Chip Quest 2006

When we went to Disney World in October, we had tried several times to see Chip. We saw him, but could never seem to get his autograph. He even left us at the campfire sing-a-long! There were many tears and much dismay from the family! When we went to California for the wedding, I made us a reservation for breakfast with Chip and Dale in Disneyland - finally we would get his autograph. There were 5 characters at the breakfast (Chip, Dale, Terk (tarzan), Meeko (pocahontas), and Pluto, but, we had finished eating, and NONE had come to our table!! We decided to take matters into our own hands, and we searched each one out for their autograph and picture. Finally, the last character we cornered was Chip. Do you know how to tell Chip and Dale apart?? Chip has the little black nose (like a chocolate chip) - Dale's is larger and redish. Also, Chip has front teeth sticking out, while Dale has 2 teeth apart sticking out. They are both so cute! How do you like all our disney pins! We have way too many - but it is fun to collect them (thank you e-bay!) and it is great fun to trade with the cast members at the parks.

The Quest for Chip 

Dave's brother Dan just got married in San Diego on Mar. 11. Here is Jen, Dan and Gabby celebrating! 

My sister Karen is engaged! Way to go, Jarad! 

new to blog??

If you are new to the "blogging" experience (since I am an expert for a whole month now...):
1. Every time you visit - you may need to hit refresh on your toolbar to see new posts.
2. To see older posts, at the bottom of the page, you can click on months to see the blogs.
3. The first blogs start at the bottom of the page, or you can visit previous months.
That is all I know for now. I figured out how to post pictures, so I am getting there! ~Cindy

Also 1994 - first digital camera. This picture was entitled ants - because as we were standing there, Dave stood on a huge fire ant pile, and they swarmed his legs. Not a good feeling. (see previous post on fireants) 

Baby Kitten Dusty - Oct. 1994 - from our first ever digital camera! 

bluebonnets 2005, frisco cemetary, Tim 7, Gabby 4 

bluebonnets 2004 austin wildflower center, Tim 6, Gabby 3 

bluebonnets 2003 bluebonnet trail plano, Tim 5, Gabby 2 

bluebonnets in big bend national park 2002, Tim 4, Gabby 1 

bluebonnets 2001 at dinosaur park in Glen Rose, Tim 3 years 

bluebonnets 2000, Tim 2 years 

Our bluebonnet pictures

In Texas, it is tradition every Spring to get your picture taken in the Texas bluebonnets - it is the state flower. The state has spread seeds all over highways and roadsides; they really are quite unique and beautiful. I've posted a picture from each year - neat to see how the kids grow. I guess we really searched out different spots throughout the state each year! I am missing a few early years - before Cindy went totally digital (as Dave says, that outdated analog technology!), although we have had various digital cameras since they first came out - our first pictures are from Oct. 1994. Ok now I have to post a picture from that time. :-)

Buckwheat the Texas Longhorn! 

yet another quote

"The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars of the sky and 'the lilies of the field' -- simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us."

--Oswald Chambers, 'My Utmost for His Highest'

another quote

No one ever accomplishes your dreams for you, regardless of tears, fits, or any other means of manipulation. Others can give you ideas and direction, but in the end, you have to do it alone. You must figure out your own destination and the best route to get there because no one else knows the way. ~author unknown

quote for our new life

There are two things to aim at in life.
First to get what you want,
and after that to enjoy it.
Only the wisest of mankind has achieved the second.
-- Logan Pearsall Smith --

Quitting the rat race

It is weird, how we are leaving behind the security that we know. The money, the places we know, the jobs - to go somewhere unknown. But we can only think of how less pressured we will be - not such a focus on consumerism - how expensive of car can you get, how big of house can you buy, how many toy rooms do you need in your house - will this get you happiness?? I think not.

So we are focusing in on time, togetherness, quiet contemplation. (in our rocing chairs on the porch of course!!) We are very excited, somewhat nervous of the unknown. Happy to leave behind rush hour traffic, small trees, and hot, dry weather. Looking forward to real outside beauty, hiking in fresh air, and more family time.

Cindy in snow on a trail in NC, by the waterfalls!

The Rocking Chair Porch

In North Carolina, you have to have rocking chairs. I believe it is a state law. So we purchased 2 of them from the previous owners of the house. Our front porch is covered and our back porch is open. We can sit in them and watch time go by. I can't wait for our new lifestyle. Sounds much more enjoyable and relaxed. Even though I will be working full time, things are going to be knocked down a notch in stress.

Boxes

Did I mention..... I hate packing! Uuugh!

sad, too

I am getting teary eyed more and more. It is hard to leave a place that we have lived in, grown in, loved in, for 15 years. We moved to Dallas 1 month after we were married in 1991. We have been in our house for 12 years. It is our first home. Dusty, wild tiger that he is, came just a couple months after we moved in. The kids were born here, were toddlers and preschoolers here, started school here. So many memories.... I have started to take the kids to some of our favorite places, perhaps for the last time, and taking some pictures of them there. Perhaps I will make a scrapbook of our Texas memories. Places to do: Double Dip ice cream, CiCi's pizza, the library, friendship park....

The worst part, though, is leaving all our friends. The friends who have supported us through all the tough times: when the babies were born, when I was diagnosed with RA, those who have just been there through all the ups and downs of life. We will make plans to come back and visit, and they most definitely need to come visit us, at our beautiful mountain home.

excited

We are all getting very excited about the move! Thinking, planning, guessing what it will be like. What will the new school be like? Will we find a good pizza place? Will the weather be nice? Will we like our new house?

But of course, we have the packing, packing, packing ..... before we go.

fire ants!

In Dallas, we have been 80 degrees for a couple days. Nothing like skipping spring and going right on to summer. That could be why we are moving, you think?? Gabby went outside and was afraid to step in the grass with bare feet. And then I remembered - there are no fire ants in the mountains! And will have real grass, not the prickly crab grass that grows in the intense heat here in Dallas. We might just enjoy being outside again - weird!