Party On!

We hit a fun party last week at Pump-it-Up and the kids had a ball jumping on all the inflatable equipment. What is it about that place that brings out the kid in all of us? I mean, I can't wait to slide down the slide and jump around the circular jumper. And what a workout! The kids and I always have such a great time at this place. And in case you're wondering, the gentleman in the last pic is not Matt, it's a good friend of ours Ron Martere...all the boys were attacking him. Poor guy.

On another note, can I tell you how much I love living in Houston in the winter time? While both Matt and my families are shoveling out of their cold domains and bundling up to go anywhere, it is 75 degrees here and I'm sitting listening to my kids and the neighborhood kids laugh as they play hide-and-seek. The dads are sitting on my neighbor's driveway, somewhat monitoring things, having conversations about basketball and the upcoming Rodeo. I have my windows open and my house smells so fresh and clean. My neighbors over and behind us are swimming today and I can hear them splashing around in their pool as they listen to top 40 music. I'm just giddy inside. AAAHHH! As much as I am homesick in the fall and those months leading up to Christmas yearning for some cold, crisp air, it's in January-April that I just love this deep south weather. You can't beat 70 degrees in February. And to anyone who needs a winter get away, you're always welcome here.

It's cold in Kansas City

Let me start off by thanking my mom and dad for having us a couple weeks ago. The kids and I had such a great time visiting Kanas City and being able to spend time with my family. Andrew and Grace love Mima and Papa's house, especially their two dogs...yes, they do love their 14 year old schnauser mix, Rachel, who snaps at Grace on occasion and Shelby, well, who couldn't love Shelby (she's pictured with Grace above). I think that's all Grace cared about was those two dogs. Had they eaten, did they want a treat, did they need to go outside, sleep, etc. She followed them around like she was one of the two of them. That girl just loves animals and I see myself in her because that would have been me as well.

As for Andrew, he loves to play with Ryan and Kevin as often as possible. Usually Star Wars figures or wrestling figures. And skateboarding and basketball if it's nice outside. It was so funny though because my brother Ryan had over this cute girl one night and they ended up going downstairs into the basement to hang out. Well, here's my two kids opening up the laundry shoot every couple minutes asking Ryan if she was his girlfriend and asking them what they were doing down there. Oh, man, he took that for only so long before he came up to ask us to leave him alone. We were all laughing so hard. Are we immature or what?

I think what I love most about visiting my family is the time I get to spend with everyone and the time I get to do other things like playing with my kids, reading a book (which I almost finished while I was there), and just taking time to slow down. I don't have to do laundry, answer the phone, be anywhere, make dinner, etc. It's nice to just be out of my house and away from my day-to-day responsibilities. AAAAHHHH!

Another thing I love about visiting home is spending time with my mom. We always take a day (my dad watches the kids- THANKS DAD- YOUR WONDERFUL) and we head up to Atchison, KS to a boutique called Nell Hills. They have fabulous home furnishings and decorations. The only problem is that I wished I lived closer so that I could buy more and get it home. But we enjoy sharing ideas and my mom always pays for my purchases, no matter what. She's so generous to me and I really appreciate it. Then we mosey over to this cute, little cafe located in this old post office building, which is so unique and quant. We usually share a large order of fries (this time we added a pork tenderloin sandwich) and a piece of their homemade pie. Yum, Yum! It's just become our traditional fun day together. And I love it. Thanks so much mom for your friendship and company. I really miss you!