Happy 75th Papa!

My dad turned 75 this weekend. We went to SA for a long weekend to celebrate. Saturday we went to brunch at the Menger Hotel. The food, service and company was perfect. They have an AWESOME buffet. Sunday we went to church and afterwards my mom sponsored a church luncheon in honor of his birthday. We love you Dad!


75 Things I learned from my Dad
(In Honor of his 75th Birthday)


1. Vote Democrat
2. Change the oil every 3 months
3. Buy the extended warranty
4. Map out your travel route
5. Always have some cash
6. Keep up with technology
7. Watch the news
8. Read the newspaper
9. Read the classics
10. Be honest
11. Do your homework
12. Keep a map in the car
13. Eat out often
14. Do what you enjoy
15. Social work is a rewarding career
16. If spouse is out of town, clean house before they return
17. Always have a vegetable with your meal
18. Always have a spoon at your table setting
19. Use real dishes, not paper plates
20. Keep a clean table
21. Save everything because you never know when you might need it
22. Go to garage sales
23. Always stop at the historic landmarks on a roadtrip
24. Always stop at the state visitor’s center
25. If it’s free, take it
26. Visit your grandma
27. You can never have too many toothbrushes or batteries
28. Vote Democrat
29. Don’t cuss
30. Don’t drink
31. Don’t smoke
32. Finish what you start
33. Trade in your car every few years
34. Invest
35. Save
36. Go to the library
37. Volunteer
38. Listen to music
39. Show people respect
40. Use good manners
41. If you have a coupon, use it
42. If you’re not satisfied, speak to a manager
43. Negotiate
44. Sometimes you have to compromise
45. Know how to swim
46. It never hurts to ask
47. If you really want a job, show up in person to apply
48. Keep your receipts
49. The Holiday Inn is great for families on a road trip
50. If the air conditioner breaks on a road trip, turn around and go home
51. Fly if you can
52. Travel often
53. Eat ethnic foods
54. Have good friends
55. Let your children have their friends over often
56. Be generous
57. Keep flashlights in case of emergency
58. Have an emergency kit
59. Keep in touch
60. Pay your bills on time
61. Vote Democrat
62. Go to outdoor concerts
63. Go to museums
64. History is important
65. Take lots of pictures
66. Being a parent means giving advice even when your kids don’t want to hear it
67. Being a parent means letting your kids learn from their mistakes
68. Go to college
69. If your child isn’t in college, they’re on their own
70. Go to graduate school.
71. UT is the best.
72. Learn how to cook
73. Vote Democrat
74. Set a good example
75. Love your children

Maddie's Last Day of School

Maddie finished school for the year on Weds. Here is a picture of her in the home center in her classroom. She was so sad school was over and she wouldn't see her teacher, Ms. Cullum anymore. On the way home she said she wished Ms. Cullum was her mommy. Kids say the darndest things.........

Happy Mother's Day!

Here is the card Mike and the kids made me for Mother's Day. It was a great surprise! I also got special cards that Maddie and Ryan made at school. Maddie's class had a Mother's Day Tea Party. Maddie took me to my seat at a table decorated by the kids. They made each of the moms a vase with flowers in it, served us tea and cookies and gave us a decorated tile and some artwork. Ryan made some magnets and gave me a BIG hug.

SA & Vegas Baby

Our trip to SA was fun but Ryan got pinkeye and eventually infected Maddie, Colin & Tori. He also had an ear infection and an allergic reaction to the antibiotic. Need to remember not to give him augmentin!!!! This is my note to myself. He missed 7 days of school (3 in SA and 4 once we got back.) I'm so glad everyone's better now!
I went to Vegas last weekend with my mom and sister. We met my Aunt Myra, Uncle Bob, Aunt Peach, Uncle Gary and cousin Joanne there. Had a GREAT time. I didn't win any money but only spent what I planned on spending so that was okay. My big loss was my $100 bet on the Spurs, per Mike's request. Darn Spurs!!
Back at home now. Everyone's good. One silkworm is now in a cocoon and the other one died (according to Mike). I got back in town and he was gone.
I had some excitement last night. My oven caught fire when a baking dish split and some food fell to the bottom. While I was dealing with the fire and smoke the kids went into the backyard and turned on the sprinkler. Soooooo, I had a house full of smoke and 3 kids soaking wet and muddy. And I was hosting bible study in 2 hours! It all worked out and the kids went to bed 45 minutes early. Wheeewwww.
The last 3 pics are from Vegas. The waterfall was at our hotel, the Wynn. The other pic is at a restaurant called Bautista's Hole in the Wall.