Pre-Symposium Weekend

So...what happens when you invite a few world-class Oracle experts to your lakehouse? You get Jerry Carlisle on horseback:



And James Thomson holding Dakota:



And Maggie (not an Oracle expert, but an equine specialist) butting heads with her favorite boy:



And Stephan Haisley strutting his stuff:



And Gary proving he can stay on a horse:



What do Oracle cowboys do after a hard day's ride?




Relax, of course!

In the Blink of an Eye, She's All Grown Up!

Maggie turned 15 yesterday, and had a great party. Pizza, chips, soft drinks...what more do these crazy kids need?



Mags has picked out a great group of friends: Betsy, Nick, Priya, Hannah, Hayley, Becca, Ryan and Max.



Below are Becca, Hayley and Hannah:



Nick is a wild and crazy guy:



Gary ordered the cake from Creative Memories Bakery. He sent them a picture of Maggie and Dakota, and they scanned in the picture and created a layer of icing with it. How cool is that?





Gary meticulously placed the candles and lit them:






Mags thinking about her birthday wish:



Let them eat cake...and ice cream!



After everyone left, Mags dropped on the couch and told me what a great party it was. It's nice to be appreciated.

And...she hasn't even opened her presents yet.

Hiking Hagerman with the Dickey's

Where's Waldo? Er...I mean Gary? During our hike at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Gary and Doug took a wrong turn. We beat them back to the car by several minutes.



Mags and me by the lake:



Doug and Diane:



Gary and me:

Bulls Night Out - Ft Worth Stock Show and Rodeo

I forgot to post these pictures from Bull's Night Out at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in January. We took Dad, Carolyn, Mike and Trina. My dad loves bull riding so we try to take him and Carolyn to the rodeo every winter when they visit. Below is a picture of Dad studying the guide and Carolyn tatting:



And a self-portrait of Mags and me:



Below is a picture of Bob Tallman, who has been announcing the rodeo since 1977:



Maggie loves the pageantry at the beginning of the rodeo with all the beautiful horses:





The FWSSR honors our military personnel at the beginning of each show, too. These guys descended from a rope from the ceiling:



Then the fun begins:







We had a great time at Bulls Night Out! However, Maggie missed seeing the bucking broncs, barrel racing and cutting so I guess we'll have to go back. Darn!

Day after Valentine's - Hiking Ike

On Sunday morning, we went to Eisenhower State Park. On the hike, we found this great sign, which seemed relevant to today's economy, and since Trina works for a bank, it was especially appropos.



The guys were having too much fun with their new walking sticks:



Below are some cliffs at Ike:



And...we found a picture perfect spot:

My Valentine Weekend

Trina and Mike Magnotti spent Valentine weekend with us up at the cabin. We got up early on Saturday to go striper fishing. It was freezing! Below, poor Trina is trying to hide her face to stay warm on the ride out to the fishing hole.



This sunrise was the first one Maggie had ever seen (that she recalls any way):



The fishing boat, and the eager crew:



Sunrise through the fishing poles:



Gary caught the first fish:



Trina's waiting on her turn to catch the big 'un:



Maggie had so much fun that she went out again in the afternoon with the men. She also went down to watch our striper guide, Steve Brewster, "dissect" the fish. I think she's been one too many science classes.

Ta Da!!!! It's finished....

The inaugural fire in our new fireplace: