Happy Hour Hamburger BBQ to celebrate Colin and Larry's birthday.



Al and Bob presiding over the hamburger cooking.


Huge masses of berries on this palm tree.


LArge poinsettia bush in bloom.


Volcano Shrimp at Red Snapper.


The kids left Saturday morning early so we said our goodbyes on Friday night.

Now the task of cleaning the trailer and putting everything back to normal. Monday was aerobics and golf. When we got back we had a Hamburger BBQ with all our friends on the street and celebrated Larry and Colin's birthdays. They were both not till the next day but the night was free so we took advantage. I made potato salad, Fonda made a carrot cake and Jenny brought baked beans. It was all really tasty.

Wednesday's birdhouse class was canceled but nobody told us so Carol and I went up and no one was there. We hung around for a while but no one showed up so we went back to the trailer and decided to grab Colin and walk up to the office to get our new ID cards done. They are having everyone go to get their pictures taken and put on a plastic magnetic strip card. The idea is that in the future you can charge things in the park to your card and then you pay for them all at once.....kind of like on a cruise ship. I must say the pictures turned out much better than any other ID I have my picture on. On the way back we saw some interesting things..... a palm tree with masses of little berries on it and a huge poinsettia bush.

Thursday was Mexico again with dinner at the Red Snapper. Colin order this awesome dish "Volcano Shrimp" It is served in a bowl that looks like it is made of Lava. The contents comes to the table bubbling and is very spicy. He said it was delicious.

Dinner with Ed and Frances.


Dinner in Mexico.

Hiding under our hoody.


At the pool with mommy



Sherri-Lyn's Baked potato......Huge!!!

Serious Daddy, McKenna conversations.


Our last dinner at Rudy's BBQ.


Some last snuggle time with Oma.



Mexi moving in for a hug with McKenna

Mexi passing out in Shelly's hat.

On Saturday Luke Flew into San Antonio, rented a car and drove down to Mercedes. HE is staying for a week so the girls booked a hotel room at the end of the road for all of them to stay. It is just a whole lot easier than having everyone in the trailer.

After we had our dinner on Saturday was opened our Christmas gifts......our late Christmas! Of course McKenna got very spoiled.

On Sunday Luke and Colin played Golf. They had a good time while the girls and I went and did a marathon shopping spree. The market, Walmart, and the Outlet mall. By the end of the day I was toast!.

On Monday the 19th we drove into McAllen and met Ed and Frances for dinner at Cheddar's . It is a new Restaurant and just opened a few weeks ago. The food was very good, reasonably priced and they had a very attentive Manager. We had a nice visit and Ed and Frances finally got to meet McKenna.

Before the end of the week was up we had one more shopping trip and a day in Mexico as Luke didn't get to go the first time.

Friday night we had a wonderful meal together at Rudy's BBQ and then packed it in as the kids had to leave early in the morning for the airport.

It was great to get to know my Grand daughter a little better and good to see the kids.

McKenna in Mexico and Mommy in Texas.......it didn't last long.


Shelly, Sherri-Lyn and McKenna in front of the entrance to Mexico.


Walking across the bridge over the Rio Grande into Mexico.



Dinner at the Red Snapper Restaurant.



Shelly and McKenna



McKenna and her flower.


All of us at Poncho's


Friday we went to Mexico to get us all a pedicure. Grandpa looked after McKenna while the rest of us got our toes pretty. We had lunch at the Red Snapper in Mexico and the waiter thought that McKenna was pretty cute. He made her a flower out of a napkin. Next we went to Poncho for some Margaritas. Jose, the waiter that always looks after us there was also very impressed with McKenna. He told us that his wife is expecting their first baby, a daughter in February.

It was dark by the time we headed back across the border and we all had a good day.

What a happy baby!


Shelly and McKenna getting ready to go out.


McKenna in her bathing suit.


Tuesday, Shelly, Sherri-Lyn and McKenna arrived. McKenna apparently traveled very well. She was excellent on the plane and the same on the bus. The only time she cried was when they put her in Colin's truck.
It was good to see all my girls again. McKenna has grown alot and is doing so many things....she coos and talks and is always so happy. Shelly is doing a great job with her. Sherri-Lyn is developing a very cute little baby bump.....she is now 12 weeks pregnant and looking great!

Wednesday I had some things planned so the girls got settled in and went with Colin to check out hotel rooms for when Luke arrives. After I was done with my craft class we went out and did some shopping while Colin went to play bridge. Between Shelly on her way down after having McKenna and Sherri-Lyn on her way up with her baby they both needed some warm weather clothes.

Splash decided to get comfrotable while her back was being done.


Gotta get the ears just right.



I have been holding off but it was high time that Mexi and Splash got hair cuts. It seems like overnight they go from being cut little fur ball and turn into sloppy, matty, messy little critters. You would not believe the dirt Mexi can bring in on her paws!!

So day one we did Mexi with strict instructions from Colin not to shave her so short that she looked like a pink pig. One bath and a half grocery bag full of fur later she was all done.

Day two it was Splash's turn and it truely was like shearing a sheep! I got a full bag of fur off of Splash as her fur is much thicker than Mexi's. They are both much happier with their new shorter coats.

The all important preparation of the drinks.


Getting the table organized.


Yum! Dishing out the food!



Us in the forground and all our friends in the mirror.

Carols fancy Christmas toes!


Sad Al, cause the buzzer sent off on him.

For New Years eve we decided to get together with 5 other couples and rent one of the apartments in the park. Everyone brought something for our Italian meal. Stuffed pasta shells, Chicken Lasagna, Caesar Salad Garlic bread, Bruschetta, a sweet potato casserole and greek vegetable salad . For dessert we had 4 layer chocolate cake, this yummy layered creamy thing and pecan pie. We cooked everything at the apartment and had a sit down dinner. After everything was cleaned up we played many rounds of Catch Phrase. We had a really good time and actually missed 12:00 but we managed to celebrate at 12:02. On our way home we saw alot of fireworks being set off......seems to be the thing to do on years eve here. So here we go ....gracefully into 2009!