25 Things the Blanco Family Experienced After One Whole Year in Texas…


1. Camped with the alligators in the rain (almost!)

2. Accidently picked up a baby water moccasin (viper) in the backyard

3. Seen too many dead armadillos to count, but no living ones

4. Bumped into an opossum with the van (Daddy!), and knocked it silly (it’s alive!)

5. Rode a camel – Jovanni , Bess and Gavin

6. Drove through fog so thick you can’t see the car in front of you

7. Swam in the ocean with jumping fish and diving birds (which were eating the jumping fish!) One fish slapped Bess in the face with its tail before it fell back into the water!

8. Fell in love with Texas Land and Cattle Restaurant (best chicken fried chicken in the state!)

9. Drove back to AZ to visit family and friends, then drove back home to Texas (You ever driven across the entire state of Texas?! Oh yeah? With two vehicles, six kids, two dogs and three semi-grumpy adults?!)

10. Picked bluebonnets near Brenham (which we later found out was totally illegal!)

11. Learned the Texas state pledge

12. Lived first in an apartment, then in our dream two-story home – now the kids have to help us clean, but they really don’t mind!

13. Played on the beach of South Padre Island, Texas, with Tio Byron and Tia Illiana, where we truly enjoyed the sun-drenched island and all there was to do there.

14. Worked at a nursing home with wonderful Grandpa’s and Grandma’s who have Alzheimer’s – where there is NEVER a dull moment! (Bess)

15. Drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma to visit Grandpa Corky and family. Took six kids, three adults and two rambunctious puppies (Cagney and Lacey!)

16. Rescued a tiny baby kitty, then promptly gave it away – NO CATS!!!

17. Went to the Houston Zoo, where the kids were prairie dogs for a moment!

18. Swam and played at Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunsfels (with Tio And Tia again!), the largest water park in the world. (Mom stayed in the kiddie section with Sophie – we burnt up, but loved it!)

19. Went to Dallas for a whole week without ANY family (Jovanni)– Youth For the Nations Camp – Jovanni hated the food, but will be forever impacted by the worship, fellowship and training he received there!

20. Mom and Dad flew to Alabama (gorgeous state – at least northern AL, which is in the Tennessee River Valley.)

21. Made some really good friends who have helped us feel at home here!

22. Ate at Cheddar’s for the first time.  We really enjoyed the nachos (Jovanni) and crescent rolls (Bess).

23. Got promoted for a long-worked-for position, Project Manager! (Juan)

24. Found a church where “Everyone is a minister!” and settled into the church family

25. Missed our friends and family back in sunny AZ – Have a wonderful holiday season and joyous new year!!!

This countdown's purpose is to generate questions!  Ask us anything about these fun stories, we'd love to tell you!