Birthday Post

Happy Birthday to me.
42 years old.
I don't feel a day over 41.
Thanks for letting me bring you images of Kyle, Texas for so many years.
If you want to learn more about Kyle... and you're on Facebook... I've got a group called "Fun In Kyle Texas" Feel free to join.

I'll be out of pocket for a few days. I'm going on a Walk To Emmaus. I'll check back in on Sunday.

Me running a 5k last Saturday (kind of cheating as this was in the neighboring city of Buda)

Me with Sonny "The Fajita King" Falcon.

Me with Sonny "The Fajita King" Falcon. He CREATED the fajita taco. In Kyle Texas in 1969. I'm about to judge ribs with him., a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Sonny "The Fajita King" Falcon sold the first fajita taco. Really. Kyle, Texas is the home of the Fajita taco.

From Wikipedia: "Sonny Falcon is believed to have operated the first commercial fajita taco stand at a weeklong outdoor event in Kyle, Texas, in 1969" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fajita
I got to judge ribs with him at the BBQ cookoff during the 2013 Kyle Fajita Fiesta on Saturday.

I'm a lucky guy.

 As I stated last week, there was a Kyle Chamber Ambassador's B.A.S.H.

"Ambassador's B.A.S.H. stands for Business Advancement Social Hour and is a FREE Networking opportunity for all members of the Business Community!  Everyone is invited to join us.  Just bring plenty of your marketing materials and your smile and get ready to network!"

The April B..A.S.H. was held at Thunderhill Raceway last Thursday. There was a big tent, raffle, people racing on the track... and some folks in attendance were chosen to race the NasCARTS (which I've pictured below). The meal was catered (burger sliders, fries, onion rings) by the new restaurant in town... located at the track... called Bailey's Burgers. It was delicious.


Seemed like the perfect place for the father-daughter team of SeanMar to take photos. So, 6-year old (for another 9 days anyways) Marlee and I headed out there with camera in hand. Yesterday, I posted my shots. Today... here's Marlee's


Photos by Marlee Claes, Age 6

She caught me taking a photo.

NasCARTS

This is Joshua. He's happy to pose for Mar.

This is my wife Jodie...eating a yummy burger

Marlee ate 3 cupcakes

Tent roof.. with me popping my face in.

 As I stated last week, there was a Kyle Chamber Ambassador's B.A.S.H.

"Ambassador's B.A.S.H. stands for Business Advancement Social Hour and is a FREE Networking opportunity for all members of the Business Community!  Everyone is invited to join us.  Just bring plenty of your marketing materials and your smile and get ready to network!"

The April BASH was held at Thunderhill Raceway last Thursday. There was a big tent, raffle, people racing on the track... and some folks in attendance were chosen to race the NasCARTS (which I've pictured below). The meal was catered (burger sliders, fries, onion rings) by the new restaurant in town... located at the track... called Bailey's Burgers. It was delicious.


Seemed like the perfect place for the father-daughter team of SeanMar to take photos. So, 6-year old (for another 9 days anyways) Marlee and I headed out there with camera in hand. Today I'll post some of my shots, tomorrow I'll post Marlee's


These are some of the shots I was able to capture:

The tent where the B.A.S.H. was held

Networking

Checking out the track and networking

I'm not sure if this is a "Funny Car"... but it sure is funny looking.

People can sign up to drive the NasCARTS. Neat

This weekend was the Fajita Fiesta and BBQ Cookoff in Kyle. It was held in conjunction with the monthly Market Days. Long story short, it was awesome, and there was a BUNCH of great folks out there cooking and selling crafts and services.

My 6 year-old, Marlee, recently started enjoying photography... so I thought I'd have a little Kyle Daily Photo mission. Her and I, both armed with our trusty cameras set out to chronicle the event. I am uploading a couple of our shots here, but the rest are on my Flickr site in a set titled 04/02/11 - Kyle Lions Club Fajita Fiesta & BBQ Cook-Off, Kyle, Texas. Please, if you have time, give Marlee some positive feedback. She got some beautiful shots.

Yesterday I posted a few of Marlee's shots. Here are mine.
The full set (these plus more photos) are on my Flickr site.

Kiddos enjoying "Little Jimmy's Italian Ices"

The Frank Gomez Band

Roughing it. :)

bean bag washers

Smokin Across Texas BBQ Team

Yeah.. Fire!

One team's "calavera" smokestack head.

Miss Kyle judges chicken.

Folks enjoying the music and day.

Merchant booth

Marlee & Steven Large of Texas Rimfire Brand Rubs

alteredair.com - Airbrush artist

Bradley & Bradley Insurance Booth

I paid $3.33 per gallon in gas the other day. It's $3.38 as of this morning.

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.

Close to a month of Mustache.

The update. I'm just 2 days away from growing my mustache for 30 days. Yes, Movember is almost over. I've talked to many people about men's health concerns such as prostate cancer and I've grown quite the "classic" mustache. I was going for the "Rollie Fingers" but I know now that I can't grow that in 30 days. 

What I was really attempting to do was get 100 people to donate $5 on my "MoSpace" page, thus reaching a hundred people and raisng $500 for my team, TEAM AUS. As of today 6 people have donated a total of $53. I've got 2 days to reach 94 people. Can you do me a favor and at least go on my MoSpace and "rate" me so I know people are going there? If you feel compelled to donate, I'd appreciate it. Here's the link - http://us.movember.com/mospace/568742/

The money goes to the The Prostate Cancer Foundation (www.pcf.org) and LIVESTRONG (WWW.LIVESTRONG.ORG).

Happy Monday all.

Helen Soja circa 2004 in Kyle

October 3, 2010 marked four years since my Grandma Soja passed away. She was an amazing woman and I have fantastic memories of her. Unfortunately, towards the end of her life she developed dementia, a condition that is very similar to Alzheimer’s.

Tomorrow I walk in her honor in the Hays County Memory Walk in San Marcos, Texas. Hence this photo today.

For another photo of Grandma Soja w/ me.. and perhaps to make a donation to Alzheimer's Research, visit my "page"- http://www.memorywalk.kintera.org/hays10/seanclaes

OOPS.. I've failed to post for a few days. It's been hectic. Sorry.

Here's a few shots my daughter (age 6) and I got on Tuesday. She got a camera for her birthday so we went Wildflower hunting.

This is one Marlee got at the field in the Plum Creek Neighborhood next to Fergus Park/Lake/Golf Course on Fairway. She's learning.. it's sweet.

Here's my photo of Marlee taking that photo.

I caught a dragonfly in mid-air in the bluebonnets at the Kyle Cemetery.

Marlee caught these two butterflies playing in the flowers.


We also took photos of gravestones while we were out there... I'll post those tomorrow.
:)

Flowering tree
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

Spring has Sprung in Kyle Texas. The great amount of rain we've gotten in the last few months will equal some AMAZING wildflowers soon. I can't wait to take those shots.

This is the tree in my yard. I may have a yard that is a "weed garden with a grass problem" but at least my tree is pretty.
:)

Today is my birthday.
Who'd have thunk... 37 years old.
It's been a great ride so far... thanks for being a part of it... be it as a casual viewer of my photos... or a good friend or relative (Hi mom!)

37 years ago... I was a Cesarean section baby. You know what that means... Yep. Everytime I leave the house I leave through the window.

Have a great day all!

I'm going to be gone for a few days.. headed to Boston for Christmas.

So... until then. I'll leave you with these photos of food.

The family and I went to Los Vega for dinner the other night. I took pictures of what we ordered. The food is REALLY good. I highly recommend eating there when you're in Kyle.

A cool thing is.. they have a drive through.. so you can call in your order and by the time you get there... it'll be ready for you and you don't even have to get out of your car. BONUS.

Los Vega
721 N Old Highway 81
Kyle, TX 78640-9451
(512) 268-8570




My wife had the enchiladas


I ordered the fajitas (I don't like rice so I get double beans)


The kids are all about breakfast for dinner... Los Vega provides.


And here's my youngest's idea of how to eat a tortilla.

Merry Christmas to everyone and Happy Birthday Jesus!

So, I went out to the Inn Above Onion Creek last week to drop off some pumpkins they purchased from the Kyle United Methodist Church pumpkin patch. While I was there Mary Mattis invited me in for some wonderful flavored tea and fresh cookies. I had my camera with me and she allowed me to wander around the main homestead area to take some photos.

I took a good number of pics, so 'll give you 2 days of multiple photos for this Kyle Daily Photo.

First... the information:

The Inn Above Onion Creek
4444 W FM 150
Kyle, Texas 78640
512-268-1617 

http://www.innaboveonioncreek.com

 


Here's the sign on FM150 that greeted me when I got to the Inn.


Along the mile-long driveway I found this.


At the entrance to the homestead I found this photo op. Don't know what kind of flower this is... but it's pretty fantastic.


The pool is directly to the left of the homestead.


We were invited inside and were offered one of their homemade cookies. I've been to visit folks staying at the the Inn Above Onion Creek several times and I must say I always look forward to the cookies.

... I'll publish part 2 tomorrow.

Carnival @ Kyle Fair and Music Festival
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

There's a whole lot going on in Kyle today. WE'RE CELEBRATING KYLE'S BIRTHDAY!


Starting at 9a at the Gregg-Clarke Park... It's the annual Kyle Fair and Music Festival. Parade starting at 10a, Free concert starting at noon (Cory Morrow headlines at 9p), a full carnival with sweet rides like this swingin' boat, BBQ contest, vendors, and a bunch of other things. Here's the link to the fest... and you can see the full schedule of events.

http://www.cityofkyle.com/parks/KyleMusicFest.htm

Happy Birthday Kyle!

Chapa Autocraft
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

Chapa Autocraft
218 South Front Street,
Kyle Texas
78640
(512) 504-9577

It's now open (so says the sign).
I've never been there, but on Yahoo, a person called 'Satisfied Customer" has this to say:
"I was really impressed with the honesty and excellent service provided. There prices are reasonable and just overall excellent service. I highly recommend Chapa Autocraft to anyone."

Now... that doesn't sound like a fake entry... does it?

They've got a webpage.
http://www.s-collectiveprojects.com/hosting/chapa/services.html

Another closed shop.
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

This is located about a block left of downtown, just over the tracks.

This has been about 4 things in the last 5 years. a couple of coffee shops, a pandarea, a gift shop... I just found out that it will be the new location of the Lucky Cup Coffeehouse.

Lucky Cup used to be located in the front of the Plum Creek neighborhood. It disappeared about a month ago. I really liked it there... they threw free concerts and we had a lot of good memories.

Hopefully that vibe will be retained in the new location. Not sure when it will open... but as I understand it, it will be here.

Check their Website to see when they will open:
http://luckycup.net

Went to Milt's Pit BBQ to pick up dinner the other day. Still the best brisket in town.. and the kiddos LOVE the turkey.

One of the things I like about the place is this wall.. it's full of past-customer's signatures and comments. Awesome. I had to take a photo.



Jessica said "Great BBQ" on 4/15/08. I agree.


Milt's Pit BBQ
905 North Old Highway 81,
Kyle, TX 78640