Hiking

We're pretty good about getting the girls out into nature and trying new things. But today I was reminded again about how much fun they have. We decided to go "hiking"on the first day of 2008. The first park we thought of happened to be closed on New Year's Day but luckily there is a very nice nature trail right here in Boerne. The girls had so much fun exploring and Vienne always fills her pockets with "treasures". It was cold though. A frigid 50 degrees. I know, some places are under feets of snow. But that's cold for S. Texas.

Main Street with our Buddies

Last night on Main Street was the Christmas parade. Lots of pretty lights, a high school marching band (currently, Boerne only has one high school. Until next Fall, when the second one opens. Won't be a small town anymore!), candy canes thrown at ya' smashing into pieces as they hit the ground. The kiddos sat so excitedly waiting to see Santa. It couldn't have been more fun because our wonderful friends joined us. Oh, and the weather here is whack. For those that are visiting, last weekend we went to Main Street it was 40 degrees. This weekend 77 degrees.

That's what Natalya had to say about that. Maybe Jen got a better picture of the kiddos all lined up in a row.

And THIS is what a Santa experience should be like. The girls saw Santa and the Mrs. walking in the street and ran right up to them. And this REAL Santa opened his arms and scooped them up! Then the Mrs. joined us and and mentioned how she "remembered me from when I was little." Sweet. Natalya asked for a camera and Vienne asked for a harp. I know. And Santa was sweating. The poor guy is used to the freezing North Pole and here he is in 77 degree weather.

(Trying to figure out why when you click the pictures to enlarge and open on another screen they are instead asking to save to disk. Apparently lots of people are having the same problem with Blogger.)


AND Seven Random Facts About Me. Miss Arizaphale has tagged me for a meme. I thought this was my first one but I then remembered that she has tagged me before. I never completed that assignment. She failed me that term and so I must redeem myself and beg for extra credit. Here are the rules to this one:

1. Link to the person that tagged you. Check.
2. Post the rules. Check.
3. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself. Will do.
4. “Tag” 7 people at the end of the post and include links to their blogs. No problemo.
5. Let each person know that you tagged them. Gotcha.

Here goes, 7 Random Facts about me. I will wake you up when it's over:

1. I was born in Thailand. My dad was in the Air Force stationed in Thailand. He met my mom and well, you know how it happens.
2. My favorite movie is Chocolat.
3. My sister and I once, when we were little, opened up every single present under the Christmas tree and then taped them back up. We did not get caught.
4. I taught ball room dancing. For less than a month. I hated it because I wasn't flirtatious like the other gals and that's what was expected. And most of the men that came in were old. OLD.
5. Growing up I always hated my name, Melody. It was so unique and I wanted the names that every one else had, like Michelle, Kim, Debbie (oh, man, are those name so typically 80's?)
6. I have a funky, long, second toe on my right foot. No, I will not include a picture.
7. I have two tattoos and want a third.

Now I tag:
The Honorary Indian, Mama's Boyz, Horizon Way Stories, Texas Cowgirlz, Princess Bishop , Golightly (she's visiting the Alamo City soon, makin' sure she's got street cred), and my sister Steph who doesn't have a blog but can do it in my comments . How do ya like that?

Brrrrr

Now this is what I call Fall weather. This evening it was about 58 degrees and freezing! We loved it. It will warm up a little for tomorrow and will probably be back up to 80 degrees again real soon. We'll take what we can get.

Field Trip

This weekend we visited the "Here Be Dragons" exhibit at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Greg has been wanting to go to the ITC for a long time. It's filled with all things related to Texas history. The current special exhibit is about dragons. As you enter the exhibit there is a really cool animated dragon. The rest of the exhibit talks about how dragons came to be cross culturally.

This picture was taken at the entrance of the ITC. If you've ever been to Texas you know that the flag flies everywhere. This is a huge neon flag that I thought was very cool.
Across from the ITC is the 750 foot tall Tower of the Americas. It's one of the first things you see when you approach downtown San Antonio. We've never been up there. Frankly, I'm a wee bit scared to go up. There's a restaurant at the top.
And our little Sweet V. She's always asking, "Where are we going next?"

Slippery When Wet

This is what's called in and around the San Antonio area as a "low water crossing". Whenever we get heavy rains or everyday for a year rains like we've been having, the news people will come on TV saying "watch out for low water crossings" because some spots over roads will flood. Is this a San Antonio phenomenon? We were driving home the other day and decided to take a new road home just because. As we were driving we see the "Road Closed" sign. But like every other San Antonian we think, "That doesn't apply to us. Let's go around it and see." As we drive not even a mile down we see the next sign that reads "Water Over Road" and sure enough, there was. This doesn't look as daunting in the picture but the water was rushing. Fast. Super fast. Many a loony driver will brave this mini flood of water and end up on the news themselves not able to tell their story. The rain continues even as I type. Did I miss the memo to build our ark?

Life is a Highway

This is My Best Shot Monday. Filler' up and follow me to Picture This.

This picture fits my travel themed story. We were supposed to have left for CA yesterday to visit Greg's family. We woke up at 3:30AM to be at the airport at 4:30AM to find out that our 6:00AM flight was cancelled. (You know, even my salon calls me when my appt. needs to be rescheduled. We got no call from the airlines.) Skip through a series of events, we will try again this morning with another 6:00AM flight. I truly believe in karma and think that I was being punished. Only happy thoughts for the rest of the week.

4th of July Parade

This morning we celebrated Independence Day with the city of Comfort at their annual 4th of July Parade. It's a very small town about 15 minutes Northwest of Boerne. Lots of character, antique shopping, and small town flare. I was really hoping that this would be a "typical" small town parade and it was. Lots of children, tailgates open, dogs on leashes, and lots of smiling faces.

This is Natalya's expression every time she sees a horse.And for the girls, the best part of the parade was that every float threw them candy.