This has been a year of firsts: first triathlon (Norberto), first Renaissance festival (me), first Summer Olympics (both of us). In addition to all that, I did some light home renovationgs, and my parents spent a brutally hot July 4 in Fort Worth. The biggest news of all, though, was that Norberto packed up and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for an exciting new work opportunity. Click the button below to read more.
April
The path of the total solar eclipse passed right through Fort Worth. Several hundred students converged on the top of the college's parking garage to watch this incredible event. We had a break in the clouds just long enough to see totality.
April
Norberto and I usually camp once or twice a year, but this year's spring trip to Fort Parker State Park, near Mexia, Texas, became a day trip because of severe storms in the forecast. We hiked, observed some local fauna and explored a reconstructed 19th-century fort.
These are poisonous, but this one was pretty shy.
Originally built in the 1830s
May
My friend Reynier Carballosa and I headed south to Waxahachie, Texas, to check out the Scarborough Renaissance Festival.
May
Memorial Day, May 27, marked Norberto's first-ever triathlon, which he completed in 3:34:58 for Olympic distance. It was a steamy day in Austin, Texas, but the whole family was there to support him and his friend, Armando Barajas.
1500 meters in Lady Bird Lake
10 km Butler Park
Armando was Norberto's training buddy for months.
July
My parents came into town for the Fourth of July holiday. I dusted off my old film SLR camera to capture our trip to the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Marily and Gary Wooddell
July-August
The trip of a lifetime to the 2024 Summer Olympics in France took two years to plan, but it was worth the effort. I was joined by Norberto, my cousin Kerry White and her husband, Jonathan. It was a whirlwind week that took us from Marseille to Lyon to Paris.
Le Vieux-Port, the oldest part of the city
A view of the city from the steps of Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica
Palais Longchamps
U.S. women vs. Germany
Team USA won 4-1.
A quick dip in the Mediterranean before our next event
Sailing at the Marseille marina
Notre-Dame de de Fourvière basilica
A view of the city from just outside the basilica
The Saône
The Argentinian men's team versus Ukraine
Beach volleyball at the base of the Eiffel Tower
Women's 3x3 basketball at place de la Concorde
Notre-Dame de Paris is nearly rebuilt after the 2019 fire.
Men's water polo
The Seine, which played host to the Opening Ceremny
The Olympic cauldron at the jardin des Tuileries
The gare du Nord, decked out for the Games
August
After Norberto, Kerry and Jonathan left for the airport, I boarded a train to Amsterdam so I could add another country to my list and see my friend Stephan Vossen. He was an excellent tour guide who showed me around four different cities in a day and a half.
Stephan and I in one of the Netherlands' capital cities
De Krijtberg
Centraal Station
September
The Frogs haven't had the best season, but we demolished Long Island University 45-0 in the second game of the season. My friends Ulises Orozco and Drew Irwin are with me in this photo, although you'll have to click to see Drew's head.
October
With Norberto's impending move to Florida, we decided to enjoy a family brunch in Fort Worth at Wishbone & Flynt.
November
Pascal and I went to see my parents for Thanksgiving in The Woodlands, Texas. This photo took some work, as there were plenty of squirrels in the park to distract him.
Like I said, a year of firsts and big changes, but through it all, much fun was had. Thanks for reading. May you and yours have a restful Christmas season and a healthy and prosperous 2025!