Backyard Visitors

For all that don't know, we had 3 cats when we moved here 22 months ago and now we are down to 0. We are very upset over the cats disappearance so, Bill is on a mission to find out what got our cats. One of the cats never wandered off and that was the last cat that turned up missing. Anyways, on this mission of trying to figure out what is wandering around our yard, he bought a trail camera. This camera is so cool, so far we've seen a Opossum and a family of Raccoons. I think I am having more fun with the camera than Bill. :-)

Week of July 21-25 - Camp Narnia

Allison and Alex spent an amazing time at church during this last week. They attended a camp name Camp Narnia, where they learned about David and Goliath. The camp consisted of acting, singing, dancing and costume making. The play the children put on was the story of David and Goliath. All the soon to be 1st graders played the green monsters and all the soon to be 3rd graders played the Israelite soldiers (the good guys). The modern day version of David and Goliath gave the children a new perspective on how to trust in the Lord when you are scared, not only by fictitious things but also real life things. The green monsters represented the things we are afraid of at night, aka the Boogie Man, the monsters in the closet...etc. So Alex liked dressing up like a monster, to perfect for a little boy. Within the play, they touched on the fact that Goliath was also a bully, very good message for young ones growing up today.
My pictures aren't very good, I was sitting on the opposite side of the church and thought I could snap some pics after the play of the kids, but they had already changed by the time I got to them. I have a few so you can get the gist.

Allison is in gray and Alex is in green. Allison is the one with her back to the camera.

July 26 - Trip to Houston

As you can tell by the pictures, we went to see the Houston Texans at training camp, we didn't get to see the actual practice, we made it to Houston a little later than we wanted to. It's hard to get moving on a Saturday morning when Bill is on the road 4 to 5 days a week. We met up with Brian after picking Betsy up (Brian works for the Texans) and got a behind the scenes tour of Reliant Stadium,the practice fields, weight room, press boxes, and some other really cool things. The circus was going on so we couldn't go down to the"field" but we did get to see it from the press boxes. We had a blast. As we were getting the behinds the scenes tour, we saw and said "Hi" to Gary Kubiak, it totally made Bill's day!


After we finished our tour of Reliant Stadium, we got a bite to eat, then went back to Brian and Betsy's house and the kids played with their dogs and Wii. Bill and Brian hit the golf course. After sitting around trying to avoid the heat, we decided to do a little shopping and take the kids to see the Wall of Water. Alex, the water lover he is, loved the coolest water fountain ever. For everyone who does not know about the Wall of Water, it is located in the Galleria area of Houston next to the Williams building, which is the tallest building in Houston. For a little boy, nothing could be better than water with a tall building next to it. The kids had a blast, Betsy and I got a chance to talk and get to know each other better. We had a lot of fun. We will definitely be making more trips in the future. Allison told me that Betsy and I talked way too much, so I guess that's a good thing, especially since we are now family. After the Wall of Water, we drove around the Galleria and ended up at Robbin's Brother ring store looking at rings and diamonds prices. For all who do not know, I got my wedding ring caught on something, not realizing this happened, my center stone fell out and basically I lost it. So....now what, I don't know, to be continued.....................Anyways, Betsy and I had fun looking at jewelry!!!!

July 19th - Trip to Grand Prairie and The American Girl Store

Allison and I got an opportunity to fill a Saturday with so much. First, we went to Grand Prairie, to see family (Aunt Betty,Uncle Cecil, Erin, Chris, Brian, Betsy and all the dogs) and have lunch. After lunch we headed out to the American Girl store in Dallas. We twisted Brian and Betsy's arm (yeah right) and they went with us. (For all those who do not know who Brian and Betsy are, Brian is Bill's first cousin on his dad's side and Betsy is sweet, pretty wife he married a year ago.) They were awesome, Allison drug Betsy around the store like she was her best friend, it was so sweet. I still don't know who got more into the shopping, Allison or Betsy.

Nicole, Allison and Betsy standing in front of the American Girl store in Dallas.

Here we are....after a year of wanting to visit the store devoted strictly to dolls, American Girl was graced with our presence. With money saved and burning a hole in our little "A" purse, we were now on a mission. Allison thought she had it all figured out, buy some clothes for the dolls she already had or maybe....possibly.....another doll. As we entered the store, her eyes just about popped out of her head, a feeling only a girl would feel in the presence of everything she oh so desired. (for you men out there reading this, it's like walking into hunting store) It's shopping time!!!! Poor Brian.

Allison posing in front of Kit and Ruthie Dolls


















Here we are waiting for a table at the "Bistro"aka restaurant, so we can get a quick snack. By the way, notice doll in highchair, too cute.

After stopping to have a snack, (by the way, we took a snack break after we had already walked around the store for an hour), Allison finally made up her mind on her latest and greatest purchase she would be making. She decided to get a doll, Mia. Here she is holding Mia in front of Kit's Treehouse replica, which is a playhouse. (FYI: Kit is another doll they sell, which she has.)After we finished at American Girl, we took Allison over to the Dallas Galleria to see the ice rink, then we headed back to Grand Prairie for supper. We got a chance to visit with everyone over a nice meal. Betty did a fabulous job putting everything together. Allison and I were originally supposed to be at Erin's baby shower on Sunday, but we had to head home early to make it to a church camp that started at 2. Erin is expecting their first baby in September and looks great! She's having a boy, which they are naming him Cade Christopher. Our visit was short but sweet.




Allison with Erin and her dog Molly.....Molly loved Allison.