10th Anniversary Getaway

David and I took off work Friday and spent that day and most of Saturday at the Grand Marriott in Point Clear, Alabama.  The area is beautiful - even the drive down from the interstate. 

 

 

There are 5 guest buildings; we stayed in the spa building.  You can basically park your car and walk everywhere.  Each room has its own balcony.  The picture below is the view from our balcony.  It looked better in person.  If you looked towards the right there was a view of the pool and the bay. 

 

Our room:

Yes, rose petals. It was a nice touch.  I would definitely come back - and with the kids.  The place is kid friendly with activities for them. The pool has a nice water slide, walk-in style at one part for the really little ones.  There is also a jacuzzi and adult-only pool if you so desired.  You could use their kayaks free (for an hour), bikes (adult and kid), catamaran (small ones), etc.  There were tennis courts, putting green, croquet, and driving range all at no cost.  Well, it was included in the rate. 

And, the spa lotion (which was available everywhere) was wonderful. So much so that I brought quite a few samples home.

Happy Birthday!

He is slowly catching up to his 40's, but he still has a couple of years to go. 

 

Happy birthday. Your girls love you!

Mumford & Sons



We got a rare night out without the kids to go see Mumford & Sons with some friends. We did think about taking them, as it was an all ages show, but I am so glad we didn't.  It ended up being an outdoor show, which was nice, but it was hot and they would have been whining all night.  Plus, it was a school night. 

 

 

 Waiting for the show to start.

 

 

The venue was at the new Mardi Gras World by the Port of New Orleans between the railroad track and the river. There was a very nice breeze blowing all night, and once the sun finally set it was a pretty nice evening - as far as those go in September in New Orleans.  It would be an awesome venue during November-December.

 

Towards the end of the show they brought out the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. They played When the Saints go Marching In and the crowd sang every word. Of course, the Who Dat chant followed and the band (Mumford) sat up on the stage and watched it all unfold. I'm sure this was quite an experience for them. 

Mumford puts on a hell of a show - one of the best I've seen - and they even brought it New Orleans- style.  I highly recommend seeing them if you can. You won't regret it.

First Meet

Emily had her first 'friendly' swim meet last week. Her unofficial times:

• 25yd freestyle - 35.58s
• 25yd backstroke - 1.09min
• 25yd breaststroke - 51.75s
• 22yd butterfly - 43.91s

Backstroke and breaststroke are not her favorites, as you can tell, but she'll improve.

This week is her last week of swim school. The first week in October will mark her debut on the swim team. The first swim meet is the second week in October, but Emily will not be participating this one - she's not quite ready. Eva, however, will. I'm quite excited to see how she does.

Long Time, No See

Yes, I'm aware it's been quite a while since my last post.  With the end of summer having come and gone, and school now in session full blown, the little bit of free time I had is gone.  Here is what we've been up to; it's quite a list:

• Emily in swim school learning her strokes - her favorite (and best) is butterfly!!
• Eva is back on her original swim team
• Red Dress Run - yay!
• School caught on fire, delayed the first day by one week
• New School!
• Fantasy Football
• Saints!
• PTA meetings
• Work is busy
• David and I swimming with masters (same place/coach as the girls)
• Lisa & Mitch visit!
• Girls both taking piano - with a new teacher
• Birthday (slumber) party preparations
• Upcoming concerts - for both us and the girls
• Book club
• Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays
• Upcoming 10th wedding anniversary

Whew! I think that's it for now.  I will try to be better with my posts and pictures.

Decision Making

This is how she makes those big decisions.

 

She started off with 5 dresses.  She is also known to pick shoes this way.

Day on the River

We spent the day with good friends on the Blood River yesterday.  The girls, all 8 of them, get along great and have a wonderful time out there. We, the adults, do also.  The men took all the girls out on a nice long boat ride while the women hung out and chatted, kid-free.

 

 

 Waiting to go.

 

 

 Back at camp.

 

 

The adults were able to take a nice ride out to Lake Maurepas while the kids were being watched. Very nice.

 



Prop Stop!

 

Can't wait to do this again!



Lovin

• water slides
• family naps
• school uniforms
• good times with good friends
• vacation planning (next year)
• Tervis cups
• hummingbird watching
• swim school
• kids' laughter

Horse Camp

Today is Eva's last day of horse camp.  I really think she liked it a lot. Each night she told us what she did and what she learned. Their days started off mucking out the stables, and even with that she said she loved it. They had to learn parts of the horse, and they even painted on the horse the parts that were called out. 

 

The worked on balancing on the horse while standing, walking, and trotting (I think).  They also learned posting - I'm still not quite sure what that is.

They did lots of grooming - with various types of brushes and combs. 

I love this picture of Eva and her bestie, Jordyn. 

I have a feeling she'll be doing this next summer also. She has asked to do it during school, but with piano and swim and a new school, I think it's best to wait.  Emily said she wants to do it next year, but I think it's just so she can wear her boots. 

4th in Seabrook

We got into Seabrook late Wed night and we were able to spend the whole weekend there.  For the 4th we spent with family and friends.  That evening we were invited onto someone's boat in Galveston Bay to view the fireworks from an excellent vantage point. The fireworks were really cool seen from the boat, not to mention very relaxing. 

 

 

The next day we went to lunch at the restaurant where Marissa works, a Greek restaurant by Kemah that was very good. 

 

Saturday we took the girls to the boardwalk at Kemah.  They rode all of the rides except the roller coaster, which was the one ride I wanted to go on. 

This is my favorite picture of the weekend.  Emily looking almost bored and Eva screaming her lungs out.  I asked her later if she was scared, and she said she was not, that David told her screaming would keep her butterflies at bay.  I'm not so sure I believe that one.

Later Saturday we went to Jodie and John's house.  The girls, and I, tried out the makeshift tightrope; although, there is no picture of me.

We had a great weekend, and we are looking forward to our next visit. Hopefully, it won't be as long between visits as our last one was (December).