Welcome 2009

We had a great weekend. We took the girls downtown to Rainforest Cafe and then the carnival in front of the tower. Then we left the kids to watch the fireworks with Eric's parents and went to Rob and Gwen's Totally Lame New Year's Party (that is the name of their party...honestly). It was fun. We got up the next day and headed home for New Year's Day Lunch at our house. We had homemade menudo, tamales, ham and black eyed peas. YUMMY!


Everything has been great around here except that Alex is very sick. He went for a long walk on Tuesday and came home in lots of pain. On Thursday after two days of not eating or drinking, I took him to the doctor and his blood work shows signs of cancer, GI ulcers, bleeding, enlarged heart and intestine, and much more. He is eating and drinking water, walking some, and sleeping tons. Still, he is very sick and I hope that I can keep him comfortable and somewhat pain free.


He has been my companion for 12 years. He has lived in Baytown, College Station, Chireno, Bossier City, and now Schertz. He has traveled in a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 1999 Dodge Truck, 2004 Chevy Trailblazer, 2006 Chevy Avalanche and 2007 Ford Expedition. He has 5 names: Alexander Nathaniel Tankersley Rhoades Gutierrez. Needless to say, he has lived a full life and if he is to live several more years, we will definitely take great care of him. But if his time is shorter, I will always remember.
UPDATED: Alex passed away early on Jan 5. Thanks to everyone that called to check on us. It was difficult to watch but we know that he feels much better now. Time heals all wounds and our entire family will always remember him for all the companionship that he provided during the past 11 years.