The Shark Returns.....

Let me make sure I have this straight.

Situated  leading the British Open leader board is a blond, AARP Aussie newlywed who just gave his ex-wife $150 million so he could divorce and marry a woman that has 16 more major championships than him.  Norman has not made a PGA Tour cut since 2005, he began this week as a 500-1 long shot and made this week's Open one of the best ups and downs you will see in this lifetime.

I am a HUGE Tiger Woods fan but the next time someone reminds me that golf possibly cannot survive without Tiger, remember to mention the 137th British Open.  I miss Tiger and wish him, his beautiful family and his reconstructed ACL the best, but they are doing fine "across the pond" without him.

Who in the hell knew the post-Tiger era would begin  with a guy from the pre-Tiger era?  This is like finding an eight-track cassette in the attic that still works!

Greg Norman, 53 (which is what I consider young) would make him five years older than any Champion if he pulls this weekend off.   He shot even par 70's and that is not bad for a man that is more business empire than he has been golfer.

I noticed he was quoted saying "My expectations were almost nil coming in, to tell you the truth.  I had not played a lot of golf lately.  Obviously we had a lot of preparation getting ready for the wedding"

The wedding?  What wedding you ask?  Well, for those that do not know he just got hitched in a $2 million ceremony in the Bahamas last month.  The bride was none other than Christ Evert, winner of 18 Grand Slam tennis titles.

Between them, they have 20 majors, five kids, three exes and one hell of an extended honeymoon if he pulls this off tomorrow.

Reporters asked him of his "comeback" which I thought was funny since he really had not been anywhere, other than not on the leader board.   He gave all the credit to "true love" -- which is represented well in the size of the rock on Evert's ring finger.  Basically, it is the size of what "The Shark" drives off the tee.

For those of you that follow golf, he was "Tiger" before there was a Tiger Woods.  Evert does not play golf (neither do I for the record) but she understands what it is like to win Championships.  Also, she understands Norman's golf legacy as "The Shark"

(insert theme music from "JAWS")

Friends.....

What would we do without friends???

Momma's Kitchen.....

Come on in... the water's fine!  Love, Lady T

The Height of the Hill Country

When the three of us first arrived to Sea World (LeighBee, our personal "gatekeeper of all things magical") arranged for us to be up close and VVVIP to all the shows we wished to see.   The first show we sat front and center for was the "Sea Lion" show -- it is HILARIOUS!  Think of the Producers on Broadway meets Waterworld.  I had NO IDEA how brilliant these animals were.  If you go visit San Antonio (the 7Th largest city) do NOT miss this!

Our last stop was the famed, Shamu show!  We went back an hour before the actual show began and received a behind the scenes.  We got right up to the killer whale -- that seemed more like a gentle giant than anything that could be described as "killer" -- by the time all the three trainers took us by the hand and showed how they fed and loved the giant fish that can reach 12 tons....we were ready to take our seats.  The four whales performed to music and were inspired by treats (of smaller fish) that can amass 200 lbs of fish in a single performance!  

We left with one toy (has to be a record) -- this was a medium sized stuffed Penguin that Sinclair has named "Reagan"  (we are not sure where she instantly came up with the name other than we have been studying our Presidential flash cards and she knows Ronald Reagan was my personal favorite) 

By the time we left - we were truly exhausted but I cannot recommend it enough.  Unlike, Disneyland .... Seaworld is not as overwhelming with so many things to do you cannot decide where to begin.  Naturally, it helps to have an angel like "Auntie LeighBee" back home to navigate!

We wanted to get a good night's sleep before we took off for Sea World the next morning.  We flipped through the television and "Ray" (story of Ray Charles) was playing.  Sinclair broke out her sunglasses and started mimicking "Georgia"  --- I mentioned to John thank goodness it was not the "Johnny Cash story ...Walk the Line"  -- I would hate to hear her sing "I shot a man just to watch him die" 
We checked into our Casita at La Cantera in San Antonio -- you would not think this child owned anything other piece of clothing other than her Buc-ee's t-shirt.  As much as this t-shirt has been witnessed this trip Uncle Beaver will need to give us free beef jerky for life!

Going Private.....NOT!!!!!!!!

Please send me an email if you wish to be invited to view my blog starting next week!

Best, KK

Leave me a note on the comments post!!!!!!

Miss USA Crystle Stewart

A Winner in Our Eyes.....

Yesterday, while vacationing with my whole family, the sun started to drop and we all were reminded it was time to cheer on our best girl, Crystle Stewart, the current Miss Texas turned Miss USA.  We were all confidant she was about to make history and walk away with the highest aesthetic honors in Vietnam and (fingers crossed) become the next Miss Universe.  As John turned on the television there was no NBC (gasp!)  John called the front desk and they informed him they were experiencing "technical difficulties" (cold sweats soon ensued).  Well, a light bulb went off and John realized we had the Satellite television in our SUV so we could all watch from the car.  Low and behold, no signal for the local NBC affiliate there either.  Full panic mode set in when Direct TV informed my darling "Mr Wonderful"  we would not be seeing our girl take the crown.

My girlfriends, Shanna, with little Zoey in tow (Sinclair was less than happy she had to sit this one out), Jackie and I loaded in the car and bolted to a little diner that we were confidant had a small television someone spotted.  As we pulled up they were locking the doors and closing up shop.  The college student obviously manning her summer job had MUCH better things to do than cater to our pageant fetish.  Alas, she suggested we try another place about six miles away.  We were off!

In the meantime, we started getting text messages from my Mom "Crystle looks so gorgeous" and then Leigh assured me "she was doing fabulous" and tried to console me she had it DVR'd in case I could not pull off my mission.  Bo (also a former Miss Texas and my husband's in-house counsel) sent electronic word "she just made the top 15" and Shanae followed up "Venezuela is her ONLY competition"

The three of us slid in the shell parking lot and raced in the bar-restaurant and immediately spotted the flat screen (Yahoo!!!! JACKPOT!)  Well, we soon realized from someone of authority that the television was set to play on the music network for the entire indoor/outdoor facility and they refused to switch the channel.  I asked defiantly to speak to the manager - she was quick to inform me she WAS the manager.  I knew she was tough but compassionate, her name was "Dallas".  I slapped a "Ben Franklin" as a channel changing offering ....she did not blink.  I said "Dallas, this is truly an emergency!  We HAVE TO WATCH THIS PAGEANT"  I got a bit of an eye roll and an expression that read "I cannot wait to hear THIS story".  Dallas explained she did not think the other patrons would appreciate their music changed.  I said "listen, you let us watch this pageant, the tab is mine"  The ears of the few around perked up.  There were quite a few Hispanic cowboys and I was quick to report that most of the top girls were from South American countries and soon we were "game on"

Dallas inquired why THIS particular pageant was so significant.  I explained Crystle's story and basically my husband, John an I were her only sponsors going into the Miss USA pageant.  She had made it so far with so little (entering Miss Texas five times before taking the crown) we were sticking by her the entire way.  By the time the room heard her story, they were all behind Crystle's dream as well.  People would inquire "Is she nice? Is she really THAT beautiful?"  I assured them she was "a thousand times more nice than she was gorgeous" I fed them little tidbits of information and even all the waitstaff was glued to the giant screen.  I told them the same folks that created the Victoria's Secret Runway costumes made her "Parade of Nations" costume.

Crystle took second in the Swimsuit competition behind Venezuela and the room was full of anticipation the evening gown competition was next.  I described the dress during commercial break in detail -- gold-bronze beading and a sheer see-thru gauze overlay below the knees. Everyone loved getting the first hand commentary.

Then it happened......the stumble that was heard all over the world.  We all gasped in unison. It COULD NOT BE HAPPENING AGAIN!!!! (last year's Miss USA, Rachel Smith tripped on the first step as well)   In front of a BILLION viewers, Crystle's Jimmy Choo's caught the edge of her gorgeous gown (John asked me first thing..."is that the same gown we bought her?" -- my silence was golden and overwhelming guilt ensued).  Crystle looked so flawless and then the first step and gravity caught up to her perfect size 2 backside.  At that moment we knew her dreams of wearing the Miss Universe crown was shattered.  

Crystle recovered with the same grace and dignity she exudes  at all times.  She displayed great class and composure in getting up (never breaking her million dollar smile) and getting right back to business.

No one said the route to being crowned the "most beautiful girl in the Universe"  would be easy.  Mike Graham and Bo Boyd, her pageant coach and advisor had all the confidence in the world when they first saw Crystle in her gown.  We all knew NO ONE would touch the coveted crown BUT her!  There was no doubt she had rehearsed her entrance at she made her final saunter of the event.  Alas, this was no quite the impression the 5 foot 10 inch beauty wanted to make. 

This year's strong group of contenders exhibited a variety of attributes -- Miss Argentina has paranormal experiences.  Miss Antigua is fascinated by snakes and Miss Albania is a professional basketball player -- but in the end, the crown went to Miss Venezuela, who cited her childhood kidnapping for teaching her to maintain poise under stress. Miss Columbia, who came in second, had never been kidnapped.  I wondered as Hugo Chavez was watching with pride, if he realized he was exporting the wrong product. 

Going into the pageant, Sportsbooks in Las Vegas had Crystle in the lead to take the crown with 12 to 1 odds.  Tumble or not, she is still #1 in our hearts!

Of course, she comes by Casa Chaos and reads Sinclair bedtime stories with her crown on!!!  How can I EVER top that???

Live from Vietnam.....

Do not forget to root tonight for our best girl, Miss USA Crystle Stewart tonight on NBC (8 PM CST) live from Nha Trang, Vietnam where she will compete for the title of Miss Universe.

Dog Days of Summer

My Two Year Old Sunshine......

Happy Birthday, my sweet Muffin,

If think by know you know you are just about the most loved little Princess on earth.  Today you came into this world ready to conquer two years ago.  Daddy and I are truly in awe of what a big girl you are turning into.  You are very self-sufficient and capable of so much.

I am still stunned you are really TWO YEARS OLD!  Time does fly.  We had your party early this week so you have been celebrating an extra two days.

You are such a hugger, a loving soul and a fantastic squeezer.  Which you call "tight hugs" and if Daddy and I are on both sides of you, we feel a "group hug" coming on and then follow up with giggles and say "Sinclair Sandwich"  

You find friends very easy where ever we go.  So far in your short life, you have taken 18 International flights (lots of trips to Europe and South America).  Daddy and I are always proud of your beautiful manners: especially when you say "Please", "Excuse me" and "Thank you" or "Gracias"  Behavior-wise you are very, very sweet and tender.  I do not recall ever having to call you down for bad behavior.  You are so oblivious to hitting or biting.  You are truly a little lady.

This summer has not hit the half-way mark and you have been busy with lots of activities.  You love gymnastics with your teacher "Miss Sarah"  and especially love swimming with "Ms Marcia" and NaNa.  You have something special you share with everyone.  You love having "doe-doe holes" with CoCo on Sunday and walking your dogs, Clementine and Oliver with "Ami".  We watch with pride every day how much you love exploring your independence.  I wish I could just freeze you at this age. 

You are very articulate now and can communicate almost everything  that you want.  Your vocabulary has increased ten-fold this month alone.  A few days ago you said "Mommy, you look pretty" (my heart melted and you had us all in stitches this week when you did not feel like walking down the stairs and you looked up at your Daddy and said "John, carry me please" Everyone got a huge laugh out of that one.  Your favorite hangout is still "the hole" with GaGa -- you two read books, watch Dora, the Wonderpets and talk to all the stuffed animals.

You understand complex topics now like time (and that as the clock turns to reach certain moments), microwaves (usually, when it dings the food is hot; sun going down means "night night soon") You have been such a great little nurse to me these past few months while I have been sick.  You watch with patience when Nurse Brunetta gives me my IV (twice a day) and you let everyone know "clean boo-boo good" -- you always have an alcohol pad in one hand and a Dora band-aid in the other!

So far you have loved your trips to Laguna Nigel and you cannot wait to get to the Hill Country. You love, love, love the outdoors.  You remind everyone of the "Coppertone Baby" -- you were blessed with just enough pigment of your Daddy's great tan skin.  If it were left up to you, I do not think you were ever wear clothes in the pool, especially.

Food wise, you love all things beef - especially steak.  Your other favorites are cheese, asparagus, bagels and broccoli.  You still can eat a whole apple to the core within minutes and really love grapes as well.  You still can drink four cups of milk a day.  You are quick to ask "milk fresh, Mommy?"  -- you love cold milk in the mornings and prefer it warm before you retire to sleep.

You can count to about 26 in English and 14 in Spanish.  You know all your ABC's with ease and can associate a word to each letter.  I can only imagine how much faster you will expand once you start school in the Fall. 

You are definitely going through your "construction phase" You love Diggers, Excavators, Backhoes and  Forklifts make you giddy.  There is currently lots of construction going on our street.  First thing in the morning you keep your face peeled to the glass of the front door and watch in awe of all the "heavy equipment" that you sometimes refer to "tractor dancing"  You listen carefully for the safety beep of the equipment as they back in reverse and you inform me (wide-eyed) "Mommy, they go back-up"   You like to "see" everything and are constantly asking to "show me, please"  You love to be in right among all the action.

You are a voracious reader now.  I often find you in a room reading by yourself.  "Little Pokey Puppy" has topped your list of favorites this month.  Song wise "Ring Around the Rosie" is on this week's "Top 40"   You have your very own Ipod and you have all your favorite shows, movies, nursery rhymes and fairy tales downloaded -- you fly through the play lists faster than I can even figure it out!  Your Daddy insists with pride "that is the (Aggie) engineer in you"

You love to tell everyone "Night-Night" and "Bye-Bye" when someone is leaving.  You just started shaking hands of those new people you meet.  Daddy when to have some shirts made recently and you shook Mr Hamilton's (Daddy's shirt maker) hand without instigation.  We were all VERY IMPRESSED!  It was pretty darn cute!

Sinclair, you are the light of all of our lives.  You continue to make each day a very special one.  Thank you for just being you and making our lives completely perfect!

We love you so much!!!

Mommy and Daddy

Daniel, Veronica, Hailey, Lucky and little Liddie too!