A Fond Farewell

Kevin and the granddaughters Doyle minus one

Last Tuesday afternoon, we said goodbye to Kevin, Abby and Ceci and wished them well with all of their adventures in Kansas City.  It's not often that you get to buy two cars, a house and the things that go with them all at once.  It's a true fresh start and we wish them all the best.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is one of those great holidays made for having fun.  Preparations are easy, the weather is warming up (or--hot--if you live in the Lone Star State) and families spend the whole day at play.  It's easy to forget why we are celebrating.

My grandfather was a vet.  He served in World War II and was a survivor of Pearl Harbor.  My mother wrote her blog post about him today and included his first-hand account of that day in December.  Click here to read it.

I am thankful to my grandfather, to my husband and to all the men and women who have served our country including:  Erskine Best, Steve Best, Lawrence Schadegg, Marty Schadegg, Reed Schadegg, Steve Schneider, Andy Lomax, Michael Rouselle, Ray Guillory, Rory Quinn, Megan Quinn, Jeff Saxton, Steve Kahn, Ethan Andrews, Chris Snyder, Daniel Greenwood, Daniel Bradley, David Dolbier, John Tolg and Edward Quinn.  If you or someone you know served, please leave a comment.  We'd love to hear from you.

Thank you to all our veterans!  You are in our thoughts and prayers.

So Sweet

We arrived home from our adventure after the girls' bedtimes and the first thing Chris did was to check on Thomas.  He seemed to be in a state of hibernation and we were all worried about him.  The next day though, Thomas Henry was far from my mind as I tackled a mountain of laundry and generally got us back on track after three days away.  

In the middle of the morning, Chris came running down the stairs, excited to tell me that he'd found out what turtles eat--fruits and vegetables (I had assumed they eat insects).  Apparently, they especially love tomatoes.  So Chris made TH a big salad including half a tomato and he and the girls took it out to the small enclosure where he'd spent the night.  Thomas was clearly hungry because he immediately went for the tomato.  It was fun and interesting to watch him eat but what I'll always remember about that morning is that my dear husband was so worried about our new pet that he took time out from slaying dragons for Shell to care for him.  

Chris is very much the tough Marine but he has a soft heart for those he loves.  I think it's sweet that that includes turtles.

A Hearty Lunch:  Feeding Thomas Henry

(Filmed by a videographer in training--watch at your own risk!)

Day 2 in San Antonio

I really like this picture

Ella and Barbara have a very special bond

As I mentioned in my last post, Day 2 of the Doyle Adventures started out slowly.  Mid-morning, we arrived at the Alamo.  We happened into a telling of its story and the Texas history around the battle.  We all learned a few things.  After that, we wandered around and enjoyed the beauty of the grounds and the amazing weather.  

Our next stop was the River Walk where we took a boat tour and ate lunch.  Chris and I have been to San Antonio and the River Walk three or four times but we've never taken a tour.  We highly recommend it.  Kevin scoped out a restaurant he wanted to try for lunch.  I think it was called Casa Río and is one of the oldest if not the oldest restaurant on the River Walk.  Amazingly, after we told the hostess we had twelve people including two high chairs, she walked us right to a table.  The margaritas were great, the food delicious and the company, the best.  It was a fun lunch.

After the meal, Jack, Barbara, Kevin, Abby and Ceci headed back to Houston and we walked around a little more and checked out a shop Madeleine had seen from the boat tour.  It was called Life is Good--a brand I've seen before in outdoor clothing stores like REI.  You might recognize their cute cartoon guy "Jake"--named for the Jacobs brothers who started the company.  Their motto is Optimism and all of their products feature positive messages.  We picked out a few things in the store and when we got home, I checked them out online and bought a few gifts including one for Chris that he has already guessed.  Oh well- it's a Homer gift anyway.  Click here to check out Jake and Life is Good for yourself.

Learning about Texas--Uncle Kevin has room for two 

Grandma's girls

Doyle--Doyle--Doyle

An illegal picture inside the Alamo--oops

My Mad-dog in front of Mad-dogs

We saw a lot of Mama ducks with their babies

Mia--waiting for the boat ride

Me and my Sophie riding the boat

(Note Madeleine and Uncle K in the background)

A picture of Club Doyle eating on the River Walk

But wait--where's Ceci?

Oh--there she is!

The gang's all here in this one

Heroes of the Day

You are a light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden....let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16

Monday morning was slow and lazy.  We were all tired after our big day at Sea World and the kids slept late.  Chris read the entire paper (or the entire Sports section with a good skimming of the rest) and brought an article up to show me after breakfast.  It was about President Obama's commencement speech at Notre Dame complete with the picture of him being draped for his honorary degree.  It reminded me of the day in May 1996 when I walked up Campaneille Hill at KU and received my Master's degree in Spanish Literature.  That degree was the result of years of blood, sweat and tears.  In fact, after an incredibly challenging first year, I sat down with my advisor and told him of my plans to quit the program.  Thankfully, I changed my mind and persevered.  The day I wore my cap, gown and stoll, I also wore the smile of someone who had earned them.  

What exactly did Obama do to earn an honorary law degree from Notre Dame?  I know that it is customary to award honorary doctorates to accomplished individuals but Obama's accomplishments were won for his work in opposition to Catholic doctrine and principles.  What was Notre Dame doing draping him in their colors and inviting him to give the last word to their graduates?  It was disgraceful.

As with all bad situations though, God brings good.  On Sunday, light did shine from South Bend, Indiana.  It didn't come from the president or the pomp and circumstance surrounding his appearance but from the many pro-lifers standing up in witness to the lives of our unborn brothers and sisters.  Among them was Norma McCorvey, the original Roe in Roe v. Wade who was arrested along with several others.  The graduates who gave up their right to be at their own commencement were also heroes of the day.  

I'm sure there are many people who wonder why it matters.  Why all the fuss?  What's the big deal?  Well, we know how God feels about the unborn.  Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.  Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose.  Jeremiah 1:5  Those babies have every bit as much of a right to live as anyone reading this, the president of Notre Dame or President Obama.  Our right to life does not stem from whether our parents wanted us or could afford us.  It stems from God, our father and creator.  There is a holocaust going on in every city in the US and the victims are the babies--who are blessings from God as well as our future.  Notre Dame is a Catholic University and should be standing up for them, not standing to welcome pro-choice Obama into the room.  That is the big deal.

The graduates who didn't stand for Obama--Heroes of the Day

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.  Daniel 12:3

More heroes

Please continue to pray for good leaders for Notre Dame

Sea World San Antonio

Ella looooved Shamu!

I may have mentioned that I have the best parents-in-law ever.  The latest greatest thing they've done is plan a trip to San Antonio and Sea World for Club Doyle.  We all left Saturday afternoon after our swim meet and arrived in San Antonio in time to tuck the kids into bed.  We got up early Sunday morning and attended a Spanish Mass at a small church close to the hotel.  That was one of the highlights of the day for me.  The music and style of the church reminded  me of Mexico and the young priest gave a very personal and inspiring homily (in english).  After church, we headed to Sea World.  We couldn't have asked for better weather.  It was sunny, warm and not at all humid.  

I took a ton of pictures as always and they tell the story of our day.  At the end, I felt like I hadn't quite earned the right to leave.  I wasn't drenched in sweat or exhausted and there was more to do and see than we'd had time for.  I did do an all out sprint to a roller coaster with my oldest daughter three minutes before the park closed.  We didn't make it but running through the park to catch one more ride made me feel just like my eleven-year-old self.

Soaking wet after standing in the splash zone for Journey to Atlantis

Grace's first big girl ride.  Note the look of terror.

Two Shamu

Whale tales splashing

We told Madeleine that this may be the job for her

Me and G--we loved the whale show

The sea lion show was a skit.  I think it was called "Cannery Caper".

My favorite part was when the sea lions didn't reappear when they were supposed to and the cast had to ad lib while they waited.

Guy talk

The villain

Ab Ripper X for walruses

Grace face

Which one of these is not like the other ones?

Mia is always peaceful

The brothers Doyle

Kevin, suddenly overcome by his love for his big brother

Doyles in 4D

Ella was happy to help Grandma polish off her Dip 'n Dots

Ceci takes a bite out of Shamu

A couple of otters playing in the lazy river

Watching Viva...

...or, Circ de Soleil with dolphins

Hi Mama!

The Shamu ride may have been too much for Kevin and Madeleine

Ella intent on her play in the foam pit

Grace strikes a pose

"Bye Shamu.  See you next time!"

Donut Fridays

Most Fridays, Jack/Grandpa Doyle swings by after daily Mass to take the three middle Doyle girls to donuts.  I always stay home with Ella so I don't know much about the outings firsthand.  From what I understand though, there's quite a ritual around getting the drinks, picking the donuts and choosing seats.  Yesterday, Jack invited Ceci along--as well as her parents and me and Ella.  I don't know what Ceci enjoyed more--the donut or cramming into a tiny booth with her cousins who fought for seats next to her!