Makeovers

Makeover #1

Well, our own Little Red has done it again. In her short 3+ years she or sisters have managed to cut her hair about every six months. She has never had long hair, nor will she in the next year I suspect.

I can usually fix the mess with a short bob cut, but this time, I'm just not sure. I guess we'll have to go look at style books and pay someone to fix it. It's just as well, she is the worst at keeping a barrette or a pony tail in.













Makeover #2

Yippy-Skippy gets glasses! Mainly for use in the classroom when she is trying to read either near or far, these spectacular specs will usually be found on a smiling happy face.

Garden Ready!

Here are the before and after pictures of our garden area. We had to sacrifice a camping trip with friends and take a day off work, but we finally got it done. Now we'll plant the seeds and see if we can get anything to grow.

Baseball, Temple, and a Wagon Wheel TX part 3

On a long Sunday afternoon, we took the opportunity to toss the baseball around a bit. The girls still have...emerging skills.
(Sorry again about flipped pictures. I have "fixed" it twice, but to no avail. Now I just have to get this posted and get my kids off to school.)






The Skipper and I had planned to attend the San Antonio Temple while were in town, but never quite made it. The day we left, it was closed. The girls however, just had to at least see it, and add to their collection of temples they have seen and had their picture in front of. We're so glad they recognize the joy they feel even outside the temple.


This is a rest stop on the way out of Texas. It must be a new favorite 'cause we stopped there entering and leaving the state.

I guess that finally sums that trip all up. What do you want next?

Sea World TX part 2

Another grand adventure we had in San Antonio was going to Sea World.





Of course we saw the Shamu show, and of course we got wet. The girls were quite shocked by the 50 degree wall of salt water when it came their turn to be splashed, but there were big smiles all around. It was so cute to see their awe at seeing those big beautiful creatures up close.






We also went to a dolphin/beluga whale show. Well I thought animal show, right? Well...right... an animal show with stunt divers (who also danced), synchronized swimmers, an acrobat, drums, lights, fountains, a clown, and oh yes, dolphins and beluga whales. It was more like "Flipper goes to 'Vegas!"

The girls really liked the big aquarium building. They had big tanks of rays and sharks and lots of 'Nemos' and 'Dorys'. The seahorse picture we thought was coolest.

The girls also waited in line for a small roller coaster, ate a good dinner, got some souvenirs, and climbed on a really cool cargo-net/rope bridge/tube climbing thing.

We had a great time with Grandma and Grandad. What a fun day!

"Remember The Alamo!" TX part1

While the Skipper was recovering from having his eyes done, Grandad, Grandma, the girls and I, did a bit of sight seeing. And to celebrate our fine Texas heritage, we started with The Alamo, the quintessential site of Texas pride.

While there was much to read, learn, and explore, we arrived close to closing time and, unfortunately, made a Marine-style blunder. We saw a line, so we stood in it. :)
It was a line to walk through the Shrine area of the Alamo. -Not the most interesting for the little ones.

Anyhow, we almost literally ran through some of the other buildings and displays, and gleaned what knowledge we could- quickly. It is really quite a place. I highly recommend it.

The Skipper's Political Satire

The Skipper received this e-mail forward at work and requested it be posted on the site. Of course this blatantly reveals his stance on the issue, as if anyone who knows him didn't know already.

Funny... but true...

Becoming Illegal (From an Iowa resident to his Senator)

The Honorable Tom Harkin
731 Hart Senate Office Building
Phone (202) 224-3254
Washington DC, 20510

Dear Senator Harkin,

As a native Iowan and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue
Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted
the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the
process for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me to you.

My primary reason for wishing to change my status from U.S Citizen
to illegal alien stems from the bill which was recently passed by the
Senate and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill's
provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United
States for five years, all I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a
$2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years. I know
a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started
before everyone figures it out.

Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay
taxes every year so I'm excited about the prospect of avoiding two years
of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there any way that I can
apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for
me and my family, because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.

Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency
room as my primary health care provider. Once I have stopped paying
premiums for medical insurance, my accountant figures I could save
almost $10,000 a year.

Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would
receive preferential treatment relative to her law school applications, as
well as "in-state" tuition rates for many colleges throughout the United
States for my son.

Lastly, I understand that illegal status would relieve me of the burden of
renewing my driver's license and making those burdensome car insurance
premiums. This is very important to me given that I still have college age
children driving my car.

If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal
(retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be
most appreciative. Thank you for your assistance.

Your Loyal Constituent,

Donald Simonson

Yard Workers

The Easter post alludes to a bunch of yard work. Here are a few pictures. As you can see, some work harder than others, some take pictures of the workers, and some just stand and look pretty.

We can get free mulch and rough topsoil from ?. So first we filled the trailer, and then mixed it into the garden (which is not pictured) as we tilled it. We also filled the rather large flower box pictured behind the Skipper. -notice the Skipper's eyewear. :)

This was the third long yard working day and the progress is slow, we need about 5 more whole days to get it how we'd like. A little at a time is still progress though. I'll post progress as it happens.

Little Red and I were able to get peas, cucumbers, marigolds, lavender and a shade flower mix planted yesterday in various locations, so we're happy.

Regarding the Easter dresses. The girls were in my Dads wedding early last fall, so they are from that. I didn't make them, they were a gift. They still fit nice and I just love them, so they made for natural -and easy- prepaid- Easter dresses. They are itchy to wear, so I had to beg one to comply and in the end I'm not sure why she changed her mind but I'm glad she did.

And here are some better pictures of the camping forts. Have a great weekend everybody!