It was a Tough Flower Gardens Dive

We went to the Flower Gardens Sanctuary for a dive early March. But the water was real rough. People puking all over the place. It was tough to try to get back on the boat with 5-7 foot waves. On a few of the dives the visibility was less than 10'. Even so, a bad day of diving is better than a good day at work! These are some pictures with my new camera. This is what we call a puffer fish. I am sure it has a real name but that is above my intellectual level.


Here he is looking out from his hiding spot.

This a parrot fish. They are quite common in the Flower Gardens

This is another variety of parrot fish.

This is an amber jack. He is about three feet long. He and a pal were very curious and circled us several times.

Here is a full look at the amber jack.

We always see baracuda but this time there were schools of hundreds. That was one of the better parts of the dive.

This Is The Place (Finally)

This is the view of the lake from the edge of our property.

Same angle of the lake just a little into the lot.

This is the property looking from across the road. It is just over 1 acre.

This is looking at the lake to the left of the property.

This is the lake side of the property looking to the right.

This is the house right across the street from where we will build.

This is looking from about were the house will be built. We will bring in dirt to build up the pad site and level the property so you will actually be looking down on the lake just beyond the infinity pool.

Our Day Out Looking At Property

Ok we went to Benders Landing to look at land to build our new house. We saw all the properties in the completed sections and actually liked one. But we wanted to see the new lots. However, the roads are not complete and we thought that we would just go down the dirt road. Unfortunately, it has rained in the last few days and the roads where MUDDY. We decided to turn around but got stuck. Debbie and I got out while the realitor steered. But she didn't know how to drive in mud so I got in and she and Debbie pushed. Yes it was really muddy and Debbie got behind one of the wheels and I broke free and she got covered. Later the realitor said it was the most fun she has had showing land.

Our Grandkids

Our Three Grandsons.

Wow!!

Nonnie and Colby - I don't know who has the biggest smile.

Poppie and Colby - There is definately a genetic link.

Connor and Mommie out for a spin!

Carson showing off his new ride.

Christmas Fun!!

Our Little Christmas Tree

Tabatha is gonna smell nice!

Matt and Tif with new hats to keep those ears warm.


Mom with her new sparklies!

Lindsay with her new earrings.

Clay gets a new suit!

Cameron gets grandpa Sanders Vietnam era rifle.

Tanya scores big from Santa.

A little sample of Peking Opera.

Our Trip to China

I know that it has been a long time since I posted any pictures or info. A lot has happened since our last post. But I will start with a few pictures from our recent trip to China.

At the Great Wall!

We hiked up the Great Wall. It was fun but we paid for it the rest of the week as our calves and thighs were in intense pain.

This was our rickshaw ride through the Hutong. Many of the streets are too small to drive down so rickshaw was a good way to go.

This was at the Beijing Zoo. We didn't really look aroun much just went to see the Pandas.


The Terracotta Warriors in Xian were awesome. They were all smashed by a later ruler. When they were found they had to be reassembled. Thousand of pieces.




Many of the heads in this group were removed and taken away. It is believed that this group represents the leaders of the army and if you cut of the head then an army can't fight.

This is at the Temple of Heaven. This building is made of all wood with not nails or metal anywhere.

This is Tiananmen Square. You can see the picture of Chairman Moa in the background at the entrance to the Forbidden City.

This is a moment in the performance of Peking Opera. It was very entertaining and they had a reader on the wall in English to help us follow along.

This was our Peking Duck dinner. It was a lot of fun and we found most all of the food outstanding.

There are many statues that line the Sacred Way at the Ming Tombs. There are generals and animals. Some of the animals are kneeling. Legend has it that the ones kneeling are off duty and at midnight they change places with the ones that are standing. We didn't wait around to see.

This was at the Summer Palace in Beijing. It is a stone boat. It really doesn't float but was a ceremonial boat used by the empress.