Congratulations Dr. Collins!

On Thursday afternoon, I left work early and headed for College Station, Tx to see Charles graduate from veterinary school. For those of you that don't know, Charles' wife, Kim, and I were roommates for a short time in college before we both got engaged, we graduated together with the same degree, and we became great friends...so I have felt the challenges they've endured while he was going through the rigorous curriculum to become a vet. First of all, I followed another good friend and her husband into town and we all sat together during the ceremony. It was so great being back in College Station, even though I was just there for the evening. It brought back so many great memories, and made me wish that Kurt and I were still in school there - livin' the easy life...maybe minus the studying, but it was the best time of our lives! Back to the graduation - the ceremony was so great. To put it into perspective, Texas A&M is ranked as one of the best vet schools in the country and there are not many vet schools in the United States, so to graduate with your D.V.M. from Texas A&M is definitely something to be proud of. I'm not biased at all! After the ceremony, Charles' parents hosted a fabulous dinner at The Republic Steakhouse, and when I "rolled" out of that place, I headed back to Houston. Kurt wasn't able to get off work to come with me, but I know he wishes he could have made it. We are so happy for Kim and Charles and are very excited that they'll be moving closer to us soon!!! Charles receiving his degree...officially a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine!

Kim and Charles

Kristen, Corrie, Charles, and Kim

James (Charles' twin brother), Charles, Kim, and his parents

Cake that Kim had made for him - it was so yummy!

Happy Mother's Day

We started off Mother's Day weekend by welcoming our houseguests...Chad and Hayden came to stay with us! They met Kurt and I at dinner with Sally on Friday night, and we had great Mexican food. Hayden couldn't stop eating the chips and salsa. On Saturday we took him to our neighborhood splash pad and he was running around non-stop. We thought this might wear him out a bit and maybe he'd take a nap that afternoon, but NOPE. I don't know how he didn't just crash. We were more tired than he was after getting back home. My Mom and Ronnie came up on Saturday evening to have burgers with us and we surprised my Mom with Astros' tickets for the Sunday afternoon game against the San Diego Padres. She was so excited! On Sunday we headed for the game...everyone in Astros attire, except for me and Kurt - the only two people going to the game that actually live in Houston. We had a blast!!! The Astros won the game, and Hayden was beside himself the whole time. Chad bought him a ball and bat at the game and he loved watching everything going on. My Mom had a great time too. We all left the game exhausted and had dinner with Chad and Hayden before he had to leave. It was a great weekend...and we hope all the Moms had a Happy Mother's Day! Hayden at the splash pad

Right before the Astros game - he is getting so big!

Kurt and I at the game

Chad and Hayden

Me and my Mom

Father and son...intently watching the game. Hayden wanted to know all of the player's names as each of them came up to bat. We all took turns feeding the information!

Cash meets Gunner

Chad recently brought home an adorable English Springer Spaniel (Gunner), and Cash didn't quite know what to think of him. They finally got to meet a week or so ago, but I was just a little late getting the pictures up. Cash played so well with Gunner, despite their size differences. Gunner was laying all over Cash and biting with his razor sharp teeth, but they got along great and played so well together. They slept great the next day!

Gunner is actually asleep just like that.

New pals!