KISS it

I have much to say about my trip to Texas last week, but not enough time to share it at the moment. So I'll leave you with the following things I learned on vacation:

1. Children are expensive and make a lot of laundry
2. They need a new word to describe Cowboys Stadium; "gargantuan" isn't big enough
3. "Schlitterbahn" is German for "total lack of body awareness"
4. The amount of time spent waiting in line is directly proportionate to how unhappy Lonnie will get
5. When men find out you can cook, they invite themselves over for dinner
6. It takes two hours to paint four little boys' faces like KISS, and ten minutes for them to tire of it
7. Twin beds weren't meant for sleeping a deaux
8. "Despicable Me" is a great flick
9. I'm really, really glad I didn't go to medical school
10. It is possible not to check work email for four days

More later. Rest of pics are here, here, and here.

3 little monkeys, sittin' on a bed

You think these three are related?

Happy Easter!

Just returned from my great trip to Texas. The boys had so much fun, and it was great to get to spend some time with Lonnie and Jen as well.

I hope all of you had time with family yesterday and that you took a moment to remember the reason for Easter: the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. He lives!

The rest of the pics from this weekend are here.

The write stuff

I find the blogosphere quite intriguing. I suppose it feeds my narcissistic belief that all the world needs to know what I'm thinking, or perhaps I merely find it a creative outlet for the many random thoughts in my head, but I seldom stop to think about why I blog. I just do.

Whenever I'm gliding along in my ultra-fashionable and exciting life and have a profound thought, I feel the need to write it down. Share it with others. Impress you with my wit and insight. So I publish it on the "interstate" (as Peyton would say) for all the world to read. Occasionally even Google finds me profound enough to track, for the G-girl does love her some fresh content. (Yes, Google is a girl, because she gives you options and lets you choose what you want to do instead of making a decision for you and then dismissing you. But I digress.)

This past week, on the one day I actually showered, dressed and went to the office, I found myself on a conference call discussing how I use social media. Do I tweet? Way too often. Do I Facebook? Too many hours to count.

Am I published? Not in a traditional sense. But I do write a totally thought-provoking and informative blog, and I have over three faithful readers.

So no. No hardbound leather book exists with my name on the spine, but thank you to the handful of folks who diligently care what I think, what I say, and how I am.

Publish, smublish. I am a writer.

Avatar

The boys have been wanting to see "Avatar" all week. We planned to see it at the IMAX in Austin, but it was sold out for days, so we did the 3-D version in Temple. It actually wasn't bad.

Happy birthday, Hope!

Six years ago this beautiful, loving, always talking child came into our family. Things 1, 2 and 3 did a tribute for her from Texas (yes, Avery is always like that). Happy birthday, sweet girl. We're glad you chose our family.

Everything's bigger in... well, you know

What a great weekend! Memaw and I got to Temple around 8 on Thursday night, and I arrived back in Siloam just after 6 last night. In four days we attended two parties, had one of our own, walked a 5K, attended a flag football game, witnessed a dance-off and multiple kid fits.

It's weird how, the closer you get to home, the more work and the daily grind begin to creep back into your life. Thankfully I get to go back to Texas in three weeks for Thanksgiving, and before that I go to Boston, an 80s prom, and have a Branson shopping trip with Alisa.

For now, please enjoy another entry in the Brady and Mini-Me dance-a-thon. And all the pics from this weekend are here, in case you don't have Facebook.



(This makes three family members dancing to this song. Memaw, you and Lon are next!)

World's most annoying song

The song of the weekend, the Ting Ting's "That's Not My Name." We've all been singing it since Friday night. Ugh.

Happy, happy day!

So excited about the start of football season! I had nearly given up on the 'Boys last night, but they managed to pull out the win. I'm afraid it's going to be another long season, Dallas fans.

In a few I'm headed south to pick up Chance and Hope (and maybe Taylor, if he's really, really bored) and go hang out with Jen, Lon, and Huey, Dewie and Louie. I'll spend tonight with Peep and Meem, and that's always interesting. Their house is like a zoo when we're all there. It's Beaver's birthday, so we're headed to his party at 2 p.m.

Tomorrow I'll be on Nebo with Scott, Alisa, and Grey. Not sure what we're doing since all our best laid plans got either rescheduled or are tentative due to weather. Nevertheless, I haven't seen them in months and can't wait to just chill and eat.

Have a great Labor Day weekend, everyone!

Happy birthday, Fat Sugar!

Five years ago today this precious boy joined our family. Happy birthday, Peyton!

Wonderful Christmastime

Some pics from this week:

Chance



Hope got lots of makeup



Taylor and me on Christmas Eve



Dad, Taylor, Hope, Brad, Chance and me



Mason and Isaac on Christmas morning



Jen and me on Christmas day



Taylor, Brad and me



Peyton taking his Christmas nap

Back in the Natural State

After nearly 10 hours in the car yesterday, I finally made it home and back to my own bed. It was so great to spend time with my family, but I'm happy to be home. I managed to drive over 900 miles with a mere warning ticket for speeding, so I'm thankful for that, especially since I couldn't manage to find my proof of insurance.

We had turkey, dressing and all the trimmings on Thursday in Temple. Unfortunately, Jen wasn't able to join us since she worked 7 a.m. 'til 7 a.m., but Lon and I did take her a take-out box and watched part of the Cowboys game with her and her cowboy-boot-wearing doctor friend. Oh, and I saw a 900-pound woman. Made me wish I'd eaten less pumpkin pie and whipped cream.

Brady spent Wednesday night in the hotel with Granny and me, with Peyton taking his turn on Thursday. I was shocked, but Peyt made it the entire night with no tears and no requests to go home.

I've spent most of the day in bed, sleeping in and then taking a nap. Dinner's in the crock pot, but with the house cleaned and the halls decked, all there really is to do is laundry. And rest.

Tuesday in Texas

After several hours in the car, we finally made it to Temple. The trip didn't seem quite as long as last time. I'm not sure if I had clearer expectations, or if listening to my grandmother tell the same stories over and over again made it seem shorter, but I'm guessing the detour to Cheesecake Factory helped a lot.

All three boys wanted to come back to the hotel and spend the night for some reason, and since I'm not insane, I told them that they could take turns and one of them come over each of the three nights that we're here. Peyton disqualified himself from the who-can-act-the-best competition early, so Peep finally flipped a coin and Avery won the right to spend the night in a mediocre Hampton Inn with an 84-year-old and a spinster. Brady and Peyt were both crying when we left. It's been awhile since boys fought over me.

My GM has been riveted to the TV for hours, awaiting the results of Dancing with the Stars. Interestingly enough, I doubt she watched five minutes of presidential election coverage, but these results were quite important to her. Guess the oval office is not quite the prize that a mirrored disco ball is.

Jen took Memaw to the ER about an hour ago to have her weird puss-filled eye checked. Pink eye. Guess I need to wash my hands...

Deck the halls

Another weekend has come and gone. But thankfully, I'm on vacation for a whole week, so tomorrow can be a sleep-in day. I probably won't be able to, but it's good to know I have the option.

Last night I worked at a charity event and got home at 1:30 a.m. which is, needless to say, a long time past my bedtime. It was a fun evening, but kind of challenging to work at the blackjack table for two hours. My muscles hurt from standing up so long and my head hurts from counting chips. Luckily it was for a great cause and no one noticed that I don't count too well under pressure. Vegas is safe from me for awhile.

I spent today finishing the holiday decorations that I started yesterday. Now I need to spend tomorrow cleaning my casa and packing for my trip. My week will be filled with three T's: turkey, Thanksgiving, and Temple, Texas. Tuesday morning I'll head south to spend the holiday with Lonnie, Jen, Huey, Dewie and Louie, and my aunt and uncle. My grandmother is riding down with me, so I'm praying for patience during that eight hour drive.

I'm still tired from last night, so I'm already in my PJs, catching up on my DVR.

Boo, Texas!

Tonight I uploaded pics from my camera since my Chicago trip. So here's a random assortment of photos from the past couple of months.

The zebras from mine and Amanda's zoo trip



Peacock



Avery's pre-birthday party



The boys, watching a WWII documentary... they're OBSESSED with Army stuff



Brady, on our way to Austin



Royal Stadium at the University of Texas

The eyes of Texas

It's finally here... the moment I've been dreading... time to pack up, kiss the boys goodbye (if they'll let me), and drive eight hours back to home and reality. It's been a really fun and relaxing weekend and so great to see Lon, Jen and the boys, but I really hate this long and boring drive.

On Saturday we mostly relaxed and watched football. Jen was on call until about 11, then she came home and crashed until dinnertime. We had a little pre-celebration for Avery's birthday next weekend, complete with cake, cupcakes, and donuts for dessert.

Yesterday we loaded up and went to Austin for lunch and a little tour of the major landmarks: the Texas state capitol and Darrel K. Royal stadium. The stadium was locked, but we were able to go to the gift shop, where you can buy a game-worn jersey for a mere $400. Shouldn't a new one cost more than a stinky one?

We had lunch at Macaroni Grill and went shopping at IKEA. That was my first trip to that store, and it was interesting. I felt like a mouse in a maze.

I plan to hit the road in a couple of hours and make a stop at the luxury outlet in Richardson to break up the trip a bit. I can't believe I have to be at work in less than 24 hours. And I'm praying I don't hit any of the Gustav traffic headed north.

Happy Labor Day, everyone!

It's like a whole other country

Well I've been in the Lone Star state just over 24 hours, and I've observed the following:
* 8 hours is a really long time in the car... turns out I'm not quite as good company as I thought
* I don't know if everything is bigger in Texas, but it's certainly hotter
* people from Texas are really, really proud to be from Texas.... there are stars everywhere
* hitting Dallas traffic at 5 p.m. is not a good idea, even with GPS
* boys, no matter the age, like to talk about sports and body secretions

I've seen Jen for about two hours of the 24 I've been here. She had to go in at 5 a.m. this morning and will be there until about noon tomorrow. Tonight she had to do CPR on a four-year-old who was hit by a car. He didn't make it. That kind of makes things at my job seem a little less important.

Our day started around 6:15, when Lon started getting the boys up to get ready for school. It was a battle of what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, fixing hair and brushing teeth. Brady and Avery start school at 7:40, so after dropping them off, Lon had a meeting at work, so Peyton and I hung out and watched cartoons and some unfortunate Wiggles wannabe that was really annoying. Oh, and the same episodes of SpongeBob over and over.

Peyt and I met Lonnie for lunch in Temple. While driving over there, Peyton was being really quiet, so I looked back to see what he was doing while we were stopped at a light. He appeared to be reading my "People" magazine. But upon closer inspection, I realized what he was actually doing was staring at the girls in bikinis on the "90210" ad.

Tonight we did the grand tour of Temple and Belton, including the high school football stadium here that's bigger than the one at my university. Guess everything is bigger in Texas.

Brady's birthday party

Yesterday was Brady's birthday party. The kids had a blast. Brady's really into anything Army right now.



Hope loved the pool, but wouldn't take off her life jacket.



Peyton hates it when I take his picture, but I caught him a couple of times yesterday.



Chance, Brady and Avery jumped off the diving board about 100 times.



Chance and Brady were born 7 weeks apart. They don't see each other often, but they are still great buds.



Brady even swims in his Army hat, including diving off the diving board.



This pretty much captures how Peyt felt at the end of the day... worn out.

Texas-bound boys

I've mentioned before that my two favorite cousins, Scott and Lonnie, married well above themselves. The beautiful and talented Shannon took some great pics of Jen's family this past weekend. Feel free to check them out. Huey, Dewie and Louie have never looked so handsome (or so well behaved)!

Graduation, v2.0

Sorry for the lack of posts, but I've been working on a video project for a friend during every spare moment. Plus, I'm trying to catch up on some sleep. In the interim, enjoy some more pics from Jen's graduation.