I just wanted to let you all know that Ike had nothin' on us here in North Texas.
I was never really worried about us being in the path of the storm but my parents kept calling (mostly my mom- love ya Connie!) so I couldn't help but sit in front on the TV and watch the weather to make sure we would be okay so I could calm my poor mother!!
On Friday it was actually quite nice but as night approached it got cloudy and a little windy. Ben and I stayed up until midnight watching CNN/MSNBC/Fox News because we just wanted to know what was happening- We woke up Saturday morning to it being very dark, overcast and windy. It would rain just a little bit and then stop, then start again but nothing serious. Colben had a soccer game that afternoon which got cancelled (we were even in charge of snacks!)
It ended up being just a normal Saturday for us- running errands, taking naps, eating and watching the Cougs whoop on UCLA!! It rained on and off throughout the day but it was nothing worse than any other storm we've had.
Ben had the opportunity to volunteer at the Bishops Storehouse in Carrollton on Friday after work for about 3 hours working on an assembly line putting different sacks and cans of food in big boxes. There were about 60-70 people on the line, each putting something different in the box. He commented that it was truly the spirit that was helping it along because everyone was working so hard and so fast and it easily could have gotten crazy but it was all so organized and efficient. I was so proud of him for volunteering- he was excited to do it!
Yesterday as I was coming back from taking Danika to the dentist office I counted 16 electrical trucks that were heading south- all from the same company so i'm hoping they were on their way to the Houston/Galveston area. Very impressive to see them all driving right in a row- one behind the other.
As I watch the news/internet about the damage down there I can't help but think back to our first Thanksgiving living here in TX- we went down to Houston to be with Ben's parents who were there. We took a day trip to Galveston and played in the beach, walked up and down the main street area where all the tourist shops and restraunts are and now I don't know if they are even there anymore. It's wierd to have a somewhat personal connection to a place where such a terrible thing has happened.
This type of stuff just doesn't happen in UT and I don't wish it on anyone but i'm very grateful that we live north enough to not have to evacuate and worry about our home not being there when we're allowed back.
Anyway- just wanted you all to know we're just fine and we're still dry up here!!
Colben, Katelynn and Danika
Me and Colben
Our Mighty Mascot, Evan!!!
The group!!
Me and the kids!
I love my Colben!!
My friend, Lisa (one on the right in the red shirt) is moving to Scotland so we decided to go out for dinner to celebrate her birthday and also wish her well on the move. Hopefully she and her hubby will only be gone for 2 years and then come back to us!!
From left to right: Kristen, Lisa, Me, Letty and Michelle- we all live on the same street and have become great friends!
Kristin and Lisa
Letty and Michelle.
Looking from the end of the driveway into the backyard.
Looking back onto the side of the house. We have a 3 car garage but yet, only 1 car fits- go figure.
The back of the house. Not a lot of stuff happens in the backyard because our lawn slopes down so much (we live on a 100 year flood plane so our lot has to be really high up which means our lawn slopes- as long as our home never floods i'm fine with that!) We also have to be really careful about all the fire ants. 
They have this long tunnel where you are surrounded by water and fish and sharks swim all around you. We were able to be there when they were getting fed and it was really cool!
Danika thought these were really pretty- she even knew they were pink!
This is looking down on the tunnel- you can see the people walking through it!
They had a special Mayan performance a couple of times during the day and they were celebrating Butterflies.
This woman did a dance and her costume made her look like a butterfly.
When they were done you could get your pic taken with them.
The turtle in back of Colben was asleep on top of another turtle.
The kids loved the giant fishes.
Colben looks like he's getting kissed!
Funky looking sea creature from Australia. 
