Jack and Cate Update -- October, 2005

Friday, October 7, 2005

Cate was really excited to see Big Tex again at the State Fair, but she quickly changed her mind (and covered her ears) when the big moment arrived. Gentle and persistent persuasion eventually coaxed her off the ledge.

Friday, October 7, 2005

My two favorite girls. We arrived a little early, so we had some time to kill before the Cooks arrived. We took some photos at the fountains in front of the Texas Hall of State, and we'd return to the fountain at the end of the night (stay tuned).

Friday, October 7, 2005

Jack studied the map while we waited. It looks to me like he's developing good technique.

Friday, October 7, 2005

That is my girl! You can't tell from this angle, but she had me slather about half-pound of mustard on the other side of the corn dog. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Friday, October 7, 2005

Cate and Olivia really enjoyed listening to a country band at the truck show. In the brief pauses between discussing the virtues of Chevy truck ownership, they played some music.

Friday, October 7, 2005

Two-thirds enthusiasm really is pretty good. This photo-op was at the end of "Little Hands on the Farm" exhibit. The kids did farm chores like gathering eggs, planting and harvesting vegetables, feeding and milking a cow, and driving a tractor to market. They even got "paid" so we could get a treat at the grocery store.

Friday, October 7, 2005

After experiencing life on the farm, we made our way to the kiddie-midway. Unfortunately, this meant walking past the haunted house and its spooky music. It was briefly touch-and-go, but they came through (apparently) unscathed.

Friday, October 7, 2005

This ride was ancient when the cars were repainted in a Dukes of Hazzard theme sometime in the early eighties. Since he walked away with all his fingers and toes, Jack didn't seem to mind.

Friday, October 7, 2005

From the "Dukes of Hazzard" to the "Convoy" ride. Think CBs, C.W. McCall, and the mid-seventies. These rides need a serious face-lift...

Friday, October 7, 2005

I don't want to sound like a tightwad, but the canoe trek was probably the fastest $8.00 I've ever spent. On the bright side, I'm happy no one fell into the mystery "water."

Friday, October 7, 2005

I'll stop dissin' the rides now. The kids loved the midway, and we all had a great time.

Friday, October 7, 2005

After seeing Jack on the motorcycle, Cate and Olivia decided they needed a spin too. To state the obvious, I think we were starting to lose them.

Friday, October 7, 2005

Coming full circle, we returned to the fountains fronting the Texas Hall of State for some photos. Rest assured, Jack is not taking a leak. How could you even think that?

Friday, October 7, 2005

Despite the long day and all the excitement, Cate retained her good mood and souvenir mustard stain.

Friday, October 7, 2005

Always eager to please, Cate is willing to stop and pose for a photo just about any time. The boy? Not so much...

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Pastor Bill and Carol Waxenberg at the annual Kruger Croquet Tournament. With matching tournament shirts, you know they're gunning for the Superior StyleTM award.

Sunday, October 16, 2005

To finish the weekend, we met several church friends at a park by our church. Half of our kids were willing to pose for photos.

Friday, October 21, 2005

Our drive from Dallas to San Antonio took a little longer than expected, so it was well past dinner time by the time we checked into our hotel and then went to dinner. While we waited for our dinner at La Fogata, I entertained the kids (who am I kidding? I entertained myself) by taking some photos.

Friday, October 21, 2005

Even Jack got in the act -- he happily posed for several shots.

Friday, October 21, 2005

With a little help from Mom, Cate put a flower from our table in her hair.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

We got to SeaWorld before the park was officially open, and we went straight to dolphin pool to share stinky fish with the animals. They were very friendly and very hungry first thing in the morning. Leave it to Linda Kruger to know how to work all the SeaWorld angles.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

The Krugers jokingly asked me to take their Christmas photo during our SeaWorld visit. This shot of Tyler was as close as I got...

Saturday, October 22, 2005

On Saturday night, we enjoyed "Dinner with Shamu." Not only did we get to see the Killer Whales from close range, we also got to chat with the trainers (it turns out they're not just pretty girls willing to play with the animals). It was great fun, and we bumped into Keith Lovelace and his family.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

After we finished dinner, all the kids loved standing near the water watching the whales and their trainers. The trainers were great, talking to the kids and answering their questions.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Despite all the excitement, this girl is never to busy to indulge me and my camera.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Josh is nothing if not contemplative. [Kelli rolls eyes here.] The Chabria's spent the first part of the day in Austin where Josh picked up the Longhorn. We watched the first half of the Texas/Texas Tech game at the hotel while the kids napped, With the Horns up 31-10 at the half, we felt confident enough to head back to SeaWorld and periodically check the score from my cell phone (Texas eventually won 52-17).

Saturday, October 22, 2005

We learned a bit about how they teach the whales to perform. When the animal does as it's asked, they reward them with food and physical contact. When the animal doesn't perform, they simply ignore them. There's a lesson to be learned here...

Saturday, October 22, 2005

As we walked back from dinner, the kids (especially Jack) were a little freaked out by all the people dressed in scary costumes (it was nearly Halloween, after all). As we passed a big stack of speakers, thunder and a scary voice suddenly boomed from them. Both kids screamed, started crying, and were inconsolable for a long time. Although I didn't get any photos, Cate nearly wore me out climbing rope ladders and exploring "sky tunnels" to a pirate ship. I was ready to quit when we headed back to the sandpit.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

To wind down the evening, we found an activity we could all enjoy -- a big sandpit with toys for the kids and beverages for the adults.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

We're known as the Couple in Black.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

I can say with metaphysical certainty that Jack was ready for bed after such a big day. When these two women can't cheer you up, somethin's wrong.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Despite being a little tired from the day before, we decided to brave another morning at SeaWorld before heading back to Dallas.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

The kids were especially excited to feed the dolphins again, but neither wanted to actually touch the dolphins (although Lisa and I both managed to pet them -- they feel like chicken).

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Although the kids were whiny and exhausted by the end of our SeaWorld morning and we drove through their nap-time, they both managed to stay awake for the nearly four-hour drive. Only as we got to the outskirts of Dallas did they both fall asleep. Jack awoke when I stopped the car and grabbed my camera, but he played possum until I got my shot.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Cate fell asleep while drawing a picture for us.