A Thanksgiving unlike any other

We've enjoyed putting on Thanksgiving the past 3 years. More than that, we have loved the family and friends with whom we spent the holiday. This year when we learned that we'd be on our own for Thanksgiving, Kyle had a great idea. His idea was to finally hit up a University of Texas football game. The third longest rivalry is between UT and Texas A&M. Tradition has them playing on Thanksgiving day and we've been saying for some time that we'd attend a game.

We drove the three hours to San Antonio where we stayed in a nice resort. Our Thanksgiving meal before the big game was very different, for two reasons. The first is that it was all purchased and made in the same day. That was lovely. I typically spend, at least, a week before Thanksgiving mulling over new ideas, planning, purchasing the food and then preparing any dishes that I can days before the actual feast. Secondly, while I did my hair, Kyle put the meal together. I quite enjoy preparing the traditional meal. Alternatively, I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed the tables being turned (even if it wasn't to the same degree).

The weather allowed us to swim the first day as it was in the mid 60's. It then changed drastically by dropping 30 degrees just before game time. Even Texas can get pretty cold with wind chill and humidity that bites. But we DID NOT sit. We stood the whole game. Mostly, because we couldn't have seen the game otherwise. The entire stadium was on their feet for the duration of the game. The kids were enthusiastic about the game and fared well despite the weather. Ty refused to rest his legs even when a view allowed him to watch on the jumbotron because he, "wanted to watch it live." Communicated through chattering teeth if I remember correctly. And if the above picture doesn't have "devoted fans" written all over it, then you should meet Reese. She practices her "hook 'em horns" religiously ever since that night in the stadium. Where, along with the rest of the Longhorn fans, she sang The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You, while waving her horns. It is daily that I find her sharpening her skills. And she couldn't be prouder. Needless to say, it was a memorable holiday for our family. One that we'll more than likely repeat.

Jaden with her staples: a cheese ball and root beer. The cheese ball is quite necessary for it to really feel like it's Thanksgiving. It was the only homemade dish, which is what allowed me to take my time doing this . . .

and this.

While Kyle did this.

And then it was time to put our game face on!

13.1

A bunch of crazy moms 30 minutes away from running the Galveston half. Crazier than that is when they trained at 4:30 Friday mornings so they'd be home in time to get school-age kids out the door.

This pic is sooo deceiving. The hardcore chicks on either side of me look like they've had better days. In contrast, I look like I've run the one mile fun run. If you only knew how that really went down. I don't have a desire to EVER do this again--minus that overwhelming feeling of I-HAVE-to-get-a-better time-than-that-next-time. But I did finish. And I owe a rather large THANK-YOU to Leslie--the veteran running friend of mine that I (easily) convinced to fly in from Arizona to run with me. The same friend that at mile 5 was told that she'd have to keep the conversation flowing as I was winded. Then at mile 7 to stop talking because at this point I would no longer be a good listener. After which, I think it was somewhere around 8 or 9 that I dropped a few paces behind and when she turned to check on me I told her to stay in front of me. And she did stay in front of me. Except for the couple of times that she came jogging back with a smile on her face to ask if I was really sure I wanted her 20 paces ahead? "Really, because it's kind of boring up there" she said. To that I vaguely remember replying, "Yeah, I know, just get back up there." Such a brat I am. Can I claim delirium?? I keep saying that the really good memories that stem from this race come in the form of good friends. You are the best, Leslie!

Loved my little fan club. They took a break from wading in waves to cheer us on at mile 8. Did I mention it was 70 degrees at start time? And, of course, they were there at the finish line too. Great pics, Kyle.

31

These pics are from last years birthday night out with girlfriends. I think I failed to post them a year ago with all the excitement and surprise of my sisters flying in. I do need to give a shout out to my friends for taking me out last year for the big 30! Fine dining with good company followed by some serious roller coaster riding at Kemah Boardwalk. It was way too thrilling for all of us if I remember correctly--minus Brenya who was the purse holder as she was expecting. And on a side note I recall getting my hair done this same day when my stylist found my first grey hair. How's that for turning 30!

I celebrated again this week with primarily the same lovely group at Lupe Tortillas. No pics. Thanks for taking me out and spoiling me.

To celebrate my 31st tonight, Kyle and I made it out to Killen's Steakhouse for a long overdue meal without interruption. Meant to take pictures. And, Kyle, I am writing this down in cyberspace only because I don't want to forget, but I loved your handwritten letter that had the look of a Baker Botts paycheck with envelope and all. Classic you. Aside from dining with Kyle and the kids serving me breakfast in bed my best birthday gift to myself came in the form of a clean house--one that I didn't clean. And because I wasn't busy cleaning I had time to post about it on Facebook: "$60 to clean parts of my house I couldn't get to this week--priceless. A first for me. Used birthday $ to treat myself with the thought of company arriving tonight and a half marathon on Saturday. Money well spent. My home smells of fabuloso and that's exactly how I feel."

Baby Scout

This picture speaks for itself. It also speaks for how the rest of us felt whenever we got our hands on baby Scout. She is so cute. We love the way she smells, looks, feels, and even burps. She is beautiful. And she is a perfect addition to Deborah and Vinnie's family. Reese and I loved waking up at Deborah's to a house full of cousins and fun. Doing laundry was pretty cool too, in that it made me appreciate how much less I have to do at my own house. Good luck staying on top of that one Deborah.

Reese was happy to stay with Grandma Patsy on the night we flew in while I attended a Timpview High School football game. I went to watch spunky Lexee cheer during the first half of the game and then perform at halftime. She was the most talented and coordinated dancer there, really she was--when she wanted to be. :) And correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Timpview one of the more privileged schools in the valley? Well, you certainly wouldn't have known it by the quality of their mascots getup! Pretty sure some local ladies must have whipped this costume up at an Enrichment where I'm also pretty sure that Napoleon Dynamite was a guest.

Gardner Village was a treat. Lots of very well made-up witches. Pretty sure my sisters were annoyed with all the stops I continued to make so that I could snap a pic or stops just to take in the crispy fall moment. Living in south Texas leaves me longing for fall weather. I can definitely do without long winters but there is nothing that I miss more than fall. From left to right: Davis, Lexee, Kylee, Mia and Reese.

When I arrived in Utah Deborah was ill with numerous things I will not mention. So we played it close to home mostly. She felt much better towards the end of my stay and wanted nothing more than to go out with her sisters minus 5 children. So we did. Sarah picked a fine restaurant in Salt Lake just down from the Capitol called Eva. It was delicious. Among many other dishes we had that night Deborah and I felt we must order ratatouille pizza in honor of our kids. It was good too.

Also on this night we were on the 10:00 o'clock news. But you probably didn't notice us in the background walking aimlessly around or jumping up and down behind the anchor man's desk. He did though. Hind sight I hope that no one noticed us. We probably looked like we were one of two things: intoxicated or really hard up for a night out with no children. Or maybe a little of both? Who knows. We had the best time.

A couple of views from my run. And, yes, I had time to take these shots while my lungs were catching a break. I couldn't pass it up. Utah is beautiful.

We loved seeing all of you.

Ty is tardy

And for that matter so was Jaden. While it didn't phase her, it was proving detrimental to Ty guy.

We've only occasionally cut it close in our efforts to make it to school on time. Ty unnecessarily worries about being late for school throughout the getting-ready-morning-minutes. It might have a little bit to do with his sister's nonchalant demeanor as it applies to being prompt for school. She's typically the last one in the car. That's one difference between a 1st and 5th grader. So you can imagine Ty's panic last week when I was the first to wake at 10 minutes to 8:00 (that's another story). Mind you school starts at 8:00. Ty was irrational from the minute I woke him. Being labeled tardy was more than Ty could fathom. And I mean labeled in the literal sense. The secretary prints out a label that reads TARDY. After which, the sticker is slapped to their chest and worn on their shirt for the seemingly extra long walk to class.

So picture Ty in tears, frantically rummaging through his basket for school clothes. Then picture Jaden, as cool as a cucumber as she leisurely bellies up to the bar for breakfast. Classic. This is where I decide to turn this thing on its head. So I tell the kids, "well, if we were going to be late than we might as well be really late and what better than donuts to help us do it." To this they responded, "yeah right mom" because this is so uncharacteristic of me. Really it is. For two reasons: 1. I never (rarely) break from routine and 2. what a horrible, unhealthy breakfast. Something I am usually against. Don't you fret, I made them pound a bowl of oatmeal before we left for the donut shop.

After donuts we arrived at the school by 9:00. Protective big sis hurried in before the rest of us to prep the secretary of Ty's concern. The secretary was kind and proceeded to tell Ty that even teachers are late to school. That information seemed to do the trick. He responsibly took his tardy sticker from her and asked if he could carry it instead of apply it to his shirt.

Grandpa Lynn and his iPad make a visit

Grandpa Lynn flew in for a three day visit. The kids were thrilled. Reese especially benefitted from his trip by getting to know him. If you were to ask her about her grandpa Lynn she'd say that he has a mustache and he's going to take her favorite pink blanket. Jaden and Ty were on pins and needles for his arrival. They already know him well enough to know that they could count on some over-the-top teasing, a visit to the donut shop and some genuine interrogation about their lives and well being.

We dined at Sakura, Rain Forest and Gringo's where Lynn claimed his dish was the best Mexican food he'd ever had. And that's saying something because this guy eats out more than anyone I know. However, he is extremely easy to please. We had a great day at the beach. The kids got to go un-birthday shopping. We fished at a nearby lake but came up empty handed. And my personal favorite was taking him to both Jaden and Ty's soccer games. I enjoy watching Kyle coach the kids but I particularly got a kick out of both Lynn and Kyle coaching the kids that day.

The pic of the weekend, in my opinion.

A Few Fall Firsts

Jaden has mostly hung up her dancing shoes for soccer cleats (minus one lyrical dance class). She was 4 years old the last time she played soccer, which doesn't really count. If you ask me, I think that after Jaden sat through a plethora of Ty's practices and games these past 2 years that she thought it pretty cool after all and wanted in.

It's quite an understatement when I say that Jaden came out for Saturday's game pretty fired up. Here's just one example of her over enthusiastic state of mind: The referee had just dropped the ball at center field to set up for the opposing team to kick off. Not a player on either team was moving around much as they were waiting for the ref to blow the whistle to begin play. Jaden had no idea what was going on really but she saw a loose ball and with everyone else still standing she ran straight at it and proceeded to kick it straight off the field! Only for the said referee to have to retrieve it once again, bring it back to center field and stave Jaden off until she blew her whistle. If I were to use one word to describe Jaden's first game it would be: eager! It was a blast to watch. Shown above with her good friend Reagan--this is their "dead deer pose." Don't ask.

Here's Ty as he begins his first season of flag football. But don't worry (Brenya) Ty will still be playing soccer as well. Only 3 out of the 9 games will interfere with each other, luckily. I just hope this kid doesn't run out of legs on Saturdays. Here's how Ty's Saturday mornings will stack up this fall: One flag football practice, followed by a flag football game, followed by a lengthy soccer game on an oversized soccer field (in my opinion) . . . and all before noon! But he LOVES it, so far. And he is OH SO FUN to watch! Kyle is a coach for all three teams and he's pretty fun to watch too.

And last, but never least, little Reesey is taking a dance class of her own. She is so thrilled to be doing so. I can, and do, hold the class over her head periodically throughout the day. Works like a charm. So fun to have this little one to dote over while the other two are away. We are having the best time together.