Thursday, July 31, 2008

San Antonio!!!!!!

Meredith took this pic of John and I...Our little budding photographer!


Well, I hadto post our most recent traveling experience......John had a conference to go to, so we loaded up and headed to the Riverwalk for a few days. It was hot there (you know that sticky-hotness that only San Antonio and Houston has!?), but we braved it....We took the kids to the Riverwalk for the first time (the pics are of us at Casa Rio on the RW, the BESTEST place to eat chips and salsa and Mexican food)!

Okay, I tell no lies. Cameron took this picture. Really. Meredith wanted a pic of the two of us. Cameron had just seen Mere take one of us (the one above), so he's giving me the 'uh-uh, mine' bit. (that's 2 year old code for "My turn.") So I let him 'take' the picture - he pushed the button while i held the camera.
And then, of course, I got to take his pic! He stood up in the chair the whole time we were there, eating his quesadilla. I think he just wanted to see the Riverwalk Boats go by. Really, big guy? Well, how about a ride in one of 'em?!

Here's Cameron and Daddy, on the boat on the riverwalk.
John, Cameron and Meredith

The next day we decided to go to San Marcos for some outlet mall shopping. I do believe I was much more excited about this than my better half. Something about acres and acres of bargains does not enthrall John the way it does me. But he pressed on, with a very good demeanor (as he always has) and even found a bargain or two himself. Attaboy, babe! (Maybe my shopping prowess is rubbing off on him. Or he decided he deserved a treat for hauling me and the two kidlets to Shopping-Mania. Whichever.) Anyways, I found some good bargains...pants at the Ralph Lauren outlet for John, and darling khakis at Gap for Mere. I even bought some lotion from the Bath and Body Works outlet - talk about a throwback....Flowering Herbs lotion. I remember when BBW opened (we were in early high school, i think)....that was THE scent to buy. Oh man I loved that stuff. So I bought a little. It takes me back. Yeah, I'm a dork. I do know that. But the funniest part of our day trip to San Marcos was that we let the kids get a toy from the toystore before we left. Meredith loves swimming, and picked out a snorkel and mask. check it out.....

Out of focus, but Mere with Daddy, checking out the new scuba gear!

Did I mention that we ate really, really well when we were there? I mean, we could not avoid partaking of the plethora of fabulous mexican food restaurants!! It really would be a loss to not give props to one more restaurant.....here's the link to The Alamo Cafe. Go there if you are ever within 100 miles of the place. Seriously good tortillas...

Well, I'm off to go workout . I have new tennis shoes that I should break in......and plenty of calories to burn off from the weekend! :)

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Chicken


There is a phenomenon going on at my house that I must bring light to. It is a mystery that I cannot understand, although some conspiracy theories are beginning to emerge. I am fairly certain there are forces greater than me at work here.


Let me explain. I have health conscious issues that gravitate me toward lean meats, healthy choices. Fish is wonderful, pork is good (except for this one time that i really screwed it up...), and of course, our diet needs CHICKEN. Chicken. White meat is one of the best things you can do to prevent colon cancer. (as well as high-fiber diets). Chicken should not be a big deal, should it? Grilled chicken, baked chicken, pan-cooked, fajitas.......CHICKEN!


Now for the phenomenon going on.....It seems that my family, dear husband and oldest daughter, primarily, can SENSE the nights when Chicken is on the menu. It's like they know - they have this internal alarm that goes off - CHICKEN TONIGHT! IT'S BEEN A WHILE! CHICKEN!!!!!! I BET SHE'S COOKING CHICKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Let me prove my point. A few weeks ago, as we were leaving my daughter's gymnastic's practice, John pops up and says, "Hey, I think Fuddruckers sounds good for dinner. What did you have planned for dinner?" Chicken, I say. "Well, how about I (John) treat everyone to Fuddrucker's?" Off to Redmeatville we go. (Let me reiterate, i have NO aversion to Hamburgers or Fuddruckers. Don't sue me, Fuddrucker's. It's wonderful...follow me here...).


Then, last night. I had chicken in the fridge, marinating, to grill with veggies. The kids and I went swimming....and on the way home..........Meredith pops up and asks for "Chopstick House". Chopstick House, aka, Pei Wei. She loves Pei Wei. We all do. Who doesn't?!! So, we get home, and she proceeds to tell Daddy that she wants Pei Wei for dinner. "Please Daddy, please. I realllllllyyyy want Chopstick house!!" He tells her that sounds great...."Honey, what did we have planned tonight?" Guess what we had for dinner last night?......


There is 'fowl' play involved. I'm convinced. I'm thinking that it's the Chicken's getting back at the Cow's from the Chick-fil-A commercials...."Eat Mor Cow"........Or it's a dark spirit that doesn't want my family to eat white meat. Or it's that my husband hates chicken.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Emily, Elly, Lara and Me.....plus our 9 wonderful kids!

Good friends are like stars,
You can't always see them
But you know they're always there.

Meredith, Cameron and I have just returned from a weekend with my favorite friends in the world. We stayed at the Gateway Getaway Cottages (YOU MUST GO THERE! They are amazing, wonderful, peaceful retreats!!!). It was a wondeful weekend...good friends, good food, laughing 'til i thought we would split our sides....and lots of those moments when we remembered how precious the gift of friendship is. We rode horses (the kids did), drank coffee (no, not the kids), went to the zoo, and played in the pool. It was funny to me how each of us has remained connected for so many years...we've known each other for more than 20 years now. So the history it brings to the 'gatherings' adds an element of trust you just don't find very often. I think I speak for all of us that we love the fact that when we get together, we just pick up like we had been together a few days ago. The three of these women are some of the most Godly women I know, and it thrills me to no end that the Lord has allowed us the joy of knowing one another. I know Carla has uploaded pics on her blog, so check them out...but i had to add a few that made me smile.

Lara and Jackson playing Horsey! Ride 'em cowboy!

Cameron's first ride on a horse!

Meredith and Cameron riding BB the horse, helped a bit by Jeff, who graciously helped Meredith decide that TWO horses in her back yard would be a good idea. We'll getcha back, JTC, trust us. John's already plotting revenge..... :)Loving the horse ride, are ya sweet girl?! Happy face!!!

Cameron and his buddy TSC making dirt look good.Happy face of a little boy who got to play in dirt, ride a horse, and top it off with a bag of Goldfish! Rough life, Cam!
The next day, we headed to the Zoo - Good times!

TR, TSC, and Cameron checking out the 'gator or croc. whichever that thing is. pretty cool, huh boys?!Everyone feeding the giraffe.

Mere and KG feeding the giraffe.

One of my most favorite girls holding her youngest treasure. Thank you Lord for the gift of wisdom and grace within this beautiful one. She is such a treasure to me, and so many others! Smile if you loved the weekend in Lemons Gap!!!!!!! Thanks Tahtee for the cottage, TaTa for the food, and Em, El and Lara for the precious gifts of friendship. Can't wait for the Winter Edition! Rancho Loma anyone? Or Oplin for dancing? Hummmm.........with us, you never know!