Miami Boat Show

We had a great time at the Miami Boat Show last week. We went with our friends Steve and Colleen. We took a drive down the Florida Keys to Marathon on the first day and then we spent three solid days trying to see everything there was to see at the huge boat show. We were exhausted, but it was lots of fun.

Sign at restaurant in the Keys

Colleen is ready to get the shot!

Cool statue in Miami

Miami skyline from s/v Toucan Dream

Me with Bob Bitchin (of Latitudes and Attitudes Sailing Magazine fame)

Who has the room key???

Chris Blair

Robin Blair

Chris and Robin are friends from Kemah. We ran into them at the boat show and they invited us to spend one morning on their catamaran s/v Tucan Dream. They are anchored out in Miami for the boat show and will soon be leaving to cruise in the Bahamas and beyond.

We had a great trip and as a bonus Troy won a watermaker that retails at around $5,000.00. It will be great on our boat so we are really excited about that. Also, I won honorable mention at the Miami Boat Show Photo Contest called Discover Boating. Here is the picture that won:

It's a picture of Patrick's boat s/v le Esprit Libre on Trinity bay on a foggy day.

Troy's Scan / A Day at the Zoo

First - the important news! Troy had a CAT Scan this morning and received the wonderful NED (no evidence of disease) report. We are so happy and relieved to get one more clean test under our belts. He will have another PET Scan in three months.

Colleen, Patrick and I (three practicing Non National Geographic Photographers) met Shawn, Kayla and Tori at the zoo on Sunday and we had a great day practicing with our cameras and taking lots of pictures of the animals, including Miles the 9 day old giraffe.

Lots of people talk to animals.... Not very many listen, though.... That's the problem. ~Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh

Weekend Sailing

We finally got Storyville out of her slip for the first time in - it seems like forever. We went for a day sail with our good friends Jim and Nancy Brown. We had a planned TMCA raft up at Houston Yacht Club. The sail over was perfect and we rafted up with 11 other boats for lunch. I like this picture of Storyville under sail taken by Barb Wallach:

Nancy and Jim

You can see that it was a beautiful day for a perfect sail. Here a picture of the raft up as it was getting started (Storyville is third from the right):

Next week we will be headed to Miami for the boat show. We are looking forward to the time away and to seeing lots of cool boat stuff! Also, Troy has a routine CAT Scan next Tuesday so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Now for the good stuff - more pictures of Caleb. Joe - I know you are reading this blog. I have no choice but to declare that we have the most handsome grandson. I can declare that because a) it's true, and b) I haven't see any pictures of Jack to compare lately!

Caden and Caleb

“A sailor is an artist whose medium is the wind.” – Webb Chiles

New Post

Not much new to post in the way of news. Caleb is growing and doing great. Here is a picture of Kayla meeting Caleb for the first time:

We did have some fun last weekend. Our friends Trey and Kat's daughter Taylor (a/k/a Freakshow Fairie) has started skating on the South Side Roller Derby League. We had never been to roller derby, but it was a blast. Taylor did a great job in her first bout/game/match (not sure of the correct terminology). I had a great time with my camera and experimenting with my new flash. This was a scrimmage and she has since been drafted to a team called Kung Pow Kitties! Go Freakshow!

Tayor is right in the middle of the pack

Freakshow Fairie

These girls are out for blood!

We are looking foward to doing some sailing tomorrow. The weather should be warm and we can't wait to get back out there on the water.

Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true. ~Leon J. Suenes

Caleb Was Born Today!

Our second Grandchild was born today - meet Caleb Evans (middle name to be announced). We waited around for him most of the day and he was finally born at 2:26 this afternoon, weighing in at 6 lbs 14 oz. He is completely adorable and perfect!

Caleb Evans

David, Jessica and Caleb


Captain Super Paw Paw



Granny

Caleb

Aunt Shawn

One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby around the finger of a grandfather. ~Joy Hargrove

I know I'm a Slacker!

Wow - it's been forever since I've posted anything. I tried to get Troy to post something, but you can see how that turned out!

We have been really busy lately with our new jobs as board members for Texas Mariners Cruising Association (TMCA). Troy is cruise captain and I am secretary for the club. We've had several meetings and been doing lots of work to transition from the outgoing board to the new board. Troy has lots of fun cruises planned this year to be sure to check out our web site when you get a chance - http://www.tmca.nu/

We took a day last weekend to drive over and help our friends Ernestine and Jimbo in Oak Island. Their bar/restaurant was severely damaged by Ike and they are working hard to get back in business. I can't wait for one of Ernestine's wonderful cheeseburgers and a cold beer.

Troy making plans!

Ernestine workin' hard


Troy, Brent and Troy

New Dock at Channel Marker 17

Channel Marker 17 Under Construction

Lookin' Good!

Meet Jr (Ernestine's grandson)

People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost. ~H. Jackson Browne

Bird Pictures

A couple of bird pictures, both taken within 100 yards of our boat:

Osprey with Dinner

Night Heron Looking for Dinner

Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length. ~Robert Frost