IT'S NOT IF YOU WIN OR LOSE...
It was my first Astro's game. Mr. Tim game us tickets to the last game of the season and we had great seats! We really had to watch those balls...3 of them headed our way! Whoa--they just missed us. We had lots of firsts this night...namely our first stadium dog. (It was tasty and it did not make mom sick--wow!)
I was decked out in my #45, Lee jersey (thanks again to Mr. Tim) and feeling super special. I counted down the days for almost 2 weeks and was thrilled when mom picked me up singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." I almost did not believe it was true. I had to ask at least 3 more times where we were going. It was a long drive and I was so sleepy, but it was worth it.
So, the Astro's didn't win...I had fun with each new experience and can't wait to go back next year. I am already making plans for the next time and hoping I can squeeze in a Texan's game too. Are you ready for some Football?

FIRST DAYS OF FALL...
Fall fell alright. It rained and stormed and the cooler weather were here for 1 day. We were all smiles in the Taylor house. Then someone picked it back up and chunked it. HOT is back--can I just say UUUGGGGGHHHHH! I am ready to sport my new looks; long sleeved shirts, pants and a hoodie. This is what I call comfort clothes. I love to snuggle in. Fall, where ever you are...PLEASE...come back soon! I am trying to be patient, but pumpkins are sounding really good right now. You can hold back on the mosquitoes though...we had plenty of those at the beach.

DINNER...
We had a family outing! Yup, dad came too. It was his first trip to the Children's Museum since it has been updated. We spent the whole day exploring! I cooked, cleaned, built and raced things, spent time in the news room pushing every button the computer had to offer and then splashed a while outside. Mom was amazed...for a Saturday the crowd was small. We had wiggle room and choices. Dad disagreed...way too many people. It was fun for me...start to finish I had both my partents. After leaving we took a quick trip through Whole Foods before heading to dinner with the family. It was so good to see them. We stuffed ourselves silly and then we had cake! Aunt Kay, Big Grandma and Lala snuggled me to bits and mom remembered to take pictures this time. I would say that is a day worth remembering and now I have the pictures to do just that. Gotta love the huge peppermint in my mouth. I am always on the look out for the mints as we hit the door--I love the green ones.
Attention Kroger...we are in need of Pro Bugs and Ian's fish sticks! Attention Whole Foods...consider Cypress! We need you!

A SNEAK PEEK!...
Grandpa came to town and I was so excited! It was a great day! I got to play with mama's 'ol man and my Halloween costume was delivered. Grandpa got the first sneak peek of me as Wolverine. I went through the entire magazine pic by pic before deciding upon my costume. I think the claws were the deciding factor for me...mom made me promise I was a good guy. No bad guys allowed in this house...besides the good guys always win...that what she says. Grandpa played right along; he made the perfect Hulk. I was ready to go to dinner in costume, but we decided to change at the last minute..."scrambled egg hair" and all we were ready for a dinner out. Thanks for my dollars grandpa...I love earning money! I'll serve you ice cream anyday! "Who wants ice cream?" I've been counting and counting.

BOXERS OR BRIEFS?...
We had the time of our lives running up and down the beach, jumping waves and plopping into the water. We wore ourselves out! There was only one hitch, our britches kept falling down. We quickly found the solution...strip 'um off! Wes was down to boxers and me...I sported my rocket ship briefs. We had no shame. In fact, we thought it was great until our undies stockpiled loads of sand. We thought Wes was a different kind of dirty given the amount in his boxers. Dad had to double check--ALL CLEAR, just sand here. Oh, I wish we could replay the sounds we heard on the beach this day. It was a sound mom could listen to daily. The relaxing sound of the ocean and the wind blowing past toppled by 2 big boy belly laughs that instantly made you smile. We worked and played until Aunt Carley and mom called us in for a quick scrubbing and some dinner. We had to save some energy for the evening crab hunting affair. A whole 'nother experience to remember.
And the sun went down on the sandcastles too.

THE VIEWS...
Galveston never looked so good.

BEACHERS FOR LIFE...
Last summer we were lucky enough to have Janet Roe photograph our family on the beach. This summer mom just could not pass up the opportunity. Although she has no skill when compared to Janet, she tried and tried to capture the "real RGT;" My smile, my playfulness, my overflowing spirit. It took 2 tries (5:30 and 7) and 2 large chip clips to keep my sweater in place, but mom accomplished her goal. She loves me and she loves me on the beach even more.

What could make the evening even more special you ask? We had dinner as a family of 3 on the deck as the sun was setting. No mosquitoes this go round...we sprayed! It was picture perfect.

We could not believe it was our last night on the beach. We took an extra walk and settled in for the night with a handful of good books.

When I was tucked in tight mom and dad took the opportunity to watch the waves solo this time...strangely enough it was the closest thing they have had to a date since their anniversary. A time they will not soon forget.

Mom thought she would take advantage of the deck and decided to sleep outdoors...not so sure she will try that one again. The mosquitoes found the 2 small spaces she had not sprayed and attacked in full force. She work up around 3 am with her eyelid swollen shut. OUCH! She quickly applied the ointment and snuggled into a bed located indoors...mosquito free is the only way to be.

Until next time, we will reflect. We are still talking about our time at the beach and how much we wish we could return. We are beachers for life!

THIS MUGS FOR YOU...
Hum, what do you do when you are fresh out of clean coffee mugs? Dad knows...you pull a prank on Aunt Carley. He found the smallest mug and then laughed himself silly as he offered her up some brew. You gotta keep these folks caffeinated.

LAND LUBBERS...
Let me just go on record by stating, "Can I live here forever? I want to stay at the beach everyday!" Mom will second that motion. A weekend was just not long enough. We were surrounded by family and living each and every moment to the fullest. Romping on the beach 3 times a day is my idea of living! I will admit, the mosquitoes devoured me. I was left with knots, welts and all kinds of itch, but it was nothing that a prescription cream and a few bandaids could not handle. We were a sickly bunch, but the beach just brings out the goodness in you. Cough, fever, snot, who cares? Salt water will heal you right up. Or at least we thought we would give it a try--and try we did. We jam packed our days and our nights with lots of beach time--play time that is. We tried out all of the 30 something sand toys and fished for whatever we could find in the ocean. It was amazing! You could see your feet...no more brown water. The sand was super soft and the water was clear out to waist deep. We surfed and then we turfed and then we just passed out! I am sure the crabs are feeling a since of calm now that we are home again, but we sure did have fun running down the beach with a bucket in one hand and a flashlight in the other. 30's and 3's, 50's and more were all drawn to the beach for the evening crab hunting affair. There were big ones and little ones and really fast ones too! AGHHHHH! They will pinch your little fingers off you know.
Whether we were on the beach or on deck swinging to the sounds of the ocean waves, we were family and enjoying every minute. Even those "put up your dukes, that's mine moments" made the beach trip real and loads of fun.


Happy Birthday Aunt Kaci...Celebrating Sweet 16 on the beach sounds good to me!