Vegas Baby!! Yeah!!

I just got back from four days in Vegas with Brianne, David and Sarah. We went out for a surprise 40th birthday party for our cousin Jeff and stayed a few extra days. We had a great time! We stayed at MGM Grand and took in Cirque du Soleil Mystere, layed by the pool, played golf, played the slots and Craps and ate some really good food. Reagan and Lindy were in town for their anniversary so we were able to hang out with them as well. The pics of the skyline are taken from a bar called Mix that is in the top of Mandalay Bay. We are on the outdoor patio overlooking the strip. Our cousin works their so we went up for appetizers before dinner at Nine Fine Irishmen that evening. NFI is in New York, New York and it was the best restaurant we went to all week. They had an irish band playing and had a lady dancing the Irish Jig (see video below). Good times were had by all!

View from Mix atop Mandalay Bay.

Brianne and I on the patio at Mix

David and Sarah in front of the Vegas skyline.

David and Sarah on the patio at Mix

Brianne and I and the Vegas skyline.

Enjoying a cigar at Nine Fine Irishmen

Dinner at Nine Fine Irishmen.

Playing the slots.

Gotta love the nickel slots.

At The Venetian's Canal Shops.

With Reagan and Lindy at Cirque du Soleil at TI. It was an amazing show.

In front of the Bellagio with Paris in the background.

Watching the water show at the Bellagio.

Catishin'

David Anderson, James Garner and myself bought a guided catfishing trip in the Rocky Mountaion Elk Foundation auction a few months ago and Friday night we were finally able to take the trip. We had a BLAST!! The guide, The Catfish Consultant and Bait Boy did absolutely everything except reel the fish in. We actually did that. We left around 5 p.m. and didn't get home until almost 3 a.m., having spent 8-plus hours on the boat. This trip redefined how fishing should be done. Our Bait Boy - I still can't remember what his real name was - took care of rigging all the poles and even casting them out. All we had to do was sit around and wait for a fish to hit. Then whoever could grab the pole first got to bring the fish in. The two of us who id not get on the pole would just LOUDLY cheer the "fisherman" on. We are already planning our next trip and will be enjoying a good fish-fry on Sunday evening.

With our yellow cat. I get to claim it because I was the first to grab the pole when the fish hit. It is the biggest yellow that the guide has ever brought in.

David reeling. It looks like he has a big fish on but he was just caught on a log.

David at sunset.

Our haul!

My big blue cat.

Enjoying a good cigar at sunset.

James celebrating his first catch.

James and I enjoying our cigars. Waiting for a fish to hit. It was a tough job.

The fishermen.

David astonished by his big blue.

Fighting another big one.

James is working hard while David cheers him on. Everything is funnier and more fun if you are loud!

David is actually catching a fish here. It wasn't a log this time.

Garden Update

Well, we are officially into the growing season and my garden has really taken off. Those of you that know me pretty well know that I tend to get a little overzealous about things and go all out. Well ... I've done it again. I definitely planted too many plants in my garden. It is so grown up that you can't even seen the dirt anymore. 16 tomato plants, 11 squash and 3 cantalope plants take up a lot of room. Here are some pics of my first batch of vegetables. I have over 30 tomatoes on the vine as well as 20 squash. I planted the cantalope late so they are not anywhere near ready to produce. I can't wait to eat my first tomato!!

Its Official ...

I have passed in to middle age as I now have become a gardener. I built a 98 sq. ft. garden in my backyard that holds 16 tomato plants and 11 squash (green and yellow) plants. I am very excited. I plan on eating a tomato with every meal. I planted some "big boy", "celebrity" and "cherry" tomatoes. I really enjoy working in the yard. As you can see from the pics I have 8 trees that I have planted in the 5 years I have owned this house. I also built a shed and the covered deck that you see. This week I have also been working on transforming one corner of my yard in to a huge flower bed that houses a climbing terrace for a passion flower vine, some tulips that my grandma gave me that came directly out of her mother's garden. She has been keeping them alive ever since her mother passed away over 15 years ago. I also purchased a couple of large moss rocks and planted some bouganvillas, cactus, ice plant, hearty hibiscus and yellow mums. I think it is going to look really good when everything grows in. Also, notice my garden helpers. My plaster owl and rubber snake keep watch over my garden in order to keep the birds away. I have a BB gun for the ones that aren't scared off.

Wims Fun Run

This past weekend we participated in the Wims Fun Run on Saturday in League City at Clear Creek High School - where Brad used to be a teacher. Saturday was an amazing day that allowed us to offer emotional and financial support to Brad's family on Saturday morning by participating in the fun run before celebrating Brad's life at his memorial service in the afternoon. Brad was an amazing man and left behind a wonderful wife, two beautiful kids and a host of family and friends that will miss him dearly. The 5K was a huge success as over 400 people turned out to raise money for the Brad Wims Memorial Fund that has been set up to for Zeke and Kaelyn's education.

Our gang following the run. Bryan, me, Josh, Sheridan, Allison, Scott, Lisa, Hogan, Lolly, Callie, Gates, Beck and Jack. The starting line.

Jenny and Zeke walking towards the finish line.

Bryan and Callie.

Gates and Hogan running the kids 1K.

Callie taking a break from running. She definitely ran more than any of us.

Beck and I starting strong.

Finishing the kids 1k Gates and Beck.

The kids with their ribbons.

He Finally Made It

My friend Brad Wims finally made it home to see his maker. Brad endured a long battle with cancer and fought valiantly, faithfully and with the upmost character. He was called home on Monday, March 2. The thought that keeps crossing my mind is Brad's love for singing and praising God in song and how has now joined the chorus of angels that surround our Lord with praise and awe!

I picked this pic of Brad because it shows me so much of how he lived his life. Brad was a servant that always picked people up and carried them. Giving them the strength and encouragment they so desperately needed. I love this pic because it is how Brad will be remembered. Strong, active, serving and full of life. Even carrying someone down the highest mountain in SE Asia - Mt. Kinabalu - brought a smile and joy to Brad's face.

Brad you made it home and you will be dearly missed. Your family will be in my prayers and will be taken care of until we can all meet with you again.

Latest News

Obviously I am not very good at updating my blog. I guess because I haven't had any super exciting adventures lately. Although I don't have any exotic or really adventurous pics to post, I do have some pics that are really exciting to me. Pics of Brianne and I. Since all my free time the past month has been spent with Brianne I figured I better post an update about her. I am sure she will really appreciate it! I have been dating Brianne Alexander for almost two months now. We have had a great time together. She lives in Dallas so we do not get to see each other every day but we definitely made the most of the time we have spent together. We have spent time in Corpus, Austin, College Station and Dallas doing a variety of different things. We hung out for a week in Corpus - her hometown - with Josh and Sheridan and her family. We spent a week in College Station - my home - as well as one week and several weekends in Dallas and a weekend in Austin for her brother's wedding. Our birthday's are three days apart so we had a fun weekend celebrating in Dallas in January. Anyway, I am not much of a writer so I will just post some pics. Enjoy! With my birthday present from Brianne.

Brianne with two of her best friends - Alicia and Lisa.

After my birthday dinner at Benihana's.

At the park by Brianne's apartment.

Brianne wearing the "Party Hat" for her birthday. We all had to wear it.

Brianne riding in the back of the truck at the beach in Corpus with the Leftwich family.