Almost Christmas!

Almost Christmas!, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This is the advent calendar that my mom made for my wife and I. It's full of things that mean something to us... the SWT paw for our Alma Mater, the guitar for our love of music... the Texas Flag... tractor... It's pretty awesome.... and great way for our kiddos to keep track of the days until Christmas.

Bailey's "Mother Clucker" @ 2011 Kyle Fair and Music Festival, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Bailey's Burgers, located on the grounds of the Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle makes a fantastic hamburger. What you may NOT know is... they make a great chicken sandwich too. Here's my "Mother Clucker" I had recently (I asked them to double the greens...).

Location: (Inside Thunderhill Raceway) 24801 IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640 (Exit #210, Yarrington Road)

Here's a menu: http://baileysburgers.com/?page_id=2

From their Website:

To place an order for delivery or pick up:

512.268.6894

Can’t reach us there?

Try 512.585.0360 or 512.698.1771

Coming along great. Another 45 minutes and we'll be done., a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

A few weeks ago I helped the build a ramp in East Kyle w/ the Kyle United Methodist Church and the Texas Ramp Project. This is a member of the KyleUMC putting up the railing for the ramp.

The project builds ramps for people with disabilities. http://texasramps.org/

Time To Light The Lights!

Decoration :30, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Christmas decoration is in full-swing at the Claes House... and the City of Kyle is having Santa's Arrival and City tree lighting this Wednesday at the City Square. I hope to take the kiddos.

So... in Mid-October the City of Kyle held the Kyle Fair and Music Festival. I took a lot of photos... didn't share many... so over the next few days I'll share some.

Community Impact Newspaper was on hand..and blending in as Waldo...

SPONGEBOB MADE IT!

Kids enjoying the giant slide.

Shooting corks at cups.

Apparently, Giant Bear had a rough night after we went to bed.

Apparently, Giant Bear had a rough night after we went to bed., a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Had to snap a photo... and share.

Pet The Lobster.

Petting the Lobsters @ HEB, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Sometimes it's the simple things in life... like taking your daughter to the local grocery store (HEB Plus! in Kyle) and letting her pet the lobsters.

My dad's Army shirt.

My dad's Army shirt. A pre-Veterans Day picture., a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. I was going through my closet and found one of my dad's Army shirts. He was in the Army from 1968-1970. He served a tour in Vietnam (Cu Chi). Thanks dad.

And thank you to all Veteran's out there.

COWABUNGA!!

, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

My girls were Cave kids for Halloween. Actually, my wife and I were also dressed like this.. so we were the "CaveClaes4."

Hope you had a great Halloween. We did.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

It was another great year at the Kyle Pumpkin Patch.

Every year for the last 6 years the Kyle United Methodist Church hosts the city of Kyle's only pumpkin patch. Here's a few shots I got during the month.

 

DUNK A COP

DSCF1626.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This was at the 2011 Kyle Fair and Music Festival (October 15, 2011).

This kid nailed it. He dunked this police officer 3 times. As you can see... the officer is in mid-dunk here.

It was $1 for 3 balls... and I think this kid got $3 worth.

Car Wash :30

Car Wash :30, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

My girls told me I needed to wash my car. So.. I did. Today's artsy-fartsy photo is brought to you by HEB Plus! Car Wash in Kyle, Texas.

:)

I won the Kyle Weight Loss Challenge!, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

My 7 year-old daughter took this picture with my iPhone...

Between September and October I took part in a community weight loss challenge that was hosted by Kyle Nutrition. Coaches Nicholas Skific and Karen Cotton were on hand to give advice and help us on our weight loss journey. It cost me $25 to join, we met every Tuesday for weigh-in and class. As the "biggest loser" at the end of 8 weeks I made $250 cash.

What did I do?
Nothing secret. I changed my diet (logged everything I ate and drank in so I could really keep track of my calories), and exercised every day at lunch from work. When I ate out, I mostly had salad (McDonalds has a decent salad... who knew?).

Many of the people in the challenge used and has success using Herbalife. Both coaches are distributors. You can probably see more of that on http://kylenutrition.com/. I chose not to use the products.

They are going to be holding another challenge beginning in November. It will be the first Tuesday in November (11/1/11) and they meet at Elite Bodyworks in Kyle (4100 Everett, Suite 200, Kyle, 78640 by the Hays CISD PAC) at either 9:30am or 7:15pm (two times). It costs $25 to enter. Even if you don't want to use the Herbalife products, the coaches will do a great job of helping you keep on track... at least they did for me.

For information on the next challenge (I think they do several a year... so if you missed this one, e-mail to see if it's happening again) e-mail the coaches:

Karen Cotton: hillkuntry50@aol.com
Personal Wellness Coach

Nicholas Skific - nskific@gmail.com
Personal Wellness Coach

Or call Nicholas at: 512-775-4105

DSCF1683.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Los Texas Wranglers played the Kyle Fair and Music Festival on Saturday 10/15/11. They took some time to take a few band shots with me backstage. Very cool.

If you're in Kyle on November 5, they are going to be playing (a free show) the Dia De Los Muertos show. It's going to be a big street fair in downtown Kyle from noon - 6p.

Honeyborwne @ 2011 Kyle Fair and Music Festival

Honeyborwne @ 2011 Kyle Fair and Music Festival, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Austin band Honeybrowne plays Friday Night of the Kyle Fair and Music Festival on October 14, 2011.

Info: www.kylefair.com

Casa Garcia's #5 (Kyle, TX), a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Tried Casa Garcia's for the first time last night. Walked in and was really impressed with the decor. Plus they have a "tortilla lady" who makes 'em fresh to send out to your table. The tortillas were very good.

I'm not sure if I'll be back though, since the rest of the food was average to below expectations and we've got legions of Mexican Restaurants in Kyle to choose from and this one doesn't make the top 5 for me.

Casa Garcia's
5401 South FM 1626
Ste 300
Kyle, TX 78640
www.casagarcias.net

DSCF1272.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Saturday was a BUSY day in Kyle. We had a fantastic parade through the center of town that started at the park and ended at the square... where we had cake and sang Happy Birthday to Kyle.

This shot is probably my favorite from the parade. It's the Hay's Rebel's Cheerleaders.. but I caught this one in mid flip. She landed it perfectly...FYI.

Here's the link to all my parade shots: Sean Claes' 2011 Kyle Parade Photos

We've got pumpkins at Kyle United Methodist Church., a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

The Kyle United Methodist Church has about 500 pumpkins to choose from... and the prices range from 50 cents to $20.

And there are some BIG ONES for under $20.

408 W. Lockhart Street in Kyle.
http://www.kyleumc.orghas a link w/ directions.

Luna La Muerta

DSCF0511.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This was my family's entry into the scarecrow contest at the Hootenanny on the Hill. Her name is/was Luna La Muerta. We won 1st place for spookiest. Rock on.

http://www.hootenannyonthehill.com

Kyle Fire Department Annual Fish Fry, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This Saturday (October 8, 2011) from 11a-6p is the annual Kyle Fire Department Fish Fry. get info/directions at http://www.kylefire.com

$8 per ticket (kids 12 and under eat free)
There will also be a Silent Auction, Bake Sale and Blood Drive

Hope you can make it... because they make fried catfish.... and they make it awesome.

This is a shot I got from last year.

Friday is the Hootenanny on the Hill in the Plum Creek Neighborhood. If you're in Kyle... c'mon out. Click the link to learn more... there's A LOT to do... from a wildflower seed and stomp to a BBQ contest, to live music, to a Pet Fest at the dog park... and more...

My favorite part about the Hootenanny is the Scarecrow making contest. My family has done it every year. I won't tell you what this year's attempt will be.. but I will share our scarecrow entries since it began... in 2006.


2006 brought this broom-headed masterpiece.


In 2007 we went for "Snowy The Scarecrow."


This one is called "Mr. Rocker." He was our 2008 entry.


"Hay Mon" was our 2009 scarecrow. I used a kickball for the head.


2010 was "Count Trashcula"

So... there's no telling what 2011's will be. Well.. I could tell you.. but I won't.
:)

Barton Word Building

Barton Word Building in Kyle, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This is going to be the new home of the Hays Free Press (Our weekly newspaper). Upstairs will be 4 apartments. I'm shooting from across the street, the town square w/ the old City Hall behind me.

Elite Body Works

Elite Body Works, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Every Tuesday for the last month... and for this month... I'm attending a "Weight Loss Challenge" that is being held at Elite Bodyworks. The hosts are Kyle Nutrition (http://kylenutrition.com/) which are giving some great diet advice.. and the nice folks at Plum Fit (located just to the left of this photo) gave us some good exercise advice.

How am I doing? I've lost 14 pounds in 4 weeks. I'm pretty happy... lets see if I can be the "biggest loser!"

DSCF5511.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

It's coming along nicely.
Pretty amazing that back in January this was just a field....  http://kyledailyphoto.blogspot.com/2011/01/news-breaking-ground-on-new-kyle.html

Finally... A picket sign I can get behind!

Finally... A picket sign I can get behind!, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Yes, please.

Gas Prices Dropping!

, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

At least that's what I heard on the radio... they're supposed to be going down about 8 cents. I guess I'll find out today when I stop in to visit this pump at HEB Plus! in Kyle.

Summer's End

La Ciudad

105

I love you.

El Mercado

Kyle Chamber BASH at Texas Old Town

Kyle Chamber BASH at Texas Old Town, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Last Thursday there was a Business/Social Happy Hour hosted by the Kyle Chamber of Commerce. It was held at Texas Old Town. Really, really nice place.

The catprit...

DSCF4936.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This is the reason I have paw prints on my car... The neighbor's cat (and his 5 brothers & sisters). Cute little thing.

Oops... I've not posted in a few.
Well.. let me wrap up the Kickball Tournament in a few photos. I've got an album on Flickr with all the shots I took... if you'd like to see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/seanclaes/sets/72157627476827132/

First, my team, PRAY BALL, ended up in 10th place (out of 10 teams)... but they don't assign actual places on the trophies until 3rd... so I'm saying we got 4th.

Here's me and our *ahem* 4th place trophy.



This one is Issac from Hardcore Stompers kicking a beautiful punt down the 1st base line that netted him a single and an RBI.


Here's the Party Ballers vs. Shut Em Up. I believe the Party Ballers ended up in 5th place for the tournament and Shut Em Up won it for the "Red" division.


For the ladies... I got to watch the finals...
Here's Team Dirty kicking against Kiss My Swag. They had to play 2 final games... as it's a double elimination tourney... and Team Dirty took the first game, but in the end Kiss My Swag won... and AMAZING couple of games.



And it's all for bragging rights... and one of these: