The Siesta Solution

I love it when I find scientific proof that things I like are good for me. For example, dark chocolate isn't only good it's good for me. I was re-reading my Body+Soul June issue after Holly's blog, and noticed a little article I hadn't read before. It's called the Siesta Solution. It tells me that a nap not only feels so indulgent but it's actually good for me. Napping for a half hour 3 times a week might decrease our risk of dieing of heart disease by 37%. The nap's power comes from it's ability to lower our stress levels. We all know stress is bad and if we decrease our stress levels we will not only decrease our risk of a heart attach, but we also lower our risk of getting type 2 diabetes, cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The sisters

This isn't the best picture (or even a good one) but it's the most recent one I have on my computer. We were all at the Kemah Boardwalk in Houston, TX over spring break 2007. I think we were heading to the beach that day, right guys? We stopped off in Kemah for lunch at the Aquarium Restaurant. Just moments before we had walked through one of those "dancing sprinklers" in the ground. Poor Holly got stuck in it, because Connor was having a good old time. It was very bright and sunny and we are all squinting, but that just how it is. A snapshot of the day. Mom and Dad and all the kids were all right there acting crazy. I think Scott was the photographer...maybe Dad, he took his share too.

I love those girls. I can't wait to see each of them again in less than a week now. Holly might even have a new little baby for me to love on. It's so funny how much alike we all are. When Heidi and I had our first babies, she lived in Utah and I lived in San Diego, CA. The first time we got together after the babies were born, we just laughed, because most of the baby things we had bought were the same...same stroller, same car seat you name it. We hadn't even discussed what we were each buying, we just had the same taste and bought the same things. With Holly now that we have been blogging I have noticed that some of our comments are the same. Most times now I will read what she says before I publish my comments. You don't know how many times I have written something WITHOUT looking at what she says, and it's exactly what I would have (or did) say. The first day Hayley was here for the "spring break tour" I kept thinking "I didn't leave my sunglasses here???" Yup, we had the same glasses. It's just funny, out of all the choices, we end up with the same ones!

I've got a lot of good memories growing up in a household of all women+Dad. I know when Heidi went off to kindergarten I cried at the door for my "Dee Dee" to come home. I remember pretending to be Maria vonSlaven...or something, and Holly laughing laughing laughing. Hayley and I used to share a room and I remember telling Hayley her favorite stories over and over. Oh and trips to Disneyland! We'd stay in the park from the moment it opened until midnight when it closed. My parents would specially pick our dates to visit to get the long hours. None of this til 9:00pm crap for us-no way. I remember being so tired we would just collapse on the bed for a few hours of sleep to do it all again.

As a teenager, (remember I'm a second child) I remember wanting to be different from my sisters, to be unique I guess....find my own individuality, but now I like to see just how a like we are. Now, if I could just get them all to move to Texas...

If you have boys...

If you have boys between 8 and 80 this cool book is for you. The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn and Hal Iggulden.

From the publisher:

The bestselling book for every boy from eight to eighty, covering essential boyhood skills such as building tree houses, learning how to fish, finding true north, and even answering the age old question of what the big deal with girls is.

In this digital age there is still a place for knots, skimming stones and stories of incredible courage. This book recaptures Sunday afternoons, stimulates curiosity, and makes for great father-son activities. The brothers Conn and Hal have put together a wonderful collection of all things that make being young or young at heart fun---building go-carts and electromagnets, identifying insects and spiders, and flying the world's best paper airplanes.The completely revised American Edition includes: The Greatest Paper Aiplane in the WorldThe Seven Wonders of the Ancient WorldThe Five Knots Every Boy Should KnowStickballSlingshotsFossilsBuilding a TreehouseMaking a Bow and ArrowFishing (revised with US Fish)Timers and TripwiresBaseball's "Most Valuable Players"Famous Battles-Including Lexington and Concord, The Alamo, and Gettysburg Spies-Codes and CiphersMaking a Go-CartNavajo Code Talkers' DictionaryGirlsCloud FormationsThe States of the U.S. Mountains of the U.S.NavigationThe Declaration of Independence Skimming StonesMaking a PeriscopeThe Ten CommandmentsCommon US TreesTimeline of American History

My good old boy Scout

Scout just chilling. He does that a lot these days.

Busy day. We hit the Wal-mart, Target and Costco all in one day. I even managed a spinning class this morning...I know...go me. Anyway, got some tasty treats today along with some essentials of life. Like, the dried mangoes at Costco. I love those stupid things. I really don't love to eat a plain mango....but I like them dried and I like mango salsa.



Came home juuust long enough to unpack the car and then we were off to the Glenwood Falls Animal Hospital. Scout was due for his annual shots, poop sample :), and blood draw. $168 later...we were on our way home. Why do they not have health insurance for dogs? They should. Scout's right eye no long makes tears so it gets a little goopy. He has a tumor on his left hind foot that he has been licking lately. I have tried wrapping that thing with anything and everything, but the Doctor suggested something I didn't try...a sock. How dumb am I? Why didn't I think of that??? He said just tape that sock on his foot and he won't get it off. That will give that "thing" time to heal. Lovely.



It is 7:30 and we still haven't eaten dinner. Scott had to teach a spinning class, and Hope was a little fussy when we came home, so I decided not to fight it and sit down with my girl and blog. Dinner is mostly ready now, just waiting. The spinach ravioli with creamy red sauce is on the menu tonight. Scott said earlier lets go out and I said "we can't I spent all of our money at the vet!!" hehe

Good morning errrrr I mean evening.

Hunter and Colton-poor kids must have been so hot! I was, and I was there for an hour.
Hannah and Hayden yeah, we are inside, away from the HOT! and sun.
Hard Rock-Hunter appears quite excited doesn't he?
Here we are, glad to be inside, cool and sipping something good to drink. AHHHH!

Good evening or should I say good morning...I just woke up from a nap. I came home put Hope to bed, told the kids it was quiet time, and put myself down for a nap too. I was so tired today and I couldn't hold my eyes open any longer. Last night was Hunter's last baseball game (well last for him until the spring) and we were all up late. He plays on a team that plays all year looooong. He is playing football in the fall, so until the end of July...we are free of sports for that kid! Hannah is doing volleyball (we actually have that tonight) but just one kid doing one thing is heaven.



Today was also the end of that far away baseball camp at the U OF H. My neighbor Leisa and I went down together to watch a little bit, check it out and stay for the awards ceremony. No awards here, but we are all okay about it ;) Daddy included, who thinks Hunter should earn an award for everything he does. hehe. After baseball, Leisa and I took the kids to Hard Rock Cafe of Houston. We sat by Janis Joplin and Jimmy Hendrix...well their stuff anyway. Both appeared to be tiny people if there clothes say anything about it. (It must have been all the drugs!)

I've sprung a leak!

Last night was book club, and we discussed The Road. It was a great discussion book. Like all good "book club books" it elicited a strong reaction from just about everybody...good or bad. You've got to love a good book club discussion. I love the people in my book club, what a bunch of smart "ladies". I hate usually that word :).

But anyway, at book club we were discussing the little boy in the book, we figured him to be about 8 years old. Same age as Hannah. I kind of had a little epiphany last night, and it really wasn't a big one because I knew this already...it just kind hit a little stronger. For the past couple days (especially the day BEFORE yesterday) I have felt it was a struggle with her. Just getting her to pick up her socks smoothly took effort. That can be mentally exhausting! But we were talking about the little boy and when he became a "man" in the book. And I'm sitting there thinking...Hannah is okay...I'm okay as a Mother. Hannah is just figuring "it" out, figuring out how to make choices and decisions on her own. Figuring out who she is. And that's a good thing. So, when I look at the struggles of parenting with different glasses, it gives me more hope that I'm doing the right thing...more patience to let my kids figure life out and more endurance to keep on "doing what I'm doing".

Yesterday, Hope's nose finally stopped running and she took 2 naps again. Yeah for Hope!I nursed her for the last time at 7 (a little early because I was off to book club). That girl didn't wake up until 7:30 and she didn't wake up once last night. Ever since she started teething she has been waking up again at 5:30 ish. Oh the joys of nursing! I was certainly ready for her to wake up and do her thing this morning.

Are you getting the image?

Today should be a good day. Lazy morning until we leave to pick Hunter up at the U of H campus. Again, what was I thinking? I guess I wasn't! Then off to swim and "lunch" (as Holly says) at Lifetime with the Dollars. Last time we went Hayden figured out the water slides, so he can't wait to go back. Fun times and good food. What else can a girl ask for?

I'm cracking down!!

Picture by Sarah


Ohhh, I love this girl. She can be the sweetest, kindest little girl with an infectious giggle, but she does have another dimension to her personality. I have no idea where she got her stubbornness, certainly NOT ME! Stubborn can be good, as long as it's directed properly. :)



Speaking of pet peeves (Jori's blog-not that her blog is a pet peeve of mine...she just blogged about them) I have a big one that is developing. When a certain girl child of mine tells me "NO". It started off she said "NO" in a huffy voice, but she would always go right away and do whatever it was I asked her to do. So, I'd ignore it and all was well. In the last couple of days...she has said "NO" and then didn't do what I said! Hello!! Not good. So, today I told her, "if you tell me "NO" when I ask you to do something there will be consequences." So, first off I tell everybody, except Hunter he was already at baseball camp, to get ready, we are going to the gym. "I am NOT going to the gym without Hunter!" And she proceeded to go up to the gameroom to play. So, I gave her the job of vacuuming the downstairs. When we got home I asked her to clean up her socks and shoes that seemed to be all over the house- "NO" was her response. I gave her the job of dusting downstairs. I asked her to do something else "NO"- wham the game room is getting picked up. I think she is figuring things out, because she hasn't said "NO" to me for a few hours now. As a test, I asked her to get some paper towels from upstairs, "sure Mom" with a sly little smile. Hunter has gone through this stage and he has made it out safely to the "other side", but his stage hit when he was 10 almost 11 not 8! I just hope it's short lived, I'm dreaming I know, but can't a girl dream???

New Fun

I love little imaginations. Hannah has been playing library on and off for a few days now. This is her set up. We have all been issued library cards to "her" library. Do you see that book on the top row...third from the right? It's called Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards. Yes, THE Julie Andrews. That was a favorite book of mine when I was a kid. She wrote another book called The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles that I loved too. As a child, I didn't know the author of those books was the Julie Andrews. Just a couple years ago, I wanted to read them aloud to my kids so...I started hunting down those books. When I realized who they were written by, I just about died. Hannah also has this check-out systems that cracks me up. Kids!

Hayden has been busy yesterday and then again this afternoon playing Noah's Ark. He got this Noah's Ark book at the library on Friday, and has now found a new love of his play animals. AND another use for his pirate ship (pictured in the back) I'm not sure if HE is Noah or that little guy at the bottom right of the picture. Too Funny!

A good man.

Hannah playing volleyball with a cropped out Gracen.
Hunter and a friend I cropped out. :)
Hope just hanging out, I liked her foot!
Hayden and a stick-how appropriate.
I took these pictures last Friday when we went to Meyer Park. The kids each brought a friend, but I don't know if their Mom would like "their" pictures on my blog-so I cropped them out. You've got to love Picassa.

My stew is a'stewin on the stove and it smells goooood. Scott had a long week of crappy food at scout camp so he designed the menu for the week. I said "what sounds good to you" and there you have it. He is a good man that can make a meal out of left-overs. It's funny because Scott can combine and create things that together are better than they ever were alone. Luckily, it rained a lot today and it's on the "cool" side. Stew in the middle of summer....?? Not so much, but it actually does smell very good.

Hunter started a baseball camp this week at the University of Houston. We tried to sign him up at Rice University, but Momma waited too long and it was full. He had fun today with his friend and neighbor Colton. It's kind of far away soooo, the driving to and from is not so fun. I didn't have to drive today so I can't complain, yet :) I was supposed to pick the boys up (at 1 I thought). I got home from the gym at 11 and fed Hope and then started to figure out my plan. I called Leisa to make sure I got the exit right.

Leisa: Do you want me to pick up the boys?

Me: No I got it we will leave here in a few minutes so we will be nice and early.

Leisa: UHHHH??

Me: What, I don't have to be there until 1.

Leisa: NO, AT 12!

I had written down the time for the RICE camp on my calendar NOT the U of H camp time. OOOOPS. I got everybody loaded and out the door, called Scott and he said turn around I can go pick them up right now, he knew where it was and arrived 5 minutes EARLY. Good man!!

The Road

I just finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Wow, that was some book. It is set in a post-apocalyptic America and is a tale of a father and son's journey. There are some gruesome parts to the story, but also some tender moments between father and son. It reminded me of another book that I read not so very long ago called Blindness by Jose Saramago. I'm going to go check out Oprah's website, since The Road is one of her picks now. It's like having a little book club chat right there on the internet. Has anybody else read The Road yet? I really enjoyed it and want to know what you think. Good discussion book!!!

Has anybody read All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy? That looks good too.

Why would I want to lift weights?

I keep a fitness binder. In that binder I stick articles that appeal to me, exercises that I want to add to my routine, different weight lifting circuits to try, cardio routines, healthy eating...any thing and everything that I find interesting. I pull stuff out of my magazines and stick it in there for reference later. I was flipping through it tonight trying to get some ideas for some workouts. I have been trying recently to rev up my workouts and I have been concentrating a little more on strengh. I have always done strength training, sometimes more than others. But I have noticed the last few baby pounds weren't coming off like I wanted sooo I've been hitting the weights a little harder again. I really do love the weights, and I thinks it's the secret to getting and keeping the weight off. Here's some stuff that grabbed me tonight...

The key components to a good work-out: cardio, strength training, stretching and a healthy diet. I really am quite "passionate" about all four, but I think strength training is the real secret (plus you just plain look better with a toned body or should I say booty).

Did you know that cardio IS critical to losing weight, but that strength training is just as important? Did you know that as you burn more calories from cardio and cut calories out of your diet, you don't just lose fat, you lose muscle too! That's bad because that slows down your metabolism.

Diet and cardio are also really important, but weight lifting really changes the way your body looks. Here are some reasons why I love weight training:

1-I'm sure you have all heard "muscle burns more calories than fat, so the more muscle you have, the more calories you'll burn all day long"! This one dude said in an article I was reading that, "the reason to do strength training is that you maintain your muscle mass so you keep your resting metabolic rate (RMR) up, and you don't lose your strength or the size or your muscles".

2-When you do strength training exercises you are doing weight bearing exercises and that helps to strengthen your bones, especially good for us girls.

3-Strong muscles help you avoid injuries.

4-I know I feel better about myself and my body when I feel like I have some tone to my muscles. For instance, I like the way my arms look when they have some muscle definition to them. I am prone to "flat butt"...not bubble butt...I think that would actually be better. When my butt is flabby, it's looong and wide. I don't particularly like that look, so I try and keep my butt as "tight" as possible with squats, lunges and all manner of exercises.

5- Weight lifting also improves coordination and balance and makes day to day life a little easier. Carry groceries, babies...whatever...life gets heavy and it's nice to have some muscle to back you up.

Like I said before, I was flipping through my binder, and thought I'd share some stuff with you that I have learned along the way.

Hannah's handy work

Front of card #1
Inside card #1
Front card #2
Inside card #2

Hannah is my little crafty girl. One day last week she was busy at the kitchen table for a long while. She came in with a box of cards she had been making...like 20! She said she was going to go sell them- I looked in the box and I said "I'll buy them right now"! I loved them. She has a mix of boy and girl cards in there. I have already used several of them. So, if you are lazy like me and don't craft your own cards...get your children to. haha.

Hayden's loose tooth!
Hayden irritated at me, because I want to take another picture of his "baby teeth" while he still has them.

My Grandpa used to say (and I know this because my Mom said so) "I'd rather feed 10 hungry people than 2 that say they aren't". I have noticed this lately, I'll asked everybody, "who wants an English muffin...????" Not me, no not me, no thanks Mom, so I make one for myself...and somebody says ohhhh that smells good, can I have it? Or I wash a bunch of grapes or strawberries and I go to eat them and half of them are gone? Get your own stuff, that's mine!


Hayden and I were finishing our English muffins this morning :) and he says to me...
"Mom I love you. Tonight when the kids are having a sleepover you and me can snuggle in your bed and have movie night!" I love that kid. He can be such a pill, but he can be so warm and snugly too. We rented Dreamgirls and A Bridge to Terabithia at the Red Box on our way home from the gym.

We all need a little "Grace"

I love the way this perfume smells. It's called "Grace" in the philosophy line. It kind of smell like Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker (which I love too). I was just at my neighbor's house and she had it on. Yum! She is a bigg'un at Macy's and she was telling me the "philosophy" story. Sounds pretty interesting. But anyway (and more important) she was telling me about the gift with purchase at select Macy's stores. The gift part of it is a $200 value, I think the purchase is $75, but you'd have to check your Macy's.

Heather Time

This Momma was needing a little "Heather time" so, this morning I loaded everybody up (including my children plus one friend for each child, yes I am crazy) and took them to the Cypress Academy of Gymnastics. They have this swell "Mother's Day Out" program for $15 you can drop your kid off from 9-1! Snack included. The kids all love it, and I had a very pleasant morning. Really, the only thing I got done was, I took Hope to get her picture taken...in peace. No constant corralling of Hayden, no Hannah there to tell me how bored she was, and Hunter wasn't there to ask how much LONGER? I came right home, put little Hope to bed :)!!!! and parked it on the chair in my room for about an hour. It was raining and I was comfy. An hour of bliss. That's about all it was when all was said and done, one hour of "Heather time" but that was money well spent. I had a little reminder of the school year, and I kind of liked it. Needless to say, we will be paying Cypress Academy of Gymnastics a few more visits this summer. I will offer the people at CA of Gymnastics a little advice though, 9-1 is good...but 9-3 is even better. Am I evil?

Everybody is pooped out now, Hayden is having a hard time eating anything (except fruit snacks...go figure) because his tooth hurts. It looks to be hanging pretty good now, I might have to give it a good yank soon.

No, no, no buck teeeeeth!

I have got a house full tonight. Hannah and Hunter both have friends to sleepover. I was in the kitchen getting a snack of kiwi (thanks Costco) and I had a swarm of kids jump all over me for kiwi too. Hayden took a bite out of his and started crying..."my tooth is loose and Daddy is going to pull it out! Or I'm going to eat it like Hunter did!!" (Hunter has lost a couple of molars in the last few weeks. The first of which he ate with some Mike and Ike candies ooops) We finally calmed him down, and yes his bottom tooth is loose. Isn't he too young!! I know not really but he seems it to me. The kids were explaining that it's really a good thing...the tooth fairy comes. (he believes it all!!)He is already mentally spending the cash(Pirates 3 toys). He is so funny though. He is worried that he can't eat anything, and he can't possibly take a bath...it might fall out in the water and he will loose it! He was excited to call Grandma and Grandpa and share the good news. Anybody that calls here tonight, in fact, is getting informed of the good news. We tried Scott too, but he is stuck in the middle of the wilderness...aka scout high adventure camp. Daddy will have to find out later-no cell service at said camp.

But I'm not ready for my cute, little, baby faced, boy Hayden to get the oversized bucky teeth. It's making me sad!

Cutest little booty, ever!

I got this shirt yesterday at American Eagle and it makes me happy. It is girlie and it's very cool, we need that here in hot old Texas. I ran in there to nurse Hope (it's close to Gymboree and they have dressing rooms) I haven't been in there in a while and they had some cute stuff, I'll be back.



This morning was a sleep-in morning. I slept until 7:30 and the kids slept until 8. I started right in on cleaning bathrooms...I knew if I didn't do it then...chances were they wouldn't get done. (mid week sweep) Then the kids all got a job: Hunter sweep floor and mop with the Swiffer, Hannah vacuum, Hayden dump all garbages. Just like that the house looked and smelled good again. You have got to love the little helpers.



Then we were off to the gym and Costco. I reloaded on all the fruit and veggies. We have been going through the fruit like crazy around here. My grocery bill is out of control so far this summer. It's not like I don't feed these kids 3 meals a day during the school year too. But good grief! I won't even tell you how much I have spent this month in groceries alone.



Also, here are some pictures of one of Hope's new Gymboree outfits, I love the little neck line in the back of the shirt and the little ruffle at the butt on the capris. Too cute!! I have been spanking her butt all day.




Oh, Oh, Oh...I played checkers again 2x's. I "smoked" him once and he won the second. Just thought you'd like to know :).

I just got smoked by an 11 year old

Hunter spent a lot of time playing checkers with three VERY good checker players over the weekend, my Dad, my Mom and Scott. He routinely beats all of them except my Mom. (he only played her once though). So, I just played him and he smoked me! Granted I haven't had the recent practice that he has had,but still. It wasn't even close. I'm not sure if this makes me feel so great...on one hand I'm glad I have a smart kid. BUT on the other...what does that say about me??? I'll go with "YAY, I have a smart kid!"

Happy 8th month BIRTHDAY Hope!!

We "ran into the mall real quick" today to check out a few of my favorite places. See, Hope turns 8 months today and that means picture time. She needed a new outfit. After the gym I started to drive the car toward the mall, "Where are we going???" the children groaned. "I want to go to the mall for a little while to check a couple stores." More groans and moans from the kids. I didn't let that stop me, I'm a mother of 4-a pro! First stop-Gymboree. I still love that store, especially for baby girls, and today they did not disappoint. They are having some sale-lots of shirts for $3.99 and pants/skirts for $6.99. I got the baby a few new things for right now, and then a few for next summer. I usually don't like to buy too far in advance, because there will always be more cute stuff to want next summer. BUT, with those kinds of prices I bought a few things for next year too. I really have been so much better with Hope than I was with Hannah. With Hannah, I was slightly out of control. I know that looking back through all the clothes. So, why does Hope need anything you might ask? Well she doesn't need much, but I can't take her picture in hand-me-downs. I love a good shopping day!

Clean socks and undies

Everyone has left me! As I unloaded my dishwasher for the first time in almost a week, I said to myself, WHAAAAAAA! We had a few days of fun, that's for sure. Thanks Mom and Dad! Scott had to get up at 3:00 to drive to scout camp (high adventure) for the week. I think there are five boys going, Scott and one other adult leader. Scott likes the guy he is going with so, I do believe he will have some fun. It's just such a hassle getting there. So, it's just me and the kids.

Over the weekend, we had a sock crisis. Hayden couldn't find ANY socks. That boy! He (well they all are prone to it) leaves his socks "around", it drives me crazy. I had done laundry and he had just a couple pairs of matching socks. Where do they go? Hunter's started having holes, Hannah's were looking dinging. So, we re-loaded our sock drawers with new socks and undies! I love new socks and undies. There is something so fresh and nice about them. If we could just keep them that way, that would be nice.

I just finished up the last of the Black Bean Salsa for lunch. I like to eat it with tortilla chips, Triscuits or just by itself as a salad. It's good, but Hayden told me it "reeked" today when I opened the lid! Here is the recipe if you are interested.

Black Bean Salsa

2 cans black beans, drained and washed
2 cans (small) shoepeg corn
1 medium red onion, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
Combine the above

3-4 tbs. lime juice
2 tbs. olive oil
1 tbs. wine vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Whip together, add to first mixture, at least 3-4 hours before serving. Add 2 large tomatoes and 1 avocado diced just before serving.

Happy Father's Day

Scott and Hannah at her baptism 3/10/07.

Scott and Dad today 6/17/07

Hunter and Scott in San Diego, CA November 1996. I have a whole scrapbook page filled with a series of pictures like this. For whatever reason, Hunter thought this was sooo funny that night! Too cute!

Grandpa holding baby Hayden 3/25/02. So sweet. Dad has always loved to hold the babies. I think if it was all up to Dad, he would have had many more babies.
7/4/99 Family picture in Stillwater, OK.
Grandpa holding Hunter and baby Hannah 2/27/99. I have a lot of pictures of Grandpa holding the baby.
Scott holding baby Hayden 3/19/02. He is sporting a look I didn't love, but I do love him!
Scott and Hunter sleeping in Disneyland 10/96.


Happy Father's Day to my two favorite Daddies. I had more fun looking at old pictures, time sure flies when you're having fun.

I think I'm getting older but....

I think I'm getting older, BUUUUUT I don't feel any different. I know this because, I just got back from a wedding reception. Who's you ask?? I was in the YW when we first moved here for about 3 years. Tonight, I attended the reception for one of my MiaMaids, Emily! Her older Julia, is now my visiting teacher and is also married with a cute little girl. Their youngest sister Becca got married a few months ago too. And she was a Beehive!! I just don't get how they are all getting older, but I'm not.

Scott and I left the kids home with my parents while we went to the reception, thanks Mom and Dad! We left them eating dinner and with instructions on feeding Hope. While my Dad was feeding the baby, Hannah asked, "does feeding a baby again make you feel young again Grandpa?" I'm sure Grandpa smiled, but his reply was, "No I feel old, I have fed 12 babies now!" Isn't that something! That Grandpa/Dad has fed all his children and then all his children's children. Happy Father's Day to my Dad, a great Dad and Grandpa!

Speaking of Father's Day...I need to go wrap some presents for my special honey, the Daddy of my chitlens.

Baby Steps

The good times continue around. Friday afternoon we made it to the movie. Mom and Hayden saw the Fantastic Four, while the rest of us saw Pirates. I know some people didn't love that movie, but I thought it was entertaining. It's probably my third favorite in the series, but still good.

The kids have a great piano teacher that really rewards them for trying hard and doing there best. Hannah got a $25 Visa gift card, and Hunter scored some Crawford box seats! The boys had a rockin' good time at the Astro's game on Friday night. The girls had a good time on their girl's night out at Macaroni Grill. My favorite is Penne Rustica, Caesar salad and of course the bread with Balsamic vinegar. Yum. After dinner Hannah and I drove to the airport to pick up my Dad. I was so tired, but enjoyed chatting it up with Hannah and my Dad.

It has been raining off and on (mostly on) this week, but we managed to squeeze in a trip to Lifetime pool and some rock climbing today. Sure enough, after about 45 minutes of swimming, they closed the pool. All the Gray's suited up to climb, even me. Mom and Dad were watching and holding Hope. I am VERY afraid of heights, but I tried it. The first time up I even made it up half way.,..before I freaked out. I was stuck up there for 30 seconds thinking...I can't move, I want down, I can't let go, I want down!! AHHHH. Finally, I let go (not very gracefully mind you) I hit my head on the descent, but I didn't care I was down! I tried it 3 more times, knowing full well I wasn't getting higher than about 3-4 feet, but I wanted to practice "letting go". I mastered that part :). The kids kept wanting me to go up again and go higher, but no...not today. I'm taking BABY STEPS!

Girls Night Out

I had a fun night out with my Mom. Our movie, Oceans 13, started at 6:05pm and Scott got home at 5:45, so we didn't have lots of time! I made some good chicken enchiladas for dinner, so we ate em' up and hit the road ASAScott could get home. Loved the movie, so what if it's not getting great reviews, I loved it. How could you not?? Hello. I hope they make an Oceans 14, 15 and 16! The good thing about my Momma, we stopped AFTER the movie and she ran in to Walgreens (while I waited in the car, it was raining HARD) for a big old bag of treats, that we proceeded to eat the rest of the way home. That girl knows the good treats! Walgreens didn't have the NIBS though, oh well. We had more than enough to make up for it.

Jon Krasinski's movie License to Wed looks good. I didn't know he got People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2006. The things you learn while blogging.