Wreck 'em Tech

Wow! What a game, what a season! I have been a Red Raider Fan since I met Brandon in 1996. We travelled to Lubbock several times each season to watch football and basketball games while we were at ACU in 1997 and 1998. Then after three semesters at ACU, Christmas break we packed up our dorms and permanently moved to Lubbock for 4 and a half years. Since graduation, we have only missed a few Tech home football games and Brandon wishes that number was none. I even made a road game this season--Tech v. Nevada game. Brandon went to the A&M and OU games, too. Then, both of our families made the trip to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl. My Aunt and Uncle from Baton Rouge even joined us for the Raider Power fun, wore Red and Black, and Got Their Guns Up! The game was not great and our biggest fan (Brandon) got the stomach bug at the game--but we were making memories and the kids had a blast.

Landon lived it up this season. Brandon took him to an ESPN College Gameday taping when they came to Tech for the Texas game and as you can see in the video above, they dared the field after the win against Texas. He met several reporters, players and even took home a pair of Player's gloves. Yes, the reports are right, I did cry after this exciting game. The emotions still get to me. This was a season that any Tech fan dreamed of and even though it could have been better--the Robertsons had a blast! Thanks Coach Leach and all the Red Raider Football players, staff and coaches for an incredible season.

Home at Last!

Brandon and I just spent the last 12 days travelling with his parents around Nevada and California. His sister came up to keep the kids--thanks a million, Whit! Twelve days is a long time to be away, especially from the kids. Mike and Becky gave us this trip for Christmas last year.

We left Friday morning flying into Reno for the Nevada v. Texas Tech football game on Saturday. It was HOT! I have been to both Austin and College Station for Tech games and this was definitely comparable. Before the game Saturday morning, Brandon and Mike rode their bikes from Reno to a little historical town, Virginia City, NV, where the western show, Bonanza was filmed years ago. Becky and I hung out at the hotel, worked out in the fitness center, and ate breakfast while the guys were gone. We did the Tech game, not a great game but it was interesting. We headed to San Franscisco via a trip through Napa Valley for lunch and a wine tasting. I could have spent the whole day or maybe two there. They had little shops including a few antique stores, neat restaurants and the fields of grapes were beautiful. San Franscisco was a busy town. We spent Sunday night through Thursday morning at the beautiful Park 55 Hotel in downtown seeing it all on foot. We went through Union Square, Chinatown, Little Italy, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge and Park, Market Street, rode a Trolly car, Peir 29 and Alcatraz--anything and just about everything San Francisco has to offer, we saw. We bought the kids all kinds of souveniers. The weather was cool but comfortable most of the time; I enjoyed seeing someplace I had never been before. Thursday morning, we headed back to Reno to pick up Mike and Brandon's bicycles before the MS 150 ride Saturday morning. We spent the rest of the weekend at the Northstar Resort near Lake Tahoe. Mike and Brandon rode the bike ride Saturday and Sunday, then we headed to Virginia City, NV to sightsee. It was a neat town with plenty to do and see in a day, too bad we only had a few hours. We packed up and headed back Tuesday afternoon, so ready to see our kids!

This slide show took several tries and though it does not have the Tech v. Nevada game pics--enjoy, we did!

Pre-K Grad, On to the Big K

Landon finished PreSchool in May. He graduated from Kid University at our church. He absolutely loved going to KU and all of his teachers made our experience so special over the last four years. The friendships he's made every Tuesday and Thursday, I pray, last a lifetime.

Landon is now a big Kindergartner. He had a fun first week, which included only a few minor lessons in listening carefully and following all directions. I asked Landon after I picked him up on the first day of school how his first day was. He replied, "Good, I didn't even have to go to the principals office!" I guess we made a slight impression by showing him the office and stating that we better not get a call that he is in the principal's office. He ate chicken nuggets in the cafeteria one day. Landon thirves on the extra responsibilities of "being a big kid." He was so excited to start Kindergarten making it so much easier on mom and dad. Brandon did decide to lead a family prayer for Landon just before we headed to school on the first day, during which both mom and dad left teary eyed--it was so sweet though. His life is already such an amazing "God Glorified" story that I sit on the edge of my chair "patiently" waiting to see what God does next in our family.

We have had two weddings and many trips to the pool, a few bike races and triahlons, in between PreK graduation and the first day of Kindergarten. Both my sister (July) and Brandon's sister (June) got married this summer. Brandon raced in his second half Ironman in Lubbock as well as a sprint tri here and Landon finished his first triathlon, too. We are so proud of him. I added these things to this post because while I wanted to share pictures and every detail of of each event, I want to go forward with posting rather than back to our incredibly busy summer.

Vacation Time!

You can tell by my blog that we have been busy--in the last two weeks, I finshed two posts that I started in December (yes, Kyle, this has been more than slightly ignored). It may not slow down either. We have done everything from a trip to Florida for Brandon's first half Ironman distance triathlon and family vacation, 2 weddings, and now shopping for school. I love being busy, but this summer has been a bit too much. I have neglected so many things because of this busy summer--my house, the laundry, my friends, my house, just to mention a few. Yes, I did mean to mention "my house" twice; it is so overwhelming that I do not want to do any of it. I know I am not the only one who feels it has come and gone way too fast!

These are pictures from our vacation to Florida with my family. Brandon and I went a few days early and he raced in his first Half Ironman Distance triathlon in Panama City Beach. The weather was weird, the waves were dangerous--so dangerous they considered cancelling the swim, then the clouds broke and the heat and humidity beat down. I am so impressed by all the triathletes, somewhat jealous I suppose. I can not believe the amount of time and hardwork that Brandon has put into training and competing. He has come a long way this year and I can only imagine what next year will bring. Great job this season, Brandon, the kids and I are your biggest fans!

We spent the week following the tri relaxing with family on the beach in Destin, FL--no better vacation spot! This year was cooler than most years that we have been there. We have been going with my aunt and uncle and her two kids for about 20 years, every few summers. Now, we are all finally married (Shawna and Zane, finally!) and have our own kids. It makes for a big party and the kids had a blast playing with Counsins Kate and Addison. We missed Coast Guard Cousin Joey, Tia and Emma this year! The best part about a vacation together--I love making memories with my kids!