July 2020

 7/23 - Kasey had a big day.  She got to do instrument selection and picked with the director clarinet.  I played the clarinet in middle school band and I think aunt cindy did as well.  Should be fun.   Greg also went to get her school supplies which is always fun, he even picked good colors.  She also got her earpods in - she has broken several wired headphones but uses them alot so we will see how these go.

7/5 - 7/12 - We drove to Orange Beach Alabama for a week at the beach.  Long drive, I even helped drive about 3 hours there and 4 hours home.   We were staying in a friend's condo right on the beach.  The night we got there we picked up pappa murphys for dinner, then took a walk on the beach.   That night there was a beautiful reflection of the moon on the ocean.  It reminded us of being on a cruise.  I had to share with Grammy and Gramps.   

We mainly hung out.  We went to the beach every day with a cooler, chairs, umbrellas and some boogie boards.   The kids snorkled a little but wasn't to much there.   One day we went to ride go carts - really cool place we got to ride on 3 different tracks and all had fun doing that.  That afternoon Greg and I went out to beach just the two of us with chairs, towels and a beer.   I got stung by a jelly fish - not fun, but went a way that night.  

We enjoyed good dinners, the kids even tried a few new things.  They really like strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas in Alabama.    Kasey gave each restaurant a rating.  They liked the first night at Cobalt.  Great food, good atmosphere and good drinks.  One night we went to Fishers which is higher end, wasn't the kids favorite - no daiquiris and no fried shrimp :)   Greg and I enjoyed it.  We also  went to a small place called Anchor - basically at a marina and outside.  The food was great, we had a few beers and listened to two brothers play live music.     We went to Cosmos one night which was also good - beer, good food outside covered seating with good social distancing.   The last night we went to Louisiana Lagniappe.  It was probably favorite for kids and I.  They had really good vieux carres and the kids liked their drinks a lot.  The food was really good - hushpuppies, grouper (mine had lobster on it), and served with twice baked potatoes.  The desserts were perfect for us, but we were so full we took them home.   We got to try 3 ice cream places - Sweet Cone Alabama was my favorite.

Friday night Greg and I joined Allora wine Zoom.  For lunch we ate stuff we had in the condo.   Overall it was a great trip.  It was nice to get away, be somewhere different, get to hear the ocean often and mostly social distance.   Elevators were the hardest part.

7/4 - We had dinner with Grandma and Pops, Spring Creek BBQ.  Yummy food and we finished the keylime pie.   They took Patch home with them because we were leaving early the next morning.  So weird being in the house without her.

7/3 - We had a yummy birthday/fathers day dinner for Greg and Gramps.   We had fajitas and margaitas from Chepas.  Grammy brought yummy pies - key lime, chocolate and pecan - yum.   Glad we got to get together before we headed to Alabama.  That night Kasey, Greg, Patch and I went to watch the Allen fireworks.  It was about 25 minutes and pretty good.  A bit windy but that made it cooler.

June 2020

 6/20 - we went and picked up Kasey from Pine Cove. She had a great time,  She said they all cried the last night because they didn't want to leave.   Her cabin won the overall cabin award. They got to sit at a fancy table and be waited on, and they were walked in by some of the guy counselors.   They also got a pool party.  The girls in her cabin have decided to start a group text - should be interesting and fun.

6/19 - We went to Zorbas with a few friends.  One of our favorite places!  Yummy Greek food.

6/18 - Greg and I went to Bavarian Grill for some food and a few beers.

6/14 - We took Kasey to PineCove today.  She packed herself and was excited to be away from us for a week.   This is her 4th year to go and she went without knowing anyone.   Greg and I drove her down and came back and had dinner with Landon at Chepas.  We got margaritas to go which has been our norm at Chepas :)

6/13 - We had grammy and gramps over to see Kasey before camp.  We had yummy Dirkins pizza and Grammy and Gramps brought some new yummy cookies for dessert.

6/5-6/12 - We rented a friends lake house since Philmont and Disney World were cancelled.  We headed up Friday and the 4 of us had dinner at a diner by the lake.   We had some cold beer and good food (Kasey and I had chicken fried steak).

Greg's parents came up that night as well.  We got the coolers unpacked, settled in and we got in the pool.   Over the week we were pretty much in the pool in the morning and after dinner.  It was a bit hot during the day.    

Pops went fishing a few times, we cooked dinners and breakfasts, relaxed and took Patch for walks. During the week I worked 1/2 days except Wednesday.  Wednesday we walking in the morning, had lunch then headed to the other side of the lake.  We rented a boat and all went tubing.   Landon went first, then both kids went, then Kasey, then I went, then I drove the boat and let Greg tube some.    Later Landon went again and went back and forth over the wake and got thrown off a bit.   Kasey rode on the tube for a long time, and then Landon got on one more time while Landon napped in the back of the boat before getting back on the tube one more time.

I worked all day Tuesday and we headed home Friday.

May 2020

5/23 - We went over to a friends house for burgers, wine and some swimming.  They are part of our inner circle during this crazy year.

5/17 - Landon turned 14 today.   We walked to get donuts in the morning,  Pops brought over a card and delivered it with a long reach arm.   We had made some small chocolate cakes to share with the grandparents.  We took the cakes by Grammy and Gramps and got a quick picture.   That afternoon Kasey made crepes with a girl scout zoom event 

5/16 - We went with a few friends to Cowboys club.  First time out socially distanced for some drinks and good food with friends.

5/9-5/10 - Mothers Day weekend.  We had social distancing meals at our house with our parents.  Saturday night Greg made jambalaya, cauliflower and peaches with red hots for his mom.  Yummy food, good company and nice weather sitting outside together.

Sunday morning we got up and went for a 3 1/2 mile walk.  We had some Laynes for lunch.

Greg made Roast, grilled okra and peaches for my mom.

For desserts Greg got pecan pie, key lime pie, strawberry pie (yuk) and red velvet Bundt cake.  Yum, dessert is really important :)

5/9 - We had our 2nd Allora wine tasting.  We enjoyed some good wine outside.

5/8 - Girl Scouts announced that Twilight Camp is postponed, and Kasey's day at the water park for selling over 600 boxes of cookies is postponed.   The boys know their Philmont trek is postponed and likely cancelled.  We are also assuming our Disney trip will be cancelled.

We have booked a week at a friends lake house in June and we have a week booked at a friends beach house in Orange Beach later in the summer.  Hopefully we can do both of those weeks. 

April 2020

4/26 - we had grammy and gramps over for dinner - sitting outside social distanced.  It was fun to get to eat together and catch up.

4/25 - We had our first virtual wine tasting with one of our favorite wineries - Allora.  Fun to see the family that runs it, drink some wine and I think we even heard from the winemaker.

4/17 -  We had a family zoom.  Nina lead it and we did some family trivia, virtually shared drinks and had fun catching up.  This was pretty early using zoom.  Craig called in with a beach background and we thought he was someone random joining our call so he got kicked off (oops).  

4/9-4/12 - Easter.   We had Friday off, I think those of us working and doing school from home really needed an extra day.   Thursday night we had dinner at the house.  Yummy Jambalaya that Greg made.  After dinner we walked to Paciugo.  It was a 3 mile walk both ways but good exercise.  The area where it is was pretty deserted.  Several places closed and not many people even getting food.

Saturday we got up, not very early and went on a 3 mile hike and connemara.  It was nice to be outside and see flowers and butterflies.  We picked up Laynes for lunch on the way home :)

4/3-4/5 - Birthday weekend.  Its a little different having a birthday in quarantine.  We started the weekend with Good wine, Zoom with some friends.   Saturday Kasey and I were quite lazy in the morning.  Greg hiked and walked the dog before anyone else got going.  That night we went to pick up Del Frisco's to go. Yummy steak, salads and a appetizers.   I asked the kids to dress up from the waste up for a picture.  Greg put a jacket over under armour tshirt, Landon put on collared shirt with sports shorts and Kasey changed from pastel multi colored tshirt to a sweatshirt version :)  It's all good, we got a few pictures and had a nice dinner together.  Greg made chocolate cake which is always good. After Kasey, Greg and I watched Frozen 2.

Sunday we got breakfast from Eggquisite.  We got some for Grammy and Gramps too and delivered it to them.  We got a social distance picture because we can't hug them but got to see them on my birthday.  I got to have biscuits and gravy yum!   We went for a long walk in the afternoon.  We also went over to Greg's parents and had social distance discussion in the back yard.   Kasey and Greg made Quiches for us, and both grandparents.  Yummy new dish Greg found that we all really like.   

That night we had Mexican food from Chepas, they have yummy Sangria swirls to go :)

Mom got me some fun new jewelry and a card.   Neighborhood friends got me Reeses peanut butter cups and wine - they know me well.  That night we had a few moms and I had a virtual happy hour.  It was fun to see a few people and catch up some :)

4/2 - Landon found out today that he made the top band for 9th grade.  He was really excited :)

4/1 - Been working from home for 2 weeks.   Good and bad to being in home quarantine.  The good, I get to have lunch and dinner with the family every day, we are all exercising in some way just about every day, we are enjoying our wine fridge, we are trying to support local restaurants as much as we can, I'm able to have a room with closed door and extra screen to work and be on calls most of the day.   The tougher parts, not seeing people, worrying about family, just having a weird feeling because things aren't normal, and sad that events and things planned are mostly cancelled.  We will make it through this, but its tough for everyone.  Even Patch is kind of weirded out by us being home all the time.

March 2020

3/28 - Greg and I sat outside with some wine, the dog and some music.  It was nice to not be in the house for a little while

3/27 - we had Friday night wine night virtually with some friends.   We enjoyed some wine and getting to talk to friends remotely

 3/17 - Today was my first day working from home as recommended.  I had to be in the office a few days to help a new person onboard.   We'll see how this goes.  I have a window in my office now :)

3/12/20 - today all sports in US cancelled because of coronavirus- college and professional.  Greg joked he might have to watch Hallmark with me.  Ha!

3/6 - 3/11 - We went for short spring break to Broken Bow in Oklahoma.  We enjoyed some good food, relaxing, walks with patch and some fishing for some.  Everyone watched Avatar in preparation for our summer Disney trip.  Fun times.  We even found some favorite beers at Beavers Brewery.

3/1 - We sold off our boxes of cookies at our last booth.   The girls convinced a guy to buy our last 2 toffee tastics, they did awesome!

February 2020

 2/29 - Greg went to FC Dallas game then went to A&M baseball game.  I went with Kasey to her Pom Pom performance which was before a local Legends Basketball game.  It was really cool to see them perform on the court.  I took video so everyone else could see.

2/25 - Kasey got to work at the knick knack store at school.  Helping out with the money.

2/22 - Got to have a short girls weekend.  We went to Fort Worth, enjoyed Joe T Garcias with a pitcher of margaritas.  Then we checked into hotel, walked around the area some and headed to local distillery which was pretty cool.  We hung out some in the hotel then headed to the stockyards.  We had some yummy burgers and beer then got to sit in VIP section at the rodeo.    Fun night.   Afterwards we headed to Billy Bobs to watch and listen for a little while then headed back to the hotel for a few drinks and snacks.

The next morning we chilled out at the hotel then went to a good late breakfast on the way home.  Fun weekend with the ladies.

2/19 - Greg and Landon went to a Scouting dinner.  Greg got dressed up :)

2/17 - Kasey met her goal at of selling 800 boxes of cookies.  She was very excited, but our troop still had several boxes of cookies to sell.

2/14 - Greg got me flowers, and me made a very good beef tenderloin and okra.  Grammy brought us mini pies that were yummy and we had treats from Fredel to top off Valentines day. 

2/9 - We went to Cheesesteak factory to celebrate Grammy's birthday.  Good food and dessert, and good company.  For some reason the service took forever that night.

2/8 - Greg and I decided to go out for early valentines.  We basically did a bar hop at area right by the house.   We had fun :)

2/6 - Landon got to perform with jazz band.  Probably the only time because French Horns aren't really in jazz band and Landon said it wasn't his favorite music.

January 2020

 1/28 - After work I headed to the middle school for PTA meeting and the hear the SRO officers talk about what middle school kids are doing these days.  A bit scare but good to get some more education.  Then I headed to the elementary school to talk to 6th grade parents about several things that are different in middle school.

1/25 - Kasey had a cookie booth at Grammy and Gramp's place.  She sold lots of cookies in a few hours and it was fun to meet people that Grammy and Gramps are becoming friends with.

1/23 - I had a work HH with other managers at Ten Times Cellar.  It was fun to try some wine and have snacks together. Its nice getting to talk to colleagues about things other than work.

1/17 - Cookies season started, its time for another year of cookie selling 

1/12 - We had another sewing session with the girls for their Bronze award.  It was neat to see them get further and do a little better this time.

1/11 - We woke up in the morning and it snowed for about 5 minutes.  Kasey went outside for a few minutes with no shoes and short sleeve pajamas.   It didn't last long, but it was pretty.  Greg and I went to a Boy Scout award dinner.   Greg got an award from the troop for all of the work he does with them.  Proud of him, only 2 adults from our troop got the same award.

1/5 - the  girls came over for to work on sewing for their bronze award for the first time.   Some picked it up faster than others, but they all did a good job and helped each other out some too.

1/3-4 - Family Girls weekend.  Kasey and I got up, went to the salon to get our nails done, got some food, started watching a Netflix Christmas movie.  Grammy came to pick us up and we headed down south.

We got down there and headed to dinner at a Mexican restaurant.  Yummy food, margaritas and family.

Then we went back to my aunts house, talked, had several drinks, got the younger girls to bed and stayed up late talking.  Fun times with laughs and discussions.    The youngest cousin there stayed where we were while her mom slept next door.  She got up in the middle night and ended up sleeping with Grammy and I.  Not sure any of us slept well, but that's ok.  I got up with her the next morning to make waffles.   I ended up taking a nap after others got up.

Eventually we all got showers, and other family members came over.   We had several snacks and food most of the day.  The kids ran around playing and the adults sat round the table eating and talking.   After family left that was going home, we started getting tired.  So we decided to play at game even the kids.  We played Smart Ass which was really fun.

Great time with family, girls time, good food and a few drinks.

1/4/2020

From boys Ski trip - We had another great day on the slopes.  Today was full of accomplishments for many.   Some scouts used their snow sport skills to attempt the first green, blue, or even black ski slope.  Others improved their confidence and skills by enjoying multiple runs down their favorite slopes.  We also had multiple scouts complete the slopework for the snow sports merit badge (Thank You Mr. Ellison!).  In total, it was another fun filled day of fun at Ski Apache.

Ski Apache is a great opportunity for adults to have fun while helping the troop.  I was very glad to see many new faces attending this year.  I personally had a great time getting to know our scout parents better.  Hopefully they also enjoyed spending time with our troop leadership learning about the traditions and stories of our troop.  In addition, there is no better meal in town than feasting on fantastic food with friends at the La Junta lodge (Thank You Mr. Vanek!). 

Campouts are a great way to see first hand how scouting is building confidence and enhancing the character of our sons.  Our troop can always use more active adults to help in all sorts of roles.  In fact, we were able to complete a "Board of Review" last evening since we had enough committee members (registered adult who is not a scout leader) at Ski Apache.  We have an excellent opportunity to learn more about this critical role at our first ever "Coffee and the Committee" meeting on January 13th.  I hope to see many of you there during our normal scout meeting.

We will be departing Riudoso around 9 AM(MST).  This will put us in Synder, Tx around 2 pm for a late lunch.  With this in mind, our projected arrival time will be around 7 PM (CST).  Scouts will always call when we are thirty minutes away, but please be on standby to meet us at Palmer Hall at Suncreek Church tomorrow evening.  If anything drastically changes, I will send out an update.

1/3/2020 - 

From boys ski trip - Today was an excellent skiing day.  The weather was fantastic and the snow was even better.  We had several scouts and scouters attend ski school in the morning and were already cruising the slopes in the afternoon.  We returned to the ski lodge to take showers and enjoy some down time while the adult leaders prepared a filling and delicious dinner (featuring an appetizer, soup, and dessert course).  Everyone is doing well and I am expecting all to get a good nights rest after the fun today.  

1/1/2020 - We got up in the morning and left around 9:30am.  We took the train down.   It was really crowded downtown so we took the train further to West End to switch trains.  It worked out pretty well to get to Fair Park.  We walked to the stadium, got some food and went to our seats.    It was a really cool event.  Good hockey game and the Stars won.  They had music including a pretty good cover band, Midland and Dan and Shea.   They also had state fair themed entertainment - pig races, ropers, Aggie Ranglers, guy riding a big cow with horns :).    Very fun, I'm glad we went.