Melody

We were so lucky to have my parents visit along with their foster daughter, Melody. I started getting excited as soon as their plane tickets were purchased! This was our first time to meet Melody who was 14 months old when they were here. They've had her since she was 3 months old. She's such a sweetheart. Thanks, Mom & Dad for coming to Texas! The following picture is Melody with my Dad in the backyard.

Harley's teaching Melody how to text on his new phone. I guess it's never too soon to learn :)

This is Melody's typical hairstyle...wild and crazy! Come to think of it...that describes Harley's hair pretty well too!

World's Smallest Frog

While I suppose I am unauthorized to officially announce having seen the world's smallest frog, this little guy is certainly the smallest frog I've ever seen! And, he was just one of many hopping all over our front yard and driveway a couple weeks ago. Yeah, we let him go. No clue where they all went. I'm sure they are contributing to all the ruckus that goes on every night--lately it's louder outside than inside! In an area known for insects, I'm sure he's a happy little fellow...just probably not so little anymore due to the amount of available frog food. Don't get me started on bugs. Let's just say we're all covered in mosquito bites, and the deer flies would eat this frog for a snack!

Harley's "Rock" Band

Harley had a school assignment to make a rock band out of 3 rocks. For the life of me I can't figure out the educational significance of this project, but I sure thought the finished product was cute!

Airing of the Quilts in Huntsville

Yesterday I drove about an hour north to Huntsville for their annual quilt show. It's all outdoors, around the courthouse. Most of the businesses in the area get into the action as well and the whole downtown area is "dressed" in quilts. It was plenty windy so the quilts got a good "airing". Here's a sampling of what I saw...

Oh yeah, and there was a tractor show as well. Only in Texas does a quilt show split billing with a tractor show! Very amusing.

Rain, Rain...and more Rain

I'm having a hard time believing there could be any more moisture in the sky. And, with my roots in Oregon, that means something! It started sprinkling around 5 last night, soon to be followed by thunder, lightning, and lots of serious rain. Woke up a couple times from the noise. Several school districts in the area are closed today. DJs on the radio are saying nothing is so important that you should leave your house. I haven't heard any rainfall totals, with the exception of Bear Creek which is about 20 miles to the northeast of us. They were at 11" already this morning...and it's still raining!

TJ's a Harley Rider

Tom's giving TJ final instructions before he lets him take his "baby" for a spin. I don't know who was more nervous...well, yes, I do, it was Tom!

Here's TJ! The first words out of his mouth when he got off the bike? "I know what I want for my birthday!"

Harley's Basketball Hoop

Well, it was a long time coming, but Harley finally has a basketball hoop in our yard! This one was a birthday present...almost a month late. Above is the concrete that supports the whole thing. And, what you see is our 2nd attempt at this first step! Initially we tried using quick setting concrete, but it set up too quickly for us to get the 20" long "J" bolts into it. So...it all had to come out! All went smoothly with the 2nd attempt. (Thank goodness or I'm afraid Harley would still be playing basketball at the clubhouse!) Oh, and that black cable in the picture? That's the cable tv/internet/phone cable that I sliced through with the first shovelful of dirt I removed from the hole at the beginning of the project :) Oops

This is the final step before playing...installing the rim. As you can see, Harley's "helping"! That's his friend Ryan in the green shirt. He's been like a 3rd son the last few months. His parents are building a home in our neighborhood and are currently in an apartment. We understand that set up only too well. He gets to stay with us a lot--even has a permanent "bed" set up in Harley's room.