Austin

We have been back over a week already but we had the best time! Max enjoyed swim camp, got a little homesick but it made his Momma happy to know that he still needed her. So he and I texted often at night. He's had his own cell phone for months now and I know sometimes it can be a pain but the texting is something I really enjoy. It's a form of communication with him I am thankful for and I know he texts me things that he often would not tell me in person.

My Dad arranged for us to get a private tour of the capitol with some of his work associates and they were so generous. They spent so much time with us showing us around and we even got to sit in our own State Senator's chair, Tommy Williams. The kids loved all the artifacts and I can honestly say there is not another capitol in the country that is as proud as ours. Every inch was covered in stars, after all we are the Lone Star state.

Mark asked for private lodging during his stay at seminary and while it was nice and private the bed cracked me up. Mark is 6'6" so his tiny little twin bed just did not cut it. I suggested he move the other twin bed horizontally at the foot of his bed but he said he was used to his feet hanging off. Such a trooper, my giant.

The kids and I stayed in the DoubleTree suites downtown. It was FREE because of some air mileage I had converted to Hilton points in case anyone is interested! The pool was fabulous. It was outdoors and the cities high rise buildings were all around us. The kids and I ate the breakfast buffet one morning and we certainly took the return as often you'd like to heart, clearing out the bacon faster than the server could replace it.

I took the kids to the BlueBell Creameries in Brenham on the way to Austin and we had a yummy time. We got to see how they make the ice-cream and learned all about the process. Did you know that it takes the milk of 10,000 cows to produce one days worth of ice cream in the factory? We all chose our favorites scoops at the end of the tour and paid homage to my father, a loyal Blue Bell consumer for years!

So Austin, we will return hopefully soon to visit more of your local gems.

Max leaves for UT Swim Camp

We always pray as a family before anyone leaves to go on a trip so we were all outside ready to pray and MT ran out with his Darth Vader mask on and said, "Let's join hands." So we did. Keffer craziness with boys in boxers and masks. God has to love it.

Ella bought this cute little orange at the church yard sale on Friday and decided to send it with Mark. He left today for his two weeks in Austin to continue working on his doctorate. She said, "Like the AT&T commercial, you can take pictures with him Daddy."


My oldest headed off to the big city of Austin for swim camp. There will be 9 Olympians there and the Olympic head coach is running the camp.

A good friend posted on my facebook page that he was sad Max was going to a college other than Bama. So I had to reassure him that Max left with his Bama hat on. No divided loyalties in our house. He was born in Alabama and nothing would thrill us more than for him to head to Tide country. We're just going to have to beef up their swim program!

Swim Season Begins

We had our first swim meet of the season yesterday. It was typical South East Texas heat, so we were covered in sun screen and sweating up a storm but we all had fun. This year all 4 kids are swimming. Ella decided if she was always going to be at the pool she might as well be in the pool and we were so excited to see her first race. She swam the freestyle relay and was the last swimmer. Our team was behind a little when she dove in but she quickly caught up and passed the other swimmers. When she got out she said, "I beat that boy." She sure did! She also swam the 25 freestyle and the 25 backstroke.

The other boys are professionals now so they were pumped to start. Mark helped run the computers and I am now the volunteer coordinator so it's a full fledged family event. We're excited for a super fun season!