Stalkyards with the Starks

We had the best time meeting up with Brad’s aunt and uncle from Alabama at the Fort Worth Stockyards while they were in town visiting Melissa, who just recently moved there after her husband started a new job as a PA at a local hospital.

We made it just in time for the Christmas tree lighting, which was such a fun surprise and made everything feel extra festive. We grabbed some ice cream, but of course, Texas weather kept things interesting and we ended up getting caught in the rain! Thankfully, we found cover under a patio where we could sit, stay dry, and actually enjoy some quality time catching up with the Stark family.

Also very grateful to Sasha for loaning me some cowboy gear so I could fully fit in with the Stockyards vibe 🤠 It was such a great visit, and I’m so glad we were able to see everyone while they were in town!

 

Hurricane Beryl

While we were enjoying the beauty of Utah, Hurricane Beryl was inching closer and closer to Texas. We kept an eye on the forecasts, hoping it would shift course—but it didn’t. The storm started out as a Category 3 but thankfully weakened to a Category 1 by the time it made landfall. Still, the eye of the hurricane passed right over our home in Katy.

Our area lost power for four days. Thankfully, we weren’t home for it—losing power in the winter is one thing, but in the Texas summer heat and humidity? No, thank you.

We were really lucky there wasn’t much damage. Just some broken tree limbs and, of course, the power outage. A sweet neighbor checked on our house and let us know the only damage was a broken grill. We’re especially grateful we had just built a new, durable fence—our old one would’ve never made it through.

Poor Brad came home ahead of us and, once again, had the glamorous job of cleaning out the fridge and freezer. Welcome back!

The local HEB made these cakes 🤣

 

Birthday in Dallas

We have a 12 year old in da house! To celebrate we went to Dallas for the weekend because Brad’ brother Rich was in town so we had a little family reunion to party with.

Birthday Dinner!

Watching the Astros play the Texas Rangers in the ALCS playoff while eating dinner on the patio. My kindof night.

🎂 🎶 

The next day we went to the Fort Worth Stockyards

Logan came away with his very own pocket knife.

The Clark boys!! Just missing Mason.

The Longhorn cattle drive

After the Stockyards we went and saw Ryan and Sasha's lot that they are going to build on.  Then it was time for more dinner!

I mean you have to eat outside in October in Texas every chance you get.  Especially when there's live music.

Love being a boy mom.

Such a fun weekend with a great group!

 

Ten Years in Texas

10 years! 10 years as a Texan! In 2013 our little family moved from Arizona to Texas and we’ve grown in so many many ways.  I feel like we can truly call ourselves Texans now!  Through the years we’ve had countless adventures. We’ve explored Texas’s different cities, it’s history, it’s beautiful landscapes, it’s amazing foods, and have met incredible people who have become lifelong friends. 

We’ve been so blessed living here.  We had Logan here, our kids have received such a good education here.  Shortly after we moved here, I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. The  #1 cancer hospital in the USA is right here in my backyard and they specialized in my cancer. Again blessed. 

I’m thankful to live in a place where people value family, community, and a good work ethic. Texans are the most friendliest, welcoming, patriotic people you will ever meet. Everything truly is bigger in Texas 😆

Cheers to many more years to come!

First day in our new house!

 

Astros and Taekwondo

When your friend tells you she got free tickets to a Houston Astros game and asks if you want to go with them? Of course! Then she tells you the seats are row 11 behind 1st base?!!! Heck yes wouldn’t miss that for anything!

And dang it, Lauren and I were getting food and missed seeing Orbit. Brad and Aaron had fun with him though

Look how close we were to Dusty(the manager)!! 

It was the BEST game I had ever gone to! The seats were amazing and Yordan Alvarez had 3 home runs in a row!

We even got our picture on Astros Twitter page after Yordan’s 3rd home run! You have to zoom in super close to see us… 

Lauren and I giving each other high 5’s 😆 and that’s Brad clapping his hands that unfortunately someone is blocking his face. Still it’s pretty cool.

And just as a little spoiler the Astros ended up winning the World Series just a few weeks later! So glad we got to see this amazing winning team play in person. Nothing beats seeing a game at Minute Maid Park!

Another belt test for the boys! This one is extra special as it is Tanner and Carson’s last test to earn their black belt!

They had to break 3 boards in 30 seconds!

And they did it! Tanner and Carson are officially black belts! They’ll get their black belt in an official ceremony in December. Soo proud of my boys!

We love Master Lee!

Logan getting his Blue belt!