Our trip on the Texas State Railroad

Yesterday, after an overnight stay in Palestine, TX, the kids and I took a ride on the Texas State Railroad - from the Palestine station to the station just outside of Rusk. It was a beautiful day, and the trip on the 70 or so year old train was wonderful. That part of Texas is beautiful: rolling hills, a river and many creeks and ponds, farmland, forests. Just wonderful.

Here's Kira (bottom right corner) as we waited to board the train.

Parker and Kira, still waiting to board the train!

We had many seats to choose from, and the kids took advantage. Someone was always riding backwards, it seemed!


Here's the station as we pulled into Rusk. It's beautifully restored, and the lunches they served were good, too!

And here are some photos of the front of the Rusk station. It's just gorgeous, including the picnic grounds in the last photo.

End of school, 2008

Thursday, June 5, was the last day of school around here. Parker and Kira seemed to have wonderful last days of school -- parties, beach day, awards assemblies, and the like. Austen had such good grades, attendance, and test scores that he was exempt from all seven of his final exams, so his last days in the school year were mostly spent NOT at school!


Parker (center, white shirt) is waiting for the awards assembly to begin.


Parker's name has been read!


Parker shows us his A/AB Honor Roll certificate!


Anne (very proud mom!) and Parker after the assembly.