Happy Memorial Day!

We have had a full and fun Memorial Day so far.

A tech from Bell South came by bright & early to fix our DSL Service (haven't had internet for the last few days), but we were back up better than ever in about 30 minutes. We had some breakfast, walked Pogo, and started the beef brisket we'll grill later for dinner.

My sister Christine, brother Lou and BIL Eddie all competed in the Memorial Day Triathalon at the Jewish Community Center this morning. I called Chris to see how they did. Lou did the swim, Chris the bike, and Ed did the run portion--and they won the relay category! I wish I could have made it out to watch again this year. (Chris & Lou were on the relay team last year, too, but with a different runner.)

We hung out and had BLTs for lunch and then Rachel asked to get out the water toys.

Doug joined in, too:

Nick's at Night

We went over to our neighbor Nick's house tonight for a cookout. Doug and Nick got to talking while I was in Missouri, and this mornning we got invited to join him and some of the neighbors for dinner and a swim. Rachel loves the water and we had a hard time getting her to leave and get ready for bed. Luckily, we have the whole summer ahead and more opportunities to swim in Nick's beautiful pool.


Dinner was fantastic, too!

Birthdays in Springfield, MO

I got a call last week from my friend, Sherri, who now lives in Springfield, MO. We met several years ago (when we were both single and childless) on a scuba diving trip to the Red Sea. We became close friends and we have kept in touch despite the geographical distance when Sherri moved back home. She has three little girls now and two of them, turning 5 and 2, have the same birthday, May 18. Sherri called to invite me to their party on Sunday the 20th and since school was over for Rachel, we decided to go.


We started out early Saturday morning since it's about a seven-hour drive to Springfield; but, God bless the soul who invented car DVD players, Rach and I had an easy, uneventful trip. We arrived about 2:30 pm and had enough time to let the girls play and get reaquainted (Sherri's whole family came and stayed with us last August for my 40th birthday) and then we had pizza for dinner.


We spent most of Sunday morning preparing for the party and then we had a wonderful cookout, courtesy of hubby Shane, presents and cake.

On Monday we went to the park and walked along the river that runs nearby and Emma, the oldest, had a tee-ball baseball game. It was really cute to see all those little boys and girls in all their gear, trying to bat, run and field.

On Tuesday we were hoping to go down to Branson to an amusement park, but rain was threatening so we went to the nearby zoo, which was also free with my Nashville Zoo membership, in case we had to make a run for it. The zoo there is really great. The kids loved all the baby animals, especially this baby elephant, and there are two baby giraffes expected any day now.

Wednesday was the long drive home--somehow the trip back home always seems longer. Hmmm.

42nd Fiesta!

Today was Doug's 42nd Birthday and it just so happened that it coincided with the monthly meeting of our Harley-Davidson H.O.G. Chapter. In fact, this was the first "Bike Night" of the summer; when our "mostly business" off-season meetings turn into "mostly party" get-togethers. It was perfect timing and way more of a celebration than I could have put together on a Thursday night.

They had a Mexican fiesta theme with yummy food from San Antonio Taco Co. and even though they didn't get around to the pinata (Rachel was bummed) we had a really good time.

Rachel has been having a great time practicing with my digital camera and she took this picture of Senor Doug:


She is getting really good and I guess I'll be getting her a camera of her own soon.

Mother's Day, Sort Of

Well, today was Mother's Day but it was basically a non-event for me. Doug is of the opinion that Mother's Day is really about his mother, not me. While I don't expect to be showered with lavish and expensive gifts, it would have been nice to get a little pampering--sleep late, breakfast in bed, maybe a card or at least a verbal, "Thanks for all you do, honey. You're a great Mom."


Although Christine & Lou called to wish me a Happy Mother's Day (thank you, guys!) I got none of those things from Doug. This is what I spent my day doing:

This area had been Doug's dumping ground for all the cut branches and trimmings from the yard--I wish I had taken a "before" picture". It was a lot of work, but now we have nice raised beds for our veggie garden and I'll be sure to post some pics as the tomatoes, etc. come along. I am going to put the herb garden in here, too, until I have the patio put in and have a good spot closer to the house.

Usually, I get Doug to take a photo of Rachel and I together, but I even forgot to do that. I am tired and just going to turn in early...

More Grandparents

We hosted dinner at our house on Sunday night, but -gasp!- I guess in all the excitement I didn't take any pictures of Rachel with her Mom-Mom & Pop-Pop. It's really not like me not to remember and I wish I had some of the three of them here in the backyard. Sigh...

We had a delicious dinner last night over at Doug's sister Jennifer's house. She made a grilled beef brisket that was out-of this-world. Dinner at Jenny's is always a treat, but I took home the recipe for this one. Daniel finished moving out of his apartment and made it home a little later. We gave him an engraved valet box, which he seemed to like a lot.

Rachel with her Grandparents.

Rachel with her great-great Aunt Clara.

Graduations & Grandparents

My nephew Sam and Doug's nephew Daniel both graduated from college on Saturday. Sam was at NYU, and the school is so big that he decided not to attend the graduation ceremony. My sister Susan and niece Sophie went up to visit, but we'll see him when he comes home for a few days at the end of May.


Doug's Mom & Dad drove down from PA to go to Daniel's graduation from Lee, so we'll get to visit with them for a couple of days. Last night we went out to dinner and there was a piano player and singer performing. Rachel charmed everyone by dancing in front of the stage, and then the singer sat her up on a stool and sang to her. I wish the pictures had turned out better, but it was really dark in the restaurant.