My Christmas Present....................

I know everyone is busily into their Christmas shopping and all but I just wanted to share my Christmas Present. I can't think of one single material thing that anyone could give me that could top .............................................

My Precious Family

Enough said. My cup runneth over!!!!!!!

Pray for Coy...........

Stephanie went to school with both these precious parents and they need our prayers in a mighty way!!!!!!


http://www.prayforcoy.blogspot.com/

In Case you are checking........................

Well, if there is anyone out there still reading (dear friends and family), we are alive.

First of all, I am so overwhelmed that I don't know where to start. I think I last blogged before Tim and I went to Huatulco for our first anniversary. Long story short.....it was fabulous. I had already started the greatest blog about the greatest husband who gave me the absolute greatest week in paradise. Oh, the details I could tell but................

School started (duh).......my Shannie is a Senior. Did you hear me? A SENIOR. This can't be happening. But it is. Matt is in Jr. High. Again, did you hear me? Wow. They are growing up tooooo fast.

We bought a new house and moved the end of September. We love it and are having so much fun making it our home. It's the main reason I haven't been a blogger of late. Still to this day have boxes in my garage and closets. I say if I haven't missed anything yet, I should just throw it away. Right! I'm such a pack rat. BUT, I have cleaned out a lot so I am proud of myself there.

Probably one of the greatest things that happened since we last blogged.........I am now not just KK to my precious JD but now I am KK to a beautiful new granddaughter, Miss MacKenzie Colleen Vandagriff. Oh, she is precious and I can't thank the Lord enough for grandbabies!!!!!

We did our annual family NASCAR race in Ft. Worth first weekend of November. We had an absolute blast!!! Eric brought his new girlfriend from Texas Tech for us to meet and she is precious. We instantly fell in love with her...........and I think, no, I know, Eric feels the same way about her!!!!

We had Thanksgiving at our house..........KK and PaTim had a house full with our kiddos and good friends we have made from Chicago, Bill and Tracey. Bill works with us as an attorney and they 2 precious little ones that have adopted us as their KK and PaTim since they have no family here!

Well, now, just like everyone else I am trying to get ready for Christmas and still keep my sanity. First of, where are my Christmas decorations. They were in the last load that just got stuffed anywhere. I'll try this weekend to find them and get my house Christmasy! We will leave for my parents the weekend before Christmas to spend a whole week there (first time in some time) and I can't wait. I need the break and the get away desperately right now!!!!!!!

If for some reason I don't blog again until after the holidays.......I pray you don't get caught up and lost in the craziness of it all but remember the greatest gift we have ever been given. I have been hearing so much about the commercialism of Christmas. Christ wasn't even born on the December 25th. Do you the origins of the Christmas tree, holly, mistletoe....blah, blah, blah. You know what? I have done my research. I know about all that. BUT, it has been the date set to celebrate the birth of Christ. And I will. I will praise Him for saving a wretch like me in his death and resurrection. BUT, HE had to be born first. Thank You God for the greatest gift of all!!!! I wish you and your precious family a very Merry Christmas and may God bless you with peace, love and joy this Christmas.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:11, 12

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

One Year Already.........?

One year ago this coming Sunday, August 5, Tim and I became husband and wife. WOW, it's hard to believe. I have spent the last year living what I often thought was just a fairy tale. Lavish Love with the absolutely most remarkable man. My SOUL-MATE, my BEST FRIEND and every DREAM COME TRUE. I wish I could come up with new words to describe it and express it but I really don't think there is one that could truly capture it all as my heart feels it. Let me just say I am blessed as my cup runneth over!

SO, how are we celebrating one year you ask? HEAVEN on earth..................7 days, 7 nights in a private villa on a secluded beach on the pacific ocean in Huatulco, Mexico. We head out this Saturday and I absolutely can't wait. One of the reasons I've been blogless over the last few months is the typical "life is crazy and doesn't slow down" so we are both desperately looking forward to NO PHONES, NO KIDS (though they are the joy of our lives), NO WORK, NO CLEANING, NO COOKING (cause we have our own cook there), NO WASHING, NOTHING BUT.............Tim and I. And sun. And water........from private pool outside our master suite to inside and outside hot tubs to the OCEAN, for pete's sake! Alone with the LOVE OF MY LIFE. Yep, it'll be Heaven on earth!!!!

I'm sure I'll let everyone know how wonderful it is when we return. Here are some pics of the villa.

Here is the villa at night. WOW.
And during the day................
Our beach......our view!!!!! Just can't wait!

WE ARE still ALIVE!

I know, it's been waaaay too long since my last blog (6 weeks and 1 day one to be exact) but I can't seem to slow down long enough to be able to BLOG! I was just reading Steph's and thought just do something quick and at least let people know you are alive and show some new random pics.

SO, YES we are. Obviously we have been moving in that "full 500 mph gear" that life seems to go at times! AND, so much has happened over the last 6 weeks. Where do I start?

School ended. My Shannon is now officially a Senior. I don't think I can take it. I still remember bawling while I was videoing her kindergarten graduation and saying that I will blink and she will be graduating high school. Oh, how time has flown. This time next year, she will have. I will be crying!!!! And, Matt is now officially a Junior High student. NOW, that blows me away! He heads to 6th grade next year and is very excited!!! New school, new friends.

We kept JD from Wednesday afternoon until Sunday afternoon (first weekend in June) while Stephanie and Jimmy headed to Las Vegas for a weekend of fun. Steph actually wanted some major "chill" time while Jimmy was in the World Series Poker tournament. They had fun. WE HAD A BLAST! JD is absolutely the most wonderful little fellow. He loves his KK and I adore him. Shan actually watched him during the day on Thursday and Friday and I took the night shifts and weekend! He is handful as most little 2 year olds are but so much fun. We set up a little pool for him and he wanted to live in it all day Saturday and Sunday and, he wanted KK in there too. WE have had non-stop rain now for weeks (or has it been months?) and that one weekend the sun was out in all it's glory. I was dying to get into some flower beds but instead I heard, "KK, get in, KK get in." Let me just ask you. How many times do you get to "get in" and have fun? How many times did I tell my kids to wait while mama finished up something? So many regrets. I'm not regretting being a KK one bit. I eat it up like candy! SO, KK did some swimming too. Now, I can tell you that this was one time I was ready for mom and dad to pick up JD. Normally the time is too short. This time KK was tired!!!! BUT, boy did we all have fun.

The second weekend in June some good friends of ours got married in Monterrey, Mexico. So, Tim and I flew out Friday morning to celebrate with them and their family. They both work here and John has worked in safety with Tim as long as Tim has been here at Baker. Gaby joined us a couple of years ago but they instantly fell in love. I can tell you that I have been to Catholic weddings before but never the full blown Spanish Catholic wedding. It was an incredibly beautiful ceremony and both were radiant! We had a great weekend!!

AND on the Friday we landed in Monterrey, I got the call I was so waiting for. Steph had her ultrasound and she called to give me the good news that she is having a girl. I about screamed in the Monterrey airport and was grinning ear to ear!!!! Check out her blog Steph's having a girl! Here's a pretty current pic of Steph. Isn't she a beautiful pregnant mom?And then there are these precious little feet that I can't wait to kiss all over.

Work is busy. Life is busy. This week we have been preparing to go on a camping trip this weekend. We leave tomorrow and head up to Lake Sam Rayburn until Sunday. All the family is going except for Eric. He's in Phoenix working hard this summer. Look forward to a fun weekend with our kiddos. Steph and Jimmy are taking their boat and Tim's brother and family will be there with their boat. Catfish fry, swimming, boating and fun, fun, fun with our family!!!!

I promise to take lots of pics this weekend and will try to do a better job of posting next week!!!
Hope this finds you all well and blessed!!!

What a Weekend!

Our LONG weekend at the river was wonderful. I really love that place. We stay in the Frio River Cabins and the whole place is wonderfully beautiful. Six nice and secluded cabins. Trees everywhere! Beautiful. The river was up due to all the rain so floating the river was really fun. Last September when we went we walked and pulled our tubes through a lot of the river but this time very little walking and lots of floating.

I enjoyed watching JD float this year. He loved it and did it like a pro as did his sweet cousins, Nicky, Lexie and Lezlie. Those kiddos love the water which is really nice for us adults because we do too!

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My digital camera was killed at our cook-off when the bad storm came through so I didn't get to take pics except when we were floating with my disposable water camera. Now I have to take it to get the pics developed so I'll post those when I get them (probably in a year or two - which is why I LOVE digital cameras). BUT, Steph has posted a few on her blog so check it out.

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Well, Eric left on Sunday and finally made it to Phoenix yesterday. I think he is going to enjoy working there. He was telling me over the weekend about all the places he wants to visit while he is there.......Grand Canyon, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, etc. Here in Texas we have to drive long hours to go anywhere!!!! Fortunately he'll get to fly home every three weeks!

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Maybe tonight I can finish unpacking everything!! Last night was dedicated to my sweet man. Matt's at his dad's this week and Shan went to spend the night there too :) so Tim and I were ALONE! We sat on the couch and did some good talking then watched our very favorite show 24. Next week is the two hour finale. GO JACK! What am I going to do with Monday's now?!?! I guess I could start working in my flower beds since they have been a little neglected!!!

Steph is fussing again because it has been over a week since a post. Well, I haven't had much to blog on about. I guess I can just tell you that we as a family (along with some good friends) are headed to the Frio River tomorrow for a long weekend! Looking VERY forward to that. We went last year and had a blast. This year we have a big group going and are renting out all 6 cabins.

Eric will be heading to our Phoenix office to work Sunday so it will be nice to have a long weekend with him before he makes the drive out there. It will be sad not having him work from Houston office this summer and getting to spend a lot of time with him. SO, we'll enjoy and treasure the three days we'll have with him this weekend.

Dustin has been working with Baker for almost a year now but has had a great opportunity in Beaumont so tomorrow is his last day. When we return from the river he'll be moving out and moving back with his mom in Saratoga. SO, again, it will be nice to spend this long weekend as a family before he isn't around as much!

Other than trying to get ready to head to the river..............LIFE IS GOOD. WE ARE BLESSED!!

UPDATE on Steph

Just an update. Steph's surgery went well. She is home recovering. I just went by to give her a kiss and drop off JD's medicine from earlier this morning. He is home sleeping. He and KK walked every square inch of our yard and He was pooped!!! He even picked all the flowers (weeds) for his mommy!!

Thanks for your prayers.

Prayers for Steph and Baby V

Log on to The Van Fam for Steph's post but she is about to go in to surgery in just a few minutes. Please pray for the Precious Lord to wrap His arms around both she and the precious little one growing inside her. I trust and know she will be fine!

PaTim and I had the privilege of having JD spend the night with us so Steph could go home last night and get a good night's rest and they had to leave the house at 6 this morning. I love the precious time with JD. As everyone was going to bed last night you go through the ritual of "JD kisses" which consists of a regular kiss on the lips with sound and all! Next comes eskimo kisses then of course you end with butterfly kisses. First one eye then he say's, "oder one". So both eyes kissed! Everyone gone to bed, just JD and I cuddled on the couch watching The Lion King when he finally said, "KK, I sleepy." So I took him up to his bed in Matt's room, hugged on him bunches, prayed with him and laid him down with all his sleepies...Mickey House, Bear, Bear blanket and regular blanket. He even took hostage my new neck pillow which he cuddled up with. I told him when woke up in the morning, just call KK and she would come get him. Then I leaned over kissed him and said, "I love you JD." With his precious and sweet little voice, he looked up at me and said, "I wuv you KK." Oh, I melt every time.

This morning as PaTim was finishing up getting ready I heard, "KK. KK." I opened the door to find the most precious little face with the biggest smile on his face waiting for his KK......holding in his arms everything in his bed!!! I'm thrilled to be able to work from home today and take care of my little man.

Thanks for your prayers for his sweet mama and my precious Sweet Pea!!!

Grandchildren - What Incredible Gifts!

JD is the MAN! What a precious grandchild God has blessed Papa Tim and I with. He makes me laugh my head off all the time. At 2 years 3 months he is a talker. Oh, but I love the conversations. How precious. I love each and every second that I get to spend with that precious little fellow! He indeed thinks his KK is awesome! Feelings mutual Little Man! He hasn't been feeling good the last week and went to the doctor this morning. You got to check out the stickers from the doctor's office. Look at that face. Is he cool or what? And do you think he knows it?!?!?!

Speaking of grandchildren and doctors, surely you caught on my post about the wreck that I have a grandchild on the way. Sweet Steph is 12 1/2 weeks pregnant with grandchild #2. Praying like crazy that she gets a little girl. SHE NEEDS a little girl. She was the girliest of all girls growing up and she needs that. BUT, we'll take whatever healthy little one the Lord sees fit to grace us with! Especially after Steph having a miscarriage! We are just grateful each and every day for the precious life growing inside that darlin' Steph. Here are pics at 12 1/2 weeks of Baby V as Steph calls her. Actually the doctor said today if she was to guess VERY EARLY she would say boy. Jimmy is already picking out boy names. I'm thinking I want to wait until next ultrasound (anatomy scan) in 6 weeks (June 8th) to find out for sure!! I can't make heads or tails out of these pics but I still love to look and praise God for our next grandchild - girl or boy - doesn't matter. I love that precious life already!!!!!!!

Several have asked about Stephanie. Here is her blog page to keep up with her and her sweet family........................The Van Fam

Also, I pasted in a portion from Steph's email today she sent when sending her pics! Please keep her in your prayers!

I had my second pre-natal visit today. Things are looking good and I am all set for my surgery on Monday. I'm a little nervous but I'm sure everything will go fine. My due date is still set for Nov. 4th and the baby looks good. Dr. Sinacori did say as of right now my placenta is too low. If it doesn't move up (which is usally does) then I will need a c-section. Too soon to tell or worry about that. This will however make Monday's procedure a bit more riskier b/c this means the cervix is much closer to the placenta. She's aware of it though so I'm sure things will be fne. I'm trying not to stress too much about that right now. But a few extra prayers couldn't hurt...

What a Weekend!

Here is it Thursday and I am just now blogging about last weekend. I think maybe it was a little need of rest from such a full and FUN weekend. And, coming back to work and the mountain that always grows while I am away. Also, yesterday was Dustin's 19th birthday so we were busy eating at the NEW Los Cucos by our house. Anyway. Happy B-day again Dustin.

OK, my friend Kelly at Girl on a Mission wanted to know how the weekend went. First of all let me just get out the way that NO I was not happy at the outcome. I respect Jeff Gordon as a driver. He is a good driver. He was mentored by one of the greatest drivers of all time (which I grew up loving - BIG E!) and I also think it was very honorable of Mr. G to fly the #3 Dale Earnhardt flag in honor of tying Big E's wins! I just don't CARE for Mr. G. Enough said.

We had a lot of fun with Rick and Tanya (corporate doctor and his girlfriend) in Phoenix. Got to hit two on my favorite spots there. We usually stay in Old Town Scottsdale when we go and there is a place there - Itallian Grotto. Yummy!!! And the manager there remembers us (well he really remembers Tim - funny story) so he took very good care of us that night. The other place is RA Sushi. Love it. Love it. We now have one in Houston so Tim, I, Rick and Tanya hit it often. Still love to go there in Phoenix since that is where we discovered it. Didn't stay long....we went on a Friday night right in Tempe where ASU is. We walk in to a VERY LOUD (thought maybe I was just getting old but even Tanya (26) said it was) sushi bar filled with VERY YOUNG adults!!! We ended up at Sushi Brokers in Scottsdale.......good choice! Then we hit the huge 30 person hot tub at our hotel. Very nice relaxing way to end the evening.

Saturday was race day! As soon as we get the pics off Tim's camera I'll post a few. My camera drowned at our cook-off in March when the storm came through. BUT, here is one that Tim and I had taken in front of June Bug's car! I didn't know the guy was shooting so I'm talking away (using my hand as well)! We got pit passes and all and really had fun at the race. Afterwards, in a bad mood, then had to fight 2 1/2 hours of traffic to get out. NEVER, in all the races we have gone to have we ever had to fight that much. Bummer.

Over all, great weekend. Tim and I enjoyed our time together and finally decided after sleeping in probably one of the most comfortable beds EVER, to buy us a new LUXURY king size mattress!!! After returning from Phoenix and waking up two mornings in a row with ACHING backs we did it. Ahhhh. Last night slept like a queen and king!

AND even though he finished 19th I still think.........................

Headed to Phoenix

Well, Tim and I are off to the races in Phoenix (Phoenix International Raceway - PIR)!!!!!!

I am so excited for another long weekend with my Bestest Friend. We have both looked so forward to this weekend and know we will have a blast. We are going with some friends (our company doctor and his girlfriend) so that will be fun. The place we are staying at has a spa so I'm thinking while Tim and Rick are working for a few hours tomorrow Tanya and I are going to have to have massages and have a little pampering done!!!!

The PIR Spring race is a night race so Saturday night we'll be screaming for Junior to win. He usually runs quite well at Phoenix. As a matter of fact, the first PIR race we went to Junior did win!!! I was a happy woman!
So, hope you all enjoy your weekend! You won't hear from me until next week - I assure you I will be enjoying mine!!!!

Go Junior!!!!!!!

Back in Time....

Yesterday was a day I'll treasure forever. I got to go back in time and enjoy Stephanie at 8 years old and Shannon at 18 months again. Sunday when I picked Matt up, Mike gave me a cassette tape that he had found in cleaning. He said it was Stephanie when she was younger singing.

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Yesterday when I got in the car to take Matt to sitters for school we decided to put it in and listen to it. It was absolutely precious and I laughed and cried all the way to work (1 hour drive).

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You see, Stephanie Lynn Bankard (now Vandagriff) was born an entertainer. She was singing and performing for Mike and I from the time she could stand. She would make the hearth of the fireplace her stage and constantly performed. She even put on plays with the neighborhood kids at Christmas and Easter giving us parents the pictures of the Nativity and how everyone would have felt at the death of Christ. Performer. Director. Cheerleader. That was Steph wrapped up!!!

This tape started off with her, obviously teaching school, having her students do the pledge. I'm talking ...."ok, class, let's stand for the pledge. Hand over your heart and face the flag..." She did leave half the pledge out but how precious. She went on the give the students birthdays for the day and directed her class to keep their eyes on the teacher and follow her direction. Next she goes in to telling her class to be ILAC (with such enthusiasm in her voice) and went on to explain, "I AM LOVABLE AND CAPABLE!" She obviously was also born the cheerleader that she later became and excelled at.

Anyway, for an hour I listened to my precious 23 year old become 8 again and listened to her sing her heart out (bless her heart - she knew the words but God just didn't think Steph needed the beautiful voice), teach her students to be ILAC, fuss at her baby sister, Shan, and play with her childhood friends (one particular she is still extremely close to...Miss Ashley Meyer). It was an hour I'll treasure for years.

I called her during the day and shared some of it with her and she couldn't wait for me to get home so she could come over and listen to it. I thought about it all day.....that child was precious. She was so talented and gifted. I listened to the tape again all the way home and it was only a few minutes after I arrived that she and my little man, JD were over. We set up an old stereo in the kitchen (one that still had a cassette player) and we all listened to Stephanie entertain us. I then loved watching her face as she went back in time. It was another moment that was precious.
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We had such a blast and all laughed. Steph felt bad at how much she fussed at Shan because today, those two have the most precious sister relationship. I only have two brothers so it has been such a joy for me to watch two sisters relate. They have been there for each other through many tough times and I know they treasure each other more than I realize. Praise God!
One last note. Even today, my precious Stephanie is still quite the entertainer. She is so full of life and loves to laugh. She is so much fun to hang with and I still treasure all the entertainment!!!!!!!!!!
Stephanie Lynn Vandagriff, thank you for being such a gift in my life. I love you with all my heart!!!!!!!

AND EVERYONE ELSE REMEMBER - ILAC - I AM LOVABLE AND CAPABLE!!!!!!!

The Day of My Birth

Well, today I turn 44 years old. On one hand I'm thinking to myself that I am getting old. On the other, I feel young, I am in love with my Soul Mate, and I pray God gives me 44 more years!!!

This is what he gave me for my birthday. We both are Irish and love things that reflect our Irish heritage. We have even both dreamed of visiting Ireland someday, hopefully soon. This bracelet speaks of us better than anything. It is what we call each other all the time. The Gaelic language - Mo Anam Cara - meaning My Soul Mate. Of course I bawled when I opened it. Tim has given me incredible pieces of jewelry since we have been together....my beautiful engagement ring which he picked out himself and of course that wedding band that bonds us for life!!!!!! First Christmas we were together he gave me a beautiful diamond heart necklace which he said was him giving me his heart. Next Christmas the Past, Present and Future Diamond Necklace. He even had me open three seperate boxes first which he wrote some incredible words describing our past. Our present. Our future. I loved them both so much that I combined the two penants on to one necklace which I never take off. He has given me incredible pieces of turquoise which I love. Now this...a beautiful bracelet that says My Soul Mate. Thank You Baby. You are TOO good to me! I love you!!!!!

My cup indeed runneth over and over!

ONE SPLIT SECOND............

I'm sitting at our South Florida office right now waiting for Tim to come pick me up. I have been working here today training a couple of the girls here to do travel. They are going to take over all the South Florida travel and it will be done out of this office. It will be such a load off me as travel has become a MONSTER!

I was thinking about yesterday and all that happened before I got to get on an airplane to head this way to see my Man! First of all, I never shared that we had this trip planned for a while. We knew I had to get here for a full day of training and Tim is here basically every other week right now so we knew after Rodeo and all that was going on it would be perfect to give us a long weekend away. What I never shared is that something came up Tim had to go to Ohio on Thursday night and would return to Miami very late Friday night. Needless to say we were both quite upset at the fact that not seeing each other since Monday mid-day we would have to waiting until close to midnight on Friday. AGAIN, I understand and respect Tim's job and knew it was out of our control that he would have to attend a meeting in Ohio on Friday. SO, as I woke up yesterday I was about the head to Florida to work and still wouldn't see Tim until late Friday night. I was on my way to work when somebody, obviously in a major hurry, ran a red light going about 55 mph. and hit me in Tim's truck. Without going into all the details of the wreck let me just say this guy was in such a hurry that he didn't think he needed to stop and see if I was ok but instead just took off. Thank goodness for the witness right next to me who chased the man down and made him stop. I'm ok. Sore, rattled but fine. Tim's truck will definitely need some repair! But, all this to say it scared the daylights out of me and I've relived the accident a thousand times in my mind.

It's made me do a lot of thinking about what can happen in a split second. It could have been so much worse in just a split second. If I had been in my car, it could have really been bad. I am so grateful that the Lord was watching over me!!! I have so much to live for. I have the most wonderful husband in the world and want God to give us so many years together on this earth. I have 5 incredible kids (6 counting my wonderful son-in-law), JD, my grandson and another grandchild on the way. All this to say, it was one of those things that just smack you in the face, and remind you how precious life is. It truly is a gift as is all my family and I'm grateful the Lord protected me from could have been so much worse.

Oh and I forgot to mention that something came up in Miami that kept Tim there for a meeting on Friday plus he wanted to see with his own eyes that I was OK. SO, he picked me up from the airport last night and boy was it good to see his handsome face!!!

How Time Flies!

Yes, we are all still alive and well. Let me rephrase that..........we are still alive! I'm truly sorry that I have not had a new post in a month. Can I just say that I can't believe how fast this last month has flown by? I am screaming right now, "Either someone needs to slow this ride down or let me off!!!!!!!!!!" Well, I guess the way our calendar looks over the next couple of months, I better buckle my seat belt tighter and hang on!!!

Tim and I are members of the Coral Club for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (for those who don't live here - it's HUGE. LASTS FOR THREE WEEKS) and Tim works for the East Club Committee B Team so every third night we are at the Rodeo for sure. On top of other nights to see performers we like and want to see. So, for the last three weeks we've done RODEO non-stop. It's a lot of fun but when it's over - you're glad.

Staying in the western theme....................Now, we are full swing (I say that because we've been working on it for the last couple of months on top of everything else) in to our annual Cook-off that we do here in Houston with other construction contractors/subcontractors. I am chairing the committee this year for our team so I'm swamped trying to finalize everything. It is going to be so cool this year. The last two years we've been involved has been a Mardi Gras theme. FUN, to say the least. Actually two years ago we won for best hospitality. Here is a picture of my wonderful Tim and I in our jester costumes and a few others.

This year, we are changing themes and will be doing an old west saloon. It is all coming together really nice and I think we will have a chance at winning again. Tim will be cooking some of his "famous" ribs along with chicken and brisket. We also have someone cooking up around 600 pounds of crawfish. Oh, I can't wait!!!!! All of us on the committe are going all out in costume to make it more authentic. I have my Miss Kitty costume ready and we have a marshall ready!!! If you're in town next weekend (March 30 and 31) let me know and we'd love to have you join us. Saturday is fun for the kids with lots of activities!

FORTUNATELY, Tim and I will get a very much needed break this weekend when we get to spend it ALONE in Miami. He is there this week for work (and yes, I miss him terribly right this moment) and I'll fly down Thursday to spend Friday at the South Florida office doing some training but then Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, we will get to be together with no agenda and no one to entertain or take care of except for each other. We both need it very much!!! Life has been crazy! It's been a while since we really had just time for US!!!

BOOGITY, BOOGITY, BOOGITY.....LET'S GO RACIN' BOYS!!!!!!

Anyone that knows much about me or the Gannon's knows we are die-hard NASCAR racing fans. Sunday afternoons you will ALWAYS find us in front of the TV watching cars go fast and turn left!!!!!!

Tim and I have been fortunate over the last few years to get to go to quite a few races. We both work for a concrete construction company so often vendors give us tickets to go. Our company has built the crash walls at Homestead (Tim even got to drive the rental car around that track) and we are re-doing the track at Bristol this year after the spring race. How awsome. That is one track/race I must go to before I see Jesus!!!! We have been to Daytona race, several of the Phoenix races, last two Homestead races and last two Texas races. I got to go to Coca-Cola race back a few years ago!!!! If you like NASCAR and haven't been to a race - it is a must to really get to experience NASCAR!!! Watching on TV doesn't even do it justice!

We started a family tradition in 2005 and took our whole family to the Texas Race (Dickies 500) in November. Since we are Texans we don't have to worry about the airfare and can just drive up. We do rent camping spots and do the whole camping scene and have a blast. The kids love it. We love it. My brother and his family come from Mississippi and this coming year my other brother and his wife are coming. It grows every year and this year, 3rd Annual, is going to be the best yet. Our son, Eric, is designing us a dance floor so that while we are hanging out we can do some two-steppin'.

Obviously, you can tell who our favorite is!!!!! Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Well, my wonderful son-in-law decided he likes other drivers (won't mention their names, yuck!!) The girls tend to really like Kasey Kane as well (I'm sure it's because he is so dang cute). Several of our family members have other drivers they really like too but the census in the GANNON family is that JUNIOR ROCKS!!!!!!!

Our first race this year will be the race in Phoenix the weekend of April 20 - 22. We are heading there with some friends Thursday evening and back Sunday. We surely will have some FUN!!!!!!

Good Luck this year Junior

Go #8

And Happy Valentines Day AGAIN!

I posted my Happy Valentines late yesterday because I knew it would be later this morning before I could put anything up and I wanted it to be there first thing!

BUT, I wasn't expecting to walk in my office this morning late (went to Matthew's school Rodeo Dance program - that could be a blog in itself) and find more beautiful flowers. Timothy, you are so good to me. I can't even come up with the words right now to tell you how much I love you and how much you mean to me. You are an incredible gift from God! My cup INDEED runneth over!!!!!
I can't wait for you to get home from Miami tonight. I have missed you Baby.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!