Enchanted Rock Weekend Getaway

There is nothing like spending time with family. We spent a long weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Hoenerhoff in Fredericksberg this past President's Day holiday weekend. Aunt Wendy and Uncle Bill couldn't make it last minute due to sickness and work responsibilities. They were missed!

After spending time in town shopping and eating we hiked the infamous Enchanted Rock. It is absolutely awesome with it's steaming vernal pools and sparkling granite.The bolders are huge and the view is breath taking.

I did some research and learned that legend states Tonkawa Indians named it Spirit Song Rock, believing a Spanish conquistador cast a spell on it. They believed ghost fires flickered at the top, and they heard weird creaking and groaning, which geologists now say resulted from the rock's heating by day and contracting in the cool night.

The Rock is a huge, pink granite batholith (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion), that rises 425 feet above ground, 1,825 feet above sea level, and covers 640 acres. Humans have visited it for over 11,000 years.

I have to say it was a bit intimidating. I am afraid of heights and felt dizzy most of time, not to mention the winds were really strong that day, but when I saw a little girl in a pink tutu passing me by I got a grip of my fear and made it to the top.

My family had a blast hiking and boldering. The kids and husband, Darrell, steadily hiked to the top while Mom, Dad, and I hung below them as the safety net in case one of them came rolling down. My son, James, was so excited and wanted to run his way up which made me a nervous wreck, but he made it! We stopped and rested about half way up to enjoy the view and drink some water.

Once at the top, the wind was so incredibly strong that we could lean into it and it would keep us up. There was a coin placed in the rock at the highest point.

After all the climbing and hiking we went back to our comfortable B&B and relaxed on the porch enjoying each others company. This was a wonderful mini vacation. Thanks Mom and Dad!!!

My Baby is 15!!!

Even though she promised me since the day she was born to stay my baby, Ashlee continues to grow up. Sniff! I have decided though, that I'm not going to hold it against her, just as long as she promises to stop!  LOL!

So, Ashlee turned 15 and as she continues to remind me, will be learning to drive on a permits license very soon. I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. I keep focusing on the positives to find comfort...

First positive... There will be no more "Taxi Cab Momma!" Selfish? Maybe... but from the time I get off of work until the time I go to sleep, I am picking up and dropping off kids for all of their extra curricular fun. It will be nice to have a little help.

Second positive... Thank goodness Ashlee is responsible! She has always been conservative and careful in all that she says and does. She will follow the rules of the road and will be on the lookout for those who do not!

And third positive... The Ford Explorer is easy to drive and huge! This truck is tough and could probably survive a nuclear attack. For obvious reasons this is the biggest comfort and blessing. ;-)

To celebrate her birthday, Ashlee wanted to take a few friends down to the Kemah Boardwalk to spend the day. The weather was beautiful and I scored a really good coupon for all day passes to ride the rides.

While the girls had fun, Monica and I took James and Sydney to ride a couple rides and then to the playground where we had some fun of our own. Such a nice and relaxing place to be!

Ashlee's favorite food this time of year is boiled crawfish. She can put a few pounds away single handily! So we stopped into the Flying Dutchman for dinner and she gave it all she had. YUM!!!

Ashlee is becoming a beautiful young lady. She loves to play her trumpet in the school band. Marching season is her favorite time of year! She is friendly, funny and smart. She has a great group of friends and a family that admire and adore her. She loves the Lord and is active in her youth group and dance team. I am such a proud Momma!!! May the Lord bless you and keep you in this new year! Happy birthday Sweet Ash!

Little Ninja!

James is growing into a rough, tough young boy. As they say... "He is ALL boy!!!"

We decided it would be beneficial to teach him how to channel his energy, while learning about self discipline and respect for others. So we started him at a local Martial Arts studio where he has been practicing Taekwondo in the Little Ninja class for 4-5 year olds.

He goes 3 days a week and is having a blast!  Mondays and Wednesdays are normal class days where he listens to Master Hong (5th degree black belt) and learns the rules and Taekwondo values as well as practices kicks, punches and blocks. He is able to earn stripes for each technique mastered and after 6 stripes he gets the next color belt.

Last week James earned the last of his stripes for the white belt and received the next color which was an orange belt. This was a very special and proud day for him!

Standing at front being recognized by Master Hong

James' Orange Belt

On Fridays, he actually uses theses techniques practiced throughout the week in his sparring class with Master Walter (3rd degree black belt).

Sparring Uniform

James kicking

Master Walter teaching James to spar

In the room next door, Master Katarina (black belt) teaches a power fitness class for the parents of the Little Ninja's. Now the unbelievable part is that I took advantage of this class and am learning a few Taekwondo kicks and punches myself. It's not as easy as it looks...believe me! It's a tough workout, but lots of fun!