None Other, Than Cadillac Ranch!

Since 1974, in Amarillo, TX., in a COW PASTURE, ..... the one,.... the only....

Cadillac Ranch.  :)

We went prepared, with several cans of paint.

And, we made sure to tell the kids how important it was, that they FULLY understood, that spray painting graffiti ANY WHERE else...... IS ILLEGAL.

Just saying.....

Even though it was 100 degrees in the dry Texas sun, we had a fun time making our mark. :)

Aaawwww. My man is so sweet. :)  

Here, he declares to the world, his love for me. :)

"You Only Live Once!"
So true.


Blessings,
Steph

The BIG Texan

When you visit Amarillo, you just have to eat at the FAMOUS Big Texan Restaurant!

First of all, they come pick you up in a FREE, longhorn cadillac LIMO!  Our driver is a retired, geo-physicist! ( All I know, is that means, he is REALLY smart.) :)  He chauffeur's for the Texan, just so he has something to do everyday!

This was a first for me and the kids!  WHOO HOO!

The girls even put on their Sunday best for this experience! LOVE IT!

Once we arrived, we went directly into the fun, gift shop.  You could seriously pay WAY too much money on some really fun stuff here. ;)

We also walked through out the restaurant and noticed a small casino and gun-shootin' game.

This is another place that was featured on "Man vs. Food."  I loved the old west and saloon-style decorations through out.

We stuffed ourselves and even had leftovers!  Emily and Parker also received a free cowboy hat with their kid's meals.  BONUS!

Seriously, go to the Big Texan, enjoy the atmosphere and have a steak dinner!
And that is NOT a bunch of bull. ;)


Blessings,
Steph

Texarkana, TX. -Campground Review

Well, we left Livingston and head to Texarkana, TX., safe, sound and feeling much more confident!  We made it to Clear Springs COE Park at night, which is not ideal, but made it just in time before they closed the gates! WHEW!

The COE Parks, (Corps of Engineers) are so well managed, clean and always by a body of water, whether it is a lake, or dam, and offer playgrounds, and hook-ups.

Price- $18/night for water and electric (30 amp) and a dump station

Amenities- lake, swimming beach, playgrounds, clean shower/bath house

The staff was very friendly, and even though we were here for only a day, we could have easily stayed longer if it wasn't so hot!  (30 amps is NOT enough for a 40 ft. home on wheels!)

Blessings,
Steph

Rootin' Tootin' Cowboys!

For about 5 years now, Tanner has been involved in an organization, SASS ; Single Action Shooting Society.  His Grandpa and Grandma are VERY involved, and shoot year 'round, but Tanner only shoots in his SPARE time. :)

It is an awesome organization that teaches gun safety, and the correct respect and application involved in shooting pistols, rifles and shotguns.  There are 'stages' at each competition where each applicant is timed, but also scored for accuracy.

The part I love about it, is the fancy dresses and old western outfits that all the shooters show up in!  :)  Seriously, though, it has been a great hobby for my kids to experience alongside their grandparents, and are learning the importance of gun safety/handling.

Each of the shooters have an alias, too:
Grandpa is 'Texas Ghost'
Grandma is 'Lady Ghost'
Tanner is "Kid Ghost'
 and this year Zach joined the posse as 'Deputy Ghost!'

In a couple of years, Hannah will start shootin' as 'Angel Ghost' and Emily is.....get this.....'Not-A-Ghost.'  :)  Parker says he wants to be 'Baby Ghost."  Sounds good to me!

Here are some pics of the boys at their latest shoot.

 That's right.  Real Guns.  Real bullets.  Real chaps.

Safety is TOP  priority at the shoot.  Even though there are several people shooting at any given time, it is very organized and controlled.

Eye protection and ear protection are REQUIRED!  Too cute.  :)

At any age, you too can enjoy competing with some of the best folks in all of Texas!

Blessings,
Steph

Fun at the Lake!

Good ole' Uncle Tray and Aunt Cheryl invited us over to their place in the country last weekend, and we had a bunch of fun. :)

Between jumping on the trampoline, watching the peacocks, playing with kittens, splashing at the sandy beach and tubing on Lake Conroe, it was a FUN-FILLED day!

Here they are, filled with anticipation!!

Is it possible to find a life jacket that REALLY fits?!

Hang on tight, girls!

Whoo Hoo!!  LOVE it!

Tanner loved the challenge Uncle Tray gave him.....go fast......real fast!

Zach enjoyed his turn at NORMAL speed, though.  :)

Uncle Tray, you're awesome!  :)

After our boat ride, we took the kids to a sandy beach, and they ran and swam and ran and swam.....

Parker is getting too big, too fast......  makes me proud and sad, all at the same time......

Thanks so much Uncle Tray and Aunt Cheryl!!  We had a blast!!

Blessings,

Steph

Hannah's Baptism

A couple of years ago, Hannah started seeing her need for a Savior. :)  It has been so sweet to see her desire for Jesus grow and grow, to the point, where she was ready to acknowledge Jesus as her Lord!

We celebrated Memorial Day at Aunt Dorothy's house, and while we were there, we thought it would be a great time to celebrate Hannah's new birth, too. :)

Many family and friends were there to witness her special day, and have fun in the sun.

From races, air-soft wars and water-gun fights......

To dunking contests.....

To trying to dunk Uncle Mike!

Then, the fun turned into a special silence, as Todd started to read scripture to Hannah and the 'witnesses.'

It was our first time to have Todd baptize our new believer,  and it was just precious.

We were all crying and thanking the Lord for such a blessed time as this.

Afterwards, we continued to celebrate with what else, but Angel food cake!!  :)

As a parent, it is the most fervent prayer, that my children will love the Lord, Jesus, with all their heart, soul, mind and strength!
Thank you, Lord, for a precious, answered prayer!


Blessings,
Steph

Tea Parties, Blueberries & Family

While we are parked in Texas for a while, we have come to a decision.  Ya know, we are just going to make the most of it, right? :)  So, for Mother's Day weekend, we decided to visit my sweet Mema, Dad, and Aunt Myrtle.  The kids were super excited to see their cousins as an added bonus. :)

At 91 years of age, my Mema is STILL being the amazing hostess...... It is extremely difficult for her to allow ANYONE into her kitchen!  HA!  Thankfully, I found opportunities to gracefully SHOVE  my way in there and help out.  :)

They were so excited to have a tea party. :)

Emily, with her mouth STUFFED with cookies!

Hannah, with her 'proper' manners showing brightly. :)

Parker even got in on the action, by using his 'knife' and fork!

Talk about HAPPY!  Doesn't everyone LOVE tea?!

This weekend, we spent a wonderful morning blueberry picking with Todd's mom.
The weather is really starting to warm up here, so we were at the fields around 8:30.

They were HUGE!  So, so good, too!

Fifteen acres filled with blue yumminess. :)

Eat all you want, and pick all you can!

In a couple of hours, we picked about 30 POUNDS!!!  For only $2.00 a pound, too!
Too cool!

It's the little things in life that make it that much sweeter. :)


Blessings,
Steph

So Thankful

Well, we are preparing to 'hit the road' VERY soon!  While we are super excited to see new places and experience great adventures, it is also bitter-sweet, to leave good friends here in Texas.

We invited a bunch of our sweet friends over for an afternoon picnic and play time for the kids.  It was a beautiful, sun-shiney day! :)


They had light-saber fights......

Swung on the horse swing...

Played with the baby kittens and much, much more.  ;)

Special friends :)

Here, the guys are preparing for an airsoft battle :)

Parker did NOT want to stop hugging little Maddie!  HA!

Thank you so much for spending a special day with us, my friends!!!  We feel so blessed.


Blessings,
Steph