Springtime in Texas

Had a friend take some great pics. The bluebonnets are always lovely. They just don't last. I think they make it about 3 weeks and then the heat gets them or, I guess, they just have a short life span. Connor is so handsome. We will surely miss him next year.

Spring Break

This scary animal is staring at me.


So much sisterly love that I can't stand it!!! They were very hungry at this point and waiting for lunch.
Connor is thoroughly entranced with the Houston Zoo. Kate is wondering why does Dad have to keep taking pics.

Jaylen and Kate with Dad in the background. Oops, that is the elephant. Shane knows I love him.

Kate with another great face.

It has been spring break here in Texas. We didn't do too much because Shane is now writing a book. Can you believe it!!! But this will make more sense. It is a book about Utah Football!!! A book company is writing a book about a lot of colleges' football programs. Some guys up at the U recommended Shane. What were they thinking? Just kidding.

We did take one day for Houston and the Houston zoo. Our kids weren't that impressed.
Reason #1
It was very very crowded.
Reason #2
"There are no gorillas!" Jaylen
Reason #3
"There are no penguins!" Kate
Reason #4
Some of my kids think they are too old for a zoo. (Connor) But he was a very good sport. He always is.
But we had fun. Why? Because we were with each other.

TEXAS BLUEBONNETS
On the way home we found a beautiful field of Bluebonnets. They were everywhere. It was gorgeous. I hope this weather lasts forever. We don't know what we are getting into because we weren't living here last year at this time. The weather is absolutely perfect right now, but we keep thinking - "How long will this last?" I hope for a long long time. We do not want the heat like we moved into last July quite yet.

That is just unbelievable!

Cute kids with cute flowers.

Christmas Card 2008

We are sending Christmas Cards and are gladly accepting Christmas Cards but. . . . we have a problem. Amy was going to send Christmas cards early so that everyone would have our address. I WILL get on the ball. 2009 is the year of great organization and the end of procrastination. Procrastination ends - organization begins! But, that doesn't solve this problem. If anyone still reads this blog. You WILL get a card. But please send us one soon, we are very very lonely.

Hinckleys

2143 Rockcliffe Loop

College Station TX 77845.

Here is our pic for our card that is coming. And by the way, I am not trying to hitchhike. That is a gesture down here meaning "gig'em" for Texas A&M. I don't know why we do that or what is really means. But that was my best explanation. Anyway, Merry Christmas, and gig-em!

What were you for Halloween?

Texas experience: Trunk r Treat. Where Texan Mormon kids can see their Mormon friends in costume at the church. Because, unlike Utah, they can't see them living right next door. I got to hand out the candy this year. Can you spot me?

Jaylen decided to draw her costume/character from the local landscape. She was a Texas Hillbilly. I'm just kidding we haven't seen any Texas Hillbillies. . .well hardly. I am just kidding. I'm really going to get kicked out of this state.

Kate decided to go completely out of character and be a Princess/Queen. When she visited the Rennaissance Festival this week she picked up a pink mask to complete the costume and instantly became Princess On Her Way To A Masquerade Ball. What a gorgeous gal!

Sadly we have no pics of Connor. He went to a band Halloween party as Sexy Thing #1 and a friend went as, you guessed it, Sexy Thing #2. This coming from a crazy offshoot of Dr. Seuss. I really would have liked to see the costume. He must have looked completely different from himself.

Hinckley Halloween

We barely got the pumpkin carving in. We ended up buying and carving the pumpkins on the day before Halloween (Thursday). We had fun and Connor still was willing to carve with us. I don't know how long that will last. But he's a pretty good kid so we might be lucky enough to have him always willing to be with his family. If you will notice Connor is not wearing any BRACES! He got them off the day before. It has been a total of 2 whole years that he has worn those. He got them put on Halloween day two years prior and we definitely celebrated this milestone.

A Texas learning experience: The Halloween pumpkins were carved on Thursday. On Sunday (only two days later) Jaylen pulled the lid off one and the whole entire pumpkin was full of white fluffy mold. It looked like a spider's den. The other two looked exactly the same way. Ain't humidity grand!!!

Texas Football

Last week I was fortunate enough to spend three days on the campus of the University of Texas. I toured their facilities and spent most of my time in the new suites built in the north end zone. This weekend I was able to watch the Miami Hurricanes play Texas A&M at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. If those five days aren't football heaven I'm not sure what is. To go along with the photos here are some interesting facts.

University of Texas = 48,000 students
Texas A&M University = 48,000 students

Royal Stadium = Seats 97,000
Kyle Field = Seats 82,000

Between the two schools they have 5 national championships and 3 Heisman Trophies. The Longhorn football facility was simply amazing. The video board is the second largest in the world...talk about your big screen TV.




Godzilatron






When the elevator doors close you see the logo and the fight song plays while you ride.





This display shows which teams drafted all the Texas players that have played in the NFL



Me giving the Gig 'Em sign in Mack Brown's office




Earl Campbell's Heisman trophy




Darrell K Royal- Texas Memorial Stadium






TEXAS A&M FOOTBALL


The Corps of Cadets marches before the game.




The view from the President's box. It's more fun in the stands




The Mascot, Reveille, runs loose in the President's box during the game.

More Home Pictures

We love having a bigger table for all to sit around without sharing eating space. The bigger table is also for all the guests we will have staying with us. Hint Hint. We also have Connor's room, Jaylen's room and the hallway (kid's study area).