Biker Boy

My awesome husband has been converted back to his childhood passion -- bike riding! He used to scale the Utah mountains fearlessly on his bike. And he hasn't been able to ride for years. Well that all changed this year. He got a road bike and his brother-in-law convinced him to train for the hotter-than-hell race in August. Crazy? Yes! Invigorating, even more so! This weekend, they did 68.2 miles. WOW WOW WOW! So proud of ya Eric. His competitive nature wouldn't let him turnoff at some of the stops where you could finish earlier. He wanted to ride all 68.2. Temperature outside? 109! Tires melting into the road? Yes! Determination that wouldn't quit? Check! So impressed Eric, hope you can walk. Mark, it scares me what you can talk Eric into! Anyone who knows Mark knows what I mean!

'Friday Night Lights' Fan

So I had one of those rare Friday nights when everyone in my family had somewhere to go -- and I was FREE! Kids had a birthday party and Eric was heading to Mark's lakehouse to get ready for a big bike ride (post coming on that soon)!

I escaped to watch my favorite TV show being taped here in Dallas at the Cottonbowl. I love this show because it shows how much Texans love their football and make it a family affair. It shows the great values of Texans and how rooted they are in family. But it's a cheesy show, I admit. Hey, a mom's gotta have her entertainment while waiting on a family!

It was so interesting to be on the set and see how they film a show. So different than you'd imagine. They would ask the audience to react to a touchdown or other play. But, they were careful to not let us know the story line or let it leak.

Shout out to Jill for getting me into this show way before I even lived in Texas. She always knows how to pick the next big MUST-SEE show! Miss ya!

And a bit shout out to my YOUNGER sister Nicole for going along with me to be a fan in the audience. We laughed how she was tagging along with her older sister to do something crazy like this! She brought me to Texas and is now leaving me here, BOO!

To other fans of the show: Yes, I met the coach. Or at least he was doing the raffle and talked to the audience. No, Riggins was not there. The funniest character to me was Buddy Garrity, he is the same on and off screen. He schmoozes the audience and works the cameras and really is in character all of the time. Cool guy!

Brain Freeze

I love the funny things Ella comes up with... here's one: "Mom, I have to tell you something. Wait, I forgot. Oh, I wish I had an extra brain to remember stuff on!"

Who doesn't want an extra brain for storage?

Tea Time

So many fun things going on this summer, so few pictures. Here's Ella at a recent Tea Party, no not the political kind. The girls got to get all fancied up, make blankets and watch 'Alice in Wonderland!' Fun memory!

Cub Scout Camp

Dylan enjoyed Twilight camp, especially making a rocket and being in the outdoors. He got to try new things, such as leather making and shooting a bow and arrow. I think his favorite thing though was being in the forest! He did laugh and have fun at the water activities too.

Of course, a new thing like cub scout camp did not come easily for Dylan. There were moments when I wondered if it was worth our time. We drove up every day with three of the other boys. They really started to connect with Dylan being in the car. At the end of the week, some of the boys said "we understand Dylan now!" and "Dylan is fun!" Tears to this momma!

Ella on Rainy July

Eric's Birthday