Houston Rodeo

Everything is bigger in Texas. It wasn't long after learning that Houston hosts the largest volunteer-run rodeo in the world that Tom decided he needed to be a part of it. A tip from a co-worker pointed him in the direction of the transportation committee where, on good days he drives a tram, and on bad days like today (44 and raining), he's outside directing traffic. We've since learned to avoid volunteering in the "Hog Committee" which requires the sales of hogs. Uh, yeah, I can remember that. Here's a pic of Tom, ready for his last volunteer day at the rodeo this year. Oh yeah, and Bella too :)



A big bonus to volunteering in the rodeo means a gold badge that gets you specialized parking and free admission to the BBQ cookoff, and all the events at the rodeo including the concerts every night. We saw Toby Keith earlier in the week and at the last minute decided to pass on Brad Paisley last night. A little sorry about that decision after reading the review in the paper this morning! Another plus to the Houston Rodeo? It's indoors and fully air-conditioned! Not that important on days like today, but certainly gives it a different feel than the other rodeos I've attended in Arizona and Nevada!

We had the pleasure of seeing the calf scramble the other night and Houston's first ever mutton bustin' event. The calf scramble involves 28 teens and 14 calves. Catching a calf means you get a calf to raise and bring back to compete at the rodeo the following year. This was entertaining enough....until the mutton bustin' began! Imagine 5-yr-olds clinging to dear life on very wooly, scared sheep. It's like the pre-school version of bull riding! We'll definitely be back for more!

The Latest with Lauren

While I don't have a picture to share of Lauren's MRI, it doesn't take a medical degree to see there's a big problem in her back!  She can describe what's going on better than me, but while we wait for her to update her blog, here's my best attempt at an explanation...

She has a slipped/herniated disc in the lumbar region of her back (L5).  It had been giving her grief for 5 weeks before a trip to the doctor prompted an MRI and an appt with a spine surgeon.  Therapy was started immediately, but Lauren said that no one who has seen the MRI is optimistic that therapy alone is going to solve the problem.  Apparently it's the worst case her doctor has ever seen.  A trip to the spine surgeon yesterday prompted the first in a series of 3 epidural steroid shots at 2-week intervals.  The shots and therapy are her only shot, no pun intended :), at avoiding surgery.

Needless to say, her water polo season for this year is over.  I know she's disappointed, but I think her overwhelming feeling is relief that they finally found the source of her pain and they have a plan to fix it.  She will probably take a medical red shirt year to maintain 3 more years of athletic eligibility.

I'm looking forward to seeing her at the Irvine Water Polo tournament February 21 and 22--her 20th birthday!

Mojo & Bella

Nothing like a couple "babies" in the house to make sure the camera doesn't get dusty! The puppies are doing fine. Two is certainly more work than one though! They like to play, not realizing the great difference in their sizes. Bella has slept through the night the last three nights. I'm hoping that's a trend that continues! We try to walk the dogs everyday to make sure they are good and tired so they'll sleep good.

Here's TJ & Bella watching tv.

Bella & Mojo taking a nap in Bella's crate.

Mojo & Bella, crashed again. This time on TJ's lap. They are definitely sleeping buddies.

Here's Bella trying to squeeze into Mojo's crate. Mojo's on top letting her know the crate belongs to him!

From Day 1 Bella had a preference for Mojo's food and vice versa. Thought this was so cute with them eating out of the wrong bowls. We solved the problem by mixing their food together. Why fight it?!

Ooops! We did it again!

Meet Bella. She's a 2-month-old Pit Bull puppy...and TJ's new best friend. She is the sweetest puppy ever and has already melted my heart. Let's hope I still feel that way when she chews something important! Gotta admire TJ's strategy in letting Harley work for months to talk Tom & I into getting another dog, and then sneak in after the fact and ask for one of his own. TJ and I had seen a beautiful pit bull at the puppy store last weekend, but when we went to check on her yesterday, she was gone. We stopped again today, and there was Bella. We considered her rambunctious sister, but just couldn't resist her sweet disposition.

This is Bella in the backyard. All 3 dogs are getting along amazingly well. A very pleasant surprise to me! So cute to see Molly chase the tennis ball, Bella run after Molly, and Mojo holding his own bringing up the rear.

TJ & Bella came home and went right to the couch. She curled up next to him and was asleep in minutes.

I have to imagine the last 24 hours for her have been a little stressful. She took a long nap on the couch before we went outside to play.

Bella taking in her new backyard.

Bella's first bath. She found a little mud in the backyard so needed a bath so she could come back inside. So far, so good!

Christmas Break

Soooooo nice to have the whole family together for Christmas! Lauren came home first, on the 19th and Katie followed on Christmas Eve. The house was noisier and messier, but somehow felt just right :) The girls are doing well and both seemed eager to get back "home" after Christmas. I keep waiting for the day that they realize a sister is wonderful thing...maybe next year! We did some kayaking, exercising, shopping, game playing, and oh yeah, plenty of eating!

Katie & Harley enjoying some Blue Bell Ice Cream right from the source. I don't know when they gave up dishing up a serving into a bowl. I'm going to blame Hurricane Ike--seems he takes the blame for just about everything wrong in Houston lately!

Mojo had his 3 month check up on Dec 30th. In the last month he gained 3/4 lb. He's now a whopping 2 pounds!

The holidays were exhausting for at least two in the family. TJ & Mojo taking an unplanned afternoon nap on the couch.

Let It Snow!

We certainly didn't expect snow when we moved to Houston! Very exciting...while it lasts. Expected a high of 45 today and it's supposed to be below freezing tonight. While I don't expect a carpet of white in the morning, it's certainly fun right now.

TJ trying to catch some snow in the backyard.

Never thought I'd see a white roof on our house! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas :)

Mojo

Harley finally got his puppy! After months and months of research (and wearing Tom and me down!), he is the proud owner of a 1-1/4 pound chihuahua. We brought him home on Monday and we're all really enjoying him.

Mojo was born Sept 30, so he's almost 2 months old in these pictures. He's expected to be about 3 pounds when he's full grown.

Because he's so tiny, we have to walk in a shuffle, or staring at the ground to make sure we don't step on him. He's pretty quick for such a tiny dog.

Sleeping in Katie's sweatshirt...one of his favorite spots.