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:

Gene - The Kickball Machine

DSCF4033.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This is Gene. He's a kickball machine.

This weekend is the Kyle Parks and Rec Adult Kickball Tournament. If you end up at Gregg Clarke Park tonight or tomorrow... you'll see some great kickball action.

Gene plays for The Intimidators. They start tonight at 7:50 on Field 1.

I play for the Kyle United Methodist Church's team, PRAY BALL. We begin at 7:50 on Field 3.

Grab your dinner to go and come on out to watch.

I

The Georges At Kyle Market Days, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This is a band called The Georges. They play Rockabilly (as if you wouldn't be able to tell by their look). They're pretty good. If you're in the area, they play the Texas Music Theater in San Marcos this Friday. This shot is from the Kyle Market Days earlier this month.


Links:
http://www.thegeorgesband.com/
http://www.tmtsm.com/

Insinkerator!

Ok so I added the "honey" but I'm hoping my new disposal "don't care", a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Ok so I added the "honey" but I'm hoping my new disposal "don't care"

McDonalds Sundae = happy kiddos

McDonalds Sundae = happy kiddos, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Went to McDonalds for dinner yesterday. Who could resist giving a hot fudge sundae to these cute faces? Not I.

DSCF4959.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Went to Kyle Market Days with the kids Saturday. It was a bit hot for most..so there wasn't much of a crowd. We stopped in and visited with HunnyB Soy Candle Company (http://www.hunnybsoycandleco.com/). Found out they are local to Kyle... and really cool folks. I see some bee in my future.

Dickies BBQ Coming to Kyle, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Chain BBQ restaurant coming to Kyle. Never had it... looking forward to trying it though. I have to say, it's going to be tough to top Milt's BBQ.

Communion @ Kyle UMC

Communion @ Kyle UMC, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

A photo from communion this morning a Kyle United Methodist Church.

Felix's car.... Outside Hitters in Kyle.

Felix's car.... Outside Hitters in Kyle., a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

My girls w/ a classic Ford Roadster

Thunderhill Raceway Crowd

DSCF4771.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

There was a really good crowd out there last Saturday. It really is fun for the family.

IMG_0147.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Got to watch a little car racing in Kyle, Texas last weekend. Thunderhill Raceway is a fun place.

http://www.thunderhillraceway.com

Rite of Passage

Rite of Passage, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

My neighbors son is now learning how to mow the lawn. It's a rite of passage.

God is my favorite artist

Thu Jul 28 19:04:56 -0400 2011, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Fun with my iPhone on a photo in Kyle, Texas.

East Kyle, TX, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

The good news is, they're improving the road back behind Seton Medical Center Hays in Kyle. The bad news is... I was trying to use this as a shortcut to Bebee Road. Shortcut Fail.

(Photo taken 6/25/11 - not sure how it looks now)

Game Stop - Kyle, TX

Game Stop - Kyle, TX, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Water!

Water!, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

At the "bucket pool" in the Plum Creek Neighborhood in Kyle, Texas.
http://www.plumcreektx.com

Jesus Covers All

Jesus Covers All, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Saw this on a fence in East Kyle. What a great way to dissuade vandals.

Party like a 1 year old

, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

I went to a 1 year old's birthday party yesterday. This was her cake.

Tire swinging

Tire swinging, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

How much are you paying?

How much are you paying?, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Filled up the tank this morning. $4.53 I believe is what I paid. How much are you paying per gallon?

Charles Ray Thibodeaux @ Kyle Market Days

DSCF4064.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Charles Ray Thibodeaux and the Austin Cajun Aces (http://www.austincajunaces.com/) played the Kyle Market Days this month.

I should clean my photos off the fridge

I should clean my photos off the fridge, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

I'm just having too much fun with my iPhone.

Meat. It's what's for dinner.

Meat. It's what's for dinner., a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

My wife is the grill master... she made this yummy dinner last night.

Oh.. and I now have an iPhone and downloaded the free "Instagram" app... which is what I used to mess with this shot.

Hope

DSCF4067.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

We can all use a little of this...

(Saw at a shop during 1 Saturday Kyle Market in the Square)

Fun With Chocolate Milk

DSCF4098.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

My 4 year-old learned that milk bubbles when you blow through a straw.

Ah.. the future's gonna be fun with this one.

At Hitter's in Kyle.

Claes_Sean_6.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This is a shot I got at Randall Vetter Park...

The good news is I got this great shot.

The bad news is I left my camera bag on the rocks just to the right of this photo. I had my camera with me though... just lost about 4 memory cards and some rechargeable batteries.

Hitter's Bar & Grill (Kyle, Texas)

DSCF4101.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Last Saturday I took the girls out (by girls I mean my 7 and 4 year old) to lunch for doing a great job helping clean the house.

We went to a local restaurant by the name of Hitter's Bar & Grill. As you probably know.. "Mom & Pop" restaurants are either excellent or horrible. I have to say, Hitter's was ON TARGET. Really, really good burger and the crispy fries just like I like 'em. This is the bacon cheeseburger.

We'll be back.

I asked my daughter if she'd rather have Hitter's or McDonalds next time... she said Hitter's. Now THAT says something.

Kyle Quiters Raffle

DSCF4126.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

The 2011 Quilt is up for raffle!
http://kylequilters.com/

It only takes 1 ticket to win... I should know. I bought 1 ticket about 4 years ago and I've got a beautiful quilt at my home because of it.

I caught this shot last Saturday at the Kyle Market Days on the Square... where it will be on display and raffle tickets will be sold every month...until it's drawing time.

July 30, 2011 - Kyle, TX - Charity-Motorcycle-Ride

July 30, 2011 - Kyle, TX - Charity-Motorcycle-Ride, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Hope and Love 4 Kids is hosting their first ever "Ride 4 the Kids" charity Motorcycle ride on July 30, 2011 starting at Thunderhill Raceway. Looks like the ride will run from Kyle to Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg and Wimberley before heading back to Kyle to meet at Thunderhill Raceway (again) for a concert. More info on flier.

Plum Creek Parade

DSCF4248.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Happy 4th of July (yesterday) everyone. Here's a shot from the parade in my neighborhood (Plum Creek, Kyle, Texas)