Jason and Mary Ellen's Wedding Reception - Feb. 8th, 2013

Jason Philps, Cecile's Nephew was getting married the weekend of February 8th in Houston, Texas.  Parker was in the wedding as the ring bearer...he did OK.  The night before, we went to the rehersal dinner at Don Shula's Steakhouse.  The room was amazing, there were tons of black and white photos of the dolphins players, trophies, and so forth.

Here are a few pictures:  One of me and Cecile and one with Taylor and Whitney all dressed up.  The last one is Thomas and Parker at the wedding all decked out.

Austin Kite Festival - Parker and Derek Had a Blast

On March 3, 2013, Parker, Derek, Thomas, Whitney, Cecile, and I went down to the annual Austin Kite Festival.  The day was outstanding...clear blue sky and temperatures in high 60s.  There were over 1000 folks flying kites and performance kite flying demonstrations and kite-making workshops...food and music too!!

Parker had a pirate ship kite and Derek had a penguin.  Parker's kite did not fly very well, but Derek's penguin kite flew great so we let parker fly it as well (picture of Parker and his Dad, Thomas).

Derek also got into a hula-hoop content and he did pretty good, he can keep it going for a long time!!

Derek Doing Volunteer Work -- Raising a Shed

The first week of April 2013, Derek spend the day helping out with his youth group build a shed to store tools and such.  He got quite a kick out of running a power tool!!!  He did not want to go at first since he had to be there at 8:00am on a Saturday, however, once he got there he got to eat donuts and breakfast tacos.

They managed to get the floor done and part of the walls.  Not bad for a bunch of teenagers.

Took Cecile To See The Nutcraker - San Antonio

Cecile has been always wanted to watch The Nutcracker and I have always said "No way that you will get me to go see that thing".  I surprised her and she really liked it.  It was in San Antonio at the Lila Cockrell Theatre inside of the convention center.  They had cocktails and sold actual nutcrackers and christmas ornaments.

Most of the main participants in the ballet are from Russia and they were very good.  The backdrops and effects were very good as well.  Not my cup of tea but it did not suck...

Closeup of a Nutcracker

Who is the Mascot???

It was a somewhat hot day and the mascot came by and got the crowd all wound up and hung out with kids that wanted to pet his head.  The mascot also hung out with cheerleaders...

It was Derek...

Parkers 4th Birthday Party

Parker had a wild Pirate Party with a cool custom cake, a treasure piñata  and he got a ton of Cars2 and Pirate toys.  Derek had a blast hanging out and flirting with one of the teenager girls that was there.

Whitney did a very good job of decorating the place for sure...she even dressed up as a tinker bell.

The custom cake had a jolly rodger on the top and had a treasure map design all on the sides.

WTC Memorial Visit was Awesome

This is a panoramic shot of Ground Zero where they are rebuilding the two towers as well as having a memorial where there are two pools where the original towers stood.  This place is amazing and very surreal.  So many people lost their lives and when you walk around this area you cannot help but feel very upset and respectful.

Cecile and I are very glad that we went to this place and that when all this is finished and the buildings are occupied, all Americans will be so proud and we will never forget.