Got Inked...

DSCF4122.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

I went to Republic of Texas Tattoo in Kyle, Texas and asked Jon Claeton to give me a new tattoo.

http://republicoftexastattoo.com/

Khols don't lie about their return policy.

Khols don't lie about their return policy. I returned the shoes off my feet for credit. SCORE!, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

I returned the shoes off my feet for credit. SCORE!

Brilliant Sunrise.

I needed a brilliant sunrise today. Thanks God., a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This is near the "Kyle Parkway" bridge in Kyle. I took it about a week ago.

SNOWING IN KYLE, TEXAS

DSCF4002.JPG, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Well.. "snow" anyhow. This was a fun little party hosted by home builder KB Homes. They trucked in a yards worth of "snow" and let folks come out and frolic in 60 degree weather.

Lots of fun.

Baptismal

Kyle United Methodist Church, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This shot is from Kyle Texas' Kyle United Methodist Church.
More info: http://www.kyleumc.org

My fortune cookie...

My fortune cookie..., a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Had dinner at Koy in Kyle the other day. I highly recommend it by the way.

Anyhow... here was my fortune cookie.

Children's Time @ Kyle United Methodist Church, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Happy New year.

This past Sunday was "baptism Sunday" at the Kyle United Methodist Church... where folks were given the opportunity to reflect on their baptismal vows.

Here, during Children's Time, the kiddos got to pick a smooth stone out of the baptism water. The stone represented the idea of cleanliness and being washed in the spirit.

Pretty moving Sunday.

Here's the sermon, if you're interested. The guest liturgist was Bradford Johnson. Pastor Barbara Aziz was ill, so he filled in.

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