Last month we took a little road trip up the highway to an exotic wildlife ranch called Sharkarosa. Despite the really cold wind, it was pretty fun. We had been talking about going to "the zoo" all week, and the sweet girl was quite excited to see "raffes" (giraffes) and lions, but we didn't see any of those. ;) Unfortunately, my camera card became corrupted before I could upload all my pics on to the computer, so we also lost most of my good pictures. :(
We took a little train-like ride through several pastures and were able to get up close to all of the animals. She wasn't quite fond of most of them, but she loved seeing the "canimals" (camels)! She got up close and personal with these little kangaroo. I lost several cute pictures of her literally holding hands with them. There was also a baby stored away in a bag hanging from the chair in the background, and she still remembers and talks about "the baby kangaroo in the bag." A few other fun animals we saw...
We were very excited to finally take our sweet girl trick or treating this year. We didn't bother her first year (she was only 6 months), and last year Grandma & Grandpa took her while we were at a World Series game. This was great timing, as she actually understood trick or treating and could enjoy a few pieces of candy after all was said and done.
As I posted a few months ago, she decided she would be a baseball player this year. Yes, she may be brainwashed a little. :) I am really proud of the costume I put together, and I think our baseball player was the cutest little trick or treater in town. Don't you agree?!
And we were off to get some goodies!
We weren't very successful in convincing her this was just the "itsy bitsy spider."
This year was another great year for Texas Rangers baseball, and we were thrilled to be in the middle of it all, as usual. Anthony has been following the Rangers for almost as long as he's been alive, and I became a baseball fan about 13 years ago by default. Nowadays we share our love of all things Texas Rangers (and we're quickly brainwashing our girl and soon-to-be newest little fan). Can't wait till the kids go off to college so we can finally get our season tickets. ;)
Anthony & I were at the regular season game on September 23 -- the AL West clincher. We stayed after the game and fireworks show to watch the end of the Oakland/LA game on the jumbotron. The game itself was a great one (including Gentry's first HR - an inside-the-park HR, at that), and it was really awesome to see our guys realize they would be headed to the postseason once again.
We had tickets to see the Rangers play Tampa Bay during the ALDS, but of course, we spent that evening in the hospital dealing with my lovely kidney stones. :( At least Andrea & Justin were able to go and enjoy the game in our place.
During the ALCS against Detroit, we enjoyed two great games. We had awesome seats for game 1 and enjoyed the game with Justin and one of our good friends. We did experience several really long, cold and wet rain delays, but they pulled out a win in the end.
Game 6 of the ALCS was freaking awesome. We put on our brave faces and took the sweet girl along with us, Ralph and Katherine. The game was a blowout, and our girl (and we) got to see our team advance to the World Series in person!
Someone really enjoyed the music played during one of many Detroit pitching changes!
Okay, Mom...
She was out cold by the time we got to our car. We managed to get half of her pj's on her but gave up on the shirt. :)
The World Series game wasn't quite as good of a game. We got blown out by St. Louis, but it was still pretty amazing to watch our team battle for the big prize in person (and from a seat, which was much better than our standing room tickets last year!).
The 2010 and 2011 AL Champion flags Our man, Wash! And my man, Murph! Dirk throwing out the first pitch. I think that's the highest/tallest wind up I've ever seen in my life.
I doubt we'll get to see as many games in person next year, but we'll definitely be cheering them on from our living room couch for all 160+ games! Only a few more months until spring training begins...
And just for fun, here are a few pics of Baby R2 getting in on the 2011 Rangers season.
This year we made two fun trips to the pumpkin patch. Our first visit was with Daddy to try to get some good photos, and our second trip was with our sweet girlfriends. This year our big girl got to participate in all the fun activities. She had a blast jumping in the bounce house, going down the slides, "riding the tractor" (i.e. going on the hay ride), eating a snow cone and just running, running, running to her heart's content!
Going on the tractor ride! And look who we found... her two absolute favorites!
And here are a few of my favorites. Man, I love this kid. :)
