South Padre 29 year anniversary

Tones and I celebrated 29 years together this year. We had such a great time at South Padre we decided to book it again. New condo a little farther north, beautiful views on both east and west sides, so we could watch the sun come up and set all from our unit! Awesome walks along the beach, bike rides from our favorite bike rental guy Sam, delicious seafood dinners.

A New Years Eve to Remember (or forget?)

We've usually had fairly low key New Years Eve celebrations since we had kids. Who wants to be out with the "crazies"? This year, we decided we wanted to be the "crazies". Our friends Amanda and Mike joined us- made reservations at a downtown hotel. Weather predicted it to be COLD (in the low 20's!) with possible snow. We went prepared! After drinks in our room, we walked to PF Changs for a delicious dinner. More drinks. Then walked to the First Street bridge to watch the fireworks at 10pm. It started snowing! Wandered around hotel and checked out the amenities. More drinks. Ended up at one of the hotel's bars, and ordered champagne. We brought in 2018 with a bunch of crazy drunk people, laughing and dancing. We took a short walk in the wee hours of the morning to clear our heads after all that booze-- it was a beautiful, crisp night. Thanks Amanda and Mike for one heck of a NYE to remember!

Christmas at the Scotkas

Enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with family. Thanks Mom and Al for coming up to join in the festivities! We loved having you!

Sampling the freshly made dona salsa

Blizzard of 2017

Snow. A rare treat for us Central Texans. We were dusted with an inch or so. This is our Winter Wonderland on the backyard. Yes, it melted by mid day. But we enjoyed it while it lasted!

The year in Review- 2017 Highlights

Kelsey started working at Juiceland in January. 

Nathan turned 21! Pictured here with girlfriend Reagan.

AJ bought a wave runner!

Many hours at the lake this year.

Trip to Universal Studios to see Harry Potter attractions. Here is Kelsey's first reaction to Diagon Alley!

Our 28th anniversary in South Padre.

I turned 50 this year and celebrated with friends at the Oasis.

While in Florida- Sasquatch sighting Coco Beach. 

My lake buddy Shadow. 11.5 years

Our "non traditional" Thanksgiving Day was spent on the trail around Lake Georgetown.

Giving Thanks

The Christmas decorations are out in the neighborhood. Radio playing Christmas music. Christmas sales have begun. Is it December?

Nope. Thanksgiving.

Such an overlooked holiday that just blends right into Christmas. We cook all day, eat a big meal, maybe watch some football and then get ready for Christmas. What happened to actually taking a day out to show gratitude?

This year, since I was on call, we were landlocked. It was just the four of us for Thanksgiving. So we had a family meeting and decided to do something a little "non-traditional" for Thanksgiving this year.

We got everyone out on a beautiful day hike along the San Gabriel River/Goodwater Loop Trail along Lake Georgetown. It was relatively quiet- a few other nature lovers. But for the most part we had the trail to ourselves. We chatted, laughed, found our first geocache. Since my kids are adults, we don't see much of them these days. They are busy with school, work, and their own lives. But I loved our time out there on the trail. Feeling really grateful for these important people in my life.

We did come home in time to heat up a previously smoked turkey, a home-made pot of pinto beans and some store-bought tamales. Add a couple veggies and a salad, and there was dinner. No fuss, no muss. We ended our day with a fire in the outside firepit under the stars on a cool but not cold evening. A vegan apple cobbler topped off our quiet night.

As I headed to bed that evening, I thought for the first time in a long day, I had a Thanksgiving Day truly full of thanks.

2016 in Review

 Merry Christmas from the Texas Scotkas! This year has been full of fun adventures, accomplishments and change.

We started 2016 off with an amazing trip to Big Bend National and State Parks with friends Lauren, Josiah, Veda and Bear. Saw some amazing sights, hiked, camped more remotely than ever (Ask me about the poop bucket we shared for 3 days. We are REALLY good friends now.)

AJ and I celebrated our  27th anniversary in a "staycation" in nearby Georgetown where we hiked and saw fossils, ate some great meals, danced, and biked around the red poppies.

We said goodbye to Kelsey's kitty Milo in a tragic accident. His mellow, laid back self  with occasional demands (feed me NOW, pet me NOW) has been greatly missed. Our home feels lonely, and a lot less hairy with just one furr-ball now, Shadow, our 10.5 year old black lab. He's slow now but keeps us laughing.

One major highlight of the year was our trip to Sequoia National Park in June! What a beautiful place. We did lots of hiking, sightseeing, picnicking, and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the huge trees. We even brought one home! (A tiny sapling which will take 2,000 years to reach maturity. I hope someone waters her after I'm gone).

We rounded out 2016 with one last trip to Las Cruces, New Mexico to meet up with my family to celebrate Thanksgiving! Lots of great food, fun, laughs... we created some wonderful memories together. We even took a day trip to White Sands National Monument, which was incredibly beautiful, awe-inspiring, and quite fun (we did slide down the sand dunes and made "sand angels")

Nathan has been living at home since the beginning of 2016 taking a break from school- he's been working full time and has learned a lot from being out in the "working world". He's headed back to school in Jan 2017.

Kelsey graduated from St Edwards in May and enjoyed a few months of travel to celebrate. She's moved in back with us to save some money and enjoy some well deserved time with her brother. Those two are the best of friends. The good news is, they are also awesome "day laborers" and work well together getting things done around the house. Here you can see them helping clear the cedar from the greenbelt behind us.

 AJ made a job change in July and left the state after 15 years to join Shoretel as their "Security Dude". He's loving the drive down 620 towards the lake instead of I35 to downtown. He's been enjoying the change, the new challenges, and the new team, including a very cool boss.

I'm doing the same old thing-- teaching lots of classes, helping families bring babies into the world and survive the first few weeks postpartum. This year I attended one of the most wonderful births of all- a homebirth after cesearan for one of my closest friends. I'm reminded each and every time what a beautiful and sacred event it is to share with a family and I am honored every time I'm invited.

Blessings to all of you for 2017. I hope the new year brings peace, happiness, fulfillment and joy in whatever path you take! And if that path brings you in our direction, our doors are always open!