TWR...Garner State Park Style

Ok, I will not post my usual TWR next week as I will be in GSP. Right where I belong. So, this is going to have to do for a fortnight (two weeks for those of you from Pearland Texas)...

My family has been going to Garner for 50 consecutive years.

To put that in perspective The Earth's average temperature has increased by some estimations as much as 5 degrees over the last 50 years, but not because of global warming, but because the Earth's temperature is always changing, it can get really cold (Ice Age) and then really warm (Triassic Period). Don't get me wrong though, it probably is not a good thing to pump oil out of the Earth and burn it too or having our cows releasing all that methane gas. Also, The number of elective operations for chronic peptic ulceration has decreased substantially with the widespread use of H2-receptor antagonists? My take...I can continue to eat lots of Mexican food, drink beer, and if it gets too hot, the Frio river is going to feel that much better!

Is it just me or does the Garner State Park entrance sign look like my head?

Peace!
~R

Over and Out

So we are headed to Garner State Park for our annual River Rat Adventure. All 4 of us look so foward to it every year, and every year our stay gets a little longer. This blog is sure to have many new photos when we return on August 2cd. Before we shove off on Friday, I wanted to say good bye. Please pray for safe travels for us, Lindy & Lisa, and the Purdom/Mangham brood. We are also hoping for a little water in the ole Frio, and lots of sunshine. Morgan sure hopes to have her dance card filled every night, lord knows she has packed enough cute dresses to have the youngins fighting over her. Lastly Rusty really hopes Neal's is serving up the Stewed Green Beans, vacation isn't complete with out the pepper steak and green beans!

Have a great week or so while we are gone, we will try to not have too much fun without you, I can't promise but we will try.

This year the camper and our Chilli dog are coming along, this is a first. We will let you know how that pans out. So here we go....

Adios, Au Revoir, So long, Farewell, After while Crocodile, See you soon Baboon, Later Skater, Shalom, Ciao, Cheerio, Catch ya later, Salut, Sayonara, Adeus, See ya later when your legs are straighter, Via con Dios, Hasta luego, aloha, arrivederci, I could go on and on! Bye!

You want to go where?

Despite my parental judgement, we headed to the zoo on Friday. I warned of the heat, but the excitement of animals trumped reality. We walked about 15 minutes before the first complaint of heat and sore feet, I secretly said "I told you so", but really we kept on and had a really nice day.

As a treat I had Kayla and Collin for the day, so they joined us on our journey to the Houston Zoo, thanks Collin for caving and agreeing to the zoo or we might still be in my living room trying to decide how we would spend the day...As I see it the girls won out this time, next time is Collin's choice.

We made a stop at the carousel, I didn't ride so I got to sit in the shade and take pics.

The girls got in an Eagles Nest, Pretty impresive nest to fit these 3 turkeys...

The heat called for a snow cone break...

Check out Reagan's face and see if you can guess what color snow cone she chose.

We beat the heat, and had a really fun day. Thank you Tim & Julie for sharing the kiddos with us & for dinner that night.

Thursday with the Big Ra on Friday?

Some rules to live by that will keep you out of trouble and between the ditches...most of the time.

~Keep your hands to yourself

~Keep both feet on the floor

~Remember, if you don't want anybody to know, don't do it

~Use your manners

~Keep gum in your mouth

~Say your prayers

~Count your blessings

~Go to bed mad

~Forgive

~Smile

~Keep your word

~Don't be a hypocrite

~Be punctual

~Plant your corn early

~Don't look straight in the Sun

~Do as I say, not as I do.

RD

Before BAM

Many of you are not aware that before Reagan invented her "BAM" (if you are not sure what this is, see earlier post video) there was another signature move " YO Bro". I have included a video for your enjoyment...catch Morgan clowning in the background! Why are my kids so talented? Must get it from the Dad :-)

My Personal Fashion Show

So we may have had a little cabin fever set in while waiting for this stomach bug to go away. The girls put on a fashion show for me today and Morgan was the MC. It was great, Morgan's little anecdotes for each outfit were hilarious. I couldn't get my camera to video it for some reason, but I have a couple of pictures as proof...and bribery as they get older.

My personal favorite,Reagan on the bench! She has a future in some kind of entertainment, I am just not sure which kind yet. Scary...

Kickin It In Kerrville

In a sort of unplanned way, the girls and I headed to Kerrville and met up with the Cochrans, Leggios, and Halatas. As you may have read in Rusty's Thursday blog, he did not join us. We missed him too. We came home on Friday, and I have not blogged about our trip because we brought home a stomach bug and the girls and I have been sick since we got home. YUCK! All is well now and I have some pictures to post.

The Moms had absolutely no fun at all!

Thanks to all of you for letting us join you! We had a great time. There were teary eyed kids in my car as we drove off! My last pic, I know there are a lot but i hate to leave anyone out, is the girls in the back seat as we drove home. With me driving and no other adult passenger, they behaved wonderfully. I think I may have only heard "Mama" a few times.

T w R: Feelings

My family has been out of town since Tuesday morning and that is the longest I have ever been away from them. Therefore, today I want to talk about feelings. Because, yes I am a sensitive guy and I am in touch with my inner self. Specifically, I want to talk about loneliness. Loneliness comes in many different forms and it is often a hard feeling to identify. If you ever find yourself trying to help a friend or family member that seems to be having a hard time with feeling all alone in this big old world, here is what I have found to be beneficial. After work, have them sit around the house in their underwear and drink beer on the couch with their dog while watching sports. Have them do this for two consecutive nights and then on the third evening have them go out and play golf with their beer drinking buddies. Lastly, remember to love them and be understanding of their feelings, because one is truly the loneliest number.

~R

Fabulous 4th

We spent the 4th at the Rainey's house. I had to post the pic of all the kids in matching t-shirts. This was unplanned and all bought separately. Each was a different color with the same design on them. They were cute & we had a great time. Thanks to Tim & Julie for the partay!

Also I want to shout out to Maw Maw today for her 60th birthday. Happy Birthday and many many more to come. We love you!

T w R


Normally I enjoy being... well myself on Thursday and writing some senseless babble. I realize that it may make some you worry about my well being, but I am amused by myself. Its kind of like playing with myself, no pun intended. My grandfather taught me that if you can't dazzle them with brilliance you should baffle them with bullshit. I am good at part of that, I will let ya'll decide which part.


Nevertheless, today I will put aside my usual whimsical ways to pay tribute to the women and men that have sacrificed so much, so that people like me can express themselves in what ever manner they so choose in this country. My family and I have been blessed to have had the opportunity recently to get to know two different families that the husbands were Marines severely injured in Iraq. Several of their fellow soldiers did not survive. I find it hard to comprehend when I have had the chance to discuss with them their experiences that they both say "they were just doing their jobs". When you go to your back yard barbeques and parties this weekend please say a quick prayer for all of our service men and women because somewhere out there, there is a little girl with bows in her hair wondering how her Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother, or loved one is doing and wishing she could be with them. Some will never come home, while off just doing their job. God bless America and I hope that all of you have a happy and safe Fourth of July.


Big Ra

Lazy Days of Summer

The girls used their own money (mostly their own) to buy these chairs from Limited Too. I thought it would be a waste, I was sooo wrong. They love these things and are pulling them from room to room and playing...........TOGETHER! It's a miracle.