Babies Galore Update!

Over the last year, we have had tons of friends who have added children to their quivers!

Here are some photos of each of the newbies....

Clint & Alyssa Locks - girl "Brianna"














Michael & Brenna Heald - boy "Hunter"











Roy & Dondi Hayhurst - boy "Jordan"










Russell & Jenny Winter - girl "Briana"














Donnie & Sarah Franklin - girl "Riley"














Landon & Amy Doyle - girl "Avery"











Dave & Katherine Curlee - girl "Jillian"












Fernando & Heather Juarez - girl "Macie"













Tim & Megan Williams - boy "Nathan"














Glenn & Cassie McClelland- boy "Caleb"

Beach Getaway a Wave of Fun!

Our first family vacation was a success! It started a little rough as we had to finish packing in the pouring rain. Beck's truck door was left open the entire night as it rained so they were delayed in meeting us (yea, she was a little ticked off at one of her girls!). Plus, we thought we were going to have to turn around and come back home the next morning....but we stuck it out and things went fine. Sidney was having a reaction to the MMR shot she got last week and it gave her a high fever the day we left. She responded and was better on Tuesday morning though....so our plans went forward.

On the way down we stopped at the Sam Houston Statue close to Houston and then went on to near Friendswood to eat dinner at Casa 'Ole of course! Finally, we got to Galveston after a nine hour journey and our beach house was great. Way down the island far away from most activity which was nice. We ate at Marios one day, then Fuddruckers and ended the trip with dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, which was really cool.

We walked down the Sea Wall and we shopped The Strand. Our big thing was going to Moody Gardens and seeing all of the animals they have. Very neat. We drove into Houston Wednesday night to go see the BodyWorlds3 exhibit....which was INSANE!!! Wow. Go see it! It was at the Houston Museum which brought back even more memories for me. http://bodyworlds3.com/

The girls were just troopers then entire week. I mean they were great. They were in perfect moods and a ton of fun. They really love being out and about...thank God!

Of course, we spent lots of time in the sand and sun and what fun that was. The girls just freaked out over the waves and sand.

We built a huge sand castle which brought back so many memories for me of me, beck and mom. I sure thank mom for all of those beach getaways when I was a kid. They are some of my favorite times with her and my sister. I love Galveston and hope to own my own beach house there one day! So much about Galveston is the way it was 30 years ago when we first started going. Yet, so much has changed too.

It's not Cancun...it's just the Gulf Coast. But, it's only a cheap and quick 1 hour Southwest flight away!

I can't wait until we go back next year. We have much more to do and see...


Here is a slideshow of even more good pictures! (if the link doesn't work just look around in the different folders listed - it's there)

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow.html?fl=2662864&alb=117305

Heading to the Gulf Goast!

I am excited. Not only am I heading back to my old stomping grounds of Galveston, but this will be our first "official" family vacation with Chloe and Sidney!

We leave in the morning as we are going with my sisters' family and we will be tested right away as a 7-8 hour drive will be in front of us. Hopefully the girls will sleep most of the way. Their farthest car travel so far has been to Tyler....just 2 hours! So, we will see!

We are renting a beach house for the week just feet from the water. So there will be plenty of sand and beach time! We also plan to visit The Strand, Moody Gardens and make a stop in Houston at the incredible "Body Exhibit". Of course stops at Casa O'le and Marios Famous Pizza will be in the plans as well!

It's gonna be a blast...

Da Boys and TO Looking Good!

Just got back from spending some time in the LA area for my annual stop-down at Cowboys training camp. To those of you that care....they look pretty darn good.

I'm sure gonna miss the 83 degree days in Cali next summer when it's 100+ here as usual....though I'm sure the wife is thankful I won't be away for 3 days anytime soon. I loved the three years of going out there....next year it will have to be the hot and humid San Antonio for fun! I can't wait to take the girls and see who we can get to sign!

Here are some neat photos I took during the two days I was there in Oxnard. (Click on them for larger versions)

DC Camp Photos

Cowboys Pre-Season Kicksoff.....LA Here I come!

LA better be cooled down by the time I get there Wednesday afternoon for my 3rd consectutive DC Camp Personal Retreat....and it will be the last, cause next year it's back to hot and muggy San Antonio!!!

Yea, I am leaving the wife and kiddos behind...but this is once a year where I can leave the business and the rush of life behind for a few days.

What do I do? Well, let's see.....

I take my laptop with me....tune in to theticket.com via my wireless connection (since they broadcast from practice each day) and listen to what they think, as I sit in the stands with about 200 others and watch the Boys get coached, drilled and ran to death.

I sit and watch two practices each day in the relaxing cool breeze of Oxnard...then I might head into LA for some sightseeing or another drive through Beverly Hills which is always fun....

Then I do it again the next day and leave on the 3rd day.....not much more than that!

I can't wait!

Where Did the Summer Go?

It’s truly hard to believe how fast this summer has gone by…..the NBA season is over, the Rangers and Astros are halfway done with another year of ball and Cowboys training camp starts next week! Our girls will be ONE YEAR OLD in just a few more weeks!!!!

Ahhhh!!

Lots of changes with the business. Too much to say here because now this blog is listed on Google! But, trust me, things are nuts.

Don’t forget….to check out my online book which a buddy says I should get syndicated…..how I have no idea…
www.nobonesaboutit.blogspot.com

A 4th of July Blowout!

What an amazing day this 4th of July was. Full of great moments with friends and family! Even the Space Shuttle Discovery took off for the 1st time on the 4th ever!

We took part in the City of Arlington Parade, which is the largest in the state, as members of Arlington Mothers of Multiples (yes, I guess we are both mothers in some sense). Thanks to the girls great grandmother Kat, we were one of the hits in the parade with our "Covered Wagon" Stroller for two! Thousands applaued as we walked the 2.5 mile route and sweated our rears off. Chloe even made the NBC5 news story about the parade!

We ended the day in a rained out cookout in Grandma's garage and watched the Lake Joe Pool fireworks from our upstairs gameroom window....what a day!

Check out our 4th of July slideshow! It will give you even more great shots!

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow.html?fl=2625941&alb=117305

Burned Out! Heat Defeat the Mavs!

In a historic comeback by the Miami Heat, and in one of the most terrible sports collapses of all time, the NBA Finals ended last night with the Dallas Mavericks losing 4 in a row and falling 4-2. After blowing out the Heat in games 1 and 2, and most of game 3, the Mavs looked to be close to sweeping the Heat. Instead, they lose 4 in a row and essentially get swept themselves.

After such an amazing year, we are now reclined to let the summer sports duldrum start, as the only thing left we have to cheer for are the Rangers......hmf.

Football season is closer, but still a long way off.

Thanks Mavs for a fun run and the memories, but next year, can you keep a 13 point lead with 6 minutes to go please?

Mavs Set to Sweep.....We Attend Game Two!

The Dallas Mavericks are set to sweep the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals after a butt-kicking win last night, 99-85, in which the Mavs at one point led by almost 30! They coud wrap the series up in Miami over the next two games. The Heat have a bag of nothing.....it would bring the first sports championship back to Dallas since the Stars won the Stanely Cup in 1999.

Julie and I were fortunate to attend the game for our 2nd World Championship sporting event in a year! I think it has to do with our girls.... (see their blog www.bradysgirls.blogspot.com)

The game was insane and the crowd was in the frenzie one would expect. People brought some great signs. A few of our favorites were: "The Heat Wished They Could Have This CUBAN" and "SHAQ's Brick Counter" in which the fan updated how Shaq's free throws were going. Last night he was 1 of 7....2 of 16 for the series.


Here are some shots. Crazy people were everywhere!

Go Mavs!

MAVS WIN THE WEST! 26 YEARS LATER!

It took 26 years, almost as long as my beloved Astros, but they are finally going to their first NBA Finals WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP showdown against Shaq and the Miami Heat!

Go Mavs!

Thanks to All of Our Military Heroes!

Memorial Day.....yes, this weekend is about family, friends, cookouts, sports, fun and time away from the hussle and bussle of work.

But, lest we forget the real reason for the weekend holiday - a time to honor and reflect upon those that have given their lives for our freedoms and to support those that are doing so as we party hard!

Thanks to all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to those who have served in the past and stand in our defense even today. Without you all, America wouldn't be the greatest nation in the world.

Enjoy those hotdogs, but don't forget to say a prayer of thanks for those that have protected our rights to down a few!

Mavs Kick the Spurs!

Game Seven of an NBA series.

The current NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs with homecourt. The upstart Dallas Mavericks coming in after losing a 3 games to 1 lead.

Series tied at 3 games a piece, after 5 of 6 games were decided in the last few seconds.

The drama, the passion, the energy, the stress....

How can anyone not like sports?

After blowing a 20 point lead (with the help of the Refs), the Mavericks held off the Spurs in overtime, winning 119-111, sending the Spurs back home, while inching closer to their first NBA Finals opportunity.

There are still games to win, but this series was the best ever.

We have no fingernails left and our hearts are still racing! How exciting!

I love making Tim "Big Baby" Duncan cry...

Go Mavs, Go!

Lightning Strikes TWICE!

A few weeks ago a typical Texas thunderstorm ran across our area, so I grabbed my 20D Canon, set up the tripod and stood on the patio for an hour, trigger happy. I got a few neat shots. Enjoy.

Julie Celebrates First Mother's Day!

It's official....Julie is now one of those that gets recognized as a real mom at church on Mother's Day now. Her and the girls have been sick, but we still made it to church to honor her on this great day.

She truly is the best mother and wife in the world too. If our girls are anything like her, then it will truly be a better place!

Happy Mother's Day honey! The first of many...

Brady Rides 30 Miles...No April Fools

Yep, it's true. 30 miles. On a bike. Brady Speers.

I have been surroundedbdy riders now for a while. My father-in-law, sister-in-law and business partner all ride on a regular basis. Though I have had my own good bike for over a year, I have done little riding until now.

I finally agreed to do this race a few weeks ago and began training by riding over the Joe Pool Lake Dam. Finally, Saturday came and we were off on this charity ride through the heart of Dallas with about 2,000 other people.

Let me put this in perspective. If you know where we live....just imagine getting on a bike and riding all the way from our house to the Green Building in downtown Dallas. That's what I did.

Now I am not praising myself, but just trying to explain just how crazy yesterday was for me. It was fun and now they are trying to get me to do a 60+ mile ride in Tyler....

Now that is an April Fools idea.

Hard to Believe it Has Been 12 Years....

Nearly 12 years ago God brought a group of friends together from all different backgrounds and experiences and formed what I call the "Fort Worth Gang". Schools included TCU, Baylor, HPU, SFA, A&M, and more. For about three years we gathered together, many times over at the Williams home in Burleson, to play, sing and seek God together. Some even helped restart "Club J" and then "Outbreak" ministries at TCU. What an amazing time it was. I will never forget the names....Clint, Brady, Scott, Wendy, RJ, Becky, Brenna, Tim, Susan, Katherine C, Katherine E, Dallas, Kasey, Michael, Darrin, and David.

Times have changed. Babies have been born. Many have moved...one even all the way to Northern Ireland to do mission work....

One day we will all be together again, but for now here are some our recent shots from our reunion of sorts Friday night.....some things just never change.

I love you all dearly and each of you has a place in my heart that will always be yours.

Brady

Some More Pics...

BTDs....Baby Transportation Devices...as Clint calls them.

And....more

First Professional Family Photo

I know I keep saying this, but it really is hard to believe we have twins AND they are already 7 months old. Wow.



We recently had some shots taken and I thought I would post them for you all. Make sure and visit the girls blog to see a great one of them in the "clouds"....

More Twins COULD Be On the Way!

Wrotens to Add 3rd Grandchild in 1 Year!

Amy & Brian Devlin announced Friday, March 17th that they are with child! What a shock to hear Julie's sister is going to be a mommy too! Needless to say, we are all very excited. Our girls will have a cousin (or two?) to grow up with!

That will bring the grandbaby total for Karan and Jack to THREE in just over a years time! (That is unless Amy has TWINS too! Brian does have twin brothers so there IS A CHANCE!) She is due November 14th. Congrats Amy & Brian!

One Third of the Year is Gone!

Just like that! One third of 2006 is nearly over and summer is just around the corner!

Hope everyone out there in cyberland is doing well! Our year has been fun, crazy and faster than ever. Most of our updates are located on the girls blogs these days! see them at www.bradysgirls.blogspot.com

Keep Pressing On!

Becky Turns 32!

Happy birthday Beck!

My little sis turned 32 today and we celebrated by enjoying a nice dinner at the local El Chico!

Abbott Makes Cuts, Dad Is One

Today was a sad day for our family, as my dad was given the pink slip after giving nearly 30 years of his life to Abbott Laboratories in Irving. He was given no warning and escorted out this morning like a criminal. Not even given a chance to say goodbye.

He wasn't alone though, as many others got cut today in another huge layoff effort by the company. Abbott is struggling and until they learn how to deal with people in a correct, ethical manner, that won't change. For more read my latest book entry at www.nobonesaboutit.blogspot.com

We love you dad and God will provide! He always has. Now you can be the granddad our kids will never forget!