God Bless Texas!

Last week the Gibson Family went on a family vacation to the 2008 World Championship Paint Horse Show in Fort Worth, Texas. And of course when you go on vacation for something like a horse show you have to go do other things to take the wiggles out, especially me and Phil. We need our wiggle breaks or we get into mischief everywhere we go. Our first stop was for Phil we went to the famous "Southfork Ranch" for those of us that are unfamiliar with South Fork it is the home of a popular TV series called "Dallas". Phil has been obsessed with this show for many years now. Here is a little history;

"In 1978, a legend was created that would virtually be unmatched by any other series in television history. It would go on to take the world by storm, accumulating millions of fans along the way and propelling an unknown Texas ranch into one recognized around the world. Viewers across the globe would await each twist in the series, knowing the television family as well as their own. The series was "Dallas," the family the Ewings, and the ranch that was home to it all was Southfork."

APHA - Kristy's Horse Show!

Kristy qualified to attend the show with her horse Moe, just so you all understand I now nothing about showing horses so everything we watched and witnessed was my first time and I had to have Tom's dad Phil explain everything to me as it was happening. Luckily we got to watch a few people before Kristy showed, so by the time it was her turn I understood the basics. Walk here, trout there, turn right or was that left? Who knows! The first time she came out the horse was a little spooked buy the decor they had out as part of the course so unfortunately he (Moe) didn't do very well. But Their final show went really well we all thought they were going to be a finalist but I guess the horse didn't trout the right speed or something so small and minimal that I don't think it mattered. But all and all she had a great spirit about the whole experience, it was Moe's first time so hopefully she will try it again next year.

Don't Mess with Texas!

The Fort Worth Stockyards!

Well we found a place that I really enjoyed, I loved the Stockyards and just hanging out in that environment. The first time we went to the Stockyards was for dinner we ate at this quaint little restaurant called Riscky's Steakhouse, the food was wonderful. That night I got to set on a long horn steer, I wasn't even nervous about climbing on the old guy, his name was "Lone Star" real original I know. I figured when am I going to get the opportunity to do this again so I climbed on up with the help of the cowboy, I forgot to get his name oops.But, unfortunately we didn't get to stay long.

But, we were going to return the next day and that is when I really started to love the stock yards. We did a little shopping and wandering through the yards. A couple of Kristy's friends from Texas Sarah and Curt joined us on our excursion it was fun to get to know them. We got to watch the Long Horn Steers go for there daily walk "Cattle Drive" I wasn't as impressed with this like I thought I would be. There just wasn't as many steers as I thought there would be and I guess I was expecting more. I guess if you are a little kid from the city it would be really cool for you to see.

Me and Susan got Henna Tattoos, don't worry they fade in a couple of weeks. But it was fun to be a little wild. Okay so I think all my days are blurring together because I don't remember which night it was but one night Kristy, Sarah Curt and Myself went to the hotel bar and sang Karaoke they three of them choose our song "God Bless Texas" that was a great song to sing and everyone in the bar enjoyed singing along.

And that night we ate at a Riscky's BBQ another restaurant owned by the same family as our first night eating at the stockyards. I was equally Delicious. Then we did a little more shopping and called it a day. I definantely want to go back to Fort Worth there are many more things that I would like to do and see there. The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame is one stop that I don't want to miss next time and I didn't get to eat at Billy Bob's. So I guess next year Kristy will have to go back so we can tag along another time.

GOD BLESS TEXAS!

Chocolate Fever

My best friend has the cutiest little boy. A few months ago she was telling me about his saying when he wants chocolate. He tells his mom he has "chocolate fever" I asked her to send me a video of it so here he is and his "chocolate fever".

Father's Day

Fathers day is a great day to really think about your dad and all that he has done for you in the time that he has been your dad. I love my dad, he has been a real inspiration for me the past couple of years. It's funny when life changing events happen how people change and grow. I thought my dad was done changing and done growing, but he sure has proven me wrong. After mom passed away I didn't know how dad would take it and how it would be. But, I think he has became the person he has always wanted to become. He is happy, healthy, and a genuinely great person. My dad has always been there for me, whenever I needed him he was right there. Here are a few memories of my dad that I cherish the most.

Of course the day he walked me down the isle to give me away to my wonderful husband Tom. I remember I think he was super nervous because before the wedding we were in the brides room talking and getting ready to go and he would not stop looking at his watch. Maybe he was counting down the time.

And a memory from my childhood, I was a trouble maker and didn't like to obey my parents. I am sure this is no surprise. One day I was hanging out with some friends that my parents didn't approve of and I had stayed over there way late. It was a few days before high school graduation and I was nervous about where and what I was going to do with my life. So I left there house around midnight and drove to the river bed and parked my car to unwind and think about what I was going to do. Well as fate would have it I fell right asleep in my car and at this time I didn't have a cell phone and of course no one could find me. By the time I woke up it was 4 a.m. and by this time my parents were so worried and had called everyone in Joseph trying to find me. They had even called the cops and gave them the description of my car. So you think when I got home I was in deep crap! Well kinda, I walked in the front door and my mom was waiting for me on the couch she scolded me the whole way to my room and told me "I am to upset to deal with you right know, just wait until your father gets home from looking for you he'll take care of this." I was so scared and nervous that I just sat there in my room. Then I heard him driving down the long dirt road to get to our house. My heart was beating out of my chest. I heard him come in the house and my mom said "She's in her room waiting for you." and know for the part that really got me thinking. He came into my room gave me the biggest hug and said "I am so glad you are safe and okay I was so worried about you. Now go to bed!" No your grounded, no belt to the bum, nothing just a few words that eat me alive! I felt so bad I think that him being so concerned and so worried was the most sever punishment he could have given. I think at that point in my life I realized that my dad no longer seen me as a child but as an adult and I needed to act like an adult. What a wonderful lesson he taught me.

Yuccas

Okay, so we have decided to plant some yuccas in our yard. (We are going with a desert theme) Well my sweet neighbor was trimming her yuccas the other day and gave me a few starts from her plants. I have been babying these plants for days now. The weird thing is they turned red at the bottom. I have no clue what is going on but I figure they are getting taller so I guess they are doing okay. I will let you know if they die in a week. I am not a green thumb by any means. But my Grandma was so I hope its in my genes.

Casey Ann

My Niece Casey came to stay with me last week and finding stuff to do with an eight year old was interesting. I should mention that she is extremely hyper and wanted to do stuff non-stop. I took her swimming, to boondocks to ride to go-karts, horse back riding and shopping. Here is a pic of her driving the go-kart.

I think this was the first time she ever operated a vehicle because when she was driving it she drove head on into the wall. Good thing there was a rubber tire to bounce her off. I think she got a little whip lash and a welt on her neck from that accident. But she did a good job and I was proud of her. She didn't cause a ten car pile up on the track.

That night my sister in-law Kristy invited us down to the barn that she has her horse at. She was willing to teach Casey the ins and outs of riding a horse. Casey was a little nervous at first to get onto the horse but by the end of the night she was doing great.

The horse that she is riding was the horse that her Uncle Tom use to ride when he was a kid his name was Oakey. She thought it was neat to ride his old horse. I was really impressed with Kristy and how she had Casey do everything. When I told her mom that Casey was doing all by her self she didn't believe me good thing I got video.

I was a fun week but it reminded me how much work kids are. I loved having her stay with me so we could get to know each other a little more.