Block Leave- River Weekend Edition 1.

Bright and early Saturday morning around 3am we started our road trip journey home to the great state of Texas. Our plan was to drive straight through and stop about half way for breakfast / brunch. We where headed straight to the River House to spend the weekend with my Brother and his Girl friend Becca. He didn't know we where coming but Becca did. I couldn't wait to surprise him, spend the next few days together. We where making really good time so Becca asked if we wanted to meet them at the boat ramp and go out on the boat for a late afternoon ride. Ummm, Yes Please!!!! We got to the boat ramp right at 4pm, right when we told her we would be there. They however where at the Island which was a good boat ride away from where we where. It took a good bit of convincing from Becca to get Justin to drive all the way back to the boat ramp. Typically once he gets there he's not coming all the way back till he's ready to leave. Thankfully he gave in and came back, not really knowing why she was so determined to go. Waiting on the shore line near the ramp, as I saw the boat pull up I started getting tears in my eyes. My brother and I are so close and it had been almost two years since we'd seen each other. As he was pulling up he just kept saying "I knew it, I knew it". He knew someone was coming to visit him but didn't know who, he claims to have known it was us coming but I really don't think he knew. Getting on the boat he gave me the biggest, longest hug ever. I didn't think he was ever going to let go. I was so excited to be back on the water with him. It was also the first time that the Hubbs had been out on our boat. Finally after almost 9 years of being together he was getting to experience something that I love so much.

 We took a cruise up to the island and said hello to a few people before heading back. I took over driving and didn't wanna go in, but we where all so hungry, tired and had, had a long day.

We spent the evening relaxing on the patio over dinner and drinks catching up with a couple friends. It wasn't to long after that we called it a night and headed to bed.

Up early the next morning to work out and get a run in around the hill before breakfast and heading out on the water. Bubby's girlfriend B works at City Grill in downtown Ft. Worth and let me tell you this girl can cook up a mighty fine meal. She made a fabulous breakfast for us all before we left. I love cooking and baking its one of the things I really enjoy doing but its also nice to have someone else take over everyone in a while.

Our dad came up to the River House and went out on the boat with us, which was a nice surprise. I loved getting to spend the day with him on the boat. Between Justin, Dad and Myself we took turns skiing up to the Island where we hung out for the day. Since it was Sunday there wasn't to many boats out which made it nice. Dad and Justin Barefooted and I Slalom skied several times. The hubbs has only seen pictures of me skiing but never in person. I was so excited for him to finally see me Slalom. I also decided to Barefoot on the boom, I've never done short line or behind the boat when it comes to bare footing. I have absolutely no desire to but the fact that I can do it hanging on the boom is pretty awesome. I planted my feet the first run and road for a good long ways. I was so stoked, it had been almost two years since I'd skied.

We did a little recreation attempt at the island. 

That evening we relaxed, hung out at the house, had a fabulous dinner and cuddled on the couch watching a movie. It was a long day and we where all completely exhausted. Monday morning up early again to workout, then I decided to take Rebecca's bike around the hill instead of going on a run to see how I liked it. (we've been talking about getting bikes for a couple months now) Half way around I ran (road) into the hubbs who was on the moped with one of the three dogs they have following along side him. He said he was coming to find me to see how I was doing. Really I think he just wanted a excuse to ride it again.

Rebecca made us another yummy breakfast before we packed up the car to head into town to have lunch with our mom, followed by a evening at the Rangers game. It was a great two days at the River, I was so glad that we changed our plans up a little and went there first instead of into town. It was a much needed break from the craziness of life and a great way to kick off our vacation. 

A Day On The Water *part 2

The many faces of Shae Shae and her goofy self. I have so many photo's of her on my camera and phone from her high-jacking it while I was home. I don't know if I'll ever get through them all and clear it out. Before skiing we decided to stop for a bit and take a dip in the water. Some people are weird and wont swim in the river because they can't see what is under them. Me, I've grown up here and Love it so it doesn't phase me a bit. Frankly I'd rather not know. 

The water was nice and warm, almost hot in some places. Still so nice and refreshing to enjoy. 

Shae had so much fun knee-boarding that she couldn't get enough of it. She was cracking up the whole time, having a blast. We passed a few deer on the beach getting water at one point and she started waving and telling them hello. 

We had a such great time spending the day on the water. We were all exhausted be time we got home. 

I totally forgot that Shae got some pictures of me knee-boarding while when I went. I haven't done this in YEARS and after this two short runs I remembered why. Just not my thing, still had fun but love my ski. I jumped in the water with the board completely forgetting I had my sun glasses on. Thankfully I didn't loose them, even when I crashed. As you can see in the bottom right picture, I was done. 

I can't wait to go back home and go out on the boat again. The hubbs has been down to our River house several times but he hasn't been out on our boat. He's only seem pictures and video of me Slaloming, I can't wait for him to see me in person. Hopefully the Army will be nice and station us a little closer to home soon. Less than a year left in the South so we will see. 

Here are two video's of me Slaloming. 

JT- Bubby Barefooting 

A Day On The Water

As you already know I went home to Texas last the week before last for my papa's funeral. I was torn on weather to go or not because I hated to go home just for 2-3 days and not get to visit with all my family, see friends of even go to our River House and go out on the boat. I miss being on the water so much and it kills me not being able to spend the summers water skiing like I did for many years. Gotta love the army wife life right!!!! Thankfully my brother only has school till 1pm and has the afternoon's off so we were able to squeeze in one day down at the Brazos before I left. My brother and I grew up here, before we were even born actually our parents would spend the weekends at the river. Finally we both came along and there's plenty of pictures to prove we were beach babies from the start. My dad has us riding on the knee board before we could walk. We would spend our entire weekend at the River. Eventually my dad bought a house down there in a community called Fisherman's Paradise. Its a little two bed one bath rancher and it over looks the canyon. Right now my brother is in the process of remodeling it and fixing it up. There was a flood in the house a while ago and the work is over do. He's always sending my pictures and up dating me on what is going on  but to be able to go and see the work he's done in person was so nice. It looks great, not only did it need it because of the flood but it was pretty dated as well. My dad always said once we grew up and moved out he was going to move down to the river house and retire. Ya well Justin (my brother) seems to be a step ahead of him because he pretty much lives there now. Below is a picture looking off the back deck over the canyon and a picture of our boat that my dad purchased from Miss. Hawaiian Tropic many years back. She's a beauty (the boat) and I have so many wonderful memories experienced on her!!!!! We set the boat up and got everything ready to hit the water. Being during the week we knew we'd have the water to ourselves and that we did. We maybe saw two other boats but that was it. 

We decided since our little cousin Shae officially passed 8th grade and was moving on to High School that we should take her to do something to celebrate. So down to the river it was. This was only her 2nd time ever coming out and she of course still loved it.

I started young knee boarding, then went to two ski's. Both of which I ABSOLUTELY HATE NOW. They are so boring and you really don't have any fun doing it. I learned how to barefoot on the boom and that's fun but very intense and hard. Wake Boarding was not for me, I can get up but that's about it. I can't turn from side to side or get any air jumping the wake. I so desperately wanted to learn how to Slalom and that I did. I was probably 13-14 and it took me forever to learn how to get up, it was so hard. I started on the boom, then went behind the boat with a double split handle and then finally I got it. I was able to get up with a regular handle after a couple weekends of trying and have never looked back. My mom Slalomed so maybe that's were I get my love for it from. It's my most favorite thing to do. Even more than running and you all know I love to run. Give me a pair of water ski gloves and I'd stay out there for hours. This past April I went home and we went out on the boat. I hadn't Slalomed in almost 4 years and so I was super nervous about getting up and I got up on my FIRST try. I was so stoked with myself. This time of course it had only been a few months but still I was nervous. GOT UP ON MY FIRST TRY. Neither time did I even crash, but I did on the knee board. How awful is that. I decided to give the knee board a try and show Shae our cousin a few tricks and in doing so I totally wiped out. I got back on for another try and after about two minutes I was done and water my ski back. Its so boring I don't know what people enjoy about it. 

Is she not the cutest thing ever!!!! She two got up on her first try and it was only her second time ever knee boarding. It did take her a few minutes to figure out how to get back and forth across the wake. Which she kept calling a hill, but once she figured it out she was set. She only crashed twice once when  Justin turned around and she had to cross her own wakes and the second time neither of us were paying attention oops bad cousins. She had so much fun, you could hear her screaming, yelling and laughing the whole time she was out there. 

Justin is the Barefoot Pro of the family. He's been barefooting since he was probably 6-7 years old. He's competed in so many competitions, doing toe-holes, back-to-fronts, backwards runs, long and short runs and even Damn-to-Damn Competitions. He Wake Boards and also does the Wake Skate but his heart will always be Barefooting. He's so good at it. He got it from our dad, our dad is a die-hard barefooter and has also competed in many competitions. 

We had the water to ourselves and it was such a beautiful day. I'm so glad we were able to make it down and have a day on the water. I remember growing up as kids going to the River House it seemed like it took forever to get there. Now that we are old a 45 minute drive doesn't seem bad at all. I'd do it every day if that mint I was coming here!!!! 

Shae and Bubby 

Me & Shae Shae

Siblings!!! I love this kid so much, I hated him growing up. Ok maybe not hated but we fought ALL the time but now I love every minute with him. It breaks my heart when I have to say goodbye. I know it's not for long but if you knew what we've been through together you'd know we lost a lot of time together. And I'm only trying to make that up now. I can't wait to go back home again and get out on the water!!! My heart will alway's be in Texas no matter were we go. 

We finished out the day with dinner at one of my favorite places before heading back home!!!! You just can't go wrong with Chicken Express, people in the South have NO idea what they are missing out on. 

Back on the Water......

(picture over load but worth it!!!!)
Sunday night I met up with my brother, a few of his friends and we all drove down to our river house. Its about a hour away from were we live, we grew up going down there every weekend and water skiing. It's absolutely so much fun, If I could pick any sport that I LOVE it would be water skiing for sure!!!! Sadly since I've gotten married and moved away I haven't been able to do much skiing which sucks. So to say I was looking forward to the next couple days on the water would be a understatement.   After we got up to the house and everyone got settled in we all set out on the patio, had a couple drinks and had a good time hanging out listening to music way to loud. Next thing we knew it was almost 2am and we were suppose to be getting up in a few hours to go get our boat.

 Here are a few pictures from our river house that I snapped while we were there. 

That morning my brother and I went for a run down to the boat ramp while the others decided to sleep off their hang overs from the night before. Its about 3 miles from the house down to the bottom of the hill to the boat ramp and back to our house. The water was smooth as glass and surprisingly pretty warm.

After we got back showered and ready we headed up the storage to get the boat. The rest of the day was spent on the water, listening to music, water skiing, having a few drinks and a all around FABULOUS TIME!!!!

 Working up the nerve to put my ski on and get behind the boat. YIKES!!!! 

 Rebecca and Myself soaking up a little sunshine. ----------Supporting the good old USA---------

My little brother and me cruising down the river. 

I finally worked up the nerve to get in the water. It was a wee bit chilly at first and I was a bit nervous about the fact if I was even going to be able to get up on my ski or not. It had been a good 4-5 years since I've Slalomed. 

You can see me skiing & my brother driving in the above pic. :)

  But guess what!!!!!!! I DID IT!!!!! I got up on my first try and didn't even struggle one bit, its like riding a bike right?!?!?!? Well not exactly, I'd like to believe its quite a bit harder. I was so excited and couldn't stop smiling. I almost started crying I was so stoked and proud of myself. The only thing that would have made it any better was if my hubbs would have been there to see me. My dad used to give me a hard time because I'd never get my hair went when I skied and well guess what.....My hair was completely dry when I finished!!! That's called not crashing yall!!!! 

 Let me go ahead and brag a little bit on my little bubbly. He's a freaking pro when it comes to Barefooting, the kid used to compete in competitions all the time and plans on getting back into them. Kids got skills and I've got the proof to show you!!!! JT getting ready to go Footin. 

 JT from start to up on his feet going at a speed of 45mph in a matter of seconds. It still amazes me that he can do this. He did learn from the best though, our dad. 

He moved up top the boom (I can barefoot but only off the boom) to show off a bit more. 

 Toe-hole up, this is were he rest's his foot (one) in a loop on the handle and the boat pulls him up. This is seriously hard and takes skills but of course he's got them!!!! I even got the crash in action lol. 

I have a couple short videos' from JT Footin & Wakeboarding I'll try to upload them soon. 

Just a few bloopers from our day. :) 

JT on the Wake Board, I've gotten up a time or two on the Wake Board before but its just not my thing. Justin's pretty good at it though!!!! 

This was a new one for me, it's called a Wake Skate. I've never heard of such a thing but the guys seem to enjoy it  quite a bit. 

 Just a few more shots from one of my many runs of the day!! Perfect start each time and never crashed or fell!!!! 

 My true passion is water skiing and I couldn't imagine not being able to do it. 

 Our boat is almost 20 years old but she's still running just like new. She's a 1996 Outboard Master Craft. It's not often at all that Master Craft makes a Outboard. I grew up learning how to ski behind this boat. We did have a Barefoot Sanger before this one but when my dad had the opportunity to get this one he jumped on it. Miss. Hawaiian Tropic of 1996 won the boat, some how my dad found out about it. She didn't want the boat she wanted the money. So she sold it to my dad, before it was built. He got to go through and customize every little detail about it. Down to the colors, seat placement and every little thing. She's been through alot and I'm glad we've been able to keep her in the family. I can't wait to go home with hubbs and take him out on our boat. 

!!!!!!!!!!!!Isn't she a beauty!!!!!!!!!!!!

The rest of the evening once we got back to the house was spent hanging out, listening to music once again probably way to loud but when your in the country were our house is that's OK. We all pitched in a made a fabulous dinner of course with a few drinks to go along with it. It felt so great to be back down at our RiverHouse and I can't wait to go back. I loved being able to hang out with my brother and get to know his Girlfriend as well. 

Day-5