A Family Wedding

Ahh, back home. There really is no place like home.

Donna and I just returned from a trip to East Texas. One of Donna's nephews was getting married, and she wanted to attend. It was a lovely service, and we had the opportunity to visit with Donna's family, some of whom we had not seen in years.

It's funny to watch the progression of a family over the years. When Donna and I married way back in 1977, we were so young, like the young couple we watched take their vows yesterday. Over the years, we've grown from the youngsters, to the middle-aged folks, and finally to the grandparent stage. At the wedding yesterday, our generation -- Donna and I and her siblings -- was the old guard. We sat with a niece and her high-school aged son. Another niece had a daughter serving as a bride's maid in the ceremony. A gathering like this really makes you reflect on the passage of time.

Before going to the wedding, we made a side-trip through Shreveport and Bossier City for a little gaming. Lady Luck wasn't with us this time, but we didn't lose everything. At least our room and meals were comped, so we came out feeling as though we got our money's worth.

We took a leisurely drive through deep East Texas from Shreveport to Conroe (site of the wedding). That part of the country has really had good rain, it seems. Everything was so lush and green, and tanks and lakes looked healthy. We took a route new to us and were able to see places we are not that familiar with, like San Augustine and Woodville. We found a nice little city RV park in San Augustine we put on our list should we ever RV again (Mission Delores Visitor Center and RV Park). We crossed Sam Rayburn Reservoir near Broaddus. What a beautiful lake that is! Just west of Woodville, we detoured off the road for a short side trip through the Alabama-Coushatta Indian reservation there.

At Livingston, we met Donna's half-sister and her husband for lunch. This is the second time we have eaten at Pueblo Viejo just west of Livingston, and I've really enjoyed my meal both times. It was good to see Anita and Keith and spend a little time with them.

From Livingston, we traveled west on US 190, crossing Lake Livingston, another beautiful East Texas lake. The area has really built up since the last time we crossed this part of the lake nearly 40 years ago. It's now a pretty busy area.

After the wedding, there was food and a bit of dancing. After the young couple had cut their cake and danced their first dance, Donna and I slipped away. Although we had originally planned to spend a second night in Conroe, we decided to return home yesterday. It was a long drive, but we arrived home last night and slept in our own bed. It was so nice to wake up in our home this morning.

Good Eats: 3 Parrots Taco Shop, San Angelo, Texas

This afternoon was our third time to try 3 Parrots Taco Shop, which describes itself as part of the "Baja taco market." According to the website, the restaurant is built around a ""surf/beach theme environment with great art and music to instill the ideas of summer year round." Currently there are locations only in San Angelo and Benbrook.

On our first two trips to 3 Parrots, we really weren't impressed. The food was decent enough, but there was nothing there that left us craving to return. I believe I had enchiladas once, and perhaps fajitas the other time. I don't recall what Donna had.

This time, however, I really enjoyed my meal. We had a coupon to buy a Baja Taco Platter (see menu) and get a second free. It's hard for 2 cheapskates like us to pass up such a deal. Also, since the Baja Taco Platter was the lunch special on our visit, it was even cheaper. With our 2 drinks, we ended up only spending $8.96 for our meals.

Each plate came with 2 tacos and 2 sides. Both of us got one taco with grilled shrimp. For her second taco, Donna got chipotle chicken while I ordered smoked brisket. My favorite of the two was the grilled shrimp. The flavor of the shrimp blended beautifully with the mixed cheese and cilantro. The brisket was also good, but not as good as the shrimp.

For my sides, I ordered Baja chile and grilled potatoes while Donna also had the potatoes along with rice. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to chile; that means, I want my chile to have good quality meat and NO BEANS. If you insist on putting beans, tofu, and other things in chile, that is fine; I just ask that you change the name, as 3 Parrots has done. The Baja chile served at 3 Parrots has ground meat, beans, and I believe there was some ham in there. It had a very strong chile powder taste which I enjoyed. Overall, I enjoyed it -- not as much as authentic, traditional chile mind you, but I'd certainly order it again.

All in all, I enjoyed my meal and I'd like to try more of their tacos, such as the tempura shrimp. I'm certainly glad we gave this place another try.

San Angelo State Park, North Gate

Donna and I try to walk about 3 miles every other day. Usually, we just walk in our neighborhood because it is convenient, but sometimes we venture out to other places in the area, such as the O.C. Fisher Dam, Sante Fe Park along the Concho River in downtown San Angelo, or Spring Creek Park out on Lake Nasworthy. We like walking in the state park because it is so peaceful and quiet, we don't have to worry about traffic, and there is always the chance to see some wildlife. Normally we go to the south gate, which is probably only about 5 miles from our house, but this morning, we wanted something different, so we ventured to the north gate, just outside Grape Creek.

The north gate has an entirely different look from the park area at the south gate, or shore. The north entrance is literally only a stone's throw from the North Concho River, and that makes a lot of difference. There are very few native trees in West Texas once you get west of a north/south line passing through Abilene, Ballinger, and Eden. Most of the native trees  in this part of the country -- aside from the mesquite -- are pecans, oaks, and cottonwoods, mostly hugging the banks of rivers and streams. So when you enter the park at the north gate, you see tall, towering trees. That right there makes the north gate so much different from the south gate.

We parked our car at the gate, then walked the paved road all the way in to the camping area and back. There was only 1 guest in the campground, and we saw no one stirring in that campsite. The park host was staying in a motorhome at the gate, and we visited with her as she went about her duties. She told us she had seen a large flock of turkeys just a few minutes before, but they were nowhere to be seen when we got to the area where she had spotted them.

We also paused at the park's prairie dog town, but none of the residents were stirring at that early morning hour. The south park also has a prairie dog town, but the ones we've seen previously at the north shore seem chubbier.

Our walk today was just over 3 miles. The weather was perfect as a cool front had moved through a few hours earlier and the day was slightly overcast. Below are some pictures of the park.

View of the campground shows the old growth pecan trees that shade the campsites.

Lush vegetation along the river

Another view of the generously shaded campground

This shot illustrates how the trees give away to prairie as you move away from the river

A prairie dog mound. The owner was sleeping in this morning.

Entrance to the prairie dog's home.

The park's mailbox in the shape of a fifth-wheel travel trailer.

Restrooms and showers at the campground for those who are without.

The North Concho River, with a small pool of water. It's getting dry out here again.

We Survived

We took the boys back home to Mom and Dad today. We met them at a restaurant in Big Spring, had lunch, then beat a hasty retreat. Baby Jensen slept the entire time, so we didn't get to play with him.

We had a good time with Xander and Camden. The 5 nights and 6 days we spent with them gave us plenty of opportunity to bond. Of course, we've spent lots of time with Xander over the years, but this was the first time for Camden to be away from home. The first night was a bit rough, but then Gamma Donna won him over. By the time his visit was over, he was following her all around the house. I'm sure he will miss her for the first few days he is home.

Xander is so patient with his little brother and he really is a big help. He's got a good heart in him.

Camden continues to remind Donna and me of my father. He has so many looks and mannerisms that my father had. I enjoy watching the little fellow.

Below are two pictures, one of Camden and one of my father. I see so much resemblance between them, especially the mouth and eyes. Notice the same downward turn of the mouth, for example. Even the hair is similar, even though Dad's hair seems much lighter in color in the black and white photo.

Camden at his birthday party

My father, when he was about two and a half.

Donna and I are trying to get back to normal now. I must admit the house seems a bit empty, but after a drink or two or three or four, I won't notice that as much. Time to relax after several days of having to be duty. I'm sure Donna is really missing her boys about now, though. She loves her boys.

Introducing Master Jensen Thomas Patterson

Jensen Thomas Patterson was born at 11:31 this morning. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and was nearly 22 inches long. Initially, he does not look like his brothers, but he does have red hair like his father. Here are some pictures.

Of course, the Sheriff was on hand to supervise everything. He wanted to insure that everything was ready for his new deputy to enter the world. The doctor was a bit late, and the Sheriff berated him soundly.

The very first picture of Jensen, taken by Grandma Donna.

Jensen after he was cleaned up a bit.

Poppa Michael, the original red head, holding baby Jensen.

Donna holding her new grandson.

Bib brother Xander taking charge of another sibling. Note Jensen's red hair.

The Sheriff Has a Party

Our grandson Camden, aka "The Sheriff", celebrated his first birthday yesterday with a party in the home of his paternal grandparents near Big Spring. Donna and I went up to join in the festivities. Actually, the Sheriff doesn't turn one until the 24th, but Courtney is scheduled to be induced early tomorrow morning, so dates had to be shuffled a bit to accommodate Momma's schedule.

We enjoyed cake and other snacks during the day, and the Sheriff got numerous presents. Here are a few shots I took.

Camden getting into one of his presents.

As with most kids, he found the package more interesting than the present.

Camden's first birthday cake.

Camden really enjoyed the big balloons his mother got.

This is a "smash cake" which HEB provides complimentary for a baby's first birthday when a regular cake is purchased in their bakery. We stripped Camden down so he could really dig in, but he was quite restrained about the whole thing and only dipped his finger.

After the party, Donna and I brought Camden and big brother Xander home with us. Courtney will be induced early tomorrow morning, so we are keeping the boys. We'll drive up to Midland for the delivery in the morning, then return home with the boys for another couple of days while Courtney, Michael, and new baby Deputy Jensen recuperate. We'll return the boys to their family later in the week.

We would appreciate your prayers while we keep the little monsters for these few days.

Waiting for Bingo

You can tell by the few postings I've made lately that we're not doing too much. Mainly we are just keeping close to home waiting for Courtney to bingo and bring another little boy into the world. The Sheriff needs a deputy.

We really have some itchy feet right now and would like to take a trip, but we need to stay close in case we get the call. In fact, about a week ago Courtney called us about bedtime to say she was on her way to the hospital. She called a few hours later to say it was false labor and that the doctor was sending her home.

So, we're just sitting around twiddling our thumbs.

We've not done much lately except keep up the yard and go to some Colts baseball games. Frankly, I'm getting a bit bored.

But we should be traveling soon after the baby arrives. We do have a wedding to attend in Donna's hometown, and we would sure like to visit a casino or two.

I'll keep you posted on that new baby.