Happy Father's Dad, to OUR dad!

I have such a great dad. He is always there for us and we know that no matter what we do, he is our #1 fan. He is always supportive in everything we do. The grandkids adore him and always want to play with him. He is good to lay on the floor and play trains or cars with the boys. Shoot at cups with the dart guns with the kids or let the girls style his hair in a game of beauty parlor. We sure are glad that you are our dad. Love ya!

Happy Birthday Joel!

Happy Birthday Buddy! I only have pictures from this winter of Joel...but I thought I would share them anyway. I hope that you have a great birthday! We are sure glad that you are part of our family. I know we tease about you bring the "crop failure," but really we are glad to have you. You make us laugh and sometimes cry (when you wrestle too rough)...but we love you anyway. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Sea World with the Nieces and Nephews

We had a blast at Sea World when the Brights came into town. I didn't take lots of pictures, but I thought I would post the few I did take. Our day got started with a bang...by feeding the dolphins. The kids really loved it and I have to say that it was really cool. They got really close.
We saw shows, ate food, and rode rides. Jack and Bowen were hilarious on the pirate ship ride. Right before we went down the steep incline, Jack and Bowen grabbed on to Stephen's hand. Jack laughed the whole way down and Bowen...like me, closed his eyes the whole way down. Regardless, we had a great time.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I've got the greatest mother in the world! She's not just a mom, but a best friend who is always there for you. I don't have any pictures on my computer, but I'm going to hunt some down and post them later. I sure love her and can't imagine having anyone different as my mom. Hope it's a great day for ya mom!

The Official Royal Wedding Tea Party

I don't know if it's because we lived in England and have always loved Princess Diana or because I remember watching the Royal Wedding of 1981, like it was yesterday, or because I am a girl and there is just something magical about being a Princess...but I have been all about the Royal Wedding this year. I was telling Brooklyn all about when my friend invited Ros and I over in 1981 to watch Princess Di and Prince Charles get married. Our friends had a a tea party. It was so much fun. As I told Brooklyn about this, she thought a tea party sounded like a grand idea. I decided that I would have her over, after school on Friday and we would have tea, crumpets, biscuits, and cucumber sandwiches. Jack was so excited about it and really wanted to come (even though we all told him it would be boring and that it was pretty much a girl thing). Brooklyn and I decided we couldn't leave him out of the "Rolo Wedding" or "Tea and Trumpets!" (to quote Jack.)

The Spread...Apple Herb Tea, Crumpets (cream & jam), cucumber sandwiches, strawberries, and bicuits (HobNobs).



The making of our crowns! We decorated crowns while we watched the processional into West Minster Abby.



Posing with the TV, after we have finished our crowns.

Here are Princess Brooklyn and Prince Jack enjoying an afternoon tea, while watching the Royal wedding in the background. It was especially great because Jack and Brooklyn both tried to talk like they were English...very proper. At one time Jack said, "Pass the strawberries mate!" When I asked him about it, he said..."Isn't that what they say?"




After tea we watched the processional out of the cathedral and on to Buckingham Palace. Jack decided that he wanted to be one of the soliders (like Prince William and Harry). Brooklyn decided that she needed to wear a white dress (luckily I had a white skirt I could rig around her).



Jack decided he wanted to go outside and play and was on his way out the door until he heard Brooklyn say, "Oh, they just kissed!" Jack came running back into the room and said, "Ah man, I missed it. Put it back, so I can see them kiss." He then came and watched a replay of the 1st kiss and then enjoyed the 2nd kiss. At one point he turned to Brooklyn and said, "Do you want me to kiss you?" Brooklyn just busted out laughing.

Needless to say, watching the Royal Wedding with these two was much more fun then it was watching it at 3 am this morning. Yes I did set my alarm and I did watch. I couldn't miss it. The 2nd time with Brooklyn and Jack was just as exciting!

I can't have a post about the Royal Wedding without mentioning the hats! Yes, Brooklyn loved pointing out the ones she loved and the ones she didn't! Jack had to get in on it too. As Princess Beatrice came on screen, he yelled, "Oh that's my faborite!" What do you think? (Hint...Beatrice is the one in the neutral color!)

Softball Queen

Brooklyn is playing t-ball/softball this year and she is so fun to watch. I'm lucky enough that I get to go see her practice and play in a game or two. She is quite the little player. I especially love when she runs all over the field to get a ball. Who needs a position, when you can run fast! :)



Jack's a pretty good sport to go and watch his sister. He cheers her on, makes friends with the other siblings, and sometimes just acts a little goofy!

Happy Birthday Ros!

Happy Birthday! I hope that your day is a great one. We sure are glad you are part of our family. Sadly...I don't have any pictures of you on my computer and I am too lazy to go get some to load. So...instead know that I love you and I'm thinking of you today.

The 1st Annual La Pascua De Colonia Dublan...Call Family Holiday

The Passover of Colonial Dublan

Early morning on Sunday, March 12, 1916, word reached the saints in Colonia Dublan that Pancho Villa and his army had attacked Columbus, NM and was heading towards Dublan. "Word came to us that he was coming to the Colonies and would continue his slaughtering of all Americans." ("Life Story of Anson Bowen Call", pg 28.) Grandpa Call (the Bishop) called an emergency priesthood meeting to discuss what should be done. It was decided that Grandpa Call and a couple of other brethren would drive over to Colonia Juarez to ask Stake President Joseph C. Bently for his advice. At about 8:00 PM, Grandpa Call and party returned to Dublan. Upon their return, Grandpa Call told the saints that had quickly gathered around them what Pres. Bently had said. "President Bently told us that we know the conditions here better than he, and to do as we think best." ("Life Story of Anson Bowen Call", pg. 28.) Various proposals were presented and discussed. When all opinions had been voiced and discussed it was Grandpa Call's turn to speak. "Standing thoughtfully for a few moments, he than raised his head and looked around at the crowd of anxious faces. 'Let us all go home,' he said quietly. 'I feel impressed that we should go back to our homes, pray, blow out all our lights, and go to bed'. There was a moment of stunned silence; then one man spoke: 'That's a hell of a thing to tell us to do!' he said.'" ("Anson Bowen Call - Bishop of Colonia Dublan", pg.410.) The saints followed the inspired counsel of their Bishop and did as he advised. Early morning on Monday, March 13, Villa's army approached Dublan. They arrived on the outskirts of of town about 3:00 AM. They then turned east and rode away without entering or disturbing the town. None of the saints knew they had come and gone. Later evidence was discovered on how close Villa's army had been. Later it was also learned that Villa and his men had seen camp fires and armed men walking around the town. The colonists understood that something truly miraculous had happened on their behalf. The next Sunday, March 19, 1916, Bishop Call presided at a special assembly to give thanks to God for His divine intervention.

-----We celebrated the 1st Annual Call Holiday on Saturday night. We ate dinner on the porch and had a bonfire in mom and dad's backyard. During the bonfire, dad told us all this story. You should have seen Jack's eyes. They got big as Papa talked about "the Bandits." We then had s'mores (Can't have a bonfire without s'mores!) This is a great idea to help generations to remember the example of obedience and faith that was set for each of us by our ancestors.

Grandpa Call...I think Uncle Don looks the most like him, but then again maybe it's just the mustache! :)

Pancho Villa...in this story he wasn't a fan of the Mormon's, but other stories say that they actually had a mutual respect for each other.

He's older today...Happy Birthday DAD!

Today dad is another year older...we won't say how old, because no one would believe us. He doesn't look a day over 40! :)
Dad is a great father, papa, brother, and friend. I appreciate all that he does for all of us, but especially for me. He always puts his family first. He loves his grand kids and they love him.


This past weekend I spent Saturday with my dad in Fort Worth. We had such a great time. He sacrificed a whole day to go with me. What a great dad he is! Can't wait to spend many more birthdays with him!

BYU -vs- TCU...basketball game

On Saturday dad and I traveled up to Fort Worth to see BYU beat TCU. It was great to see the Cougars, especially getting to watch Jimmer Ferdette. He played awesome, eventhough he was double and triple teamed at times. Dad and I got there pretty early, so we went to lunch and then walked around the campus. It is actually a very nice campus. We couldn't leave without taking pictures with the TCU horned frog.


There were about 10 BYU fans to every 1 TCU fan at the game. It felt a little like being in Provo only their arena is a little on the smallish side. We watched the warm up and then the game started.

The whole team played great and it was a fun experience.



The BYU fans came armed with many hilarious signs. The best one said, "TCU you can keep your frog, we already have our Prince - Jimmer Ferdette." The worst sign we saw said, "I'd go gay for your Jimmer!" Needless to say there were some signs that were a little sacreligious!

The only thing that bugged was at the end when some very rude TCU fan/student held up a sign to all that BYU fans that said, "At least we aren't Mormons." I felt like that was beyond low class and rude. I thought for the most part BYU fans were polite and respectful...thank goodness!

Kitchen Aide!

This year for Christmas I got a Kitchen Aide. I used it for the 1st time with my special helper...Brooklyn. We made Red Velvet cupcakes. I think they turned out pretty good, at least that's what Brooklyn said. She was the official taste tester. She said that she thinks that might be what she wants to be when she grows up.

Let's Rodeo San Antonio!

This year I went with a group of my friends to see Train at the San Antonio Rodeo. They gave a great concert. Sadly we were WAY up high, so my pictures don't do it justice. Also I loved the Rodeo part, but I didn't get any pictures of it. :( I guess there is always next year.

What a SNOW DAY in Texas?

Yep, that's exactly what happened at the end of January. The news dubbed it "Artic Blast 2011!" I'm not sure that many people would agree that it was truly an "Artic Blast" but it was pretty cold. Schools and works closed, but when I woke up there wasn't much sticking to the grass, but the streets and cement were covered with a little snow and a nice layer of ice. Here is outside my house.

Thanks to my steep driveway, Brooklyn, Jack and Joel enjoyed some sledding. Sadly working from home means that there is no such thing as a "snow day." While I was on a conference call, Joel and the kids had some fun sledding down my driveway on container lids and in my recycle box. And to think that my dad thought my driveway wasn't worth anything. This year I think Brooklyn, Jack and Joel would totally disagree.




Brooklyn also loved making snow angels.