August Slow Down

After our busy June and July of traveling and activities, we were looking forward to a relaxing August of swimming and hanging out. Well, August turned out to be so busy that I couldn't even keep up with the blogging. So here's a list of what we've been up to in no particular order:

- Went to see Lyle Lovett and his Large Band at Bass Hall
- Hosted Bunco
- Hosted a going away party- Had the guest bath painted blue and installed a new lighting fixture
- De-brassed the master bath and installed a new lighting fixture
- Painted two living room tables

- Got a cold

- Coordinated 4 Disciple classes for the fall

- Set off some rockets

- Organized a PTA membership drive and setup the school for Back to School Night

- Got a 7am wakeup call from a hot air balloon

- Visited the impressionist exhibit at the Kimball

- Endured a solid week of rainy days

- Watched tons of Olympics

- Did back to school shopping

- Started tball practice

- Had a group of giggling gym girls over to watch gymnastics

and ended with back -to-back pool parties and getting ready for the first day of school...That's it!

So Long, Farewell, Auf Weidersehen, Goodbye...

As it seems to happen all the time in our lovely town full of transplants from other parts of the country, we had to say goodbye to yet more friends.

We met Chris in the MOMS club in 2005 and she became a member of our bunco group shortly after. We med Ed briefly at Mudbug Madness where he discovered that we were the people he wanted to hang out with. A few weeks later while the moms had a girls' day out, the guys got together and the rest is history. Our families became intertwined. Chris and I were good friends, Kyle and Ed were partners in crime, Nathan and Andrew became best friends, Hammie and Sandy loved their playdates, and Margaret and Zach liked each other ok. I know our families will keep in touch - and vacations together are already in the works. So - I am NOT saying goodbye. I'm saying see you later!

Mudbug Madness IV

Mudbug Madness arrived again to celebrate our love of crawfish. First we played with them and then we dunked them in a pot of boiling water and ate them.
The kids had a blast making hats, playing with the crawfish, playing in the backyard, and then dancing in the garage disco after dark.
Then men had fun shooting hoops and horseshoes, and then shooting the newly modified potato gun after dark.
The women had fun chatting and drinking 'ritas, and then dancing on the tables after dark.
And we were so glad Amy, Steven, and half of her Brat Pack were able to come in town for the party!

Relay for Life

Tonight was the Relay for Life benefiting the American Cancer Society. What an amazing event! Big thanks to Maureen and Molly for sponsoring our team. Narci was amazing making who knows how many flip flops with all the proceeds being donated. And thanks to everyone who helped sponsor our team. We raised a lot of money for the ACS.

The Bunco Girls (and silly Megan)

Joni & Shana ready to walk
Narci and her Flip Flop Shop

What's Cooking?

Nathan was watching Curious George on the DVR yesterday. After the show was over, the TV popped over to Boy Meets Grill on Food Network. Nathan was entralled by the show. Not only would he let me not change the channel, but he was giving me play by play of what Bobby Flay was cooking - "He's using cherry tomatoes", "That's a lobster", "He's using avacado". Maybe my little guy will get the love of cooking like the rest of the family!

Speaking of cooking, the HMIM crew has started up a recipe blog. Check it out!

HMIM's in Galveston

This weekend was our annual Hot Moms in Minivans Galveston Getaway. How appropriate that we go on MLK weekend because it is a chance for us to be "Free at Last" from the obligations of mommyhood - at least temporarily. Amy did a great summary of the weekend, which I am not about to top, so instead I thought I would give some thanks for this year's group.

To Chris - thanks for being my roomie and going walking with me on the beach - even when the wind was soooo cold.

To Krista - thanks for always making it entertaining, from giving us TMI about bodily functions to teaching us new yoga positions, and being a great sous chef!

To Mo - thanks for always keeping it real, packing lightly and keeping us stocked with Tylenol PM.

To Narci - thanks for entertaining us with your ticklish pedicure and being quick with the hand sanitizer after we left the scary gas station restroom on the way home.

To Charisse -thanks for bringing us great snacks and bringing a gift that was worth me stealing from Chris (love the new cake stand and apron!)

To Dana - thanks for jumping right in with a group of women that you didn't know - it was great meeting you.

To Amy - thanks for smiling though your back was still hurting, for not calling us lame when we wanted to go back to the house after dinner instead of going out, and for hosting us for the 3rd year in a row at Gladys' house. We love ya!