spring races in texas

the nascar races were a few weeks ago, and it really was a great week.

lots of family and friends, pretty good weather, and amazing food.

we had the usual group, and were so happy to have uncle larry come from iowa for the races.

kevin outdid himself with brisket, ribs and all kinds of sausages.

of course, watching the races is fun, but the week of camping and eating and hanging out is the best...

like a week long tailgate party.

love,

nicolle

camping, racing, and trick or treating

we've been going the last couple of weeks like crazy people.

camping and nascar, and all things halloween.

i love this next picture, 

because boyd, kevin and kevin's dad were launching over sized army men into the air,

with bungee cords.

they were having so much fun,

and it's true, you never grow up. 

there was a big air show on the day we were setting up camp,
so we had a nice view of the thunderbirds flying over.

squeezed in with the craziness of race week,

we went to the school carnival with some neighbors/friends.
boyd also had soccer {thank you memaw for taking him to his last game},
school, of course, and a million trips to the grocery store.

camping food is always the best food.

white chocolate stuffed raspberries,

bacon wrapped water chestnuts,

mexican pastries,

and elote.

not pictured, the carmelized onions that kevin made. they are the best. 

 and i think i still smell like a carmelized onion, i ate so many of them.

we also had delicious pork chops, chicken, soft tacos, and hamburgers and hot dogs,

and all of the great breakfasts.

i ate scrapple, and lived to tell about it.
but, i think that was a one time only thing,
thank you very much.
{especially after i read the ingredients}.

 more race pictures, in no particular order.

it was a wild and fun week, for sure.

and then before we knew it, it was time to tear down camp and head home,
and file away the memories of yet another race.
it always seems like such a long time to be out there, and yet it always goes by so fast,
as does everything in life.

love,

nicolle

this past week

the texas bluebonnets are popping out, and they are one of my favorite things.

boyd and his team won their first game this past saturday.

to be honest, i was afraid we might not have a win this year, and that's ok, 

but i wanted a win for them, for their morale. 

a lot of the kids playing in this league should be moved up and out of tball, 

they are older and much too good, 

and there appears to be some controversy as to why they are kept in tball, but whatever. 

it's all a learning experience for boyd, and we're just trying to find something that he loves.

a win sure did feel good though, i'm not gonna lie!

boyd scored three runs and got his first out. he had the biggest smile on this face with that out.

when he scored, he wouldn't leave home plate until he saw them add his point to the scoreboard.

way to go bub.

the biggest part of our week has been the races at texas motor speedway.

we plan and prepare for this week, and it always goes by so fast. 

this spring race was full of good food, family and friends, 

too much rain and mud, loud music,

lots of laughs and good times.

kevin smoked a brisket for 16 hours that didn't turn out right, and let me tell you, he's the brisket king, 

but stuff happens. he salvaged it and it was delicious. i knew he could fix it.

i was so excited to make my spicy green beans for everyone, only to add the wrong sauce to them, 

but i made two more batches the right way. 

my stepdad got sick and spent 2 days in his camper. 

i was looking forward to some good sleep out there, but we were so lucky to be right next to some major party animals, and my sleeping plans went out the window.
kevin is such an night owl it didn't bother him, 

but i do tend to be the party pooper. i own it. the song was written just for me.

and it rained and rained and rained, and turned our camp into a mud pit.

the big race was put on hold yesterday, and kevin is there today with some friends to watch it.

the funny thing is, all of the things that go wrong always make for the best memories. 

it's all good, and there's always bacon.

boyd fell asleep on kevin at the friday night race.

cornell chicken is a favorite for us at the track.

love,

nicolle