Mantle Shots- 2015

Brother Steve making an 'all time' play by bringing the dog to the beach!

LB was so happy.

Summertime fun time.

The summer started off with boxes.  What could be better than completing a move right before vacation?

 Waving to the crowd.   Wait...what crowd?

This is what Lux does on vacation...chillin!

Makin' the leap with Papi

Picking eggs at the lake.

Santa- in shorts.  On the OC Boardwalk- NICE!

Can't say I have ever seen a Johnson Popcorn mascot growing up.

A fairy princess.

Getting toes done with Mommy in preparation for the beach.

 Hanging out in Seaside.

Behind the wheel.  Haven't we seen this picture before?

Finishing off the day with a nice float.

Posing.

Gettin' ready to tube.

Tubin' with Uncle Josh

Her first meal at Smitty's!  She still thinks that fried shrimp are chicken.

Geez.  Mommy is so excited to be on this ride.  

A farm with miniature livestock.  Just like the island of misfit toys, but cuter.

Me - "Can you please hold that position for the next 900 miles?"

Me- "thanks"

Spring goodies

Pajama party at school.

Mommy had a headache, so LB took care of her.

Evidently LB thought she needed to cover her in pillows to be most effective.  

Now Mommy is all better!

Time to focus on Pop Pop.

And Lux.

And her toes.

And her hair.

Me and LB - our 3 day adventure

This is what happens when my bride leaves me home with our 4 year old for a 3 day weekend...

First Stop- Sea World!  Time to play in the adventure land.  This area wasn't all that amusing.  Being that it was a Thursday afternoon on a school day, the crowds were light.

So we turned our attention on the water park.  But wait- I didn't bring a towel or a bathing suit for LB.  What should we do?

Wait for it...Wait for it....

Just go topless.  Yep, I was that parent who did not prepare for the festivities.  But I was not about to deny LB the fun

That smile was plastered on her face.  She couldn't get enough.  Seconds became minutes.  Minutes became hours.

Next stop was a trip to the gift store - left us with a new SeaWorld themed shirt and towel.  All good!  Time to watch the dolphins.

And relax in-between shows.  When did SeaWorld become Cirque du Soleil?

Next day- Krispey Kreme.  The cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast.

Watching them make the donuts.

 Final day- The Egg and I for some pancakes and coloring.

All in all- a great weekend.

Moments, In-between

Patio art - Is that a cat?  

Supervising the painter

 As an apostle- in her first play.  ONE BASKET, TWO FISHES!

Writing Mom a letter

Hanging with her idol's- at Chic'l a!

Note to self - Buy Disney!

Yet again, Disney exerted its unwavering control over children and adults alike.   This last instance was especially enjoyable thanks to a Saturday afternoon installment of “Frozen on Ice”.  Yes, kids were captivated by a fresh reenactment of Disney’s latest blockbuster.  And parents (wallets) were victimized by the threat of not maximizing their kid's experience.  Here’s the cost breakdown of 2 hours of entertainment (M. Mouse payee): 

• 3 tickets @ $45 each
• 1 majestic frozen wand @ $32 (it lights up)
• 1 bag of popcorn in souvenir bag @ $12
• 1 snow cone in souvenir mug @ $16
• 1 “Olaf” themed straw/spoon @ $2

Bottom line- we don’t stand a chance in Disney World.  A wise man once said- “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”…Thanks for the stock tip.  We’re buying DIS!

Goodness to Greatness

Every person has defining moments in their life.  Marriage, first kiss, birth of child, graduation, first paycheck- they were big.  The taste of Thanksgiving dinner, the state championship winning shot by Jimmy Chitwood in Hoosiers, watching your favorite team win a championship- forever cemented in your memory.

And then there’s Oktoberfest, New Braunfels TX- AKA Wurstfest.  It was supposed to be an innocuous festival for celebrating good weather and volksmusik…but this time...glory and grace visited.  

The exact location was none other than your everyday carnival booth, complete with a Texas carny. The game- baseball toss at milk jugs.  The prize- the largest stuffed animals on display.  The audience- family, friends, and a group of “the deceived”.  

It was the 2nd toss that drew the roar.  Not quite like a Sunday at Augusta, but still a sudden strike of cheer.  My Cole Hamels like delivery cleared the jugs and quickly moved that big yellow minion from the top shelf to my daughters arms…yes, it was glorious!  The high five’s and fan appreciation nods were nice as we paraded the prize around all day like it was the world cup...but seeing your daughters face change from curiosity, to anticipation, to victory- wow.