California Comes to Texas!

For the first time since I can remember, a large part of the California Clan of our family came to Dallas for a visit.  My Uncle Al (my Dad's brother), Aunt Ruth, Cousin Jeff, Cousin Alicia, her husband Tom, and their kids Kelsey and Kaeton were here for only a couple of days.  They flew from California to Missouri, where they then drove through Oklahoma and to Texas.  Quite a tour!

We all went to lunch at The Pub in downtown McKinney.  Afterwards, Jeff and I hit the Landon Winery for a tasting while the others shopped.  Later in the afternoon, the "grown ups" looked around downtown McK.  I introduced Alicia and Kelsey to Sam Moon while we dropped off Tom, Jeff & Kaeton at Dave & Buster's.  Dinner was catered BBQ at Dad and Marilynn's.

Here are some pics.  I hope to get more sent to me by the CA gang.





We always have such a great time together.  It was great to see everyone, but the time was too short.  We're hoping they visit again soon!  (Hint, hint:  I know you're reading this, Aunt Ruth!!!!!)

Whitney's Graduation!

June 7, 2011:

There is nothing like getting up at the butt-crack of dawn during your summer vacation to suffer through morning traffic while driving downtown to watch 1100 students graduate at 9:30am.  Seriously, who does that to that many people, uuhhh. . . I mean, high school seniors???

Well, despite the early morning, the walking to find a seat in the convention center arena (with an ankle I sprained walking the dogs), the heat, and the time . . . I would not have missed it for the world.

My first niece graduating from high school?  PRICELESS.

And photos:

Kilee excited to see her sister graduate.

1100 kids ready to walk!  Where's Waldo?

Me (looking awful) with my graduate!

Aunt Kristin and her girls.

Whitney's family

2011 Graduate

Congratulations, gorgeous!

Oh, and did we tell you that Papa wrecked his truck taking us to lunch?  Yep.

Busy Summer!

We are a few weeks into our summer vacation, and it has already been so busy!  Todd is beating his head against his desk taking two grad school classes during the first five weeks of summer.  He is in class three afternoons a week in addition to an online class.  Working to maintain his stellar 4.0, Todd is working hard to get it all done.  I'm trying to entertain myself without making a bunch of noise in the house.

What's happened so far?  LOTS!  Our a/c motor was replaced ($$) after over two days without a/c, Whitney graduated from high school, my Dad's brother and his much of his family came in for a visit, happy hour with friends, a focus group to score some cash, and a "beginning of summer" party with school friends got our summer started.  Aeva turned 8, Will turned 4, and Todd had another birthday, too.  The pups are enjoying having us home and are (of course) still cute as ever!  I spent a handful of days in the Denver CO area visiting one of my sorority sisters, and we are now headed towards July.

Next on the blog: Posts with pics!

Rewind: Proud Aunt

May 21, 2011:


Whitney asked me to take photos of her before prom, and I happily obliged.  (Aunt Kristin knows how to get invited to important events - have a camera!)  Whit looked so pretty and happy.  It was still hard to see our little girl going to prom.  Ugh.

Here are just a few of the over 250 shots I took:

Pretty!

Whitney and her date/boyfriend, Cole.

Whitney & friend Kelsey - Hook 'Em!

WOW.  Where did my little girl go?

Whitney with Dad and Mom.

Cole putting on Whit's corsage.

Cole has a great sense of humor.

The twenty "kids" taking a bus to prom and to the lake afterwards.

Whitney and Cole ready to go.

Rewind: Easter 2011

April 24, 2011

Easter Sunday was spent with family and friends - good food, good wine, great company, and an Easter Egg hunt for the kids!

My baby brother and his family.
(Danielle, Aeva frowning, me, Will & Mike)

Lovely pic of my SIL and her Dad.

Family & Friends: Mom, Me, Noble, and Martin

Mom & Rick with their kids.

My Mommy and Me!

Preparing a plan to snag eggs inside and out!

Aeva cracking open some eggs.

Will smiles and says, "CANDY!"

We are blessed!

Doggie Dreams

Experiencing yet another moment of his rough life, Steve (sleeping on his back upon the leather couch), has a doggie dream.  It's a tough life, but somebody's gotta live it!



Wonder if it was the trash truck?  A knock at the door?  Another dog?  The kids on a scooter in the alley?