Mr. Toad

So this evening I was moving around some of my caladium bulbs when I went to move this pot in my garden.

and saw this....... keep looking, he's the fat lump in the middle of the picture.A toad had decided to make his home under the pot. I LOVE toads and frogs, but he did make me jump a bit as all I saw at first were some eyes and something move ever so slightly. I went and got the kids the so they could come see our new friend. They were a little skeptical at first but they both pet him and laughed when he jumped.


Our new backyard friend, Mr. Toad. He's quite handsome I think, even with his little turned down mouth.
I decided to make him a toad house or two so that maybe he will hang around and continue eating the bugs in our garden. I found an unused clay pot in the garage, took a hammer to it and selected two good sized chunks to make toad houses.One of the toad houses in the garden. Very simple.
I do hope he sticks around, and maybe even brings a friend to live in the other toad house.

Summer means.....

Swimming and playing at the neighborhood park.........

Big Chill '09

This past weekend we celebrated the 10th year of "The Big Chill". Can't believe we have been doing this for 10 years already! It all started in July of 1999 when some of our friends were starting to graduate college and move away. Our friend Casey decided that we should have a "reunion" of sorts every summer. His parents owned a lake house in Granbury and we started by having about 8 of us there for a weekend to hang out, relax and go boating. As the years passed and more of us graduated and moved to different cities, we all looked forward to seeing each other during the summer, sometimes it was the only time we were able to see some people. About 7 years ago we also started doing a float trip to the Guadalupe and Comal rivers in New Braunfels, we rented a few condos and hung out for a weekend. Well about 3 years ago, the group had gotten a little bigger, as we have made new friends through the years, we decided that we should combine the two things and move"The Big Chill" to the river. We rent a house every year for 4 days and float the river and hang out. Below are some pics from the trip.
This year also happened to be Tanyas 30th birthday on Saturday so we got her a cake, had a few rounds of Jager shots and hung by the pool listening to music and talking. Also, as every other year, Bill and Angela were gracious enough to have us over to their home (the live in NB) for a BBQ feast on Friday night. We have gotten to know Bill and Angela through Bill's sister, Laura, who is a dear friend and who is also married to Patrick, another of our close friends. Laura and Patrick couldn't be here this year because they are expecting their first little one, a girl, this September! Letting some little things like pregnancy and the fact that you live in Florida interfere with The Big Chill!?!?!?..... Lame!.... Just kidding, we love them and missed them this year and they plan on being there for Big Chill 2010. We look forward to it!

Laura and Patricks babyshower!

Over memorial day weekend we went to Houston to surprise our friend Laura. Laura and Patrick live in Tallahassee and we haven't seen them in almost a year, so when Patrick got a chance through work to go home to Houston for a week, he called me and we planned to surprise Laura. She knew her family was going to be throwing her a small shower but had no idea Kevin and I were going to be able to make it as well as a few other friends. It was nice to surprise her and get to hang out over the weekend. Below are a few pictures. Patrick and Laura playing "who has the bigger belly" Laura has a little belly right now, but, mind you, she is only about 6 months along. Got a few more months of growing to do!

Here is me, Ronda, Laura and Desiree (whom I also haven't seen in a year) loving on the little baby girl in the belly!

Pretty diaper cake that grandma-to-be made

Laura opening gifts

Patricks attempt at diapering the baby, in his defense he did do it blindfolded. But he still missed a leg and the diaper fell off as soon as baby was picked up. He will get much better with practice I am sure.


This is Desiree and Russ' little girl, Eva. I couldn't resist talking a few shots of her as she played on these stairs out back of Patricks moms house. What a cutie!

It was a great weekend and we got to catch up with some of our fabulous friends that we unfortunately don't get to see that often. We wish Laura and Patrick the best of luck and much happiness with their little-girl-to-be!