Amanda: Day 125. Workout Face.

From Amanda's 365 Project

It's not pretty, but it's the truth. I had planned to get back on track with GPOYW this week but I wanted something different. I've been working out now for the past two weeks on a consistent basis, meaning four times a week! Today, I did weights and then a ridiculous crazy class called BodyAttack, which might as well be a bootcamp class. I swear I burned 600 calories in there tonight. Afterwards, I felt like I just wanted to fall on the floor and die. Well maybe not die, but just lay there for about an hour. So this is my face after driving home, but before eating. Once again, I just wanted to sit down, not make my dinner. But rest assured, two hours later, post dinner and kick butt workouts, I'm feeling much better. Happy GPOYW everyone!

Kristen: 125/365

Shadow Puppets: Kristen's Profile (GPOYW!)

Day 125~"Oh...That's What the Inside Looks Like!"

 

The inside of one of Cliff's amps...I know, boring! :)

Mike : Photo 365-125

365-125, originally uploaded by mike_svatek.

An old mirror that is going to get some fresh paint and a place on the wall in the dining room.

Amanda: Day 124. Palo Alto Battlefield.

From Amanda's 365 Project

I got "googled" today. That's what one of my co-workers says happens when you put an address into Google Maps and the place it takes you to is not the place you are supposed to be. I was trying to go to an apartment complex and it instead took me here, the Palo Alto Battlefield. Which for those of who failed 7th grade Texas History or didn't have the luxury of taking it (Anna) or maybe you're just like me and you don't remember, was the first site of the Mexican-American war (which in case you don't remember that either was the battle over the border of Texas that eventually led to us getting massive amounts of land in the New Mexico, Arizona, California area). I KNOW! I didn't remember this either. But enough history lessons, lucky for me it was close enough to five that I knew by the time I drove back to where I was supposed to be, the potential office would be closed, so I decided to stick around and check it out.

The bummer was that it WAS close to five and they were about to close. I didn't get to see the battlegrounds, but I did get to see this really cool cannon and the other artifacts in the museum. It seemed like a really cool place and I plan to return when it's not five minutes before five so I can hike out to the campgrounds.

From Amanda's 365 Project

And this just made me laugh. I sat there for a little bit hoping a horny toad would come out because that would have been the ultimate picture. But alas, they must have all been taking a siesta.

Amanda: Day 123. Port Isabel Lighthouse.

From Amanda's 365 Project

From Amanda's 365 Project

From Amanda's 365 Project

Which one would make the better postcard?

Amanda: Day 122. Toes in the Sand.

From Amanda's 365 Project

I decided to head to South Padre Island today to enjoy the beach. Since my accident I've been driving my Aunt Connie's van. I had been warned that the CD player didn't work but I was tired of listening to the same old stuff on the radio so I decided to take my chances and attempt the fate of the CD player. I pushed the CD button. The first thing I heard was "I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand. Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand. Life is good today, Life is good today." The Zac Brown CD in and it could not have been a better anthem for driving to the beach.

I sat out in a chair all day and enjoyed the waves and two magazines. It was absolutely fabulous. I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Sunday! (P.S. The pink nail polish is courtesy of my neighbor down here. I love it!)

Amanda: Day 121. Downtown Harlingen Market Days.

From Amanda's 365 Project

Ah, there's nothing better than small town market days. I make sure I check out every single booth just so I don't miss anything! It's was a busy day today!

Amanda: Day 120. Thrift Store Find.

From Amanda's 365 Project

I decided to stay in Harlingen this weekend and as soon as I got done with work today, I went straight to one of my favorite stores down here. I don't even know the proper name of it but it's a GINORMOUS thrift store the size of a Super Wal-mart. Everything is so well organized and clean in there. It's a joy to go there. I walked out today with this fitted Sesame Street Sheet, a non-matching different pattern Sesame Street flat sheet, a fake Burberry purse and two shirts (one was a Red White Blue out shirt!) for under $12! Holler. Can it get any better than that?! My plans are to use the sheets this summer while on tour because how awesome would it be to see that at the end of the day!?

Jenna. May 4. Saying goodbye to Kim.

I'm stealing the words from Micki's facebook page, but it's all so true - "Kim is going to Round Rock, Texas, [for medical school] so we had to say goodbye to her [during handbells] Kim-style... with hats, of course." These are Kim's favorite pieces of clothing. I don't think I've ever seen her without a hat of some sort in her possession.

We asked Kim to bring her favorite hat to handbells (and we were all going to wear hats to support her hat habit). Little did we know she'd bring her own box of hats [just one of many], and we'd wear hers instead. So, here's a pic of her hats on the handbell choir.

Amanda: Day 119. Bountiful.

From Amanda's 365 Project

I am in the Rio Grande Valley and there are orange trees in the most random places. This tree was part of an orchard of orange trees in an overgrown field. I love this shot because the orange in the front looks like it's ready to be picked right from the screen. And I really wanted to do that but I was afraid that someone would jump out from behind the trees and yell "Caught ya!" But I bet these taste so good. Don't they look like it?

Amanda: Day 118. Blooming Flowers.

From Amanda's 365 Project

I discovered these on my morning walk. I have no idea what kind of flowers these are, but I was amazing by the blooming white flowers IN the pink flowers. It's flowers in flowers!

Amanda: Day 117. The Perfect Sandwich.

From Amanda's 365 Project

I've been working out recently and in turn trying (and feeling the need) to eat healthier. I was sooooooooo tired after my workout tonight that I decided to stop at subway on my way home and grab a sandwich. The "sandwich artist" was taking FOR-E-VER to make my sandwich. When he finished, he turned it around and said, "The perfect sandwich, just for you." I was so shocked he had taken the time to do everything picture perfect, I decided to reward him by making him my picture of the day!

Kristen: 124/365

Shadow Puppets: Barking Dog

Day 124~"Beauty & The Beast!"

Is this not GORGEOUS?!!! I found this wonderful old, rusty, forlorn and "beasty-looking" car all alone in a beautiful field of different wildflowers in my travels today and HAD to stop and take about 300 photos of it! :)


 

Jenna. May 3. The [Colby] Show.

I have lots of pictures for today. But, I'll give you one and send you to my blog for the rest.

Jenna. May 2. I get by with a little help...

...from my friends.

Meet Holli & the Emilys. I have told them they need to start a band with that name. [Pay no attention to the Kindergartner in Em-dub's lap; I'm not sure if I have permission from her mother to put a pic on my blog.]

For a few years now I've been directing Kindergarten choir, and these 3 ladies have been incredible to me. They have done most of the grunt work, whereas all I need to do is come in and teach. They are my Easy buttons, and they make life so much more bearable on Sunday nights.

I only wish that I would have said something about these ladies sooner - they will all be moving on to bigger and better jobs or schooling opportunities when choirs reconvene in the fall. I will truly miss having them around, and I'd like to think they will miss me too.

So, friends, thank you. "I get by with a little help from my friends." It is an honor to call you my sisters in Christ.

Jenna. May 1. [Colby] cars.

Another Zoolander pose. :)

A lot of people ask me if Colby is still into cars. He started playing with Matchbox cars when he was 9 months old - when strangers told me, "Watch out for those things; they're choking hazards." Colby never did put them into his mouth, he just wanted to watch the wheels turn. He would lay his head down on the floor to watch the wheels turn as he'd move the cars over the carpet.

He still does all these things. Now, he has taken to racing larger cars across the floor. This white car is quite a hazard if you come into its path. Colby has also placed a love for cars in his sisters. This is why I always wanted an older brother. But I sure do love my Bubba.

Day 123~"IntraCoastal Waterway or ICW"

 

This is looking over the High Island bridge at the Intracoastal waterway in Galveston County close to sunset. Beautiful!

Jenna. Apr 30. [Colby] Model Pose.

Colby has never seen the movie Zoolander, but it seems like he has taken a page from Zoolander's model pose book. Lately whenever I ask Colby to smile, he gives me this face.

He also knows that this face makes me laugh, so he does it pretty often.

Jenna. Apr 29. [Colby] at CBS.

[I hate that I keep moving my hand when I'm so excited to take a picture! His face is so sweet and the picture he is holding is priceless; I just wish he would make the same face on "take 2".]

This was Colby's last day at Community Bible Study. He has been a part of CBS since he was 2 years old, and since he'll be in Kindergarten this fall, this was a sad day for his mama. His sweet teachers gave him a picture of his Red Lambs class and asked him what he learned at CBS.

His response: "I learned that Jesus listened to God. I liked learning about Noah and that God flooded the earth. I like to do good things."

Colby has been asking lots of questions about asking Jesus into his heart. I love hearing what he is thinking and trying to help him understand deep theology. He ends up teaching me more than I think I teach him.

Kristen: 123/365

Shadow Puppets: Angry Duck

Jenna. Apr 28. [Colby] Barnyard Trip.

Colby's preschool took a trip to Texas A&M's Pearce Pavilion. Each year they hold a children's barnyard event and have penned animals to show. [And not-so-penned baby chicks that are now scarred for life from 60 3-4 year-olds holding them.]

Some of the other animals were: a milking cow, a beef cow with her calf (which I'm assuming will also be for beef/veal?), sheep, pigs, & a miniature horse (pictured with Colby). The John Deere tractor was a big hit with all the kids, as were the ice cream sandwiches they provided for snacks.

I do not know what I would have done if Aunt Alicia hadn't come along with us. Watching 3 kids going in 3 different directions just wasn't happening that day. Thank the Lord she had a few days off and was willing to go with us that morning!

Mike : Photo 365-123

365-123, originally uploaded by mike_svatek.

First day after the ride. My legs are getting sorer and sorer. I think they look a little swollen. You can see the beginning of a nice cycling shorts tan.

Amanda: Day 116. After.

From Amanda's 365 Project

So it didn't turn out a complete disaster! This is the end product of cutting off all her hair with scissors, bathing her, then even more cutting with the clippers and then another bath. I think it took me 3 hours from start to finish. I haven't yet decided if it's better than spending $40 at the groomers.

Amanda. Day 115. Before.

From Amanda's 365 Project

This is the sad face your dog gives you when she knows you've had enough with her long hair and the stickerburrs and the matts and you're about to cut it all off. I decided to take matters into my own hands and give her a hair cut with scissors and an old set of clippers. I guess it's the equivalent of your mom giving you a haircut when you're in elementary school.

Amanda: Day 114. Randolph AFB.

From Amanda's 365 Project

Amanda, as seen in Day 113, recently got married to an Army man so we spent our Saturday morning shopping at the commissary on base. This is one of the hangars where they work on top secret airplane stuff. (Not really, well, maybe, I don't know. I just know that's it a hangar.)

Amanda: Day 113. WILLIE!!!

From Amanda's 365 Project

I know this sounds crazy but one of my lifelong dreams was to see Willie Nelson LIVE in person. I have grown up listening to his music and I know he's super old so I've been trying to see him live for about three years now. One of my best friends called me up and asked what I was doing this weekend and I said coming to see and she then informed me that I owed her $44. "What the heck?!" I exclaimed, "I'm not giving you $44." "You will if you want to see Willie Nelson with me!" I was sooooooo stinking excited. So the concert was up near Canyon Lake, outside and was AMAZING!!! It was definitely worth the wait all these years. So now I can cross seeing Willie Nelson alive in concert off my bucket list.

From Amanda's 365 Project

This is Amanda Squared. (It makes up for my GPOYW!)

Amanda: Day 112. End of the Day.

From Amanda's 365 Project

Sometime you just need a glass of wine.

Amanda: Day 111. Overcast.

From Amanda's 365 Project

This is an older building located right by a resaca in San Benito. I have no idea what it used to be, but I'm sure that it has an interesting history. I have become fascinated with this building. I mean, I absolutely LOVE the side view, yes believe it or not, this is the side view. The clouds and the water reflection were just outstanding today!

From Amanda's 365 Project

Here is the front view. It is now currently a water works building. Not as impressive, right?

Amanda: Day 110. Motivation.

From Amanda's 365 Project

Dear Gold's Gym,

Thank you for your catchy signs. I'm now paranoid about cankles and will be returning to see you soon.

Sincerely,

The girl who is worried about cankles

Kristen: 122/365

This week's personal theme is shadow puppets.

Shadow Puppets: The Bunny

Day 121~"Still Playing WIth the Phone"

 

I am still trying to learn my new phone by taking random pictures and videos. Sorry! :)

Mike : Photo 365-122

365-122, originally uploaded by mike_svatek.

Beginning of the second day. "Victory" lap around TMS.

Kristen: 121/365

This is a Big Ass Fan (company name) in our county recycle center. It's HUGE.

Jenna. Apr 27. [Colby] - chair.

Colby took this picture of Carlee's chair.

One day Kennedy pointed to this chair and said, "Watch that chair, it's fiesty."

Wonder where she's heard that word before?

Day 121~"New Phones"

 

My nephew and Clint are trying out Kyle's new phone to "make sure" that it works properly and I captured it with MY new phone, the "Backflip" from Motorola!...;)

Mike : Photo 365-121

365-121, originally uploaded by mike_svatek.

My after ride meal. Day one of the MS150 bike ride. Rode 84 miles and averaged 18 mph. It was a good day to ride.