Wanted to take a moment to wish all our friends and family a Happy Thanksgiving!
Jerra is going to be a BIG sister this coming July!
We hope everyone has a wonderful day!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving! From the growing Spahr Family!
Jerra is going to be a BIG sister this coming July!
We hope everyone has a wonderful day!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Aggie Bonfire....Let's Remember...
Today is the Aggie Bonfire Memorial...
For those who are not Aggies, this was a sad event. For us Aggies, it was tragic beyond words. I will never forget waking up that morning, hearing the news and then making my way to campus and to watch what was un-folding. I lived several blocks away and only a few nights before had been out on site. Bonfire was an Amazing event every year....it being gone has changed the shape of Aggieland forever. We will always remember the 12 we lost that day.
Here is a speech one of the injured survivor's gave during a memorial several years ago.
Chip Thiel's Speech:
Five years ago I stood on top of the world perched atop 4th stack with 3 dear friends of mine watching Aggies build what is one of our greatest traditions. Suddenly, in some unforeseeable twist of fate, my life changed, the life of every Aggie that came before and after me changed. Texas A&M changed.
As a natural result Texas A&M has to adapt to a life without bonfire on campus. As we celebrate the memories of 12 aggies whose lives were cut short as they willingly participated in this university’s greatest tradition, I would like to reflect on the contagious spirit of a tradition left behind.
My favorite time of year comes in the fall, when the northern air arrives to push the humidity down to a reasonable level, to turn leaves brown, and to remind me and Ags everywhere that it is bonfire weather. Many current students do not understand this and many former students have let the memory fade. Bonfire weather is the time of year when aggies unselfishly sacrifice time, grades, and everything in between to cut, load, transport, unload, and stack a forest full of trees to create the largest bonfire in the world.
It was bigger than necessary and defied reason and possibility, but we would not have it any other way. While it would have been more efficient to use modern technologies and equipment, we chose to do it as it was done for 90 years; with sweat, blisters, grunts, groans, teamwork, axes, machetes, ropes, chains, wire, over-sized nails, pliers, steel toed boots, carhartt jackets, generous donations, left handed sky hooks, FFE semi’s, muddy pick-ups, muffler less tractors, scarecrows, and perimeter pole fires. Then just before the fightin Texas aggie football team squared off against the ladies from Austin, we burned it in an arrogantly flamboyant ceremony that said, "We are the Aggies, the Aggies are we.”
While 10s of 000’s gathered annually to witness the big fire, the cadets, non-regs, brownpots, yellowpots, butt-pots, crew chiefs, centerpolepots, pink pots, redpots, bonfire buddies, and randoms who had invested 000’s of hours of sweat equity in that stack of wood knew that the only reason we burned it was to clear the Polo Fields so that we could do it all over again next year.
I would now like to take you back to a day prior to Nov 18, 1999 to enjoy what many Ags enjoyed...a common day at bonfire. Not to diminish the memories of the fallen, but to burn into your memory why they were here that night. If you would like, go ahead and close your eyes and take a nostalgic journey back to the good ol days.
As you make your way to the fields, first you hear it. It's dark outside and you are walking across a sleeping and studying campus. Steel toe boots clunking along the sidewalk. A chain jingles at your side that is taped to your pliers. Your pot rattles a little. The first sounds from the field emerge as the buzz of chainsaws, tractor engines, and then some faint music. A nearly worn out Jerry Jeff tape moans out "desperadoes waiting for a train...” Then you can hear the shouts and your pace quickens. "1-2 halfway up/ I need a log right here/ gimmie some wire/ I want my pot back/ headache!/ I need a heave."
Then you can see it. A home made flag waves atop an oppressive hulk of a structure lit by old beat up gas lights atop leaning perimeter poles. A chill of Aggie pride runs down your spine. A mass of people are there; some working, some watching. A huge crane lifts another log and swings it gently into place.
Then you can smell it. Smoke from perimeter fires, mud or dust depending on the weather, diesel, chainsaw mix, cigar smoke, stale coffee, non-reg's grodes, sawdust and fresh cut hardwood.
Then you can taste it. You flick a dead bug off an old donut and wash it down with coffee that tastes like it was made last week. On your way to the stack, you put in a dip of Copenhagen...no less than a third of the can.
Finally you can feel it. A chilly north wind, oaky bark, cold wire, metal pliers, a 2x8 for a seat in a swing on third stack, perimeter ropes nearby. You survey your quadrant and agree with your ground man where you need to concentrate. You spy a penny nail a few logs in, you grab it and stick it through the hole in the sleeve of your jacket so you can use it later. Then you shout with all of your might “ I need some wire and a log up here right now!!!”
At the end of the shift, the sun is peeking up over the oak trees. You work your way down the stack. Your voice is spent. You walk back to the dorm joking with your friends...probably your friends for years to come.
All of you tired, but proud to be Aggies and united by the fire.
That is the Bonfire that the 12 we are here to remember knew and loved.
It is the Bonfire we all loved building together, and that is the Bonfire I miss.
God Bless America and the Soldiers that defend her. Gig’em
For those who are not Aggies, this was a sad event. For us Aggies, it was tragic beyond words. I will never forget waking up that morning, hearing the news and then making my way to campus and to watch what was un-folding. I lived several blocks away and only a few nights before had been out on site. Bonfire was an Amazing event every year....it being gone has changed the shape of Aggieland forever. We will always remember the 12 we lost that day.
Here is a speech one of the injured survivor's gave during a memorial several years ago.
Chip Thiel's Speech:
Five years ago I stood on top of the world perched atop 4th stack with 3 dear friends of mine watching Aggies build what is one of our greatest traditions. Suddenly, in some unforeseeable twist of fate, my life changed, the life of every Aggie that came before and after me changed. Texas A&M changed.
As a natural result Texas A&M has to adapt to a life without bonfire on campus. As we celebrate the memories of 12 aggies whose lives were cut short as they willingly participated in this university’s greatest tradition, I would like to reflect on the contagious spirit of a tradition left behind.
My favorite time of year comes in the fall, when the northern air arrives to push the humidity down to a reasonable level, to turn leaves brown, and to remind me and Ags everywhere that it is bonfire weather. Many current students do not understand this and many former students have let the memory fade. Bonfire weather is the time of year when aggies unselfishly sacrifice time, grades, and everything in between to cut, load, transport, unload, and stack a forest full of trees to create the largest bonfire in the world.
It was bigger than necessary and defied reason and possibility, but we would not have it any other way. While it would have been more efficient to use modern technologies and equipment, we chose to do it as it was done for 90 years; with sweat, blisters, grunts, groans, teamwork, axes, machetes, ropes, chains, wire, over-sized nails, pliers, steel toed boots, carhartt jackets, generous donations, left handed sky hooks, FFE semi’s, muddy pick-ups, muffler less tractors, scarecrows, and perimeter pole fires. Then just before the fightin Texas aggie football team squared off against the ladies from Austin, we burned it in an arrogantly flamboyant ceremony that said, "We are the Aggies, the Aggies are we.”
While 10s of 000’s gathered annually to witness the big fire, the cadets, non-regs, brownpots, yellowpots, butt-pots, crew chiefs, centerpolepots, pink pots, redpots, bonfire buddies, and randoms who had invested 000’s of hours of sweat equity in that stack of wood knew that the only reason we burned it was to clear the Polo Fields so that we could do it all over again next year.
I would now like to take you back to a day prior to Nov 18, 1999 to enjoy what many Ags enjoyed...a common day at bonfire. Not to diminish the memories of the fallen, but to burn into your memory why they were here that night. If you would like, go ahead and close your eyes and take a nostalgic journey back to the good ol days.
As you make your way to the fields, first you hear it. It's dark outside and you are walking across a sleeping and studying campus. Steel toe boots clunking along the sidewalk. A chain jingles at your side that is taped to your pliers. Your pot rattles a little. The first sounds from the field emerge as the buzz of chainsaws, tractor engines, and then some faint music. A nearly worn out Jerry Jeff tape moans out "desperadoes waiting for a train...” Then you can hear the shouts and your pace quickens. "1-2 halfway up/ I need a log right here/ gimmie some wire/ I want my pot back/ headache!/ I need a heave."
Then you can see it. A home made flag waves atop an oppressive hulk of a structure lit by old beat up gas lights atop leaning perimeter poles. A chill of Aggie pride runs down your spine. A mass of people are there; some working, some watching. A huge crane lifts another log and swings it gently into place.
Then you can smell it. Smoke from perimeter fires, mud or dust depending on the weather, diesel, chainsaw mix, cigar smoke, stale coffee, non-reg's grodes, sawdust and fresh cut hardwood.
Then you can taste it. You flick a dead bug off an old donut and wash it down with coffee that tastes like it was made last week. On your way to the stack, you put in a dip of Copenhagen...no less than a third of the can.
Finally you can feel it. A chilly north wind, oaky bark, cold wire, metal pliers, a 2x8 for a seat in a swing on third stack, perimeter ropes nearby. You survey your quadrant and agree with your ground man where you need to concentrate. You spy a penny nail a few logs in, you grab it and stick it through the hole in the sleeve of your jacket so you can use it later. Then you shout with all of your might “ I need some wire and a log up here right now!!!”
At the end of the shift, the sun is peeking up over the oak trees. You work your way down the stack. Your voice is spent. You walk back to the dorm joking with your friends...probably your friends for years to come.
All of you tired, but proud to be Aggies and united by the fire.
That is the Bonfire that the 12 we are here to remember knew and loved.
It is the Bonfire we all loved building together, and that is the Bonfire I miss.
God Bless America and the Soldiers that defend her. Gig’em
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Feeding the ducks...
Today was a beautiful, breezy day...so we took JJ to a local park to feed the ducks. She really enjoys it and it was the first time we had gone with Daddy, so that was even better!
Randomness...
Here are just some random photos from the last week....
Playing in her car:
Dinner with daddy!
Hiding around the corner of the door:
Playing in her car:
Ready for school!
Dinner with daddy!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Lunch with friends...
The other day, Reese was over for a few hours while her parents had to get some things done (Reese is 2 days younger than JJ). It was lunch-time, so the girls ate together and seem to have a fun time watching each other!
And, yes JJ is wearing the dress that was here halloween costume. Reese came over looking all pretty in her cute dress and this was the only thing Jerra would let me put on her. she is soooo stubborn!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Happy Halloween!
Jerra had a big day on Friday!
It started off with her party at school...She dressed up as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (yes, we are brainwashing her into being a Cowboy fan as well as an Aggie and an Astro fan). She looked awful cute as we got ready to head to school!
After her fun day at school - complete with a pizza party and lots of goodies - we had a few hours of downtime and then we got her ready for her 1st time to go trick-or-treating!
Her costume for the night was a cutie-kitty! I found this adorable dress and just added some ears, whiskers and a black nose!
Watcha eatin'?
She is just one of the big kids now!
The Ostrich Jockey made an appearance as well!
It started off with her party at school...She dressed up as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (yes, we are brainwashing her into being a Cowboy fan as well as an Aggie and an Astro fan). She looked awful cute as we got ready to head to school!
After her fun day at school - complete with a pizza party and lots of goodies - we had a few hours of downtime and then we got her ready for her 1st time to go trick-or-treating!
Her costume for the night was a cutie-kitty! I found this adorable dress and just added some ears, whiskers and a black nose!
all our neighbors got together before trick-or-treating for a "mummy dog" dinner, complete with more goodies - cupcakes with eyeballs and fingers, ghostly punch and my personal favorite, choc covered pretzels! mmmmmmm.....
The Vampire Family....and 1 rodeo clown!
A vampire and a ninja
Watcha eatin'?
She is just one of the big kids now! 
The Ostrich Jockey made an appearance as well!
Now, we are ready to go! We piled into our neighbors truck and we hit 3 streets on our block! the kids had so much fun and more energy than us adults for sure! Jerra was unsure the 1st couple of houses, but she quickly caught on to what was going on and was soon walking up to the doors with her friends and holding out her pumpkin! Course, I still won't let her actually eat any of the candy!
Wait for me!
Trick or treat!
Her friends taking care of her
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Happy 30th Geoff!
Months ago I planned to make Geoff's 30th birthday extra special....it started with the surprise visit from Kristin and Tim and ended with a surprise trip the day of his birthday...We drove to Ft Worth that morning, for what he thought was dropping off Jerra at my parents - when SUPRISE! he finds out we are all going! Yes, Geoff, Jerra, myself, mom and dad all hit D/FW for a plane to VEGAS!!!
We stayed at the Flamingo and had a great time! Jerra LOVED the stuff we did during the day - visiting the flamingos and the fishy's at the Flamingo, the Lions at the MGM Grand, the aquarium in Cesar's. The Bellagio fountains scared her a bit though... Overall, she did really well and I think more than anything was happy to be there with Nana and Papa - she is still calling their names days later!
Wednesday night, Louis flew in and we surprised Geoff again when we "ran" into him at the Luxor. Geoff was SHOCKED and SOOOO happy to see him. I think it really made the trip for him.
We had a great visit, minus the fact that we didn't win big. (Dad had a good run for himself though and I know he came home in the green!)
MGM Grand Lions
Monday, October 27, 2008
Visiting with Auntie and Uncle Tim
As mentioned in the NKOTB post, Geoff's sister Kristin and her hubby Tim came in for a visit last week. It was soooo great having them here and I wish for so much more time with them. We planned the trip months ago, and it was a surprise for Geoff's birthday. They flew in Wednesday night and we showed up at Geoff's weekly show at Hornbeck's. Tim walked in first and you could just see the confusion on Geoff's face! He was sooo surprised! (and very happy to see them!)
Jerra loved having them here as well. She finally learned to say "auntie" and we are still working on Uncle Tim.
I love spending time with them! Kristin and I bonded over the New Kids and Tim just keeps me laughing! I can't wait for our next visit!
Jerra loved having them here as well. She finally learned to say "auntie" and we are still working on Uncle Tim.
I love spending time with them! Kristin and I bonded over the New Kids and Tim just keeps me laughing! I can't wait for our next visit!
going in for the hug....
Sunday, October 19, 2008
NKOTB, baby!!!!
This past weekend was extra special because Geoff's sister and brother in law came in for a birthday surprise for Geoff....I will post more on that later, but it was even EXTRA special because while she was here, we (her, I and my friend Cari) got to go to the NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK concert in houston! It was soooooo freakin' good! It was really, really good!! Those 'boys' can still move after all these years!(and they sure did age well!!) It was so fun to go back and feel 12 again! Enjoy the new blog music, I am in a NKOTB mood! Thanks Cari and Kristin for such a great night!
Monday, October 13, 2008
She's our 'big girl' now!
Well, we have passed yet another milestone in the growing up of our sweet JJ...today we put together her 'big girl bed' and she could not have been more excited! She was crawling all over us as we assembled it and played peak-a-boo with us under the covers once we had it all set up. She kept getting on and off it and saying, "mine!"
We are not moving the crib out just yet, we just want her to have time to get used to the new bed and we will make the move slowly over the next couple months, and by the time she is 2, we will take down the crib. But for now, she is loving having it in there!
We are not moving the crib out just yet, we just want her to have time to get used to the new bed and we will make the move slowly over the next couple months, and by the time she is 2, we will take down the crib. But for now, she is loving having it in there!
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Pumpkin Patch...sorta...
This weekend for my Photography business I had a bunch of mini-sessions with a self-made pumpkin patch....basically I bought a bale of hay and a bunch of pumpkins and set everything up at a local park....I had a time slot open today, so Geoff brought JJ up and we got a few shots of her....
She has a VERY short attention span when it comes to these types of photo set-ups...you would think she would be used to it, since I have been doing this to her all her life...but nope! I have about 3 minutes of good time before she has a melt down and is just done with it.
At least today, we were at a park that had ducks, so she got to feed them and that made her happy!
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