Harvest Stew Festival

It's time for our annual visit to the Keller Harvest Stew Festival. Craig had to work so it was just the kids and I. We are always willing to attend local festivities, especially when they're FREE!!

First, the kids got to make fish masks.

This year, there was a petting zoo. Preston was not afraid to get in the pen with the animals.

Kaitlyn was a little more hesitant and just reached over the fence to pet some of the animals.

Then, they got their faces painted. They both chose witch's hats.

Kaitlyn and Preston really enjoyed all the different games because they got to choose the prizes. I was so happy there weren't any candy prizes, but toys. They actually had some decent ones too like silly bands, basketball hoops, bouncy balls, etc.

Everyone loved the cookie decorating table.

Next, we loaded up on the trailer for the hay ride. I actually really love hay rides. It's one of my favorite parts of Autumn.

We had entertainment on our hay ride.

The kids went in the bounce house after our hay ride.

Finally, we had some popcorn and lemonade. There was stew and cornbread, but I like to know exactly what's in my food before I eat it. I figured popcorn and lemonade was safe enough.

It was a fun night, perfect weather, and lots of activities.

The State Fair of Texas

Craig received free tickets to the State Fair through his work. The kids had a half day of school yesterday, so off we went.



There were metal states on the ground and we found Texas. Craig told Preston and Kaitlyn to go stand where they thought we lived. It seems like they think we don't live in the same place. Ha!

One of the big draws at the State Fair is the big Texas/OU game. Craig is a huge Longhorns fan (I went to UTEP so I'm a Miners fan-Go Miners!) and happily posed by the team's semi.

We saw a couple shows: Amazing Dobermans and the BMX Stunt Show.

Here is the mascot of the State Fair, Big Tex. At regular intervals, he talks to the crowd.

Here are the police on horseback!

We also got to watch the Starlight Parade.

Our favorite part is always the auto show. The kids loved sitting in the different cars.

We got our picture taken courtesy of Chrysler.


This is a truck that had scenes from 9/11 painted on the sides.

Yes, this is a pool table.

There was also some interesting people watching. You've heard of the site People of Walmart. Well, there needs to be a site called People of State Fairs! These pics are blurry because I had to take them quickly so I wouldn't be caught. lol

There's a guy with green on his head. It's a light-up mohawk. His friend had a pink flamingo hat.

See the red on the girls heads walking away? It's actually their bright pink hair. And no, they weren't wigs. As I was taking the pic, this guy walks by with a green, stocking hat on! Perfect timing!!!

Since this is Texas, it's still pretty warm here and everyone wanted to show off their skin.

As we were leaving the auto show, we made it outside just in time to see the Illumination Sensation. It's a choreographed water and fireworks show.

The big concert last night was JB and Moonshine Band. Never heard of them, but people seemed to enjoy them.

It's all fun n games until someone gets hurt. Preston got in a fight with a tree. He was running backwards, turned his head, and the tree attacked him. I took him to the bathroom to clean off his face. He has a small cut above his eye and scrapes all around. Of course, the way he was crying, you'd think is eye was falling out. Have you ever had one of those moments where your child decides to let everyone know their pain and cry at the top of their lungs in a public place? You know they are just going overboard with their crying, but nothing will calm them down. Then everyone around thinks you, the parent, are just tormenting the child beyond belief but yet they don't offer to help and stare instead. Yeah, it was one of those moments.

But after a good night's sleep, Preston woke up in a great mood, with evidence of the tree fight still on his face. :( I'm so glad his school pictures were last week!

So, we didn't eat any fried food. There was plenty of it: fried bubble gum, fried lemonade, fried chicken skin, etc. But we just couldn't bring ourself to eat any of it. It didn't look very appetizing. We just had cotton candy and ice cream.

It was a fun night, but we realized it's not something we would want to do every year. Every few years of the State Fair is about all we can take. Plus, I don't think Preston wants to come home scraped up again.

The Audition

In my previous post, I briefly mentioned that I was performing in a show. I performed with the Regal Opera Co. on Sept. 16 and 18. Yes, I know it's been a few weeks since then and I'm just now blogging about it. It took me a full week to recover from the show and I feel like I've been playing catch up since then. So, here you go now.

Pam Cochrane is the director/founder of Regal. She writes original pieces usually for the Fall production. This time it was "The Audition: or The Next American Opera Idol". Taking a cue from TV, we have 3 judges and audition our songs in front of them. Now, not all of the songs were arias. In fact, I do not consider myself an opera singer. I prefer musical theater and jazz. Thankfully, there was a mix of arias, musicals, and even a country song! It was a great show and a phenomenal cast. By far, this was the best cast I've ever worked with and I miss every single one of them. There was no bickering, no divas (I've worked with divas before and they are a pain!), lots of laughter, and we felt like a big family. Sigh. I really miss them and hope to work with all of them again.

So, here is a small glimpse of the show. People like to know what happens backstage and why we have such an early call time before the show starts. There's a lot going on: make-up, hair, warm-ups, run throughs, and usually we 'circle up'. That is usually our serious time together, encouraging one another, and praying before each show. I cherish those times.

This is Anicia, our great stage director, applying make-up to one of the men, Steve. I have worked with Anicia since 2004 in several shows. She even let me perform in "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" while I was pregnant with Preston! She is the best and I love every time I get to do a show with her.

Gina does the hair for those that need help. She attached my hair piece for the last show we did. She also performs and has a great Soprano voice.

Stephanie is curling her own hair. There are always curling irons, straighteners, make-up trays, jewelry, etc. laying all over.

Backstage snack: a caramel rice cake. I can't ever eat big meals before a show. I've always been like that. So usually after every show, I'm STARVING!!! One of the cast members brought these and we snacked on them between Act I and Act II.

The rest of the pictures were taken by a photographer that donates her time. She does a great job!

Here is our accompanist, Dean. He did not have any lines in the show, but made a ton of facial expressions and used some comedic skills on the piano. He was the best performer in the show!! In fact, as the curtain opens for Act I, Dean is caught eating at the piano! Hilarious!

We also had 3 judges. They all sang in the show as well.

We had a country song, "Ring of Fire". Patrick has one of the best Bass voices I know. In Act II, he also sings an aria.

Here is our first group number, "The Prayer". Very somber and serious.

I had some dialogue throughout the show.

I finally got to sing a duet! This is the biggest part I've had. Crystal and I sang "Marry The Man Today" from Guys and Dolls. I enjoyed singing this.

This is our group number for the end of Act I, "A Comedy Tonight" from A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.

Jazz hands!!!

These girls sang a song from the Mikado. Yes, this is the Charlie Angels pose at the end of their song.

Malcolm and Steve sang "You Can Do It" from The Producers. It was so funny.

Pam, the director/founder, sang a beautiful aria.

We're so happy because we're singing the final group number.

We have to make our kick line, minus the kicks!

This is our very last pose after the curtain call.

I had so many supportive friends that came to see the show and I will always be so appreciative for that. I received the loudest applause both nights and the cast was jealous of my fan club (not really). Now, it's back to my normal, busy laugh and on to the Christmas programs!