Thanksgiving

Jack with his daddy

A rose among the thorns (cactus patch!)

Just another day at the ranch fixing a sprinkler head

Getting ready to work some calves

Jack walking with his Grandparents (the bad bottom buggy is in the background)

Jack with his buddy Baylor

Jack with his Grandma & Grandpa M

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at the ranch! The weather was great so Jack got to go on lots of bad boy buggy (a.k.a. solar powered golf cart) rides with his Grandparents. He enjoyed (although he was a little scared of) the cows and now that we are home practically everything is a cow and everything goes "Mooooo." He is so funny! He also learned the word "sweet roll" and enjoyed eating them with his Grandpa M.

Catching up....

Jack with his Great Abuelita and Grandma

In early November, Jack and I went to San Marcos to meet up with Ryan's mom and Jack's Great Abuelita. (Ryan was in South Dakota with his dad pheasant hunting.) We had a great time, and Jack loved playing and spending time with both his Grandmas. His Great Abuelita is full Navajo Indian. How cool is it that Jack has that heritage in his ancestry! We need to take the time to sit down with her and listen to her stories so that we can share them with Jack as he grows older.

A week after we returned, Jack got pretty sick. It started out as a cough and then he began throwing up. He was so weak and fatigued and lost a lot of weight...as a mother it was so scary to watch my poor baby. I was so worried that he was getting dehydrated because he would not take any fluids. After about a week, he finally started to feel better. We had to keep his diet pretty bland for a while, so now it seems that all he likes to eat is starches and fruit! He used to be such a great eater! =)

Ryan's mom happened to be here during that time because she was going to babysit while Ryan and I went to the Randy Rogers concert mentioned in my previous blog. Because Jack was so sick, Ryan and I decided not to go so we will have to catch the next concert!

Texas Country Music

Randy Rogers Band

Wade Bowen

Jack Ingram

My favorite music to listen to is Texas Country. Ryan introduced it to me back in our Baylor days with the likes of Pat Green and Robert Earl Keen. We began listening to Jack Ingram the summer before we got married when we went to Austin to listen to the band that ended up playing at our wedding (The Harris & Ryden Band). Jack played after Harris & Ryden, and he put on an awesome show! Last Friday he was playing at a place called Mo's that was literally 5 minutes from our home. We were so excited! My parents watched Jack so we could enjoy the concert. It was so much fun! You will have to take a listen to one of his songs below. It is an acoustic version of "Good Night Moon;" one of our favorites! Listen also to the music by Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen...my 2 favorite Texas Country artists! When I was on their websites getting pictures I noticed that they both will be playing at House of Blues in Houston on November 17th! I want to go so bad! Maybe Ryan and I can find a sitter!

Halloween

A view from the top

The penguin with Mommy & Daddy

The penguin with Grandma & Grandpa

Cute Penguin!

Erin, Blakely, Jack and I at story time

Jack with Grandma & Grandpa at Story time

Jack and Blakely

We had a fantastic Halloween weekend and what made it especially special was the fact that my parents came into town for the fun! We started the weekend off at the library for story time where all the kids dressed up and there were lots of goodies to eat. Jack began as a bear, and I soon realized that I should never order a costume online because it turned out to be a little too hot and itchy; making Jack's already sensitive skin turn red. My mom and I found the penguin outfit on clearance, and Jack seemed to enjoy wearing it. He loved crawling around the front yard in his costume; watching the other kids come by for candy. We got many a good laugh looking down on him in his costume when you could not see his face! He really brought the costume to life!

Election '08

Go McCain-Palin! Check out this blog spot for 100 ways to support John McCain

http://moms4mccain.blogspot.com/2008/05/100-ways-to-support-john-mccain.html

A New Play Pen

Well, we were cooking out last night, and Jack was out with us enjoying the pleasant evening. He is now moving a little bit faster and is prone to getting into more mischief. So, we thought what better place to contain him than in the back of Ryan's pick up. We placed Jack back there with a few toys. You would hear noise coming from the back, then a small football would come flying out, and then Jack would climb up the side and pop up saying "football." It was so critterish watching him! Ryan, myself and the neighbors got many a good laugh out of it! We soon realized that this could not become a permanent play pen because his hands got awfully dirty from the liner in the back of Ryan's truck. It was a good thought though!

October Ranch Weekend

Last weekend was filled with a fun trip to the ranch. Jack enjoyed seeing Grandma & Grandpa M, and it was particularly special seeing his Uncle Michael. The weather was beautiful, and we had a fantastic time. Jack loved "cruising" around the patio and loved pointing to the cows, although he was a little frightened of the horses. Grandpa M taught him how to say "bull." He even said "rojo bull" because its red coloring.

Jack and his good buddy, Blakely

Jack loves his friend, Blakely! They had so much fun playing on Saturday!

Ryan turns 30!

Jack gives daddy his card.

Ryan made his favorite breakfast: chicken fried steak, eggs and grits

Dinner with our friends Marc (who also turned 30!) and Anna Catherine

Blake throws a fun celebration for Ryan on Saturday. From the doves, to the chicken fried venison, to the UT win, to Gary's mashed potatoes and Joanne's delicious cake....we had a great time!

We celebrated Ryan's thirtieth this past weekend! Enjoy the pictures from all of the fun and festivities. Happy Birthday, Ryan! We love you!

Jack's 1 year portraits

Isn't he a cutie?

Visit to Amie's

Amie and I before Church Sunday morning

Jack with his buddy, Faith. She was so sweet and loved taking care of Jack. She helped with his diapers, helped feed him and helped with his sippy cup.

Ella, Faith, Jack and Ethan

Amie and I with our TCBY! We loved that place growing up!

The kids enjoying lunch together. Amie had lots of yummy food!

Last Saturday morning I was feeling kind of sad. Ryan had just left for a hunting trip after having a long, busy week at work. I was really missing him, and I was struggling with my motherhood responsibilities with Jack. A sudden thought occurred to me....maybe I should see if I can get a flight to Memphis to visit Amie and her family. We had been talking about the possibility of a visit in the future, and I thought why not do it now. Of course, the flights were outrageous, but I was determined and through God's amazing blessing, I found some Continental miles that I did not know about and was able to book a flight to Memphis. Jack and I were off to see Amie Saturday evening. We had an amazing time, and it was so refreshing for me! Jack loved it too and was well entertained by Ella, Ethan and Faith. God is so good. Even though it was sad leaving Amie, and I miss Amie and her family so much, I came away from that visit refreshed and with a new focus on Christ. Amie is such an example and encouragement to me. Her faith is so strong, and I love how she demonstrated it with her children. We shared many a laugh and cry together, and it felt like we picked up right where we left off after not having seen each other in 4 years. Thank you, God, for the blessing of that visit. It was just what I needed! Thank you, Amie and Adam, for opening up your home and being so gracious and kind to Jack and I. We love and miss you all!

Jack's Birthday Party

Yeehaw! Saddle up and come have some fun! Our little Buckaroo, Jack, is turning one! Can you guess what the theme was for Jack's first birthday party? Cowboy! We had such a wonderful time on Saturday night! Ryan spent two day smoking and cooking a delicious array of meat; brisket, ribs and chicken. Both sets of Grandparents worked hard in helping me decorate and serve our guests! Thank you so much Grandpa & Grandma M and K! Jack enjoyed everyone singing Happy Birthday to him and clapped with delight. He was not quite sure what to do with his cake. In fact, he did not like the fact that the icing was sticking to his fingers, and he wanted it taken off. I do think he enjoyed the cake part later with his Grandpa M. He enjoyed opening his presents and has had such a great time playing with all of the new toys. Happy 1st Birthday, Jack!

Hurricane Ike

That Tree that we loved

Pictures from the ranch while Hurricane Ike was barreling towards Houston

Well, the Wednesday afternoon before Ike hit, the bp campus where Ryan works closed; so Ryan, Jack and I decided to head out of town for a long ranch weekend. Fortunately, we headed out before the big rush Thursday morning. We enjoyed a nice weekend at the ranch far away from the storm and spent some good quality time with Grandpa & Grandma M and of course, Baylor, the dog. Jack loved Baylor and even said her name a few times. We monitored the storm from there, and then decided to head back on Monday after hearing that we had power back on in our house. Fortunately, there was no damage done to the inside of our house. We lost a few flowering trees, and there was a lot of debris in the yard that took an entire day to clean up. All in all Katy fared pretty well and was up and running in no time unlike Houston where some of our friends are still without power. Our prayers our with the people of Galveston who lost so much and have experienced so much devastation from Ike.

On a side note, I must share a funny story that happened while Ryan and I were cleaning up the yard. We lost one of our favorite trees, and although we are not sure what type of tree it was, we called it our mesquite tree because it reminded us of one. Anyhow, we were trying to save it by pushing it back up and tying it to the fence, but once we did that the tree snapped and broke. We decided to clear it away in the hopes that it might regrow. After all, there is still a small shoot of leaves coming up from the ground. While Ryan was clearing the tree away, he managed to step on and smash one of our day lily plants. I got upset with Ryan and told him to stop stepping on the day lily. He stopped, looked at me and said, "I don't care about that plant.....I, I loved that tree." I couldn't help but laugh...it was so cute and so sweet how he loved that tree so much! So, enjoy the photo of that beautiful tree that we miss and loved so much!

My 30th!

Wow! So hard to believe that I am now 30! I had a fantastic day and what made it extra special was the fact that it fell on a Saturday, so Jack, Ryan and I got to spend the day together! I went to one of my favorite aerobics classes in the morning, enjoyed a nice, relaxing pedicure, enjoyed another ice cream cake from Ryan and Jack (I love ice cream cake! I better watch out now that I am 30!), opened presents and cards from friends and family (even a card from Baylor the dog), was surprised with a bouquet of flowers, and received messages and phone calls from friends and family. The day ended with Ryan and I going to Brenner's (a steak house) for a nice, romantic dinner. We had a great time at dinner except for the fact that Ryan was told by our waiter that he looks like Joel Osteen, which happens one too many times for his liking. We always get a good laugh out of it or, at least, I do!

Indy Visit

........ playing with bubbles at Grandma & Grandpa's house

...... Grandma, Gretchen, Rachel, Joe, Olivia, Grandpa, David, Jack and Luke

.......... Jack and David (they are only 3 days a part!)

.........Grandpa with Jack and Rachel at Crooked Stick

.....Aunt Lisa (the photographer of the family; she took all of these great pics!) and Jack

Jack and I had a great visit to Indiana! We enjoyed spending time with Grandma & Grandpa K, as well as his aunts, uncles and cousins. As usual, the time went by too quickly! Jack enjoyed his first hair cut, and I was able to do some birthday shopping with my mom. I also got some quality sister time and was able to have some girls nights out with Katie and Lisa and then again with all my sisters and mom. Jack played with his cousins, watched them in amazement and even tried to chase and keep up with them a time or two. He loved playing with all of the cool toys at Grandma's house. What made the trip even more special was the fact that I was able to celebrate my birthday with my family. I have not done that in over 10 years! We had my favorite cake....an Oreo ice cream cake! Yum! We all even enjoyed a delicious lunch at Crooked Stick, while watching my dad complete the club tournament. Jack took a tour of the locker room with his Grandpa and was able to check out his Grandpa's golf locker. Jack was fascinated with his uncles and Grandpa and referred to them all as "Da."