Father's Day

For Father's Day we tok a tour of the Texas Rangers ballpark. We've become big Rangers fan, so this was a real treat for the boys and I (for Dave it was practically just another day at the "office"). The boys loved walking in the players' footsteps.

Guys week

Dave and the boys had their 4th annual "Guys Week" while I was gone. This year they hit the road for part of it and went to baseball games in Kansas City and St. Louis. Dave's hope is that eventually they will visit every ballpark in the Majors.

You know, it's really too bad they don't have any fun while I'm gone.

April

We enjoyed a visit from my parents, and I took my mom out to high tea at the Ritz to celebrate her birthday.

The boys had their last day of Classical Conversations for the year. Unfortunately Nate wasn't feeling well, so he missed it. This is Charlie with his amazing tutor, Mrs. Dann.

Our CC group at the End of Year Program

One of my favorite things we've been working on this year is a nature study of our backyard. Here the boys are adding a drawing to their journal of a silkworm we found dangling from one of our trees.

We celebrated Dave's "milestone" birthday at a Rangers game. Dave, Charlie and I shared the Boomstick, a 24-inch hot dog covered in chili, cheese and onions. (Nate preferred his hot dog plain, and of normal length.)

November

My parents came to visit in November, and we spent Thanksgiving at my sister's in Kansas City, yet these three pictures are all I have to show for the month. Not only am I not blogging as often, but I'm not even taking pictures very often!

The boys and I went to the Curious George exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum. Curious George is one of their favorite shows.  

The boys and I got to visit Dave in the TV truck at a Mavs game. His workload and travel schedule is in full swing right now.

The boys and I made this poster to remind us of all we have to be thankful for. It was so fun to see the things they came up with.  

3rd Annual Guys Week

The boys and I recently finished our annual week where we give Gretchen some much needed time off as we go do some fun stuff. Here are a few pictures from the week. The music video is forthcoming.

We started the week with camping and fishing at Lake Grapevine. I hope that the boys will continue to enjoy outings like this so that we might make future Guys Weeks into hiking and camping trips.

Tuesday was a minor league baseball doubleheader in Grand Prairie. We stayed for both games, Charlie got a foul ball and Nate tormented the mascot, a flying pig.

Wednesday was a trip to the Fort Worth Zoo. The boys favorite exhibit was the meerkats. Nate wanted to take one home if he could.

Thursday was some pool time with the boys' best friend, Cody. We also had a hot dog eating contest. Charlie was the big winner - 11 hot dogs in 8 minutes (just the dog, no bun). Nate almost disqualified himself by eating his first one before the timer started. He ended up eating 7 by himself.

Friday was Indycar qualifying at Texas Motor Speedway with Gray Gray. The boys really had fun watching each car take four laps around the track, wanting to know the name of all the drivers.

Saturday was an excursion to Lone Star Park. We made an exception for Granny and invited her to come with us. Charlie picked the winner in the fourth race. He was so excited to win his $2.60! He also got a pair of autographed goggles from the winning jockey in the 2nd race.

We finished the week off on Sunday with a trip to Medieval Times, a dinner and entertainment theater with live action knights jousting and sword fighting. Right up the boys alley. By this time, Gretchen was really missing all of us so she joined us for dinner.

April

Charlie loved playing baseball again this spring. He especially loved to play catcher.

Nate moved up another stripe in Taekwondo. (He's now up to a green stripe.)

The boys and I had a lot of fun making a chocolate Oreo cheesecake cake for Dave's birthday. And we all had even more fun eating it!

My Mother's Day Gift

Mother's Day was a very lowkey affair around here. We had to cancel brunch at one of my favorite restaurants because both boys have been so sick. But the day was still very special thanks to my awesome Mother's Day gift. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Mavs Game

Back in February there was a rare game that Dave didn't have to work, so the four of us got to go to the  game together!

We got to do the high five line as the players went out on the court to warm up

DIRK!

(Nate did not appreciate the paparazzi taking his picture)

I'm so bummed this picture didn't turned out. It's been impossible lately to get both the boys to look at the camera for pictures, and when I finally do the picture doesn't turn out. :(

Frankly, all the boys cared about was when they could get their ice cream.

November

The boys and I cheered for Dave while he ran a half marathon:

We went to the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit in Fort Worth with our CC group:

The boys actually got dressed up for a wedding:

We kicked off the Christmas season at Main Street Grapevine, one of my favorite things to do at Christmas time:

Dave in Banff