September 2017

9/30 - Landon had a soccer game at 8am in Frisco so we all had to get up and get ready early.   The Spartans won 7 to 0.  Landon almost got a goal, at the end you could tell they were having fun playing including the boys getting to play some different positions.

We came home got Landon showered, had a snack and then headed to College Station.  Kids read and played on their ipads, I worked and took a nap.  We got there and got into the house we were staying at and headed to late lunch at Fox and Hound.  Then we headed to Northgate to hang out at Duddleys.  The kids paid Life and had shirley temples.  We enjoyed some beer and football.

We headed to A&M game for the evening.  Aggies won luckily :)

After the game we took tired kiddos to the house for some sleep.   The house had a basket with a bottle of wine and some popcorn - which was a great snack after the game.

9/22-24 - All: We had a fun weekend at camp. We started off with quick dinner at Wataburger and headed to camp. We got everything unloaded and into the cabins as it was getting dark. We all enjoyed a brownie thanks to Tara. It took the girls a little while to get to sleep but they settled down.

Saturday the girls started getting up about 6:45am - little early. We got up to get going. Girls prepared breakfast food and got it ready for everyone. We ate breakfast outside and then the girls washed dishes and cleaned up.

They spent the morning at a badge workshop earning their letterboxer badge. They got to observe things, solve codes, create a stamp of their own, and create a troop letterbox to leave for others (like simple geocaching). Ask them about potato 7888 :)

Then we went back and the girls got lunch stuff out and we all ate lunch together inside. They had a little bit of turtle time (free time) in their cabin to listen to music and hang out. We got to call the cowboys on property to help us again (they had helped earlier with Michelle's flat). This time there was a red hornet on the girls porch - it stung Carol already (ouch! - thanks for taking one for the team). Anyway the girls had to stay in the cabin while they took care of it.

Next we headed to horseback riding. We went on a trail for 30 minutes or so which was nice, but a little dusty for some. It was shaded so the weather was nice and it was relaxing. I rode Dodge and I think Kasey got to ride the same horse she has previously.

After horseback riding we came back for a snack and to get ready for swimming. Of course there was another red hornet on the porch so we had to walkie talkie our friends again.

At the pool the girls took three second rinse off shower (they were excited about this for some reason), and they did quick swim test to see if they could jump off the diving board. They all did great. Most of the time they were jumping off the diving board and having a good time.

After that we headed back to work on dinner. We prepared desserts (cherry and peach cobbler), started fire in pit, and got stuff out for dinner. All the girls lit matches to practice and they all at some point over the weekend practiced cutting with a knife with food preparation. They also helped clean up.

The girls made their nachos or tacos, and we all enjoyed the cobbler. After that the girls headed to the showers while we cleaned up since it was getting late. We had a visitor at camp who smelled our cobbler - Hope the deer came right up to me and wanted something to eat. I gave her some off the spoon and then she headed on. We got the girls to bed and I think we were all pretty tired and slept better than the first night :)

Sunday morning the girls slept in a little. We got up for breakfast, and then had to pack and clean. Hope the deer came back to see the girls. They got to pet her and feed her some bread.

After packing we had to clean everything and the girls helped a lot. We had to take trash out, sweep all the buildings, fully clean the bathroom (each girl cleaned a shower or toilet :)), and make sure everything was clean.

Then we packed up and headed back. We took a quick stop at Buccee's in Terrell. Fun weekend for all. Hopefully the girls aren't to tired.

Landon stayed home with Greg, went to his soccer game Saturday morning (they won), and then headed to camp with his other soccer team mates. The boys had set up Landon's tent on Friday but left it open so there were several spiders in his tent. A little scary and he didn't sleep well. Overall it was good.

Greg was home all alone. He went to Oktoberfest in McKinney Saturday and got to sleep a little bit.

We all came home and decided to head to the Greek festival. It was very crowded and warm. We got some food and hung out for a bit. The kids made sand art. We were all pretty tired so we headed home. Kasey, Landon and I all fell asleep on the way home.

9/17 - we slept in some and then got going.  Lots of drama and not much of walk for the dog.   Landon and Greg went to help set up scouting event, then we went to lunch as a family.    We hung out in the afternoon.  Landon and I are trying to watch a season and a half of Arrow in a few weeks.    

Landon had his first Cotillion class this afternoon.  He has to wear khaki's, dress shoes, button down shirt with tie and a jacket.   Needless to say he wasn't overly excited the the boys looked so handsome.  They started learning about dancing and some on etiquette.   He'll survive whether he likes it or not :) 

9/16 - Today Landon had a very busy day.  He had Scout merit badge activities from 8-12.  I brought him lunch so he could eat on the way home.    He had a soccer game in Frisco at 2pm.  They tied 2 to 2.  It was on a turf field and it was pretty warm so it was really hot on the field.    It was a bit rough.   

From there we went straight to Oktoberfest in Addison.   We had some Spoetzl, Schnitzel and of course some beer.   We saw some friends there which was fun, and the kids got to ride several of the small roller coasters.  We finished the night with some Helmuts Strudel.  Yummy

9/13 - Landon got another baby tooth removed as recommended by the orthodontist and dentist.  Hopefully its his list one to get pulled out.  After that he had piano and soccer practice then had to study for 2 tests.  he's been a little tired

9/12 - Kasey got braces today to take care of her under bite.  They put balls on her back teeth so the front teeth can move forward.  That means she can't really chew anything.   So we have to cut up food really small like with did when she was a baby and puree other stuff.  She hasn't been in to much pain which is good.  

9/5 - I went to Cleveland for work conference on content marketing.  We got to go to Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and House of Blues for an 80s dance party.   Both were fun and the conference was really good

California Vacation

9/4 - we got an uber to the airport and headed home.  The kids will take a while to recover from lost sleep and what Landon missed at school, but we still had fun and enjoyed our time.

9/3 

Game Day - Texas A&M vs UCLA.  We got to visit the Rose Bowl.   We drove to an area, found a place to eat - mainly breakfast stuff, but they had a buffet with several things.  Service wasn't great - they kept saying all the Texans were  wiping them out of sparkling wine and other stuff :)

After that we walked to the Stadium.  Kasey had to go potty so we went in, and everyone else got a picture with Rose Bowl Sign.

We found our seats for the game.  The first half was pretty good.  We had some offense, defense was playing well.  Somehow the 2nd half was totally different.  The quarterback went out with broken ankle and others went out as well.

It was 44 A&M to 10 UCLA with 4:08 left in the 3rd quarter.  Somehow UCLA came back an won the game.   UGH!!!!!!!

Needless to say we headed back after the game and got kids to bed.   We had morning flight the next day

9/2 

This was kind of a rest day.  We hung out at the house in the morning, went swimming,    The boys went to get burgers to cook for lunch.  Then in the afternoon we headed to Disneyland one more time.  We got there a bit early, had some yummy ice cream (daily ritual at Disney), then we got Kasey a Destiny stuffed animal that she really wanted,  then we waited on main street to watch the Aggie band walk and play before the big Disney parade.   Kasey and I stayed for both because the parade is magical.  Greg and Landon watched the band then went to tomorrow land to do Star Tours and Buzz light year again.   After the parade we met up with the boys and went to ride the railroad roller coaster again.   We went on safari ride which is funny ride through pretend jungle with silly jokes.    

That night we went to Roy's for dinner.  We had quick showers and were a little late so we had to wait some.  Still good dinner though.   The kids enjoyed it as well.

After dinner we got kids to bed, Greg and I ran to the store for a few things, we enjoyed some wine then it was bed time.  

9/1 

We headed to Disneyland first thing in the morning - it opened at 9am.  We went to ride Star Tours a first time and rode it a few times.  The first one Landon was the spy they were looking for :)  We went to see Star Wars Path of the Jedi - cool overview of Star Wars, always fun to see.  Then we headed to our character breakfast.  The kids got signatures and pictures with several characters including Rafiki, Captain Hook, Winnie the Pooh, Max, Eeyore,  Chip and Dale (I got pictures with them too), Tiger.  Fun yummy breakfast and the kids enjoyed it.

Next we went to the auto ride where kids can ride.  Landon rode in his own car, so did Greg and Kasey drove me (oh my).  It was warm but fun.  Next we went on Splash mountain which Kasey loved.  Then the Mountain railroad which we all enjoy.   By that time it was for Mickey ice cream.  Always yummy with vanilla ice cream and chocolate cover (no chocolate ears like in China).  Next we decided for the no wait AC It's a Small World.

Landon and I went and did a few things.  We did car ride again,  saw chewbacca and Darth vader.  The girls got to ride tea cups and walk around some.

That evening we went to dinner in Downtown Disney at Ralph Brennans Jazz Cafe.  Nice dinner.  After dinner we headed back into Disneyland for the fireworks and Fantasmic show on the castle.  It was a good show even though we were pretty tired.   We walked back to the house from there.  Luckily we didn't have to be up early the next morning.

August 2017

8/31 

We got up and had breakfast at the house then headed to California Adventure to be there for opening.   We went to Soarin first but it was actually closed.  Several of us left and went to ride the rapids ride - Kasey got a bit wet.   Greg and Landon stayed and go to do Soarin.   Then we went to ride Cars then the little singing dancing car ride at Luigi's.  We then went back for single rider on Cars ride again.   We ate lunch outside at the wine place which was nice to rest and have some good food.

We got to ride the Gaurdians ride again for more fun.   We rode Ariel again for some AC.  The California Screamin several more times. Then it was time for some Ice Cream.  We had some Ghirardelli ice cream which is always yummy.  Landon and I had fast pass so I could do Soarin around the world - pretty cool.

After that we went  to an obstacle course for kids.  They got to ride a tire swing across an area.  Then we walked around the net area - good leg workout.  Somehow Greg and Doug got to sit and hang out, but kids wanted me go through with them.

Next we went to really cool animation thing.  They have an actual animator teach you how to draw something and everyone in the audience tries to.  Landon, Kasey and I drew baby Groot which was fun.  After that we went to sorcerer's workshop.  It had a very cool ways of showing how still images go into motion.  They had different dials and exhibits that when you moved them showed the images moving like a movie.  

After that was an area in Beauty and the Beast library where they take your picture, ask you some questions and tell you which character you are most like.   Kasey was Lilo, Landon was Nemo's dad, and I was Mrs Incredible :)   It was fun.  Then we got our picture with Pluto before heading to meet the rest of the group

We rode California Screamin a few more times and the boys rode Toy Story mania again.  We got a few cool family pictures on the way to dinner in the park.  When we got to dinner place Minnie and Mickey were taking pictures.  The kids got pictures and we got a fun family picture with them as well.  I Love Disney.   We ate at Carthay Circle which was really nice.   We got a private room that the base of the table was replica of Snow White.  There were also pictures in there of the first picture of Walt Disney with Mickey and his last.  Very cool dinner with friends.   

We walked back to the house after that and kids went to bed.   We enjoyed some wine and also headed to bed.

8/30

For the first time we captured kids early and headed to California - lots of make up work for Landon missing first time they used their instruments, a big AIM day with drones, and lots of make up homework.

We left early Wednesday morning.   We met Grammy and Gramps at the airport early so they could take our car back home - they are awesome to wake up early.   We had breakfast burritos at the airport.  We flew through Phoenix and got into town before noon.   We got our bags and took uber to the house we rented.  We got settled in a bit and I had to take a few work calls then we started walking to Disney California Adventure.  We decided to spend the afternoon there.  We stopped for a drink and snack (soft pretzels) then headed into the park.

We rode California Screamin several times - kids love it and it even goes upside down.  We went with Max Pass option which worked out well for us.  It gives you pictures for the day and allows you to set fast passes on your phone.

We also had fun shooting at stuff in Toy Story Mania game.  We went on the swings, we went inside on Ariel ride (Kasey wouldn't let me sing the whole time).  We met up with some friends and got to go on a few rides with them.  We got to see Black Widow.  Landon did a questionaire to see what his key characteristic is - its worthiness like Thor.  We to see a cool short video showing Marvel stories.   We got to go on the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride - its where Tower of Terror used to be and was fun up and down ride with awesome music.

We rode California Screamin again and swings again.  Then to Cars ride which is always fun.

After a pretty warm day we headed back to Downtown Disney to get some pizza for dinner.  It was a late evening and we had 25 minute walk back.   We  let the kids jump in the pool to cool down a bit.    

The adults got to have some wine, but we were a bit tired as well.

8/27 - We tried to sleep in some.  When we finally got up and decided to have Bonnie Ruth for brunch.    yummy but a lot of food.  We didn't eat lunch.

We came home and I got ready for girl scout meeting - Kasey helped out.  We had planning meeting for our campout which is interesting trying to put opinions together and come to conclusion with several 8 year olds :)   We got through it.

We went to Mi Cocina for an early dinner and got the kids showered and ready for bed.

I have a business trip after our vacation that has a night time 80s party.  I asked Kasey to make me some bright earings.  We'll see how it goes 

8/26 - Some of us started out early.  Greg and Landon had to be at the church at 6:30am to leave for day trip of shooting with boy scouts.  I got up and got muffins and tea for Greg at Market street before they left.  Luckily I was able to go back to sleep.  Kasey woke up about 7.  She played for a while and woke me up at 8 because she was hungry.   We went and grabbed breakfast and watched the rest of the Hallmark saturday movie.   

I walked the dog to get the car Greg left at the church while Kasey sang and danced for a little exercise :)   After that I took a shower and got ready.  We headed for lunch and ate at Freebirds which is always yummy.    

That afternoon several moms went to girl scout leader kickoff.  Our daughters hung out together and created a few videos with their stuffed animals.  It was cute!

We hung out for a bit then decided to get Zorbas for dinner.  We ordered and went to get it.  By the time we got back it was time to get the boys.  I left Kasey at home to put food on the plates and get ready while I went to pick them up.

They had a good time.  Landon got about 8 targets which is a good start, but not what's needed to qualify for shot guns.  Greg tried some as well for the first time in 30 years.

8/21 - Today was the first day of school.  Landon started his last year of elementary school in 6th grade, and Kasey started 3rd grade.    I worked out and we walked the kids to school  It was a bit warm so we were all a bit sweaty.   Landon didn't really even want us to walk him to his classroom.  We talked to his teacher for a few minutes because Greg was taking him out of school at lunch to see the eclipse.   Then we walked Kasey to her class.  We got a picture of Kasey with her teacher and it was time for us to head home.

I worked the morning then went to lunch with a few ladies from the neighborhood.  We all have 6th grader - oh my.   I went to meet Greg and Landon right around the peak of the eclipse.  It was really cool - we had proper glasses to look at it, and we also looked at shadows from tree leaves, trash can and colander.  It was pretty cool to see the effect of it.

We took Landon back to school and went home.  I worked the afternoon.

kids had a good day.  Nothing to much going on.  Since I worked from home. I was there when Landon got home from playing with a friend and Kasey got home from piano.  We hung out then I went to Landon's boy scout court of honor.  Landon earned 5 merit badges, and is getting close to his next rank.

8/19 - Today we slept in a little.  Kasey got to go to the nail salon with her 2nd grade teacher to get them ready for school this year.  They had fun catching up and getting pretty.   While they were doing that I walked the dog, Landon went of a bike ride.  Once we all got back we hung out then headed to Elkes for lunch.  We came home to clean up some.  Landon had a fun birthday party of escape room (the mom said Landon did a great job) and then just time at the pool.   He had a good time and didn't want to leave.    Kasey, Greg and I went to dinner at Bavarian Grill and had some good German food and some Oktoberfest beer - yum.   We had fun singing on the way home.  

8/17 - Tonight was meet the Teacher.  I was working PTA stuff so we went to meet teachers quickly and then I worked to get people signed up online and get them to donate to our fundraiser.  It was fun meeting the kids teachers.  Kasey has teachers that Landon had so that will be fun.   6th grade is a whole new thing and should be interesting with band and AP math

8/13 - We went for early matinee movie.  Landon and I saw the new Spiderman movie and  Kasey and Greg saw the emoji movie.  Both were good.

We met for lunch together.   Then Greg and Landon went to boy scout year planning meeting.  Kasey and I went to a new families house to work on PTA stuff while girls played.

8/12 - We started off the day going to kindergarten  social and the boys went to boy scout orienteering.  Kasey helped me as we tried to get many new people to register on our new system. She helped people log in and seemed to enjoy it.

Kasey and I got matching Allen Eagle shirts and got her a cute Norton shirt.

After that we went home for a little bit waiting for the boys - we watched the end of our Hallmark movie.   We went to lunch at Elkes which is always fun.

Then we went home to clean out our old refrigerator.  Someone from TI was going to buy it.  I think the 3 of us getting it out of the house cost a lot more than we got for it, but its not in the house anymore.

Then kids and I went to Grammy and Gramps house - I dropped the kids off and went to get my hair cut..  Then we met for dinner at BJs.  Always fun and good food.  We even got Poozokies for dessert.

8/11 - After dinner at Mi Cocina Kasey and I went to get our nails done before they closed.

8/9 - Today Landon had 3 teeth pulled.  One was coming in in front of the baby tooth, one was coming in behind and the baby tooth wasn't getting looser, and the other they thought would go the same way.

We had our 3+ hour PTA meeting - first one of the year is always long, but there was wine and fun to see everyone.

8/6 - We slept in some today, worked on cleaning up some.  We had lunch with Grandma for her birthday at Saltgrass then went  back to her house for some peach cobbler and ice cream.   The kids were getting pretty tired and we had lots of clean up to do at home.  We spent most of the afternoon cleaning up for the house keepers.

For dinner Kasey and I wanted Pei Wei, Landon wanted cereal at home.  Greg went to dinner by himself at Jason's Deli.

8/5 - Today we got up early and headed to Pine Cove to pick up the kids.   We got to Kasey's camp and as we walked up she came running to us.  Big hugs.   We walked around some and went to her closing ceremonies.   She was very glad to see us but wanted to do it again next year.   After the closing ceremony the counselors present each kid with character qualities that they feel that child has.  Kasey's were insightful, capable and mature.

Then we headed to Landon's camp to get him.   We walked around some to find him and he was walking up to us.  We went to the store to finish off their money then headed to landon's closing ceremony.   We got to see with each of them how energetic the counselors are and some of the songs they do to start worship.   Kasey was into it, but the older boys weren't so much.

Landon's counselor Sneezy also presented him with character qualities.  His were engaging, patient and enthusiastic.     We signed Landon up again.  He had a good time as well.  He tried all the activities he could, but the other boys in his cabin that we didn't know weren't his favorite people.  They were pretty rough, rude etc.

We headed home and the kids told us about things they did and didn't do.    We stopped for lunch on the way and then headed the rest of the way home.

We came home and several of us took a nap.   Kids just chilled out.   We went to early dinner at Mi Cocina and kids got to bed at normal time.

8/4 -  I went to work out and to work today.  Greg and I got to have an early dinner at Bonefish and then went to Montgomery Farms first Friday.  It was fun hanging out with families and meeting some new people.  

8/3 - We got up normal time, had good breakfast at the hotel.  We got everything squared away to have our wine shipped back in cold shipment.   Then we headed out to San Francisco.

We had lunch at a high school friend's place in the city called Schroeder's.  Good German food and beer.  After that we headed to get gas and to the airport.   Good uneventful flight home.  We picked up Patch on the way and were glad to get home even though its quiet with no kiddos.

8/2 - We had a harder time getting up this morning.   We snoozed a little, got to breakfast a little later.   We had an amazing breakfast with short ribs, egg, avocado salsa.  Then they made Key Lime pancakes.   Yum!

We hung out in the room for a bit then headed out to wineries.   We started at St Francis - kind of on a whim.   I saw it on Google maps and checked out the web page - good ratings and wine varietals we liked.  It was a nice large tasting room and the lady helping us lived in Dallas for 25 years.  Next we went to Deerfield for a nice tasting in their cave.  They have several couches and chairs/tables set up and brought you wine to taste.   A good thing we liked about Sonoma is that most places let you taste all reds or pick which wines you wanted to taste.

Next we went to grab some food at VJB.  We had a nice meat and cheese plate and shared a sandwich.   We sat outside, which was a little warm but it was shade.

After lunch we did a quick tasting at Loxton which was recommended by our hotel.   The owner was Australian so they had some different wines that were pretty good.   We headed back to the hotel for a quick nap before our 3pm mountain top tasting.  We also wanted to get the wine out of the warm car.

We ended up being a few minutes late to the tasting but it was great.  We were at Kunde and got to see their cave while sipping on some wine.  Then we headed up to mountain top to taste some of their red wines.  The view was great of Sonoma Valley.  On the way back down we stopped to taste a Zin that was from vines that were planted in 1882.   Lastely we headed in and tasted a nice Cab they had.   We really enjoyed the tasting and it was a good way to wrap up our short visit to Sonoma.

We took the wine back and got ready for dinner.  We had reservations at El Dorado Kitchen.  We got there early and they put us outside kind of in the sun and it was a bit warm.   I would say to food was just ok.  The appetizers were good but the entree was overcooked.   Dessert was pretty good though.

We went back to the room and just relaxed for the night.

8/1 - Our first day in Sonoma.  We are trying new things since we normally go to Napa we thought we'd try something new.   We had an appointment at Gloria Ferrer at 10am for Taste of Spain.  We did wine and food pairing and got to try several wines from their Spanish properties and some Pinot and sparkling from US.

After that we had lunch in Sonoma Square at the Girl and the Fig.   We had a nice lunch - good cheese and meat and sandwiches with some nice iced tea.

After lunch we went to Buena Vista and Benzinger for wine tastings.    After that we came back to the hotel for a short Ciesta and then headed to the town square for Sonoma farmers market.  They had several booths of food and drink, live music.  It was fun to see

After that we had a later dinner at Glenn Ellen Inn.   I had a martini and we had good food and dessert.  Afterwards we came back to the hotel and hung out in the Jacuzzi with some other people who had gotten there that day.