My Mom and Dad took me to SeaWorld in San Antonio for a few days. We had a great time. Our hotel was right on the Riverwalk. The first day we went on a boat tour of the river and then had dinner at a neat little Italian restaurant.
On Monday and Tuesday we went to SeaWorld. We saw several shows, including the Shamu theater show, the Rockin' Ski Party, and "Viva" - the production which features professional high divers, aerialists, synchronized swimmers, along with dolphins and beluga whales. We went to the sea lion show twice because it was so funny - "The Cannery Row Caper".
We fed some dolphins, seals, sea lions and lorikeets (colorful parrots from Australia and other islands in the South Pacific). My Mom didn't like the lorikeets much because they pooped on her!! It didn't take her long to scurry from the cage but I wasn't far behind her. We also visited the penguins, sharks in a coral reef setting, and the world-famous Anheiser Busch clydesdales.
We ended the first day at SeaWorld by having dinner backstage at the Shamu Theater. We got up close and personal with several killer whales and their trainers.
My most favorite thing was getting my face painted like a green monster. I even scared a few kids.
It was nice getting away for a few days but we were really excited to get back home. The first thing we did was throw on our swimming suits and jump in the pool with my puppy, Cali. SeaWorld San Antonio
We spent one afternoon in early June at the Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games at Maverick Stadium in Arlington. Apparently it's one of the largest Scottish gatherings in the United States. We watched some Scottish musical performers, a fencing tournament and some of the highland games, including the pole throwing competition. Be sure to check the photo album and keep your eye out for Captain Jack -- or at least a pirate that looks exactly like him! Scottish Festival
My Mom, Dad and I were so excited for the Scarborough Renaissance Festival. We had such a good time last year and have decided to make it an annual event. This year we were fortunate to be able to take Grandma Jeanne, Grandpa Mike, and my cousin Lexi with us.
As I've mentioned before, the Faire is a Renaissance-themed festival based on the year 1533, during the reign of England’s King Henry VIII. There is an abundance of entertainment, shoppes, artisan demonstrations and hearty food! We partook in as much as we could in one day. Check out all the photos to see some of the fun we had.
On February 22nd, my Mom, Dad and I flew to Phoenix to spend some time with my Grandma Dixie and Grandpa Ken. We spent six days touring the desert landscape of Arizona. Near the old ghost/mining town of Stanton, we sat in the creek to dig up dirt and black sand in search of gold. We found some small specks of gold and I brought it back home in a vial. We drove down the dry bed of the Hassayampa River in my Grandpa's jeep from Stanton to Wickenburg and stopped to check out a hidden grotto on the way. We drove to Yarnell one day, a small desert town located at the top of a steep stretch of road. The town's main claim to fame is the Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains, which is known for its carved stone stations of the Cross. My Grandpa bought me a coyote call and taught me how to talk to the coyotes. I was excited when they howled back at me. We also spent some time looking at all the different types of cactus and even found a couple of mutant Saguaro. Be sure to check out the pictures -- they look really weird! We all had a great time. My Mom and Dad even snuck off to spend a couple of nights in Las Vegas. If you'll remember, Vegas holds a special place in their hearts. That's where they were when they learned that I was growing inside my Mom's belly.
During mid-October we decided to take a road trip through the Texas Hill Country. First, we stopped just outside of Johnson City and toured the Exotic Resort Zoo. Johnson City was the hometown of President Lyndon B. Johnson and was founded by his grandfather. The zoo is located on 137 acres and includes over 500 animals from 80 different species. We went on a guided tour of the wooded park and got up close and personal with the animals. This was the highlight of the trip for me.
After the zoo, we headed to Fredericksburg and stayed in a secluded log and limestone cabin that was built in 1867. We spent some time shopping in Fredericksburg and had dinner in the courtyard of a restaurant while listening to a local musician play. Fredericksburg is located in the heart of the hill country and was founded in 1846 by German settlers.
"Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas, with Waylon and Willie and the boys" ... and that's exactly what we did on Sunday afternoon. Well, maybe not with Waylon and Willie, but you get the picture. Luckenbach is a tiny little country hamlet where "Everybody's Somebody" -- at least that's what the locals say. It was established as a trading post in 1849 and settled in 1850 by German pioneer, Jacob Luckenbach. It remained obscure until the 1970's when a certain country and western song made the name known virtually worldwide. Luckenbach remains as it was ... one unpainted general store that also serves as a beer tavern, a traditional rural dance hall, and a sometimes-used blacksmith shop. Sunday afternoons are often spontaneous, with banjo pickers, guitar strummers and fiddlers forming impromptu bands beneath huge old live oaks. My Mom loved spending the afternoon there away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
On the way back to Fredericksburg, we stopped by the Wildseed Farms, the nations largest working wildflower seed farm. The farm includes 200 acres of wildflowers in various stages of growth. The farm is a beautiful place despite the fact that we visited in the Fall when the fields had just been planted for the spring color. A trip back in the Spring has been permanently inked on my Mom's calendar.
On our drive back to Big D on Monday, we stopped at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas. Glen Rose is known as the dinosaur capital of Texas due to the concentration of fossilized dinosaur tracks that were left all over the area.
If you ask me, it was a nice weekend getaway. If you ask my Mom and Dad, they'll say I was rotten most of the time and because of that, the trip didn't live up to their expectations. Don't listen to them though, I was a perfect angel -- that's my story and I'm sticking to it (Christmas is coming up soon, and you know the drill about Santa and the good boys and girls ...).
... that's the new tagline for the beautiful state of Utah. As the Governor points out, where else on earth can you find white peaks and red valleys, rich deserts and alpine meadows?
We recently spent almost two weeks in Utah visiting our family. That's a long time to be away from home but my Mom and I still cried when we left.
The first half of our trip was spent with my Mom's family in Central Utah. We camped near Skyline Drive in the Manti-La Sal National Forest -- elevation around 10,000 feet. From Skyline Drive you can see both sides of the mountain with a perfect view of the small town where my Mom spent her early childhood years. What a beautiful place!
In addition to four-wheeler riding, fishing, playing horseshoes and singing around the campfire, I spent a fun-filled time with my Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
The most memorable part of the camping trip has to be the ride that Uncle Wes took us on. It was supposed to be a leisurely road trip but we ended up taking three-too-many dead end roads. We went mudding in his Suburban! My Grandma and Aunt Teri didn't think it was fun but it didn't bother me any. In fact, I took a nap during the hour we spent trying to get past a 30-foot stretch of muddy dirt road, during a rainstorm, that happened to be slanted, narrow and slick as snot, with a cliff on one side. But with my Uncle Wes behind the wheel and my Grandpa navigating, my Mom said we had nothing to worry about. I will admit that the trip got a little scary at times but we wanted an adventure and that's what we got!
While we were on the adventurous road trip, my Dad and cousins Colton and Jordan went creek fishing for Brook Trout. That evening Jordan cooked them over the campfire. And that has to be my parents favorite part of the camping trip -- my Dad creek fishing and my Mom eating the fish with her fingers while sitting around the fire.
I want to thank Uncle Wes and cousins Kyle, Colton and Jordan for introducing me to the incredible frozen Otter Pop -- apparently my Mom and Dad have been holding out on me. And thanks also to my Grandma and Grandpa for letting us shack up in their camp trailer.
The second half of the trip was spent with my Dad's family in the town he grew up in. While my Dad spent time golfing and rifle shooting, I played with all my cousins. We jumped on the trampoline, rode bicycles, played in the dirt and practiced some WWE techniques that got me in trouble the next week at school!
One afternoon my Grandma and Grandpa took us out to dinner at the hometown Mexican restaurant. Now keep in mind that I'm a Texan by birth and there's nothing better than authentic, genuine Tex-Mex, but that darn meal was pretty good! Ut-Mex may just be the next best thing ...
We went to a Salt Lake Bees game (Triple-A baseball) one night but they ended up postponing the game. My Mom and Dad didn't care though because all they really wanted out of the evening was a ballpark hot dog and they didn't leave without one.
We spent one afternoon at the Tooele County Fair and watched my cousin Alexis perform with her dance troupe. I rode the crazy fish and flying saucer rides with my cousins Canyon and Peyton, and the roller coaster with my Aunt Mindy. We also rode some cute little ponies. And afterward, my Grandpa took me to see the pigs and other animals at the livestock show.
My Grandma took my Aunt Mindy, Canyon, baby Rocky, my Mom and me to the movie "Barnyard" one day. If you haven't seen it yet, keep an eye out for the fat rapping rat dripping in bling bling -- funniest part of the whole movie! Canyon and I argued over who was Otis and who was Ben all the way home.
On our last day there, we spent the afternoon at my Grandparents house visiting with all my Dad's family, including my Great Grandma. We ate hamburgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings. My Great Aunt Patti served homemade ice cream -- now what's better than that???
We had a wonderful visit but were excited to get home to see our dog, Cali Girl. Our good friend Robert came to our house everyday to take care of her while we were away. He must have done a good job because Cali's been moping around the house for several days now waiting for Robert to show up. Maybe we should let her go on a vacation next time -- to Robert's house!
We just spent another long weekend deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas. We had been waiting for our spring trip to the bayou for months and were so excited for it to finally be here.
We stayed in a quaint little cottage called the Hoot n' Holler that sits on the water's edge of Caddo Lake. The property has been certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat, and includes a boat house with a screen porch and play room that sits right over the water. The owners of the cottage were wonderful hosts and made us quiche and a fruit salad for breakfast.
Our first afternoon there, we decided to do a little fishing. I caught a bluegill on my very first cast! We spent some time touring the bayou and then headed to our cottage for dinner.
The following morning we went to breakfast at the Shady Glade Marina. My Mom and Dad think they serve the best biscuits and gravy (a close second to my Grandma Dixie's, of course).
After breakfast we hopped in the boat for our big day of fishing and exploring. As we were floating on down the Big Cypress Bayou, I spotted something slithering across the water and yelled, “It’s an anaconda!”and about scared my Mom to death. My Dad wasn't certain that it was an anaconda, but he did agree that it was a great big snake.
We spent some time navigating the big water in Louisiana and decided that the Texas side of CaddoLake is highly superior -- more swamps and bayous.
[GRANDPA MIKE: BE SURE TO READ THIS PARAGRAPH!!!]
We didn't catch too many fish but my Dad was so proud ... and surprised ... when I stole his fishing pole with a baitcaster reel and started casting. Not like a 3-year old, but like a real professional. For the duration of the trip, I was known as Tiger VanDam (named after the pro angler, Kevin VanDam, for those of you unfamiliar with the sport). I refused to touch my Zebco Spincast after that. My Mom and Dad think I'm a natural ... but they're not complaining -- those pro fishermen can make millions.
We decided to call it a day once our stomachs started growling so we headed back to the cottage for a barbeque. We spent the evening watching birds and squirrels in the backyard.
On our way back to the cottage after breakfast on Sunday morning, we came across a snapping turtle trying to cross the road. My Dad pulled over so we could check it out. We all got out of the truck and my Dad decided it would be best to move the turtle off to the side of the road. Just as he picked it up, the silly turtle peed all over! I think that was the highlight of my trip. Unfortunately my Mom was laughing too hard to snap any pictures, but she did get a few after the turtle emptied its bladder.
We decided to make one last trip on the boat. As we were exploring a small bayou we came across something that looked an awful lot like a log. My Dad thought that would be a great place to drop his fishing lure. But it wasn't a log ... it was a real, live gator. That's right, an alligator! We got within a few yards of it and watched for quite awhile before it disappeared into the water.
In addition to the snake, turtle and alligator, we saw some snowy egrets, blue herons, a beaver and many other wildlife species. What a great way to see so many creatures in their natural habitat.
We had an incredible weekend and can't wait for our next trip to the bayou.
Today we went to the Fort Worth Stockyards. We arrived just in time for lunch and had some grub at the restaurant in the old Stockyard Hotel.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Fort Worth Stockyards’ District is a great place to celebrate the mystique of the American West. Along with the brick streets, cattle chutes and wooden awnings, the District covers 15 square blocks of western tradition, shopping and lots of fun. This particular weekend, droves of Texas history enthusiasts set up antique military tents, wagons, flags and encampments in order to provide a historic look at frontier life in Texas. They were also shooting canons and I jumped every time they went off.
After lunch we stopped by a western wear store so I could get a cowboy hat -- when in Cowtown do as the cowboys do! "Well I'm a long, tall Texan, I wear a 10-gallon hat ..." Unfortunately cowboy hats and camo shoes don't go together. I didn't know camouflage could be so noticeable! But my Mom thought I was a cute little buckaroo anyway.
My Dad bought me a couple of pistols and I decided to become the Stockyard Sheriff. I was whipping those pistols out of their holsters every chance I got. That sure made a lot of people laugh ... of course I think they were really laughing at the camo shoes.
We spent some time watching an Indian pow wow. Several Comanche dancers wearing colorful costumes performed traditional Indian dances.
After stopping for a candy break and getting my picture taken on a great big longhorn named "Pecos Bill", we staked out a spot on the sidewalk to watch the military parade and cattle drive.
We spent five hours touring the Stockyards and decided to call it a day. We all had a really good time and decided that the next time we visit, we'll take the vintage steam train from Grapevine.
I spent the day with my Mom, Dad and Grandma Dixie at the Scarborough Renaissance Faire near Waxahachie, Texas. For those of you unfamiliar with the faire, it is a Renaissance-themed festival based on the year 1533 in the bustling Northern English port town of Scarborough during the reign of England's King Henry VIII. The festival is a 35-acre "village" that began in 1981, runs for 8 consecutive weekends every year, and employs more than 2,000 performers, artisans, food service people, grounds crew and retail staff, all dressed in period costumes.
I had a great time! I rode an elephant, a lama, and a red dragon. In between stops, my Dad pulled me around the village in a covered wagon. We watched a jousting match and a turtle race, and my Dad ate the biggest turkey leg I have ever seen! I left the faire with my very own sword but not before practicing my fencing techniques right in the middle of the village.
We spent four hours at the festival and didn't even put a dent in all there is to see and do. No doubt we'll be going back.
Apparently my Mom and Dad want me to be a bit cultured. Earlier this month it was the Irish Festival, and today we went to the American Indian Festival.
First of all we stopped to visit a 10-foot tall bandit named "Southwest Sam" who made a balloon sword for me. It didn't take my Dad long to decide that the sword had to go -- I thought it was for poking everyone in the leg. En Garde!
Next we spent some time browsing the artwork of hundreds of American Indian, Southwestern and Western artists. My Mom acted just like I would in a candy store! She wanted everything the artists had on display. Well my Dad definitely doesn't discriminate because he told her the same thing he would have told me in the candy store -- JUST ONE! She picked out a really cool silver and gold feather wrap-around ring that was made by an American Indian artist from New Mexico.
The American Indian music and dance show was next. Imagine thunderous rhythms ... beating drum rolls ... unique and colorful costumes ... mystical dances. My Dad dances like that sometimes in our front room just to get my Mom to pay attention to him. Well, maybe not exactly like that.
The best part for me, though, was getting my face painted. I asked for a green dragon spitting fire. Now what little boy wouldn't want that on his cheek?
As we left the festival we noticed a little league team playing baseball, so we stopped and watched for awhile.
Stay tuned for scenes from the Scarborough Renaissance Festival happening next month!
Ha'goo'nee! (That means "good-bye"). But make sure to check out the pictures first! Ashkii e'i' Tiger wolye'
My Mom and Dad took me to the North Texas Irish Festival today at Fair Park. The festival is the second oldest Irish festival in the United States and the largest in the southwest. We all had a lot of fun learning about the Irish culture, listening to music and eating greasy food.
I rode a pony, a train, a whale and the "Mind Winder" with my Dad. That scared me a little but I put on a brave face and hung on tight! I also played on the big inflatable slide.
The weather was perfect for a day of people-watching ... including a whole lot of men wearing skirts! Click here for pictures: Erin go Braugh!
We went to the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival at Farmers Branch Park on Saturday evening. It was a lot of fun.
We went on a hay ride, had cookies and hot chocolate, and watched a laser and fireworks show that was choreographed to Christmas music. And afterward, nearly a quarter of a million holiday lights were turned on throughout the park and the City of Farmers Branch. I had a good time playing with Hailey Pittman. She chased me around the park and we played in the jump house. I even went down a big inflatable slide with my Dad.
We spent the day kicking off the Christmas season ... and it's not even Thanksgiving yet! Boy, what a big change my Mom and Dad have made since I showed up in their lives -- they didn't even put up a Christmas tree until I was born.
We went to the Gaylord Texan for the Lonestar Christmas celebration and toured the ICE exhibit. Imagine a 14,000 square foot structure kept at 9 degrees, filled with two million pounds of hand-carved ice! Forty artists from China spent 25 days hand-carving magical life-sized holiday monuments and sculptures in preparation for the exhibit, including a slide that I went down twice! It was absolutely incredible to experience.
We also spent time checking out all the holiday decorations and festivities throughout the resort, including a gingerbread house and several electric trains. In fact, I decided a train is what I want for Christmas and I let everyone know it by kicking and screaming all the way to the car. Of course my Mom and Dad reminded me that Santa only visits good girls and boys. I'll definitely keep that in mind.
Today we visited the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, located just outside of Glen Rose, Texas (about an hour southwest of Fort Worth).Fossil Rim is about 1,500 acres of divided pastures and management areas where over 1,000 exotic, threatened, and endangered animals roam freely (with the exception of the carnivores, rhinos and a few others) through the live oaks and junipers of the Texas Hill Country.
To tour Fossil Rim, we drove our own car on a 10-mile scenic drive.We saw herds of African savanna wildlife, including various antelope, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and deer.
It was amazing to see the animals close-up (and sometimes too close!) and feed them right out of our car.The Zebra and Ostrich were a little scary because they were overly anxious to get the food out of my hand and would stick their heads right through the car window to get it.One Ostrich decided to be nosey and poked its head through the back window of our car and stole my favorite blanket.My Dad tugged the blanket from its mouth just before it decided to steal my stuffed lion – right out of our back seat!The very first rule you must agree to before taking the tour is to STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES!!!Well my Dad thought he’d be a hero, jumped out of the car, and ran after the Ostrich to get my lion back.He saved the lion … but not before making a big spectacle and chasing the poor bird away.
After 2 hours, we ended our tour with only one little dent in the door of my Mom’s car – but at least we had my blanket and stuffed lion!
There is a boy named Tiger Jake, Believe you me he is no fake. He's active, agile, and on the go, He's a happy child to all we know. Sometimes he is a little darin', Which can cause his Dad a little swearin'. He dresses cool and looks so swell, You'd rate his looks right off the scale! When it was time for his hair cut, Tiger said, "Help me, I'm in a rut." He asked the barber for a new style, And after just a little while. He jumped down from the barber chair, With a new hairstyle he sure did wear. Jake's got a whizzing new Mohawk, It's bound to stir and cause some talk. When his family looked at his Website, They weren't so sure they saw him right. It was their Tiger and he did rock, Posing with his new Mohawk.
"... Jumbalaya, a crawfish pie and a file gumbo ... 'cause tonight I'm gonna see me machez amio ... pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o ... son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou ..."
My Mom would not stop singing that weird song all weekend long! I've never heard it before but she claims it's from the late, great Hank Williams -- whoever he is.
We just spent three days in East Texas at Caddo Lake. What an incredible, mystical place! Caddo Lake is famous for being the only natural lake in the State of Texas (it actually straddles the boundary between Texas and Louisiana). Caddo is more swamp than lake, with a maze of sloughs, bogs and bayous lined with 250- to 400-year old bald cypress trees draped with spanish moss. It's no wonder that Caddo has served as the backdrop for several movies, including some from Walt Disney. We stayed in a cottage located on the bayou with it's own private boat slip right out the front door! My Mom and Dad swear they're going to buy a house there someday.
We made another trip to Utah to visit our family in July. We arrived late on Thursday evening and my Daddy left early Friday morning to go hunting in Montana with his Dad and brothers.
For the first four days, my Mom and I went camping with my Grandma Dixie & Grandpa Ken and most of the Allred family. This was my first camping trip and I had a great time. We went fishing, shooting, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over the campfire, and even rode 4-wheelers all the way to the top of the mountain. And the best part was that since I was the youngest kid there, everyone treated me like a Little King. I could get used to that ... of course my Mom and Dad think I already am!
My Dad came back from Montana on Monday, and my Mom and I left the mountain on Tuesday to go see my Dad and visit the Anderson family. We had a dutch oven up the canyon one night and a dinner with the entire Anderson clan at my Grandma's house the next night. I spent most of my time there playing around with all my cousins.
It was great fun spending time with everyone but I was sure excited to get home and see my puppy. Can't wait to see everyone again -- maybe in Texas??
I went to The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus with my Mom and Dad on Saturday. My teachers from school, Tanisha and Dalia, also attended, along with their families. We had a great time watching all the performers, including the clowns, elephants and lions. But I had the most fun just playing with the kids. Dalia bought me an elephant toy that has spinning lights. Click on the link to view the photo album. Ringling Bros. Circus
I was so excited to go to school on June 14th. I got to dress up like a cowboy and go for a pony ride. I love ponies and can't wait until I have my very own. I'm working on that irresistible look you give to your parents when you want something REALLY bad! Don't forget to click on the picture to see a close-up. My Mom thinks I look just like a blonder version of my cousin Zach.
Last July we decided to build a swimming pool in our backyard. So after waiting patiently (and sometimes impatiently) for four months, the pool was finally finished in mid-November -- just in time for the weather in Big D to turn cold. It sure was a challenge to look out into our backyard all winter and see that new pool but not be able to swim in it. But FINALLY ... on April 17th, my Dad decided to turn on the heater and we took a dip. And then my Pe-Paw came to visit a few weeks ago and he taught me how to kick my feet so I can move around the pool by myself (with the help of floatation, of course). I'm having so much fun!!! My Dad built a fence around the pool so I can't get in by myself, and it's a good thing because I'd be jumping in the pool every time they let me loose in the backyard.
Click on the link for more photos of the pool ... including during construction. Pool Photo Album
I had my very first pony ride just before I turned two-years old. The pony's name was "Belle". I had a lot of fun and wasn't ready to stop riding when my Mom and Dad made me leave. I plan on asking them for a pony when I'm four.
I went for a ride in our boat for the first time when I was 4.5 months old. We stayed out on the water for over three hours. I was a really good boy and kept my life jacket and glasses on the whole time -- even when I took a nap!
I started attending daycare when I was 4-months old -- on April 28, 2003 (my Mom & Dad's wedding anniversary). My first teachers were Ms. Jerry, Ms. Ann and Ms. Monica. It was really hard for my Mom to drop me off the first time. She took the day off from work so she would only have to leave me there for 4 hours. The next day wasn't so easy, either. My Mom cried all the way to work. She still has hard days but it has definitely gotten easier for her. The good thing is that my Mom drops me off at 8:30 am and my Dad picks me up at 3:00 pm. Then we have the rest of the afternoon to go fishing, play at the park, play with my puppy Cali Girl, or go shopping at one of my (i.e. - MY DAD's) favorite stores -- Sportsman's Warehouse or Bass Pro Shops.
Although you're not his Mother, You care for him each day. You cuddle, sing, and read to him And watch him as he plays. You see each new accomplishment You help him grow and learn You understand his language And you listen with concern. He comes to you for comfort And you kiss away his tears He proudly shows his work to you You give the loudest cheers! No, you are not his Mother But your role is just as strong You nurture him and keep him safe Though maybe not for long -- You know someday the time will come When you will have to part But you know my little Tiger Is forever in your heart!