Outdoor Wedding on the River Walk

Phillip's cousin got married yesterday. She lives in Houston and decided to have a small ceremony in San Antonio. We got to see several of Phillip's cousins and aunts and uncles. It was gorgeous and just the right temperature outside ~ not a small deal since it was freezing just a few days ago and today it's rainy.

 All fixed up. 

Doesn't happen too often that we're all fixed up at the same time.

What I heard from the back row, "Mom, the sun's in my eyes; I can't see the kissing!"

Mud

I love this coat he got for Christmas. He looks tough.

That's where all my dishes went! 

Let's Rodeo, San Antonio

Pictures from the Cattle Drive parade downtown today. I was just having a Facebook discussion with my sister about parades these days. They just don't make 'em like they did when we were kids in a small town. This one was still enjoyable. Nothing like the threat of getting gored by a Longhorn to put some excitement in your day. The Longhorns were the best part.

We got free cookies from the What-a-Burger booth and bandanas for playing this little toss game with HEB. 

 Crowds are mainly what we saw until some nice people let the kids get right up front.

 I'm sure the cowboys had it under control, but the cattle would jump on each other every now and then and turn and stare at you while you backed away from the flimsy orange netting that was all that protected you from their very sharp-looking horns. Still the best part.

 These guys were playing "Mairi's Wedding." It's a folksong we learned last year that Harrison often asks for me to sing to him at night. 

Snow Day

Friday awakened to an icy coating covering the outside world. 

Schools were closed in San Antonio, but our little homeschool continued. At least a partial day was completed. I let the kids play as long as they wanted outside before we finished up. 

The kids made snow balls with their sno-cone machine and had a 10 second snowball fight. They ate icicles. They had hot cocoa and cookies. They listened to songs from "Frozen." And then the Great Thaw came, as is wont to happen in south Texas, and the Snow Day was done.

I Got Nothin'

I thought I didn't have anything to post, but then I found this picture Elizabeth must have taken at the park we were at Friday.

We've just been moving along with life: dentist appointments, school, dates with Phillip, books to read, fighting off sickness, face booking, talks with friends..... just daily life. I'm kind of liking it.

The Gore Boys and A Ship

 Green eyes like his Dad.

 Turning 39.

 Captain America.

Elizabeth is really enjoying ship-building. This is the Cutty Sark ~ a kit from Hobby Lobby.

Short Road Trip

Phillip kept the kids while I made a day trip to Louisiana to see Momo. It was beautiful and clear and I timed it just right so I was never stuck in traffic. 

Sun coming up.

 Flags flying proud.

 Sunset before Lake Charles. It was gorgeous for a good half-hour.

 Panorama from the Louisiana rest stop. There's a nice short hike through the swamp ~ good for stretching your legs.

And now my rant about my nemesis: Houston Traffic. So I arrived in Houston late enough so that I wouldn't be stuck sitting in traffic. It was flowing well, but everyone was zooming past me! The speed limit is 60 mph and cops were out, but that didn't slow them down. 80 mph seemed to be the average speed - except for two cars in front of me who were going 55. Why, people? I compose copious Tweets and Facebook posts in my mind while avoiding the rocks in this stream of traffic. Once we finally leave Katy, TX, I'm so happy to have survived the ordeal that all perfectly worded sound-bites escape my brain and I pull into the Love's truck stop for a bathroom break.