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!

It's Julie's Birthday!

Well, this weekend has marked another birthday celebration for Julie as she turned 31 Saturday. We celebrated by going out to dinner for steaks Friday night. Last night we hung out with mom and dad and watched "The Blue Collar Comedy Tour!" and laughed our tails off!

Happy birthday sweetie!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Make 2006 the best year ever. For details on how....check out www.nobonesaboutit.blogspot.com!

Have a great Holiday Weekend!

Go Cowboys!

Family Fun During Holiday Season

Ready for Christmas 2005? We are.

Check out the "Papa Jack Families" blog for more details.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Grandma Always Thought I Might Be Retarded...

We Are Set For Christmas 2005!

Our home is decked out, inside and out once again this year. No twins are gonna slow us down!

Hard to believe it, but the Holidays are in full swing! What a great time of year - fun with friends and family and a time to recall the blessings we've been given through our Lord.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

World Series Was Amazing!

Our trip to Houston was incredible - fast and furious. We arrived at Minute Maid Field at about 4:30 and the place was already a buzz with the Stros down 3 games to none. "We Bee-lieve" signs were everywhere in honor of the killer bees. I knew in my heart this was likely to be a tough night, but to be at the Series and to see Bagwell and Biggio one more time, it was worth it all. We sat next to some real nice White Sox fans who flew all the way to Houston to see their team win. One was a 2nd generation fan...him and his dad had waited all this time.

They lost Game 4, 1-0 and were literally inches away from tying it in the bottom of the ninth! Every game was just like that. Many records and interesting things took place during this Stros playoff run and the Series. Such as:

1. They played the longest MLB playoff game in history to beat the Braves in the Division Series.

2. They dealt with what some call "the biggest homer ever" when Albert Pujols blasted one off Brad Ledge just one out and one strike away from going to series by winning the next game in St. Louis in convincing fashion.

3. Julie and I met Brad's parents in line at a concession stand and talked to them for awhile. They were some nice people.

4. Game 3 of the Series was the longest World Series game ever ending at 1:30am CST, with the Stros losing a backbreaker 7-5.

5. Games 3 and 4 ended on the same day!

6. Game 4 went longer than any other final World Series Game without a run being scored until the 8th inning.

7. The Series probably featured the last games of Roger Clemens and Jeff Bagwell - too future Hall of Famers.

8. The Series was filled with drama unlike others complete with bad calls, incredible defense, amazing pitching and last minute heroics, most by the White Sox.

9. This was the first World Series for the Astros and the first time the Sox had been since 1959.

10. The Astros won the NLCS and their first World Series birth after playing 7128 baseball games.

11. The 2005 Astros were the first team to start 15 games under .500 to win the NLCS since the 1914 Boston Braves.

ASTROS GO TO THE SERIES!

Finally, after waiting over 32 years, my childhood baseball team has done it! They are going to their first World Series vs. the Chicago White Sox! Wow! I've been watching the Astros since 1974. I am 36 now, but the wait was worth it all...

We have tickets for Game 4 in Houston. I can't wait.

Go Stros!