Albany Fandangle

Thursday night, we attended the 73rd Annual Albany Fandangle. The Fandangle is an outdoor musical directed and performed by only Albany citizens. My grandfather wrote a few of the songs YEARS ago, and my mom was in the show every year growing up. I love seeing an entire community coming together to continue a strong tradition. The show was fantastic! The show runs 6 nights every June, so plan to go next summer! The show started at 8:45 and by then the weather was perfect...no heat and no mosquitos! That's is rare in West Texas!

Before the show was a great parade which included the new MAYOR MAXEY! Ty and Kyleigh (Bill's grandkids) loved riding with my mom.
My mom had a fan club watching! Seated in the chairs...Natalie (our old neighbor), her daughter, Cathy (her mother), Scott, my aunt, and my uncle. After dinner we ate bbq at a park.Dave and I met in April of 2000 and spent a few days together at A&M while I was visiting and Dave was a senior. The next time I saw him was in June that summer when I went to the Fandangle with my family and we invited Dave to join us. That night, I never thought I would attend the show eleven years later with Dave as my husband!

Free time in the summer!

I love summer because...

#1 I was able to go to Aggieland for four days! Meredith and Jacki are two of my great Aggie friends and we had our Second Annual Trip to The Clary House. Meredith's mom owns the B&B and she was kind enough to let us stay. The house was built in 1902. It is beautiful and so relaxing! As always, Linda prepared delicious breakfast for us. If you are going to the Bryan/College Station area you MUST stay here! I had a great time shopping, laughing, and dancing with the girls!



#2 Patty and I spent a Friday afternoon painting at Mine By Design. Patty had two gift cards, and I'm thrilled that she invited me to paint with her. It took us at least thirty minutes just to pick out our pottery. It was so relaxing to just sit and paint for hours. Thank you Patty!

Mount Rainer

During Memorial weekend, I was stuck in bed with strep throat while Dave was in Washington climbing Mount Rainer. From the pictures below, you will agree my weekend was much easier. Dave has been training for months to prepare for the 14,411 foot mountain. He went with a guided group consisting of 4 guides and 8 hikers. Only two of the eight hikers attempted the summit and Dave was one of them. I'm very proud that Dave did not give up even though it was EXTREMELY TOUGH! At 13,700 feet the guides decided it was too dangerous to go any higher. The hike was three days long and he woke up at 1am the last morning to attempt the summit. The weather was pretty intense the entire three days...lots and lots of snow. While back in Texas it was 107 degrees!!

This picture was taken in the park before the hike...BEAUTIFUL!Dave before the sunburned, snow frozen face!
The first night they slept in a hut, but the next night that stayed in tents. He had to shovel away snow just to get inside. I love the snow frozen to his beard...glad I wasn't on this trip! 13,700 feetHere you can see Dave and another guy roped together in case one of them falls in a crevasse. This is why I was nervous for Dave to take this trip! Dave made it home safely with extremely sore muscles and a bad sunburn! I'm very proud of you Dave!