough to have to people as dedicated to making her happy no matter what. Thanks Mom & Dad for taking care of her as well as you do. She talks all the time about how much you do for her. She's a lucky woman.

Its all over.

We had a great time in SA. When I asked Ethan & Hunter what the best part of the trip was they both said "MEETING TOMMIE!" They truly enjoyed spending time with everyone and of course as always love the pool at Big Grandma's.

I have to suck up a little to my parents for doing so much - you were awesome, I can't have Stehle out doing me on the suck up thing. The tomatoes you sent home are fabulous! And Dad you can drive my car anytime you like.

Brice, Amy, Brandon, Lizzy & of course little Tom. I had such a great time and I hope that I will get to see you next year as Mason has given me his blessing on coming out. Love you guys!!

Fredricksburg, Texas

First we went down the wrong highway to get to Cross Mountain, because our parents gave us bad directions. Bad Mom & Dad!!! Then Mom directed us to the "Visitors Center" which turned out to be a museum that some scary craggly old German woman scolded me up one side and down the other. We finally made it to Cross Mountain. Brice concentrated on finding arrowheads, the kids quickly joined in.




I of course took pictures of the view. This was a nice church steeple about a mile off in the distance.

Then we were off to a picnic lunch at Lady Bird National Park. Of course it started to rain on us but I couldn't resist taking pictures of a bunch of backsides bending over the dam. Also the "Three Amigos" Ethan, Blake & Hunter.

The long ride down.

Today we went to SeaWorld. It was lots of fun. First we saw Shamu's show; and then it was off to the Journey to Atlantis water ride. First Row is Lizzy, Brandon & Ethan, behind them on the right are Blake and Uncle Robbie. I don't think Blake had the best time, but Ethan was ready to go again. Unfortunately for him he was 3 inches too short for the Steel Eel.

Susan, you can cry now.

Last night we all got together for a little food and in Texas that means a feast. We had brisket, beans, mashed potatoes, fruit salad, fresh tomatoes & mozzarella, bread, devilled eggs and more. We then wheeled Big Grandma out on the deck, and took some pictures.

There is Robbie, Walt (aka, Dad), Durk and Brice along the back, then Blake, Hunter Big Grandma, Ethan and Brandon way down in front. The only one missing - Tommie, he just plain wasn't having any pictures, he'd had enough for the day.

Then we got the girls together and had Cheryl, Dijea, Lizzy, Judy (aka Mom) along the back and Stehle, Big Grandma & Amy down in front.

Stehle Reunion

Today I did something I haven't done in 25 years. Attend a Stehle family reunion. My dad's mom was a Stehle. I knew a few people, most I didn't - Hunter was recognized as the youngest there. The boys had a great time playing.