Donate to Ronald McDonald House

Chris Martz 3rd Annual Toy Drive for Ronald Mc Donald House

Now through December 15, 2008




It's that time of year again! Christmas is around the corner and it's time for the boxes to be set out in the community of San Antonio and New Braunfels for Chris Martz 3rd Annual Toy & Gift Drive for Ronald McDonald House.


This began three years ago when Chris (now a junior at Health Careers High School in San Antonio) volunteered at the local Ronald McDonald House. Chris had been injured in a auto accident in 2003 that left him with a Traumatic Brain Injury. Our family stayed with him close by at the local Ronald Mc Donald House in Reno, Nevada while Chris recovered. It came to hold a special place in our family's hearts.

Each year families spend their holidays as residents of the three local Ronald McDonald Houses. Parents, siblings as well as some of the child patients currently receiving treatments for life-threatening diseases experience joy during their holidays as a result of Chris' Toy Drive.



Please help Chris by donating or giving a monetary donation. If your check is for toys only, make the check out to Chris, his elves will shop for the toys and provide you with a tax deductible receipt from RMH. If you would like to make a donation directly to the Ronald Mc Donald House, please make the checks payable to them and we will also make sure you receive your receipt directly from them.


After the toys are collected, they are brought to Health Careers High School where elves wrap and label the toys for RMH and then deliver to them by December 17, 2008.





Local businesses including RE/MAX North-San Antonio, Exit Realty-North San Antonio, Stewart Title, Land America/Lawyer's Title & Independence Title support Chris' efforts to bring joy to so many families at the holidays.


For more information, call Chris at (210) 452-3442 or (210) 240-7596 for more information. Please mail your checks to Chris Martz, 2320 Oak Pebble, New Braunfels, TX 78132

Texas Longhorn Fever

Texas Longhorn Fever!

OK, I have to admit it. When I first moved to Texas, I had no idea what a Longhorn was. I noticed many residents wearing their orange t-shirts with the logo of the University of Texas Longhorn emblem proudly displayed. Being an out-of-towner, our family decided to start wearing the brand of our new state. Soon we realized that others were wearing "Aggie" shirts with Texas A&M logo blazed across merchandise. We tried to be fair and wore both. That was just the beginning of our introduction into the proud heritage of Texas College and Texas Football. After spending years selling real estate in the State of Texas, many afternoons were spent touring ranches and acreage as far as Kerrville and as far south as Wharton, TX. Along our rural drives, I would discover this unique brand of cattle gracing the roadways. Some of the horns were absolutely huge! I just had to know more about Texas Longhorns and their unique beauty. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was destined to have one of my own!During this years RE/MAX of Texas Convention held in Dallas, Texas, I had the opportunity to attend our benefit for Children's Miracle Network . Each year RE/MAX of Texas donates thousands of dollars from it's agents to this worthy cause. This night, one of the main prizes was a Texas Longhorn Steer donated by Bentwood Ranch in Fayetteville, Texas. After casing the table and sign up sheet several times over the course of the evening, I made my decision. I had to have this Longhorn...but where would I put it? My in-laws have 100 acres in Kingsbury, Texas and no cattle, so a call was made. If we were lucky enough to win this Longhorn, could we place it there? The answer was absolutely yes! After hours of casing the bidding tables, I discovered at midnight that Scott & I were the proud owner of a Longhorn Steer. Our family couldn't wait long. We quickly made arrangements to pick up our newest member of the family from Richard and Jeanne Filip, owners of Bentwood Ranch. Richard and Jeanne were kind enough to give us a tour of their Longhorn Ranch and the famous "Boomeriffic" their prize bull that has an enormous set of horns that are tip to tip 72" and total horn of 85 3/4". Upon looking at the extensive collection of Longhorns, we decided to buy a friend for our new steer and came home with TWO Longhorns.It didn't take us long to become addicted to these Longhorns. After only four months, we now have 5 longhorns and one baby on the way. Bandera Rose, Classic Choice (CC), YO, Big Mac (never to be eaten) and Norman (every family needs one!)Our evenings are spent at the ranch sitting and watching these beautiful creatures and we now have them tame enough to eat out of our hands. We are truly Texans now! There is so much to know about the breed and we have just begun our journey. Visit Texas Longhorns for more information on these terrific animals or check out Bentwood Ranch and Boomeriffic.

Leslee's Top Texas Things to Do!: Riding, Roping and Lots of Fun

Leslee's Top Texas Things to Do!: Riding, Roping and Lots of Fun

Queen Bee's Tea Room, Ingram Texas

Not far from San Antonio, in Ingram, TX, just outside of Kerrville, is the best Tea House I've ever been to. Every trip to Queen Bee's Tea House is a special occasion. The tables are set with fine china, lovely lace tablecloths, and the tea pots are brimming with the most delicious aromas. This place is more than a good restaurant; it is a lot of fun. The owners, John & Bridget Dale make everyone feel special with their bubbly personalities and attention to quality, personal service. The hats, gloves and boas are conveniently placed for those silly moments when dress-up is in order for pictures! You are encouraged to linger and browse through the tea house as everything there is for sale! It is a rare trip to Queen Bee's that we don't come home with a memento. My daughter has celebrated her last 3 birthdays at Queen Bee's Tea House! It's a wonderful afternoon with the ladies of the family, real quality time, and perfect for making an ordinary celebration one that has become a tradition. Queen Bee's Tea House is one of the best kept secrets of the area...give it a try...you'll be back time and time again.

Riding, Roping and Lots of Fun

Both my daughters love horses. Are there any girls out there that don't?! The main picture on this blog is of the girls riding their Aunt and Uncle's horses in a roping arena, trotting around while the "cowboys" take turns roping calves! Once all the calves have gone through the shoot and run to the opposite end of the arena, they help push the cattle back to the shoots, by riding behind the calves and steering them back down the arena's alley so the guys can send the calves back through and try their hand at roping over and over. It's a blast for the girls and good, old fashioned healthy outdoor fun. Where but in Texas can you enjoy the evening and actually take a snap shot like this? San Antonio has so much to offer to anyone who loves the outdoors and horses. Right now, my youngest is taking English riding lessons and learning the finer points of horsemanship. Okay, the question now is; how long before Mom gives in and actually purchases a horse...I'm trying to hold out but...