This past Thursday I donated my time to take photos for an organization that many Kyle, Texas citizens have donated their time to over the last 5 years. Hope & Love 4 Kids was born in this city.. and with a lot of volunteer work and dedication has been a pretty great thing.

For more information on this charity, or the 5th Birthday Party which I took photos, visit their site - http://hopeandlove4kids.org/blog/2011/02/26/hope-love-4-kids-celebrated-five-years-of-service/

Ribbon Cutting for Hope & Love 4 Kids

Happy 5th Birthday Cake

Hope & Love 4 Kids honored some people and businesses who have helped them over the

If this had audio you'd hear "GOOOOOOOD MOOORRRRNNNIIINNNGGG!"

This is the kids who participated in the Children's Time at the Kyle United Methodist Church at the 9:00 service a few weeks ago. My favorite part of Children's Time is when all of the kids yell GOOD MORNING to see who is louder.. the adults or the kids.

Hint.. it's always the kids. Young lungs scream the loudest.

Dinnertime!
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

This photo is from July when Hope and Love 4 Kids launched their 2010 school supply drive at the Whataburger in Kyle. My church, the Kyle United Methodist Church partnered with them for this effort. Here's by Daily Photo about that - http://kyledailyphoto.blogspot.com/2010/07/

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Why post that now? Because Hope & Love 4 Kids just turned FIVE YEARS OLD and there's a party going on tonight.

Hope and Love 4 Kids is a non-profit group that was founded by Mia Hendricks five years ago in order to serve the children of the Kyle area.

Mission Statement: Helping children in our community by providing basic necessities, comforting them in their time of need and uplifting them through service and outreach. (From: http://hopeandlove4kids.org/)

It's been 5 years and tonight Hope & Love 4 Kids is celebrating with a charity event at the Plum Creek Golf Course.

Details here: http://hopeandlove4kids.org/blog/



Happy Birthday Hope & Love 4 Kids!

Here's the flier for tonight's event:

Stops and Backs Frequently

Stops and Backs Frequently
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

I don't know what made me take this photo... the phrase "Stops and Backs Frequently" under the big CAUTION caught my eye.

This is the back of a sanitary vehicle (garbage truck) as it makes its rounds in Kyle, Texas.

Yesterday was trash day for me.
It's also recycling day. Do you recycle?
If not, it's pretty easy... throw a box outside your back door... and when it gets full of glass and plastic.. drop it off to a recycling center. (If you don't know where one is.. google it).

Look at me... all public servicey.

Congratulations to Texas Swag

Saturday was the Kyle Parks and Recreations Winter 2011 Adult Kickball Tournament. My team, PRAY BALL received 7th place. I didn't make it to the final game, but I did get to watch the team who ended up winning, TEXAS SWAG, play earlier in the day. They did not lose any games in the tournament.. and ended up having to beat The Intimidaors 2 times in order to take the championship.

Congrats Texas Swag. We'll see you in 2 weeks for the Spring 2011 Season.

So, I missed a day.. so here's 2 for you.

1. Trash truck on I-35 headed North. Taken while driving. Hey, at least I don't text. :)

2. This is a wall I've never been able to figure out. I'd love to get the story behind it someday. It's located just across the street from Seaton Hospital, but it's been there since before Seaton was an idea for that location. Right now it's just a "Wall to Nowhere."

The CAUTION made me think...Isn't that a dance? The "Stop and Back?"

The Wall to Nowhere

Horsehead Mailbox

Horsehead Mailbox
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

When I see a mailbox like this, I get a little sad that my neighborhood's HOA doesn't allow for a big-ol concrete animal head to be perched atop my mailbox.

I think I like the house-number-tattoo on its neck the best.

Snow/ice in Kyle 2/11

Snow/ice in Kyle 2/11
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

We may have had snow the week before, but on the 11th I found ice crystallized on our car window. I thought it looked pretty neat...like snowflakes... so I took a photo. Here it is.

Blasting Area...

Blasting Area...
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

I drive past this every day on my way home from work now. The city is moving closer and closer to this, which used to be pretty far out in the country... Wondering if the blasting area will soon become a residential neighborhood where the only blasts that will be heard will come from boom boxes.

PRAY BALL WINTER 2011 Team Photo

It's Valentine's Day.. so I thought I'd show you love.
These people (and a couple more who couldn't make last Friday's game) are fantastic. They are the current members of the Kyle United Methodist Church adult kickball team, PRAY BALL.
I am their coach (I'm the one kneeling in jeans FYI).We play in the Kyle Parks and Recreation League.

You will not find 14 more loving and caring people in the world like these folks here. They choose to spend their Friday nights representing the church by playing a kids game. Now, that seems like something that is simple and easy... but the character they display, the prayers that they say, and the way that they play is amazing.

PRAY BALL may not be the most talented group of players, but they do have the biggest heart and love for others... and our Lord. That is to be said for all former members of PRAY BALL as well (as we change out about 1/2 our team each season).

"LOVE"  isn't always the Hallmark definition.. and it most definitely doesn't fit on a candy heart. LOVE comes from the heart... not on one.

So.. Happy Valentine's Day everyone...

If you'd like to come out and see PRAY BALL in action (as well as all of the 10 other awesome co-ed kickball teams) come on out to Gregg-Clarke Park in Kyle, Texas this Saturday (2/19/11) starting at 9:00a. I think PRAY BALL will have our first game at 9:50a. We do accept donations of coffee... well at least I do as coach. :)

I think the car on the right envies the truck on the left... THAT's why it's labeled itself "Special."
(Used car lot on the corner of Center and Burleson in Kyle, TX).

FYI.. I've never actually seen anyone at this car lot. At all.

Cash Box Motors
210 West Center Street 
Kyle, TX 78640-9461

Shed/House/Empty Room?

This has always been one of my favorite "old Kyle" buildings. I have no idea what it is... if people have ever lived there, if it's a storage building, if it's for sale... but I've always wanted to get a good photo of it, and never have been able to since it's on a busy Burleson Road. Well... last Friday is was ice all around, so there were no cars on the road. I was able to stop, focus, and snap a few shots.

This dosen't even look like Kyle, Texas to me... but I assure you... it is.

Me "sledding"

Since I missed yesterday, I'll give you a bonus shot. This is me "sledding" down a ditch near my house. I'm sliding on a Bilibo. It's a toy that has no instructions... so it's whatever you want it to be..
My sister gave one to both girls... and I have got to say... they make good sleds.

Hometown Kyle in the snow 2/4/11

There's two things to note about this photo. 

1. It sure looks pretty in the snow.

2. The sign is now painted on, not put on with raised letters... so they will not have their "m" stolen anymore. Yes.. for a year or two, they were known as "Hoetown Kyle" (1/19/10 Kyle Daily Photo)

Enjoy.

Happy Birthday, Sean Claes, founder of KDP! I'm a day late, but that's the cool thing about being a grownup... you get to celebrate your birthday for as long as you want!

Average Use

I know, I know. We're a daily photo site. But it snows so rarely here, that I just have to throw my frosty impressions into the foray. Stay snuggly, fellow Kylites!

SNOW DAY!
It hasn't snowed in Kyle for a few years (December 2008), and I can't remember the last time it actually stuck.  I think I made a snowman in 2004. But.. this is something folks in central Texas aren't used to.. so... work is closed, school is closed, and MY kids are asleep still.

I'm off to pick up a friend's kids (they're both nurses... they don't get the option of not working) and I'll see about snapping a few more shots. I'll put them up on my flickr page if you'd like to see them.

Mr. Gnome says.. Hello snow.

How do you get a kid up and dressed before 7a? SNOW! Zach here is NOT about to his his mom with a snowball.

Don't assume that because I'm in TX that I'm a Cowboys fan.
Go Steelers!

I like the Green Bay Packers. Just not this Sunday.
:)
Hope you have your Superbowl plans set.