That's It? Snow Day!

Well we had snow... sort of. If you call less than an inch snow. Still since we live down here in the south the city shut down all the highways till noon (so I have to head off to work in a little bit, bummer), we had a "Blizzard of 2011" graphic on the news, something like 300 accidents called in last night, apparently we borrowed two de-icing trucks from somewhere, because those same two trucks have been driving all over the city, and most if not all schools have been closed. Ah nothing like a little snow and ice to freak us Texans out. Still I was up at the crack of dawn to check it out, because if I've learned one thing living here all my life the weather will change in a blink of the eye, heck I was rocking shorts on Sunday, now I am wearing a Tauntaun to keep warm.

So here's how my morning shaped up...

There was a Wampa Advisory in effect until about 6:00 AM this morning!

The South Texas Snowtrooper Garrison hard at work. The AT-AT driver said it wasn't worth her time firing up the AT-AT, this took the "old timer" Snowtrooper off guard because up until now he thought she was a he...

With Wampa patrol out of the way the "Rookie" decided it was time for Snow Angels!

Back in the AT-AT it was time to finish the patrol of the backyard.

Squee absolutely loved the snow, she was up early and would run in and out of the house only long enough to warm up and go back and play.

Troops were stationed at key landmarks in case more Wampas showed up.

Gonk joined in on the festivities and built a Snowtrooper himself!

The homestead with all the snow we are going to get this year!

Well that's it, I guess I better go get ready for work...yea! to quote one of our news anchors "Ya'll stay warm and be careful out thar, it's cold and slip-r-ee!"

Gonk! Hecho en México!

Here are Gonk's photos from Cancun, Mexico, you had a teaser of some of these as we traveled. Gonk had a great time even though he didn't get to do everything he wanted, he's already talking about where he wants to go next, I think I created a monster. Enjoy!

The view from our room, we didn't spend much time in it, but it was nice to wake up to the beautiful sky and palm trees.

Gonk's first walk in Mexico and he's already making friends with the locals.

The beach behind the Ocean Royal Resort, we didn't stay here, but we had full use of the beach and the activities.

A look down the beach.

Gonk spent the day just sitting on the beach and watching the waves.

"Remember to turn so you don't get burned Gonk!"

"There you go."

Not sure if you can tell, but Gonk is upset at me for not taking him Scuba Diving, his Zip Lock was leaking.

Gonk on top of some "Aztec" beach art, it was made of foam, but he posed anyway.

A spot in the shade to enjoy the day at the beach on the Isla Mujeres.

Another shot of the dock on Isla Mujeres.

Gonk dancing on the boat on the way back from the Island.

Our last day, Gonk enjoys another sunrise from the balcony.

Home again, Gonk brought a new friend home with him for the Día de los Muertos collection.

Gonk! Taking a Stroll!

Gonk! Enjoys a stroll on the awesome beaches of Cancun, Mexico.

Adios for now,
Gonk! Gonk!

Gonk! Is in Mexico!

Hola me amigos! Gonk! Gonk!

Gonk! Has Arranged Transport

Gonk! is on his way again!

He said it was nice for once being the one kicking back and taking it
easy while someone else charged the transport. That job on Hoth must
gave been a tough one.

More latter, Gonk! Gonk!

Gonk! Sandfest 2010, Day Two!

Well, we only went to one day I had to split it up because Gonk got a little happy shooting pictures. The event does actually last a few days, and though we didn't stay for the judging it was said that they blew up the losers sand castles. I actually would have liked to have seen that, just the safety issue alone seems worth it, plus how would you like to enter a competition and loose and then the judges say okay... BLAM!

Let's get onto the photos, Gonk and I saved the best for last!

Our hotel didn't have a great view of the beach, but Gonk loved the view. He was excited to see all his fellow "Droids" on the roof enjoying the sun.

Here's a picture of a Texas beach, gray sand and gray green water, I hear it turns to white sand and blue water the further you get down the coast though I have never seen it.

Didn't bring the equipment to build sandcastles, then build your own.

I have a buddy who works on these things, he would get a kick out of these...

Looks like one of Aquaman's troops, an armored sea horse.

Hey buddy watch the hands... of course maybe she digs it, she is smiling. Nice helmet, bet that starts to get hot around noon.

This is Gonk's and my favorite entry, I can't wait to see when they update the official site and see if this one won.

Here's a detail shot, actually my favorite part of this one.

A detail of the building block head, too bad LEGO's are not that curvy.

Another shot of Mr. Potato Head, that robot is not too shabby either.

This one is our second favorite, it is full of all sorts of win! A Surfboard, A Big Samoan and a Tiki! Some of these sculptors were from as far away as Italy, I didn't catch were this guy was from, but if he was from Hawaii I just want to say I'm sorry our beach is not as pretty.

Gonk! thought he would get in on the action, but we didn't have the nice sand they brought in for the competition, still a great effort little guy!

Gonk! being mighty proud of his castle, he's king of the world!

Time to check out, Gonk! had to leave a little note for the staff... He may not be an astromech, but he did stay at a Holiday Inn last night : )

One more stroll on the beach before we loaded up and headed on home!

That was a fun little trip. Gonk! hopes everyone enjoyed it and he has another trip planned real soon. So check back and see where Gonk! goes next.

Gonk! Gonk!

Gonk! Sandfest 2010

Well Gonk! has made his first trip. An overnight stay in Corpus Christi, Texas and a visit to Sandfest 2010! Actually Sanfest is held on an island known as Mustang Island in the town of Port Aransas, we ended up staying in Corpus Christi probably a 15 to 20 minute drive away.

Gonk's first stop was at a little dive called Snoopy's Pier. We have been going there since the eighties, some of the best fried shrimp in town. Plus if you are out fishing you can pull right up and hop onto the pier and get lunch. Gonk had a pretty good time.

Though Gonk doesn't eat seafood, he still joined us out on the deck and watched the seagulls and pelicans play in the channel.

After a late lunch we were off to Sandfest 2010!

I gave Gonk the camera and let him shoot pictures of all the sand castles, he kept flirting with this mermaid, she was just sand but you can't tell a Power Droid anything.

Gonk wasn't sure if this was an Ogre or a Troll, I wasn't either...

Gonk wanted to climb this one to the top, but they had all the castles roped off.

I have to agree with Gonk on this one in that it had sort of a cool 2-D feel to it.

Here's a nice little detail.

There were a few "ladies" being sculpted and a couple including big hands, not sure if this was a theme that they had to do, I figured the competition was open.

A lady sleeping on the world... okay...

This one was sort of neat, very clean too.

this one reminded Gonk and I of Where the Wild Things Are.

The film had a Shell shape going on...

Like this one!

Gonk! then decided to take a stroll on the beach.

Tune back in tomorrow for some more pictures of Gonk's trip to the Texas coast. I did learn an important lesson on this trip, two actually. One, if you want to keep the trip down to one post don't let Gonk have the camera and Two, Gonk is extremely light and a good wind (especially from the ocean) tends to take him away.

Well see you tomorrow! Gonk, Gonk!