A Hiking We Will Go!

We finally got out and got some real exercise on Saturday! The 3 mile loop trail along a small river in Emma Long Park in West Austin was great. It requires hikers to cross and recross the river about 10 times - the girls were the explorers finding just the right stepping stones! It was a beautiful day so there were many families and dogs out enjoying the weather.

Megan filled her big bathtub with warm water and then she and the girls did the "polar bear plunge" into the pool! Well, Samantha needed a little assistance! Then they all ran into the bathroom, jumped into the tub and warmed up! Aunt MeMe is always there for a new adventure! I have a video of the event but it is too big to download into the blog - here they are in the tub! Judy and Mel - does this bring back memories?!

We finished the day with margaritas and Mexican food - a wonderful family week-end!

Thanksgiving 2016

Roger succumbed to TV marketing and bought a "Mastercraft Butterball XL" indoor turkey fryer for this year's feast! Not a cheap turkey dinner - the oil cost more than the bird! But, it was cooked in 1 hour and 20 minutes and was super moist and delicious! You can't stuff the turkey so we baked the dressing in a casserole - gravy was a challenge but McCormick's helped with that! Everyone contributed their favorite recipes and we all over indulged!

It was so nice to enjoy family time in Carlos and Megan's beautiful "new" home! Our family was joined by friends Rod and Jennifer and their son Jameson, who will be 1 year in December, and Rod's mother, Clory. The girls were great playing with Jameson. Emily was distracting him while he was eating a snack and Heather asked her to leave him alone, to which she responded "Oh ya, he's like a dog, you shouldn't bother them while they are eating!"

We were all in Austin on Wednesday so Megan wanted to go hiking on this new trail she heard about. Carlos opted out because he wanted to go to Home Depot and Costco -  Roger decided to keep him company - then Emily decided to stay with Grandpa. Kyle was on a business trip and didn't fly in until the evening. So that left us 4 "girls" - when we got in the car, Samantha said "Do we have to go hiking, Aunt MeMe? Couldn't we just go shopping?" So we went on an "urban hike" in and out of the stores! We met the guys for lunch and when Roger asked how the hike went, I said "It is a beautiful day for a hike!" and winked at Samantha! Not a lie!

Going out to dinner tonight and then us girls are going to see "Annie" while the guys "veg!"

"Northern Hills" Friends

We spent a fun evening with friends from our first neighborhood in San Antonio last Friday. Gary and Lynn are always such great hosts and it was nice to play "catch up" with everyone! We are blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives!

Roger, Kathy, Jerry, Judy, Gary, Lynn, John, Phyllis

Happy Birthday, Emily!

We have had a "second summer" since arriving in Houston - temperature in the high 80's with the humidity at misery level! But, having fun spending time with the kids. Kyle, Heather, Carlos and Megan spent a long "adult" week-end in New York City before Halloween so we had a busy "kid" week-end in Houston. Soccer, sleep overs, gymnastics and a fall festival with "Trunk or Treating" at the subdivision clubhouse. We decorated the back of the Buick, complete with spiders and lights and ended up with a dead battery! The creativity and imagination for some of the kids costumes was amazing but, all the chocolate candy turned to "goo" in the hot sun! Not my favorite holiday but the girls sure have a great time! Their dentist has a great program to collect extra Halloween candy, box it up and send it to the troops overseas.

We are so proud of both girls who received honors at ceremonies this week - all A's, perfect attendance and citizenship awards. Glad we could attend and congratulate them!

Samantha is part of the broadcast team at her school. Every morning a live segment like the "Today Show" is broadcast via big screen TV's to all the classrooms. It starts with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence then goes to the lunch menu, special events, birthdays and even the weather! They finish with the Huskie (their mascot) cheer and "Have a good day!" The librarian is their adviser but the day we were there watching she came in and said she was busy with the Book Fair so they were on their own! We were amazed at the production - the kids ran the computers, changed the backdrops, and filmed it! Samantha did a great job as the announcer!

Hard to believe Emily is 8 years old already! The girls take turns having a "big" vs a "small" birthday party. This year was Emily's "small" turn so she had 3 friends spend the night. We went for dinner and I helped them with their art and craft project - making dream catchers - and then we made a quick get away! Didn't seem to be quieting down for sleep anytime soon!

Emily in her mermaid swim costume from her other grandparents!

She can hardly wait to try it out!

Sydney, Emily Evelyn and Catherine

Tomorrow is Heather's annual post-op check up with her neurosurgeon and Kyle is leaving for Germany today so Roger and I will go with her to see Dr. Kim. Then we are heading to San Antonio for doctors appointments and townhouse repairs. So blessed she is doing so well!