Zany Zoo Day

Today we ventured to the Houston Zoo!  It was a blast once we conquered the parking situation.  We met up with 4 other families in our Sunday School class and wound up running into 5 other families we knew.  So, it felt like a small world today at the Zoo.  It was a great time with friends, and I love watching the faces of Cade/Caelin and their wonder at some of the animals.  The biggest hits of the day were the Chimpanzee's, Elephants, and Cats (leopard, lion, tigers, etc).  The cats were all sleeping mostly way up high in cages on ledges, so it took us a while to find them at times.  The Chimpanzee's also came and sat next to Cade while he was at the window, and he thought that was awesome.  He was staring at their hands and feet and said "they look just like mine!"...and he was right!  They also had a 4D Sponge Bob Movie which was a hit around 2pm when we were all tuckered out and needing a break from the sun.  I asked Cade what his favorite part of the day was and it was definitely the Sponge Bob Movie.  When I asked Caelin, she said "all the babies".  I am assuming she means the baby giraffe and elephant.  Thank you Lord for the perfect weather today and the special time with friends and family!

Yeehaw!

In Texas, Rodeo season is quite a big deal.  In fact all the schools usually celebrate with a Rodeo Day and activities for the kids.  CFBC was no different, and had quite the set up with stations of bull roping, tractor races, horse brushing, mining for gold, campfire singing, square dancing, and so much more.  I am usually blessed each year to be able to squeeze an hour or two in with the kids between work to take pics and watch them cowboy it up.  I just love this season and wish it lasted longer than it does.  Yeeeeeehaw!

Keith Tuck Memorial Football Game

Charles had the honor of playing in the Keith Tuck Memorial game in Dripping Spring, TX this past weekend.  Our Brother-in-law, Chris Blevins, went to dripping Springs HS so Charles has played deep snapper and defensive end for the Tigers before in previous alumni games.  However, this game was a bit different as we honored a fallen coach.  See the article below from a local paper explaining more about the Memorial game.  Here was the line up of our guys:

#79- Charles
#13- Chris Blevins
#6- Brian Everett (Chris's cousin)
#33- Vick King (good friend/former NFL football player)

Alumni gridiron game honors late coach

Keith Tuck, a former coach at both Lake Travis and Dripping Springs who died in November, will be honored at this weekend’s memorial alumni football game between Dripping Springs and Lake Travis high schools.

On March 1, two rival high school sports teams will come together on the football field in support and memory of a man who touched the lives of both schools and communities.

Both Dripping Springs and Lake Travis lost a pillar of the community when longtime youth coach Keith Tuck died Nov. 7. Tuck retired last year after 16 years as a high school softball coach at Lake Travis, Dayton and Dripping Springs, so that he would be able to spend more time with his family. In particular, Tuck wanted to spend time with his newborn grandson.

Tuck was not only a coach to a wide range of young athletes, but he was a coach for entire communities. Friends, students and athletes described him as a mentor, a friend, a support system, a helpline, a father figure and an inspiration to all.

The Lake Travis/Dripping Springs alumni football teams have played each other three times in previous years, with Lake Travis having won twice. This game however, will be for something much greater than a win, say the men involved in the game.

Dripping Springs alumni coach Ryan Bonnett has been working since last summer to heighten the community awareness of the football game. Tuck’s death only increased Bonnett’s dedication to the event.

“When we heard Coach Tuck had passed away, it just kind of came to me one day that we should turn our game into a memorial game,” Bonnett said. “After all, he coached at both schools. After the family gave me their blessing to use his name, we ran with it.”

In July, Bonnett started planning this year’s game with a new company called Gridiron Glory Alumni Football. He built a Facebook page, and the word started to spread. The event gained sponsors from many surrounding companies to help with some of the costs. A portion of all proceeds will go to the Brittany Tuck Memorial Scholarship Fund to help students in Lake Travis, Dripping Springs and Dayton.

Clark Hanley, the head coach of the Lake Travis alumni team, said the higher profile of the upcoming game testifies to the impact that Tuck made on both communities.

“Prior to this, our games were much lower key and did not garner much attention from the communities,” he said. “I am very appreciative to have known [Tuck]. He had an immediate influence on me when I moved to the (Lake Travis) community and, based on the feedback and scope of the game now, I was not the only benefactor.

“I am honored to be a part of the game and am looking forward to matchup.”

By Hannah Neumann

Pig Day at Ehrhardt Elementary

Before I met Charles, I had no idea that there was a real "National Pig Day".  Now, I will never forget it.  If you don't know by now, Gamee is a HUGE Pig lover!  She got the passion from her Dad, Grumps.  So, in her true blessed spirit, Gamee shares her love with the entire school at Ehrhardt.  She has done this for MANY years and it makes me smile to see old students post on Facebook how they still remember Pig Day when they were students at Ehrhardt.  These truly are the things we remember about our school experiences!  The hands on, interactive, and FUN times!  Now, no pig day is ever complete without Gamee providing a craft for EVERY student (this year was pig fans that the kids could make), treats for the staff (this year a cake she made that looks like Pig's in a mud bath), and a PIG!  No pig day is complete without a pig folks!  Even Grampee takes the day off from work to help be a pig farmer for the day.  When the kids went out to recess, they were able to stop by and see the pig.  Sometimes the kids even get a chance to touch the pig or hear it squeal.  I think the squeal is their favorite.  What memories for the students.

This year an added bonus was the competition for the Principal to KISS the pig if the school collected 3,000 box tops during the month of February.  Well, lets just say that really motivated the kids alright.  The school collected over 3,400 box tops!  So, we made it a family event as we knew Charles was fixing to pucker up on a pig.  As the entire school gathered into the cafeteria, I loved watching the students hold their pig fans and chant, "KISS THE PIG, KISS THE PIG!"  Hahaha, the kids were loving every moment!  When Charles finally kissed the pig, I laughed as all the kids yelled "EEEEWWW!"  It was such a special day for all 680 students, staff, and volunteers.

THANK YOU GAMEE for sharing your love of pigs with so many and creating memories that will last a lifetime.