Thursday, March 14, 2013

My March Swing Around Texas

 
As always, time permitting, I have a local EEHS person (Dallas area, in this case) get EEHS folks together for lunch. The person taking the picture is an outcast: My cousin, Andy Moore, from Weslaco. But, we try not to hold that against him. Yeah, right!
 
 
Two new cats live at 510 Colgate Dr.in Allen.  Hats is Olivia's. Little tuxedo cat - beautiful markings.
 
 
Bella is Jordan's. Great personality, just like her owner. These two run and tumble all over the house. And that's Olivia and Jordan -- you oughta' see the cats!
 
 
The girls were out of school the day I was there and it was Holly's day off, too. So, we took advantage of that and all (including Narith) went to the new Perot Museum in downtown Dallas. Absolutely fantastic learning experience. All set up for kids to learn about just about everything.
 
 
I brought a new coffee cake recipe with me and we got busy making it. Actually, it was two different recipes and this was my (our) 1st try. Jordan, in her exuberance to help, dumped the unmeasured sugar into the wrong bowl. No harm, no foul, just scraped it out, guessed at a cup, and went on.
 
 
That's me trying to figure out the next step, while girls mixed stuff.
 
 
Ah, the final product. Turned out perfect - great layered look. My only regret was that I didn't stay long enough to have a few more pieces! Next time you're @ Starbucks, check it out. The basic recipe is from there, with a few "twists" by me.
 
 
We (Kevin and I)had some time in the Austin area and ran up to see Lindy and family. Connor is just the cutest little (?) boy there is. A block, but wil certainly "string out" like his Dad.
 
 
RC and Christmas trike. She's always a bit bashful at the start but warms up quickly (even to gruff ol' me).
 
 
Actually, I should have caught her singing, which she does a lot and does very well. Anyone wanna' guess where she gets her verbosity and flair??
 
 
Still in Austin area, but now in Bastrop with Jan. Here are three (of four) of Eric's and Danille's boys. Interestingly, Jan's and Jack's garage was converted into living quarters for the family when Eric and family had to evacuate during last year's fire. It is truly amazing that the fire didn't burn 'em out completely. Got their out buildings and a few trees. Main house and two rentals somehow left standing. Must have been Kevin's "divine intervention."
 
 
Kevin needed to leave early Sunday so Eric volunteered to come over @ 6:00 and fix all of us breakfast. Huge breakfast tacos -- what a guy!!
 

 
Kevin getting ready to get back home and to church (this was Sunday morn). And, yes, I did have clothes on, in addition to that silly smile.
 

 
The "sculpture" on the wall is actually Eric's melted aluminum ladder which was leaning against his house when they vacated before the fire. The painting is Jan's watercolor rendition of said melted ladder. Nice, eh? You see who got all the talent in our family, don't you? All her walls have very uniques pieces, most cost her less than a buck from estate and garage sales from all around Texas and Utah. Some wall hangings she made and a couple of paintings came from Robert's talented hand.
 
 
Jack and fire orphaned kitty. Named Kitty, too. Jan may be able to design stuff, but not very creative on naming animals (except for Molly, of course).
 
 
Now we're in Spring with K, K and kids. Guess what day it is? They have a wonderful tradition of celebrating every possible holiday at breakfast before the kids get off to school (What do you do for Groundhog Day, Kevin?). I've been lucky enough to be there for a couple of the little celebrations, including V Day this year. I got a V card and candy, too, which I brought home for MK and me to split. Thanks, Kayla and Luke - twas very good!
 
 
EEK! I wonder what's in here, say Kayla.
 
 
Aren't they the cutest? No, not the one standing on the right. How'd he muscle into the pic, anyway?
 
 



 
Spring already in Spring. Lovely home and I'm so glad you were able to stay.
 
Kayla's gym above. Below, hard to see, but that's Kayla on the dreaded balance beam (left of the pole). Given that this gym places girls in universities everywhere, we may be seeing the next top "beam worker," as they say in the gymnastics world.
 
 
 
 
I kept the kids while K & K went for a Valentine's night out. We went to what Luke and Kayla call a "chopumupplace!" The little grl in the middle is a neighbor, adopted from China. Smartest little thing I've ever seen.
 
 
 
Sorry about jumping around. J's and O's cats again, this time on my bed.
 
 
Holly and Narith added an upstairs and caused a few changes downstairs to accomodate the stairs. Reconfigured the fireplace and the corner cabinet.
 
 
Clever the way they fit the stairs in - looks like they were there from the start. Good job in the design, Narith (?).
 

One of two big windows upstairs. Huge room, with a bath. Great for the kids and their friends.
 
In addition to the family stuff, I met some of my SWT basketball buddies in San Marcos. (Packed a lot in that week. Thanks for driving, Kevin, but I wish you'd get SOMETHING with better MPG!) We had lunch and went to a Texas State game. Always good to see these friends - never know at our age when I won't see one or more of 'em. No pics tho, I managed to leave my camera in Bastrop. Silly me.