Michaels slidshow April ~ May

I happen to look at Michael's memory card on his camera and Whoops! He had some photos and I thought I'd share a few of them with y'all...Enjoy!

In Honor of Mothers day ~ Photos of a few Mommas

My favorite little cow had a calf a few days ago...I call the cow "Heifer" as she was a little heifer when we moved in here and the friendliest of the bunch. She still comes up to me for Alfalfa cubes. Tonight I used the Alfalfa cubes to entice her to bring her new baby up to me for photos...She was leery but knows I won't hurt her or her sweet little babe.

Yes Momma she's all yours!

Hey who are you? I love newborns they are so curious!

Bath time

Yep here's that Momma Brahma...The "Afrikan" cow...

Ekk I gotta Itch!

I had to try that photo in black and white...

Gotta love that little bubble she's blowing...

There is just something about newborn calves that I love...they are so sweet and cute...thought I'd share these photos with y'all...

Toadly Toads

The other night Michael and I were outside. I was watering the lawn and there are a few holes in the yard from where there used to be stumps and we filled the holes with dirt. The dirt washed down in to the old root system and we had neighbors move in to those small holes...I always pour water down them to see what comes out...I was in shock and Michael was laughing...We counted 12 toads, from BIG to little come out of ONE hole...it was to dark for photos at the time, so today we went outside with camera's in hand and started sending water down the holes...once again Toads started coming out...8 from one hole, 4 from another...The good thing about all these toads is that of course they eat bugs but it also means there are no snakes in the area...or the Toads would be dinner....Yikes!!

A shower on a hot day!

A little guy.

4 toads coming up for air...

4 more toads coming out...

Ahh nothing like a good soak...

Double YEEHAW!!

I am having such a GREAT day!! Excited about our trip and another BIG news items is we have a water well on our property!! YES!! I didn't take the Cannon Camera down there today but used the camera on the cellphone...so excuse the nasty photos!!

First off we sent Daddy a photo...or Michael insisted we send Daddy a photo...You would have laughed at Fred and I...Fred was in Laredo shopping for clay/ceramic pots for me...and he would send me photos of what he found and then I would call him and tell him what I thought...I ended up taking photos of the plant pots here at the house so he understood what I was after...I'm wondering what he is going to bring me home, as he took photos of bath tubs, sinks, HUGE ugly gaudy pots, etc....I was laughing at him. I think him and Trey were having way too much fun! The well they are working on was being Fraked (sp.) today so they were not needed on site and spent the day shopping...Amazing enough but my Hubby loves to shop...He loves to Shop so much he drives me crazy....

Hello Daddy...it's me your Son - Michael...I love you! Long time no see....
I know it's a terrible photo but I forgot my camera and wanted one of the guys drilling the well.

Here's another one that I took through the truck windshield...(see the vent reflection)...

I ~ We are so excited to finally have a well...it's been a long time coming and each little bit we accomplish brings us closer to having a house on our own land!! My goal for this year was the water well and electric...the year isn't quiet 1/2 over with and we have done it!! Now to save, save, save and start the house and get the septic put in...OUCH!! But we will have it and within 3 yrs...We still have a cement pad, submersible pump and pressure tank to put on the well but the hole is there and it shouldn't take long to do the other items....I can start planting trees too...I planted 6 last year and had to haul water to them...we lost 3 of them but the other 3 are doing good and will be even better when I can water them as much as needed....

On a last note, while I was out with the well guys Michael and Jake stayed in the truck with the a/c running...it seems Michael decided to take photos with the cellphone too...I was laughing when I saw this one of Jake's big nose!! KIDS!!

YEEHAW!!

We are all very excited...

as this weekend we are headed to South Padre Island for 4 days!! YES!!

Fred has been before but I have never been and I'm ready to go check it out.

...our trips are not R&R...but go go go...

Today I have been sitting here making plans...

An ariel view of the Island...it's a barrier Island. You can read more about South Padre below.

I am in the process of booking a dolphin tour. Fred and I took one a few years back in Port Aransas and really enjoyed it. This time of year there should be babies and I know Michael will enjoy seeing them.

I was laughing as they offer SandCastle/Sculpture lessons...NOT something we will do as Michael is in the search and destroy mode...LOL

They do have a Sea Turtle non-profit group and we will be sure to go to their meet the turtle program.

There is also horse back riding along the beach but I don't see that happening either...maybe in a few years. We are going to drive over to Brownsville to check out the Gladys Porter Zoo. If you click here you can check out the Zoo's website...I was surprised as it is quiet a large Zoo.

Michael is much better and his temp is back to normal and he is back to NORMAL, lol...Another words he is working on destroying the HOUSE!! Ekkk...

Michael and I are both excited about this weekend...Our Hotel is right on the beach with a pool, yes!! Hopefully it is a warm pool, lol...

About South Padre Island
The Town of South Padre Island is located at the eastern edge of Cameron County in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, just 30 miles north of the Mexican border. Bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre Bay, this little slip of land-a 34-mile-long barrier island, 1/2 mile at its widest point-is not your ordinary beach destination. The island's thriving coastal town provides activities and amenities, while wide expanses of unspoiled dunes preserve nature and privacy. According to the 1994 census estimate, about 2,028 residents live in the Town. However, depending on the tourist season, some 2,000 to 5,000 people work on the Island, providing services to the Town's 20,000 to 200,000 visitors. The Town of South Padre Island is linked to the mainland by the Queen Isabella Causeway, a 2 1/2 mile four lane bridge to Port Isabel Texas.South Padre Island was first charted, in 1519, by the Spanish Explorer Alonzo de Pineda. He named it "Isla Blanca" or "White Island." Then in 1804, Missionary Priest Padre Jose Nicholas Balli established the first settlement on the island after the initial grant was made by King Charles IV of Spain. The Port Mansfield Gulf Channel was completed in 1964 which separated South Padre Island from Padre Island. South Padre Island was incorporated in 1973 and one year later the Queen Isabella Causeway was completed.
South Padre Island is a year-round vacation destination located at the same latitude as Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Island enjoys a sub-topical environment with mild dry winters, and warm breezy summers. With a winter average temperature of 65 degrees, a summer average temperature of 82 degrees and and an average of 253 days of beautiful sunshine, it's no wonder why so many people love South Padre Island.

Playing with Color Accent on the camera

Helen has been playing with her color accent setting on her camera and she loves it. I'm a color person the more vibrant the better but thought I'd play with the color accent setting on my camera...I wasn't going to post these photos as I wasn't real pleased with them but Helen asked me too....so here you go Helen.

I did the blue on the morning glory and then I did the green of the leaves.


I just had to play with the plastic wrap element in Adobe Elements...if you click on the above photo you will see more detail...I love that plastic wrap element...lol

Lantana blooms.

I always forget what these blooms are but I think they might be begonia's, Mom you put them in, what are they? LOL...I think for some reason pink looks good on the color accent...probably because it goes well with blacks/greys.

Oh Helen your rose has a bloom on it and just in time for Mothers Day!! Have a good Mothers Day Helen. Hugs from your Texan Wendy! I did do the rose in color accent but didn't like the photo as well as this one...Enjoy!

In honor of my Mother and Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day Mom!

(a bit early but I know you understand why)

I worked on digital layouts today of photos I took of my Mom while she was here visiting. I bit bland but my Mom doesn't like a bunch of embellishments and I had her in mind while I was creating them....Love you Mom and hope you have a fantastic day with plenty of sunshine!

Hmmm ~ Interesting

Fred sent me these photos this morning. He found this little darling next to his rig on location. He said Trey almost stepped on it, Yikes!! Trey will learn to look before he steps from now on...Both photos were taken with a cellphone so they aren't the greatest.

Diamondback Rattlesnake.

This was after they killed it. I hate that they had to kill it but if it was by the rig they didn't have much of a choice...this is a small one, which means there are probably more in the area. Both guys are more alert now and keeping their eyes open!! I asked Fred to cut the rattle off for me but he said "Heck NO!!", he wasn't quiet as polite but you get the jist and I think he's a chicken!! I am hoping Trey will do it for me...lol...

That was my husbands exciting morning...I'm here with a sick child! I'm hoping it is just a flu bug and by tomorrow he'll be better, if not off to the doctor again!! I think this is the year of sickness for Michael. He's always been so healthy but this year he seems to be catching everything...Maybe by the time he starts school he'll be immune to most of the stuff and he'll be okay...fingers crossed!

Canine Good Citizen

This beautiful furry lovable puppy below has DONE IT!!

After taking 6 weeks of Basic Obedience thru Pet Smart and 8 weeks of Basic I & II thru the Victoria Dog Obedience Club Jake passed his AKC Canine Good Citizens Test this evening. Michael and I are so proud of him!!

I was a bit worried as Jake was in his bouncy mode tonight and wanted to play. He is 11 months old and still in puppy mode at times as my barn shoe can attest too...it has been mauled to death the past few days...But once we stepped out to do the test he calmed down and got in working mode and did a wonderful job!

The ladies in the Victoria Dog Obedience club did a wonderful job and I truly appreciate their patience and sense of humor while training both Jake and I.

On another note I have a sick child...he hasn't felt good all day and right before he was supposed to leave to go stay with Aunt Diane (while Jake and I took our test) he vomited all over me and himself...I took him with me to the test and he laid in the truck while we did the test...he wasn't running much of a fever and I was thinking it was sinus drainage...Now I am beginning to wonder...He has once again vomited and is running a 102 temp...He is sipping pedialite and has taken Tylenol...I think it's going to be a long night!

A thought of Thanks...

I just wanted to show everyone a new print and frame that was purchased in Houston.

Normally I see a lot of western prints and they were so-so but this one just stood out and caught my eye, I love it!!

It's gotta a little bit of everything regarding Texas on it...History, brands, maps, excellant pictures, etc....

I also want to thank all my family and friends for the wonderful birthday gifts! You are so thoughtful and made my Birthday very special.

My sister in law, Teresa, gave me the bouque with a very sweet card. Thanks Mom for arranging it, lol, otherwise it would have gotten packed away for the future house.

My dear friend, Helen, sent me the book (Jessica) above and it was excellant. I can't wait to read more of Bryce Courtenay's books!! She also gave me a gift certificate for Amazon.com...YEA!! Helen your so sweet and thank you sooo much!

My sister sent me the reptile/amphibian book above so that I can now identify those wonderful critters I take photos of...YEA!! She also sent me a gift certificate for creativexpress.com...I've been having fun with the scrap items I bought...Thank you Karen!!

My hubby surprised me with some gold earrings. Nothing special as I like to wear the gold ball earrings but I have a bad habit of losing them too...The backs on these screw on so maybe I won't lose them anytime soon....

Thank you Mom for coming to spend my Birthday with me and also for everything you did while you were here...

Hugs and Love to all of you!

TPWD Expo digital layout

A digital layout of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo we went to in October 2007, Austin TX.

Patio at the in laws

This past Friday and Saturday I helped my husbands family do a patio for Mom (Criste).

Most everyone was exhausted by the time we were done but it looked really nice.

My brother in law, Frankie. He's the handy Man in the family!!

My brother in law, Peter. He's the Family clown!

Sister in law, Diana, with Mom and Dad enjoy lunch on the new patio.

Sister in law, Teresa, finishing the flower beds.

Almost finished...and NO I didn't get any photos after we had finished, I was too tired and sore...

It looked really nice and Mom (Criste) was crying, she was so happy with it.