Happy Birthday Dean!

We have all been waiting for this great occasion. Paul has said many times that my nieces and nephews truly weren't enough. While he adores those little girls and that one little boy...he has always wanted one of his own. November 3rd it happened! Beautiful little Dean was born, and we were here waiting when he arrived home. We are so grateful that we get to bask in this cuteness everyday, listen to his little voice, and watch him make faces at his parents. While I am truly jealous of Jenny and can't wait for my own , I am truly proud to call little Dean my nephew.

Here are a few pictures of Paul and I and our latest nephew!





Congratulations James and Jenny!

All Hallows Eve

When I was in high school I did my best to scare myself. I watched horror movie after horror movie...never being truly horrified. I guess that's what intrigues me about Halloween, aside from the free candy I get to be the lead role on the stage of my own horror.
Unfortunately, kids don't usually come to apartments. But I have a vision of someday having the most horrific house on the block. Every Halloween there will be rumors exchanged in the halls of the local elementary school...real monsters lurk inside that house.
My goal will be to scare, I will be the most real scariest looking witch that ever roamed this side of the earth. I may have to make my own costume to get the real effect I'm looking for, but here are a few things I found on the Internet...love the shoes!





This Halloween we didn't do much, but we had a great time carving pumpkins, watching horror movies, and participating in the ward trunk or treat.







I've been trying to think of something terribly frightening for Paul to be...any suggestions?

hate [heyt]: to dislike intensely or passionately

Last night I had a dream that my sister Kimberly and I were shopping and found the greatest deal ever! Right in the middle of the store...thousands of t-shirts with a large sign above them that read 25 t-shirts for $25. I remember looking at Kimberly while I tried to contain my excitement, then yelling..."I can't believe they are $.50 a shirt!"
I shook my head this morning as I laughed at myself. I can't even do math in my dreams!
True to my motto I have saved the best for last, or in this case the worst for last. After high school I made a sub conscience decision to never use my brain to do math again. I tried so hard to grow a love for something I truly hated in every meaning of the word.
Now as I come to my last semester of college I force myself to do something I hate. Paul and I sat down to work on math last night. I felt every feeling I have ever felt in the past come back to me as I tried to listen and understand. Paul was the perfect tutor as he listened to and answered every question I had.

Today I have decided I'm going to do this...I'm going to win my battle against math, and pay $1 for each t-shirt in my dreams.

Alligator Etiquette

• ABSOLUTELY DO NOT feed or annoy the alligators.
• Keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet.
Do not throw objects in water for your dog to retrieve.(They may get eaten!)
• Keep at least 30 ft. from an alligator – do not assume they’re slow-moving.(They will get you given the opportunity)
• Do not swim in or wade into any water in Brazos Bend State Park.(You may get eaten!)
• If an alligator goes after a fish you have caught, cut the line and let the alligator have the fish. (Now is not the time to fight for your food)
• Avoid any alligator sunning itself in the middle of the trail or lake bank.
• Stay clear of grasses, twigs and/or soil near the side of a trail: it may be a nest and the mother alligator is probably close by guarding it.
• If an alligator opens its mouth and hisses, you have come too close. Retreat slowly; make no quick moves. Keep your eyes on the alligator.



Brazos Bend should be a must see on everyone's bucket list. As we entered the park the ranger gave us a map with the "Aligator Ettiquette" listed above. Paul and I laughed as we entered the park and I read the rules aloud. Note: my thoughts are in the( ).
There are supposed to be hundreds of adult alligators over 6 ft, and thousands under. We were told we should keep to the trails for obvious reasons. When there are no fences keeping the beasts in you have to stick to some of the rules.
When Paul and I neared the first lake we understood why these rules were listed in plain sight on the map. The Alligator posted just left stood no less than 15 ft in front of us covered in green slime. There were 20 people gathered by the side of the lake staring at the ground (He would have gotten his pick of the big or small). I didn't understand what all the hype was about until I looked closer. We backed away to our 30 ft mark and Paul leans over to me with his comforting words. "It doesn't matter how close we get...as long as you can run faster than the fat guy standing next to you."
So if you want to walk among the wild.....just head out to Needville Tx. But remember not to get too close unless you can run faster than the fat guy next to you!

im⋅ag⋅i⋅na⋅tion [i-maj-uh-ney-shuhn]

As a child our imagination almost took over our minds. It caused us to believe that any one of our stuffed animals could come alive at any moment. We had super magical powers that would allow us to have super strength, or dissappear at will. Thunder was an untamed beast that only came out when it rained. (To calm my fears Mom used to tell me that it was just the people up in heaven playing a really good game of bowling, "STRIKE".)
We could no more get rid of our imaginary friends than our parents. They were a part of who we were.
As we grow older we tend to forget the large hairy monster under our bed, the beautiful fairies that accompanied us in our sleep, and our adventures with the pirates on the great ocean that lied between the couches in our living room.
When did it happen? When did I lose that little girl who danced freely to the music in her head. The one who sang "Part of Your World" just because it was fun. The one who allowed herself to be herself even when people were watching.
I've become a boring adult in need of a child with an imagination! This week I'm going to become Siebel in the opera "Faust",and Orfeo in "Orfeo Ed Euridice"
I'm going to dance to the music in my head and sing for fun!
So let yourself go this week....see where your imagination takes you!

Rain

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain on my window. It's funny how something so small could put a smile on my face. I got up out of bed and pulled the blinds so that I could watch as it ran down the window. I must have laid here and watched for hours.

Take A Trip To The Zoo With Us!

Paul and I went to the zoo a couple weeks ago. I probably picked the worst day to go but Paul stuck it out for me. We were both wiping the sweat from our faces all day. We lost more water than we drank, and were hardly prepared for one of the hottest days of the year. I think Paul was wishing the I had chose to go the the Blue Bell factory....indoors with a cup of ice cream in our hand! I figured because it had rained earlier that it would stay pretty cloudy but the sun came out right as we got there and it was blazing the rest of the day. We had a really great time though...and here is my proof.

Isn't he the cutest!


Meercat


Just born a couple days before...big baby!


Then there were the sea lions...


Aligator...he was a little lazy that day.


Big....lizard thing


little turtle


Elephant


I don't know what this is!


Massive cows...can you say neck ache!


lazy lepoard


The monkeys were our favorite!




These are the only ones that I could get of the big cats. They were staying in the cool areas.




Paul...Doesn't he look harmless?


We're glad you took time out of your day to go to the zoo with us.