Texas VS BYU

Kind of embarrassing but after 7 years I finally made it to my first Texas game.

I love football, I love Texas but our Saturdays consist of our own games with little Roberts people playing in them.

Us with Chris and Tina.

This was a really fun game to go to as they were playing BYU. Yes, I was pulling for Texas all the way but it was neat to be around so many BYU people. I haven't had much of an opportunity to do that.

The game was a ton of fun. Yes, Tom and I heard all the Mormon jokes from Chris' friends. It was even more fun to watch their faces after we told them that we were Mormon.

Hopefully it will not be another 7 years before we get to another game. Thats a perfect night for me!

Steiner Ranch Fire

(This is what we saw coming into downtown on Monday night- this was part of the Bastrop fire that burned over 1500 structures)

This Sunday started out like any other.

Coming home from church we noticed smoke in the sky. It looked like it was over by our neighborhood. We kept turning corners and I thought maybe it is at the Oasis again. We got a little closer and realized, oh my this is in Steiner Ranch. We could see the fire and we were still able to pull into the first entrance. We pulled over and could not believe how big this was. We didnt want to be in the way so we went on home. I could see smoke and was a little uneasy but we had people coming over for dinner so I just started on that. I kept hearing sirens and seeing smoke. It was really weird outside. I was really getting worried but Tom wanted things to be as normal as possible. The kids were also getting nervous.

We lost power, our company said that they could not get in to Steiner. All roads were closed. Then I started getting text that said to evacuate.

This all got very crazy in a small amount of time.

I didnt pack anything as I was trying to finish our dinner and figure out what was going on.

I went outside and then the cop told us mandatory evacuation. We needed to get out right then.

I think that is when Tom realized what we had to do. The kids each got their blankets and I got the cat. Thats all we took with us. When we got to the end of our road and I saw how much smoke there was, I made Tom turn back to let me get my scrapbooks and computer.

Driving out of Steiner took almost 2 hours. It was unbelievable to just see homes going up in complete flames. Some of the homes just exploded.

It was such a surreal event happening right before our eyes. Just could not believe it.

So we were on our way to Uncle Chris' house for the night.

So the night turned into 2 days. We were glued to the TV and computer the entire time as we were getting updates on the fire and when we could go back home.

72 hour kit has a new meaning for us but we did just fine without them. We kept expecting to be able to go back home and then we would hear that no decision was going to be made until later. Steiner Ranch lost 24 homes completely and another 30 damaged. We felt bad for those that lost everything. Some literally had the back of their house on fire before they realized and they had to leave out the front with nothing with them.

We were thankful to have Uncle Chris' house to stay at. Yes, we had some fun while we were there.

Thank goodness Larson really does not smoke or drink but

I will admit that my family loves to play poker. They get it from their father's side of the family.

I always joked that if there was a fire, I would get the kids and my scrapbooks. Never did I really think that would actually be a day and to think that those are the things that we really did take with us. (well, not the kids, the scrapbooks)

It was so great to come back home and have a home to come back to!

Happy Logan

Sometimes Happy Meals just make you happy.

Logan Rides the Bus

This is Logan waiting for the bus! Yes, he is waiting for a school bus to come and take him away from his Mommy! I can not believe that I have put my 3 year old on a bus. It was something that I wouldnt have even considered at the end of last year but things change. As I was driving him far away to his speech class and trying to figure out how to fit the 6 hours a week in, it just came to me that I needed to reconsider the bus. It took me about 2 weeks to decide on it but it was what was best for our family given the heavy schedule that we carry with 4 schools and Logan's speech school also.

Here's the best part: He LOVES the bus as does his brothers. He goes out 30 minutes before just waiting. He got right on and I had to make him kiss me goodbye. He is only 1 of 2 boys that rides. It has AC on board and they have their own little built in car seats. He has toys around him and a personal assistant to meet any of his needs as he goes to school.

Logan has already learned that he has school days that he rides in the car and speech class that he takes the bus. Obviously, the first day of kindergarten will not be very hard for me.

Sam and Logan

This is Sam. He is Logan's BFF as Larson says. This was Sams 3rd Birthday and he came swimming with us. Logan got a letter book for Sam. Sam is the cutest thing ever and he is obsessed with letters. Yes, this kid reads and spells many words. Maybe some of that will rub off on Logan. Poor Logan, being number 4 has its issues. I would walk around with flashcards in front of Jordan teaching her letters. Now, I just say, Logan will figure them out eventually!

Pop Warner PW White 2011

Jackson loves game day

sideline practice snaps

something I have learned: center is the first step in getting any play completed.

Jackson on the line- offense and defense

Logan brings lots of friends to the games

sometimes Dad has to get something in Jackson's head...

sometimes you get a little banged up....

but we always have your back Jackson.

Logan's view from the top of the stadium.

Luling, TX

2nd meet and I am learning that they are all different in their own way.

This Saturday morning was an early rise that included Logan this time. We drop Jordan off with the team and set out in the darkness to drive to Luling, TX. Really enjoy the ride through the Texas country with the sun starting to rise. Yes, Logan and I do a breakfast date at McDonalds. I saw some of those old towns that you think of in Western movies. I saw a high school that didnt look like much more than a one room school house. That is amazing that such a simple life still exists.

So we are coming close to Luling and there is a really bad smell in the air. That would be Texas oil. This little town is known for it. There are some big oil companies working here but the thing that is so unique is that almost every business and home has an oil rig of their own that are real and working. They all have their own personality. Here are a few of them that I took pictures of.

Cutest little town and I guess you just get use to the smell and dont notice it.

Varsity and JV team warm ups.

I really do like small town atmosphere but prefer living in a bigger city. I had to take a picture of this Volkswagon. This Volkswagon with its side door open was the source of music for this meet. In comparison to the mega complex of a 5A brand new Houston school that we were at last week. The music was piped out through a state of the art sound system. So there is a huge difference between these first two meets but both very cool in their own ways.

Jordan was in a little shock that the warm up was 2 miles and then they only had a couple of minutes before she had to run her 2 miles. They ran on the road through the schools little neighborhood. She did better than her first meet so that was good. It's still a little crazy to me seeing Jordan out running. Of course, it makes me smile.

And this really makes me smile.

A quick team photo at the coaches meeting and then they are off to finish their required mileage. Logan and I get back in the car and head to Austin!

One of my happiest places is watching our kids in their activities.

VHS PEP RALLY

First VHS pep rally of the season. (I love pep rallies and its great for the community but I think that 4 points and VHS is going a little overboard with them) It seems like every other week there is another community pep rally. Not that anything is wrong with it, just hard on the schedule.

Jordan started out with the Varsity Choir singing the National Anthem.

Then ran around the track to take off her top layer of clothing....

so she could run in with the cross country team.

Jordan's coaches dancing to the Viper Strike song.

With VHS being a new school, they are trying hard to make their own new traditions. This pep rally went on forever as they were showing, teaching, and practicing all the new dance moves.

The Legacies dance team. These girls are good! They are fun to watch. They get to be in the Macys Day Parade this Thanksgiving.

Jackson giving thought on the night... Actually the first thing he said was that the girls in the cowboy hats were really good. That's how good they really are that Jackson would even notice and then comment on them.

Really love being a part of this community!

Lucky Girl!

I have never owned running shoes so nice!

These are what I have always called running shoes but coach has taught me that these are called Trainers. So in XC encyclopedia there are spikes and trainers. I still call them running shoes.

Back to School 2011

Jordan entering High School. This is a big wow for me. I remember my first day like it was not that long ago and here she is (so we do know that was long ago). I feel like the count down is on. 4 years until she moves on. I want to take in all of those 4 years and make them the best.

It has been very exciting getting to learn all about our new high school. I have been able to see both the academic and athletic sides of the school. It is an incredible campus and our kids are so very lucky to have a school like this to go to every day. She may not appreciate the every day but I know she will love it there.

The coolest thing about her going to school the first day- it was just like the last 3 weeks of dropping her off there every morning before the sun comes up for practice. There were not any tears from me as it was just like another day. Jordan didn't have to be nervous as she already knew what she was doing. Joining the XC team gave her a set of friends and lots of upper classmen to show her the way.

Middle School- another first for Jackson. I have to say, like we didnt already know this but a HUGE difference between a girl entering middle school and a boy entering. Jackson was just so laid back about the entire thing. He went to Eagle camp, a small orientation and acted like he had already done this many times before. He didnt seem nervous at all and he just kept saying , "Ive got this". I think that he does have this. He has adjusted to the middle school with complete confidence. He does have to actually study for test now and that was something to get use to. He changes out for PE every day and has not forgotten his clothes yet. Jaxs had to get use to the concept that some times teachers have you come in before or after school. He had to learn a new level of responsibility very quickly. The funniest difference so far between Jordan and Jackson was the first school dance. Jordan planned for weeks ahead and had a pre dance party at our house. I forgot that Jackson was even going to his first dance as they changed the time to start right after school. He liked it but had to leave early for football practice.

Jackson really really likes being at the middle school.

One more funny thing- he will only wear sports clothes to school and thats fine with me. I gave up on nice shirts and plaid shorts a long time ago. The one thing that I did notice was that I had bought him black socks over the summer because that is the new trend. He continued to wear his white socks right up until he got to the middle school. He converted to black very quickly.

Larson-starting 2nd grade.

Larson is the easiest this year as he is at the same school and keeps the same schedule. He is also the easiest because he takes pride in getting himself completely prepared and ready each day by himself. (unfortunately quite literally a few times as I was getting Jordan to early morning seminary)

Larson has big goals set for the year and I know he will work hard towards them.

Logan was excited to finally get to go to school. He did not start for 2 weeks after the other kids. He gets to go to speech class on Mon and Wed. and he goes to St. Lukes preschool on Tues. and Thursdays. Logan is second to wake up in the morning and the 4th to leave. Once Jackson is gone each morning, Logan asks if it is his turn. Yes, Logan it is your turn!