Let's rodeo

One of our favorite things about Houston is when the rodeo comes to town. It's time to break out the cowboy boots and head to the rodeo. The rodeo is here about 2 1/2 weeks and we try and make it at least once. This year I ended up going twice. We had bought tickets as a family to see one show. The rodeo tickets for the Houston Livestock show and rodeo include getting into Reliant park where you can see all the livestock, browse the vendor area, eat great food, and of course the carnival. It is also to get inside the Reliant Stadium to see the rodeo which is followed by a concert. It's mostly country music but there is also R & B day, Latino day, and for the last several years there have been Disney artists. Ken was not able to go with us the day we went so Taylor brought his buddy Collin. It was perfect weather-cool and dry. We have been at times in the rain and cold so this was great. We didn't have a lot of time before the show/rodeo but we did get in a few rides at the carnival and enjoyed seeing a bit of the livestock. It was a special salute to service men & women which was great to see the service people all over enjoying some R & R with their families and friends.

This was in front of the USO tent. We chose the Texas boot to get our picture by.

Taylor and his buddy Collin

The girls on the YoYo. Looks like fun (not).

The girls and I rode the grand Ferris Wheel. It was much higher when you are on the top then when you're just looking up. It was actually a long ride. We liked looking down and seeing what we could identify. Without any elevation changes in Houston it's not very often you get to look down on the scenery below. The lights in the background are the ground so you can get a bit of perspective as to how high we were.

We were looking across at the stadium where the rodeo is held.

And looking down over the midway. The round building to the left is the Astrodome. It's so sad to see it just sitting there not being used. We have many great memories of going to rodeos, Astros games and other events there.

The girls and I had a blast at the concert.

The second time I went to the rodeo Ken and I went with our good friends the Boyers. Stefan had gotten tickets from her boss and so this time it was just us. The rodeo was great. The concert not so much. I enjoyed the music but the group are not entertainers. We had great seats and could enjoy the events without kids needing something.

Ken trying out some barrel riding

Chris and Stefan

Us

This was the concert Ken and I went to. Lady Antebellum. Like I said, I enjoy their music but they are not entertainers.

This is the concert I went to with the kids. Rascal Flatts. I have wanted to see them in concert for several years but they have always sold out. Since they don't have a new album out right now and they've been here several times I was able to get tickets. The bad part was the "bargain" seats were in the nosebleed section. Next time I will pay a couple of dollars more to come down in elevation. They were a lot of fun.

Pierced ears

The big exciting part of turning 11 was for Lexi to get her ears pierced. I wanted the girls to actually want them pierced and to be able to care for them themselves. Lexi highly anticipated this day and everyone that talked to Lexi knew it was coming. She had even decided what earrings she would start out with, her birthstone, aquamarine. She has already figured out what day the earrings can be changed and what she is going to wear 1st when she can change them. We did some before and afters for grandmas to enjoy too.

The before ears

surprisingly anxious but no way is she backing out now!!!

After-love those sparklies.

Lexi's birthday

To celebrate Lexi's birthday we had a small birthday party at home for her. She invited some friends from church and school and we did an "arts & crafts" birthday.

The girls painted ceramic figures

Decorated cupcakes that made up the "cake"

and tie-dyed t-shirts

Sorry I didn't pay attention to rotate this before uploading. I lined up the cupcakes to make the #11 for the "cake"

Lexi and her great friends

Aggie Basketball

For several years as Paige played basketball I would ask Lexi if she wanted to also. The answer was always no. Lexi has played soccer, and softball and also swam on a community swim team. This year she decided to try basketball. She was a bit older and no experience going into this but really enjoyed her experience playing basketball on a community team. The coach had previously coached Paige's team so we were familiar with him. He is very patient and really tries to help the girls build their skills. Lexi liked the action filled games. Their team had a up and down season but won both tournament games. They did lose the championship game but did a great job putting all the things they had learned this season into practice. It was really fun to see how much Lexi improved in such a short time. She even wants to do it again.

Lexi was great on defense

and rebounding

Goofing with Coach Jessie and one last head rub

The last Aggie cheer of the season.

The Shed

I have wanted a shed for the past 5 years. This may seem like a weird thing, but I still have the goal to park my car in my garage. With 7 bikes, toys, tools, camping gear etc. something has to get out of the garage. The beginning of this year Ken decided to build us a shed. He did not want a prefab one, he wanted to build it from scratch so it was done "right". He did a awesome job-it's even got hurricane straps. The part that was great was that Taylor helped all the way through and hopefully learned some skills that will benefit him throughout his life. I'm so glad my honey is so handy and uses his talents to bless our family. They braved the weather through some of the coldest this year. My job came at the end with the painting. Now I'm working on filling it up.

The finished product. Mighty nice looking and built to last.

Happy Birthday Lexi

Today is Lexi's 11th birthday, in case you can't tell by the photo. She is so excited. If you've been around her in the last week she has had a countdown going and keeps everyone updated as to how many more hours/mins. until she is 11. She is growing up too fast for me but I love watching what an amazing young woman she is becoming. She has a great zest for life and is ready to be in the middle of it all. Have a great day Lexi Lou and enjoy it all.

Girl Scout cookie time

In January the girls took preorders for Girl Scout Cookies and in Feb the cookies were delivered. The girls sold about 200 boxes each so we've spent quite a bit of time delivering. While the prices/box have changed since I sold them it's interesting to see that Thin Mints and Caramel Delight/Samoas are still the favorites. Thanks to everyone for supporting the girls and their troops.

Boy Scout Centennial Celebration

2010 is the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts in the United States. Here in Houston there was a large centennial celebration planned "An adventure of a lifetime" at Minute Maid park where the Astros play. We decided to go as a family as well as with other members of our troop. It was a very impressive program with the Texas governor, both senators, previous & current astronauts, former POW, CEO's that are Eagle Scouts and a slide show with the history of Boy Scouting in America represented. Unfortunately it was not really geared toward the boys and and ran longer than the 1 hr. advertised. The best part was the firework display at the end.