Remembering the Alamo

I report to Provo's Missionary Training Center Wednesday January 27-- that is exactly one week before a certain love of my life turns 21... So we celebrated things early this year, and MLK Day gave us the perfect opportunity to do it!

It began at 5:00 in the am when we left my house (each in our own cars) to road trip it the two hours down to "Waco" to "celebrate" his birth {or so he thought!}. Once we got to Waco, we dropped his car off, got back in mine, and kept on driving down I-35. Lance had no idea where we were going... Which is funny, because he was the one driving!

Ready to hit the road!

After two more hours, we arrived in Schertz, Texas and took exit #175 when we arrived at Natural Bridge Caverns, just outside San Antonio. Lance hadn't ever been to a cave (which is ironic because his mom's great-great-uncle discovered Carlsbad Caverns) so he was super excited!

The tour was excellent, and everything was so beautiful! We also learned a lot about caves and limestone... Pretty much, we're experts now!

If you ever get confused... just remember: Stalactites cling tight to the ceiling and stalagmites might reach the ceiling!

There were these great dinos there for playing on... but they also made the perfect photo-op!

The baby was my favorite :)

...and so was the gift shop! We felt like we were five again!

Once we departed from the caverns, we headed down to the real San Antonio... or rather, the tourist-y part. But first, we had to stop at the San Antonio Temple. Since it was Monday, we couldn't go inside because it was closed. But we got some great pictures!

One of the neat things about this temple, is it's at the top of a hill. So, driving up from the valley, you see its simple beauty from just about anywhere! "You are never lost when you can see the temple!" came to mind... and it made me want to move to San Antonio just a bit :)

This is the edge of the temple grounds-- you can see the valley down below.

The rest of the day was simply wonderful as well!

We walked up and down the riverwalk-- despite the gross water, it's really a beautiful area!

See Daddy?! Jackalopes DO exist!

Apparently this hotel is super haunted-- so we got a picture!

Going to the Alamo was a wonderful experience, indeed. I hadn't been since I was little, and Lance and I are both big ol' history dorks. It was very humbling to know a gigantic part of Texas history and a big part of US history, which took place February 23- March 6, 1836, was made up by these 180 men who fought for what they believed in and died honorably for their Texas.

This plaque is fixed to the Alamo's chapel, and after hearing the story of the Alamo reenacted by a tour guide, I just about cried when I read it.

"Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word"- John Steinbeck

My sense of Texas pride was re-heightened after relearning more about our amazing republic... er, state :)

After we were worn out, we began the two hour (for Lance) and four and a half hour (for me) drive home, but not before we stopped at Ghengis Grill for some dinner. About a year ago, Lance swore up and down that he would not like 'Mongolian Barbecue'... but he begrudgingly tried it anyway. The result? It's pretty much his favorite place ever now.

San Antonio was a blast-- especially being there with Lance! Thanks for making these last four years so much fun :)

Happy {early} birthday, hunny!

5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Happy New Year!

Lance and I got all dressed up and spent our New Years Eve at Main Event. We arcaded it up and bowled a couple of games. There was a barbecue buffet, and free fountain drinks. We had a great time!

Here we are at the entrance

...and again in the roller coaster simulator

We played air-hockey twice, and I beat Lance TWICE!

Then we bowled twice, and he beat me-- TWICE!

Me, with my eight-pounder

...And Lance with his sixteen-pounder!

The actual countdown was rather anti-climactic because Lance and I were playing a gun arcade game when he looked down at his watch and said,

"Oh, it's 12:03... Happy New Year!"

Happy New Year...

When we left Main Event, we went to Cam's house for our midnight waffle breakfast to celebrate 2010!

Our table looked beautiful!

Kevin was proudly flaunting his Spurs win that night-- Cam was doing her best to keep him under control...

Ready for some fresh squeezed Arizona orange juice

"Larry" and "Curly"

Waffles

With fresh strawberries on top

and delicioso turkey bacon on the side!

We all then played rock band... Daddy was quite the singer!

He rocked it!

Trevor drummed like no other...

...And Lance was amazing on the guitar-- as always!

At the end of the night, we were all exhausted!

Molly looked like we all felt...
It was definitely time for bed when we all got home!

Here's to an amazing 2010...
Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving Delights

On Thanksgiving Day we’re thankful for
Our blessings all year through,
For family we dearly love,
For good friends, old and new.For sun to light and warm our days,
For stars that glow at night,
For trees of green and skies of blue,
And puffy clouds of white.We’re grateful for our eyes that see
The beauty all around,
For arms to hug, and legs to walk,
And ears to hear each sound.The list of all we’re grateful for
Would fill a great big book;
Our thankful hearts find new delights
Everywhere we look!By Joanna Fuchs
I really was rather lame this year as far as pictures go, but despite the lack of photographical doccumentation, Thanksgiving 2009 was a huge hit and a delightful success!

This year, Thanksgiving began for me on Wednesday November 25th when Lance and I went over to Grandma Clark's for his dad's family's Thanksgiving celebration! Lance was most looking forward to Grandma's sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows... Unfortunately, when she was pulling the dish out of the oven to top it with the fluffy white treats, the dish fell onto the tile floor and shattered. Sweet potatoes were everywhere! Lance and his dad were both heartbroken!

When Aunt Johnny, John, Kim, Chandler, and Kristi arrived, the kids ran off with Sarah and Stephanie to play while Sheryl, Kim, Belva, Aunt Johnny, and I finished gathering everything for dinner, then John said the prayer, and we dug in! I brought a spinach salad with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, candied pecans, and poppy seed dressing- I think everyone really liked it! My favorite, though, was the bruschetta Kristi made!

The night progressed with some rousing games of JINGO where Lance and I, combined, won ten dollars in quarters! Then we played Disney Scene It... I pretty much rocked it-- me and the preteen girls!

It was a wonderful night that wrapped up with hugs and goodbyes 'till Christmas time!


The Thanksgiving holiday progressed when we went to Mamaw and Granddad Sublett's for a turkey day lunch Thursday morning. Everyone was there-- Neva and Leonard, Tony and Lori, Rhonda, Bennett, Jake and Haley, and Sharon! I brought the relish tray... This family sure does love their green and black olives and baby gerkin pickles! Lori made her chocolate cream pie and coconut cream pie. Because Cam hates coconut, we never have it... So it was really was a treat to have such a delicious homemade coconut cream pie!

I also really enjoyed hearing Leonard's war stories! He was a US Navy Communications Technician in Japan, and my grandpa Jones was a US Navy Communications Officer-- they both had similar stories, and it was really fun to hear them from someone Lance admires so much!


After lunch, we headed over to my house for my family's thanksgiving dinner! I couldn't wait for my mama's yamstown sweet potatoes with the sugar crumble on top. We also had Lion House Rolls, Green bean Casserole, Garlic mashed potatoes, two fried turkeys, and Lance's new favorite- homemade Cranberry salad!

The rolls and the cranberry salad

My mama put together this beautiful flower/cranberry arrangement

We were thrilled to have Grandma Jones and Grandma LeSueur with us this year!

Here I am with two of my favorite boys!

Two of my favorite boys got a little too close over the break... uh oh!

And of course, Audrey entertained everyone with her 'grown up' Thanksgiving antics!

Here she is, reading to Grandma LeSueur

And with her new car that becomes a means of her walking when it's flipped up. Watch out, mom and dad... She's going to be walking soon, sans push-car!

Another notable event of Thanksgiving was the Lenox covered vegetable dish Mom got as an early Christmas present from the grandmas, Cam and Kevin, Daddy, Trevor, and me. She's wanted this piece that matches the rest of her china forever... She loves it!

Thanksgiving was amazing. Lots of friends, food, family, and memories-- I sure am going to miss all these traditions next year...

"It's just a little Hocus Pocus..."

My favorite Halloween tradition, besides dressing up, is watching the movie Hocus Pocus with Bette Midler & Sarah Jessica Parker...



So, I have a new favorite Halloween tradition-- Taking pictures of Audrey in her costume! This year, she was a little witchey-poo, and the cutest little witch I've ever seen!

We had a sequence of pictures inside-- But she wasn't very happy... So, we went outside, because she loves being outside, and we were much more successful!

Look at those eyes...

Pretty blue eyes!

Ahh, here's a smile!

Isn't she just the cutest?!

I love love love this picture with her little cue-ball head!

Grandma and Audrey

Audrey with her mama- What cute girls!

Happy Halloween!