Spring Break-Take 2

Quick update..Meganne is doing fine and healing well. Philip is also doing fine and healing. They are both still a bit tender, but getting better.
So, true to the Watts ways, we had a break from school and work, so we had to go do something. We decided to go to San Antonio for the last part of the week. We left Thursday morning and came home Sunday evening. We arrived at our hotel about 8:00 local time (Central) and we were downtown so we got a recommendation for dinner and set out to find the restaurant. The hotel we were at was only about 5 minutes away from the Alamo, so we went to see it. It wasn't open for tours that late at night, but we did see the outside. Then we went to the downtown riverwalk which is just a bunch of shops and eateries on a man-make version of the San Atonio river. It was the natural route of the river, but they had filled in the bottom and sides with cement so they could create the riverwalk.
The next morning we went back to the Alamo to do the tour. It was quite cool. After that, we went back to the riverwalk and did a 45 minute boat tour along the river. Very interesting to learn about the history and architecture. We finished there about 3:00 and realized that we were only about 2 1/2-3 hours away from the Gulf of Mexico so we decided to go see what that was all about. We went to Corpus Christi. Beautiful place. The kids had alot of fun in the water. Meganne, true to her nature, brought home every shell on the beach. Okay, little exageration, but she got alot of them. Saturday we spent the day in Sea World. Fun fun day. We did something different there and took one of the guided tours. It was called the "Save the Species" tour. We had opportunity to go behind the scenes and see where they keep the endangered species that they are trying to help replenish. It was very interesting. Then, on Sunday we headed home. But not before a stop at the Bass Pro Shop in San Antonio. Big place, cool place. It was a very fun, relaxing time. Because there are so many pictues, I am breaking up the posts into activities. Enjoy the pictures

Remember the Alamo

I think that we all will. The first time we saw it was at night which was an amazing sight. It is all lit up and beautiful. Hard to believe that such a terrible tragedy happened there.
For those that are a little fuzzy on Texas history, here is a brief refresher...the event happened at a time where Texas was actually its own country and Mexico wanted it. There was a small establishment there but it was determined that there was no way that the settlement would survive without some strong walls and weapons to help out. So, the fort was built. Just as expected, the Mexican army, about 2,000 strong came to overtake the fort, about 200 strong. With re-enforcements arriving for the mexican army steadily and none for the settlers, the settlers were able to hold off the army for about 2 weeks before the Mexican army finally breeched the walls and took the fort. While it was a tragedy that the people died, it was a victory in that they held out for so long.
The interesting part of this was to put ourselves back in that time and try to impress on our kids the feelings and the lives that the people there would have been experiencing.
The main part of the building was known as the shrine and we were requested to speak in hushed tones and men remove thier hats out of respect for the fallen. Ironically we were there on the day of another part of this whole tragedy called the battle of Goliad. Basically there was a group of about 300 that had fled from danger and were later captured and assured that they would not be harmed. On the 27th of March the Mexican government ordered all 300 of the be executed. They were taken out and shot. At the time that we were there the Daughters of the Republic of Texas were holding a special memorial for the 300. There was a bagpipe player in the traditional kilt playing Amazing Grace and there were decendants of some of the 300 that all went into the shrine area. They gave an invocation and then recited the pledge of allegiance there in the shrine. I think that nothing would have had a greater affecto on me that day than to stand on a place that so many perished and pledge my allegiance to a country that has lost so many in the name of freedom.
Another thing that I found quite ironic was that this piece of history was right in the middle of a bunch of high-rise buildings...the past meets the present I guess.

Gulf Of Mexico

Being only 3 hours away, we decided that we would drive to Corpus Christi and see what the Gulf of Mexico looked like. We have talked about going there on vacation and never quite made it for a whole vacation, but thought we would take this opportunity to travel there.
True to rumor, it was a beautiful place. Of course being near the water, we had to get in. The kids of course got in farther than Philip and I did, but we all still experienced the ocean water. I will never understand why it is so calming to walk down the beach. But it is. Meganne decided that she had to clean the beach of any and all shells there. Okay, maybe not, but she brought back quite a few. Why..we don't know, just because that is what Meganne does.
Now, before you all see this picture of the kids in the spray of the wave and start calling child protection services, please know that our kids were not in any danger. Yes, it looks like they were getting buried under the water, but they were actually not getting that wet from the water. They got some spray off the wave and that is it. They are soaked because they were playing in the calmer water before these pictures. Anyway, we had a fun time there too.

Sea World San Antonio

We had many, many wonderful experiences here. There is a place called dolphin cove where you can purchase fish and try to entice the dolphins to come over to you so that you can reach out and touch them. We all had opportunity to feel them. There are several animal/trainer shows that you can see. There is one called "Viva" which puts people, white sided pacific dolphins, and baluga whales all performing together. It is really cool. If you look in the picture of the baluga whale and trainer, you will see a baby baluga that was performing along with mom. It was really fun to see that.
After the show, we did our "Save the Species" tour. We went backstage to the area that they take the injured or "non-performing" animals. We got to see some ring-tailed lemurs, some mckawes, and a small alligator named Katrina. She was a little rescue alligator from hurricane Katrina(hence the name). We all got our pictures taken with her and we had the chance to feel her too. It was not what we expected to feel, but still amazing. We also had the chance to learn about Hawaiian monk seals. HIGHLY endangered species. We also had opportunity to learn feed a sting ray and feel a shark. After a few more attractions, we went to the killer whale show "Believe". It is always an amazing thing to see. The interaction between such a big mammal and human is amazing. They say that it takes about 4 years of training before a killer whale performs in the shows and about 2 years of training before the trainers are in the shows and 6 years for the traininers to get in the water with the mammals.
Anyway, enjoy the pictures...

The Update

To let you know...
Philip is doing good. He has not had much pain which is good because he says that the vicaden doesn't work for him. The stitches look like they are healing well too. Still a little sensitive when it gets bumped, but that is expected. He goes back in to the doctor in 10 days to have his stitches removed.
Meganne faired pretty well. She came out of the surgery room in tears, but we decided that was more the stress release than anything. She said that it was scary in that room without mom, but we got her calmed down. When she got home I put her in bed thinking that she would just sleep off the anesthetic, but she didn't really calm down so I had to bring her to the couch and sit with her for about 30 minutes. Then she was good to go. About noon she started looking alive again. She has had to take her tylenol 3's every 6 hours, but while they work, she is great. It is a little challenging to eat and try to keep the food on the other side of her mouth, but she can pretty much eat what she wants--approval by mom of course. They put like a temproary plaster-type covering thing on her tooth that they exposed and then there are stitches on either side. She will go back in on the 31st to be checked. If the doctor thinks that she has healed enough they will take out the stitches and take the covering off her tooth. If not, he will leave them on for another week.
Nikole and I are boring..thank goodness.
I will update when there is something new.
Thanks to all for the prayers.

Spring Break

So earlier today I was searching for a picture illustrating rest and relaxation to signify the beginning of our spring break. I couldn't find one, so this one is going to be unillustrated too. Sorry...
Anyway, as I was searching for the picture, Philip and Meganne were outside building a dog house for our poor puppies. They both came in and Philip went to the kitchen sink. Meganne came walking by me at the computer and whispered in my ear, "Daddy cut himself with the razor." Not really the words I wanted to hear but, I went to make sure all appendages were attached. He did cut himself but on the fleshy part of the top side of the left thumb. We went to the emergency room and he got 4 stitches. Ironically, I was going to inform you all of Meganne's surgery tomorrow morning, but I guess Philip wanted some of the sympathy today too...
So, Meganne is having her mouth surgery tomorrow morning. We have to be at the doctor at 8:30. Her upper canine tooth on the right side of her mouth grew like this -, not this |..Silly tooth. So, she is going to go in and have the surgeon expose the tooth so that the orthodontist can attach a bracket to it, hook the braces on and gently coax it to be like this |, not this -. So, all of your prayers and good thoughts be with her tomorrow. I will let you know how they are both doing sometime tomorrow.
I hope that this isn't an indication of our "rest and relaxation" week.

SHOULD WE WORRY?????

The advisors for the kids M.E.S.A club are Mrs. Lemontine, Mr. Matta, and Mr. Cannon. In having the kids in this club and trying to be involved in what they do, we have had several occasion to visit with Mrs. Lemontine and Mr. Matta. Because of this, they both know that Philip is a cartographer with the BLM. He has, more than once, offered his services to come in as a guest lecturer to talk about what he does and maps and such. He has also extended the offer to other teachers at the school if they would like him to help with thier classes. Mrs. Lemontine related this experience to us...
(unfortunately it is true)
She told us that she was in a staff meeting on day with all the teachers in the school. They were discussing various opportunities they could give the kids of the school. Through this, Mrs. Lemontine remembered Philip's offer and related it to the other teachers. She stated that he was a cartographer and he would be happy to come in and teach the kids about that. The discussion continued with one teacher being very puzzled as to why they would want him to come in and talk about that. To that Mrs. Lemontine asked this TEACHER if she knew what a cartographer did. The teacher (sadly) replied that she wasn't sure, but by the description, she presumed he photographed cars (car-tographer).
True, yet sad story!!!
But, to this day, it lends a good laugh around our house and with Mrs. Lemontine.

Tryin' the Truck

So, getting a new vehicle means road trips, right? YUP!
This is a place that we have heard about since we have been here in this part of the state, but never got there until now and we ask ourselves, "What took us so long?" It is called Sitting Bull Falls. And try as I might, I couldn't come up with the reason it is named that because the Indian Sitting Bull was never there. Go figure--anyway, it is a very short(5 minute)walk on a paved trail from the parking lot to this. Yes, here in the desert this does classify as a waterfall. The kids of course had to take off the shoes and socks, pull up the pant legs and wade. They said the water was cold only until the legs went numb. And of course there was the threatening with "tying to the hood of the truck for the ride home if they got thier pants wet" speech. I guess they believed us because they were very careful not to get wet. Anyway, this was a very fun, peaceful, beautiful oasis for us. I guess there is some beauty in the desert.

Quick "What are they up to now" note. The kids have decided that they wanted to be managers for thier school soccer team. Being the supportive parents that we are (okay, stop laughing now) we said "Sure..couple nights a week, we can handle that" Nope--every night from 4:30-6:00 except Wednesday when they get done at 5:30 for those that want to go to church. And twice a week instead of practice they will have games. So, for the time being, they will not be drowning golf balls in the water hazards :)
Also, fire season started early here and Philip is already getting called to help at the tanker base here at the local airport. When it gets into full swing, he will be providing GIS support for the fire crews. Something he enjoys because he knows he is helping, but not so great on the family time. Oh well, it is not like we are home that much anyway.
Keeping up???

We Digress

"Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy"
These are the words on one of the entrance gates into Disneyland. Since the blog wasn't going at the time of our trip I thought I would share some of the pictures with you.
We had a good time as I think I let you know in an e mail. I am just going to share a couple pictures with you. There is also a picture of a Joshua Tree for those that don't know what they look like.
Enjoy seeing our Christmas..