Home Hunting in Houston

Alex and I drove to Houston a few weeks ago to find her a new casa.

Or apartment.

How do you say that is Spanish?

We looked at this Tuscany-ish apartment complex.

Very Italian.

We visited a LOT of apartment complexes.

I mean a lot.

How many times can you look at work out rooms and pools before you want to scream?

Just show us the apartment.

And tell us how far it is to the dog park.

But we also spent some time doing some eating.

And what does a blogger do when she tries a new restaurant?

She takes a photo to remember the moment.

Or the plate.

Ahem.

This was a place called Crisp.

Good salad.

Funny thing was the smoke alarm went off 

Then we had lunch at Demeris BBQ.

Very tasty. 

We sat outside to eat.

Nothing but blue skies.

And a freeway!

Alexandra didn't choose the Tuscany like apartment.

Nope.

Picked one she didn't see on this trip.

I'll update you on that with photos in December.

Until then.

Red Raider Football

I went to my first Texas Tech game with Josh and some friends a few weeks ago.

It was a beautiful Fall day in Lubbock.

Nice and cool with the sun shining.

Texas Tech lost, but it was still so much fun to watch Josh at the game.

Nothing like spending a day with my favorite Red Raider!

Orchestra Concert in Lubbock

I went to Lubbock to watch Joshua's String Orchestra perform on Monday.

                                       

It's difficult to see Josh in the photo, but he's smack dab in the middle.

Here's a photo of what he looked like close-up.

So handsome all dressed in black.

Like Johnny Cash.

Dressed in black that is.

Not handsome like Johnny because I think Josh is much better looking than Johnny Cash.

                                          

Hamming it up for the paparazzi.

  

And here's a photo of the ginormous pipe organ in the Hemmie Recital Hall.

I didn't get to hear it, but imagine the sound it makes is impressive.

Made me think of Grandpa James.

The 22 musician orchestra did a fine job and I am so pleased that Joshua is still interested in playing his violin.

Here would be the ideal place to put a music clip of the concert, but I am unable to do that for some reason. 

Bleh. Darn computer stuff.

Trust me. It was nice.

The week before Josh was at a restaurant and he had his violin with him. A family eating at the restaurant asked Josh if he would play Happy Birthday for one of the daughters. He did and the father gave Josh twenty bucks.

I love this story because it so much represents Joshua. 

He didn't play the song because he wanted the attention or to make money.

He did it because he is kind.

I love you Josh.

How to Take the Perfect Halloween Photo with a Baby.

First you start by placing a pumpkin in a lovely, green grassy area.
.

Next, have baby wrangler place baby into frame shot with pumpkin.

Then watch as baby had no desire to sit behind pumpkin for the perfect Halloween photo.

Next, watch as baby tries to lift 10-pound pumpkin.

Then watch as baby looks at pumpkin as if to think "Why are you too heavy for me to lift?"

Baby then tries rolling heavy pumpkin.

Then baby gets interested in a stick with leaves.

Then baby sees camera.

Looses interest in heavy pumpkin and proceeds to photographer. 

Place baby near the pumpkin, again, in last ditch effort for the perfect photo.

Stick with leaves is interesting again.

"Let me hit the heavy orange thing!"

Baby shakes stick for photographer to get the perfect "action" shot.

And finally a photo of baby and pumpkin.

Now go take a three hour nap.

Photographer and baby wrangler that is.

Not the energetic baby.

Wasted Away In Margaritaville.

I went to an advising conference last week in San Antonio.

Nancy and Meredith took me to dinner at La Fogata.

I had one Margarita.

One.

And I still had a hangover the next day.

Just how much tequila do they put in their Margaritas?

Note to self: I am too old to drink tequila.

Meredith was sporting her new bling so I took a photo. Isn't it pretty?

A mariachi band played for us and they were so loud we couldn't hear each other!

By far the best conference I've ever been to. Thanks to Nancy, Meredith and one very strong Margarita.

Once Around the Sun.

Ezra is celebrating his first birthday today.

Happy birthday little man!

You certainly have changed since the day you were born.

You are such a handsome little boy.

I plan to write you a birthday letter every year on my blog.

So here goes:

October 18, 2013

My dear, little Ezra Emerson,

Happy 1st birthday! The day you were born my life changed - I felt such joy.

Joy I haven't felt since the days my children were born. (Aunt Alexandra, Uncle Joshua and, of course, your father, David) 

There are so many reasons I love you.

I love the way you "knock" on my bedroom door when you want to see me and play in my room.

I love the way you dance like a little robot when you hear music.

I love the way you think it's funny when people sneeze!

I love the way you put everything you can on your head like a hat.

I love the way you fuss for me when I leave the room -even though I'm sure it makes your parents crazy!

I love watching you learn - you're such a little sponge.

Those are just a few reasons. There are so many more Ezra!

As you get older remember that I will always be there for you.

No matter what.

Love always,

Mimi

So Busted.

I neglected to write about my run-in with the law.

 The fuzz.

 The coppers.

I got a warning ticket for speeding on my way to Dallas in September.

Going 70 mph in a 60 mph zone.

Yep. Apparently I'm a speed demon.

A real law breaker.

Trouble with a capital T.

The sheriff that pulled me over was very nice. He explained to me the speed limit changes that would take place on the rest of Highway 67 so I wouldn't have another encounter with law enforcement.

Guess he caught a glimpse at my lead foot.

But apparently my criminal behavior must make me look shady because my suitcase was inspected at the DFW airport.

Here is the undeniable proof that TSA inspected my bag.

Guess they have to tell you if they riffle through your underwear and socks.

Knot Tying.

David and Kelsey got married before the justice of the peace on August 9th.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. David De Los Santos!

Family.

I took photos of the family while I was in Minnesota.

Mom and Uncle Ralph.

Mom and Aunt Mary Jane.

Mom and Aunt Joady.

What would we do without family?

Punkin' Head.

 Ezra loves to put things on his head.

Of course he loves to put hats on his head.

But he's also been known to put other things on his noggin like a stuffed animal, a book, a  paper or even a small pot.

In the true spirit of Halloween Ezra decided to wear a pumpkin bucket on his head.

Nope, he can't see anything.

 But that's okay because he's got a pumpkin bucket on his head and that's how Ezra rolls.

Punkin head Ezra.

Funyons are Awesome.

The television series Breaking Bad came to an end a few weeks ago. I invited my friends Mary and Jason over to watch the final episode with me.

We drank blue margaritas.

And ate "Los Pollos Hermanos" fried chicken.

Mary made blue cupcakes with Breaking Bad logos.

We also ate Funyons because in the words of Jesse Pinkman "Funyons are awesome!"

And we gobbled up blue Oreos for good measure.

I wore my Heisenberg t-shirt and we had a fantastic Breaking Bad party.

I realize if you are reading this and you're not a Breaking Bad fan that none of this will make any sense at all.

Trust me. 

It's awesome.

Old Shutter on My Wall.

I found an old, wooden shutter at the thrift store several months ago and decided it would be a great mantel decor piece.

I took it home,roughed it up a bit and tried it on the mantel.

Not feeling it there. 

So it ended up in my bedroom where I hung it on the wall.

It's kind of beach-y and shabby chic-y.

Thoughts?

Going to the Chapel...

Meredith and Zane got engaged last weekend.

Nancy sent this photo of Meredith's bling-i-fied hand.

I don't have any of the nuptial details, but I'm pretty sure the reception will have a rustic country vibe going on - yee-haw!

Congratulations Meredith! Happy wedding planning!