Home for the Holidays!

Sunday the 23rd I was up early, after one of those fitful nights sleep worrying I'd sleep through the 2:30 AM alarm, then is was off to the airport for the trip home to Virginia. I concluded the early morning hubbub was worth it as the lights of Texas fell away along with all the pent up angst built up over the time I've been away from Susu, Nuala, and our little casa on the mesa back in Richmond.

Flights to VA were uneventful, always a pleasant surprise in this day and age, and as we turned the corner onto King William we were greeted by a phalanx of neighbors who thru the efforts of John Coski had assembled to welcome me home, banner and all.

Have I ever mentioned we have the best neighbors in the world!

First order of business after passing out hugs was a run to the Rivah with Nuala. We both agreed we were back in heaven!

Second order of business a very cozy nap.

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Monday was spent running errands in preparation for Christmas, with a quick stop at Susu's new office.. no picture for this days activities, save the picture of the church down the street taken on a late walk with Nuala..

Christmas we were up early to prep for the Christmas Turkey Dinner Extravaganza.

Nuala opened her presents, then we took a quick walk down to the river, before our lunch date at the Coski's.

Upon returning from our lunch date we Skyped with the Lamoreaux's and heard all about the loot Santa brought for the grand kids. Eden was most proud of her stocking stuffer mustache.

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The Christmas finale was a very well prepared Turkey Feast.

Thanks to Susu's culinary skills it was all delicious!

And I ate entirely too much of it!

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Lamoreaux Christmas Concert
2012
 

Thank you Katie, Brig, Ezra, Kian, and Eden.
Move over Von Trapp Family!
For these are a few of my favorite things!
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Get Out !!!

24 Hours with the Belde's in Austin

I took a drive south from Dallas to Austin this past weekend, and spent time with our old VA neighbors, and my new TX neighbors, Dave, Amelia, Lily, and Sophie, Belde.

I was treated to the nickel tour of Austin as well as lots of hugs and smooches from the BG's.

The BG's,
(Belde Girls),
Lily and Sophie... or Sophie and Lily...

I still can't figure out who is who, except for the tall one of course, and that would be Amelia!

Downtown Austin, on and around Congress and 6th Streets.

Texas State Capitol

One, of what seemed like hundreds, of Food Trucks in the area, selected for a picture more for the name than anything else.

Busy BG's.

I was treated to a late lunch / early dinner Saturday.

Sunday morning story time, 101 Dalmatians, followed by a trip to the school playground.

Dave and the girls engaged in a spirited game of Gagaball.

Not unlike dodge ball.

Saturday night at Zilker Park in Austin for the reopening of the Trail Of Lights.

This event also included a 1 mile kids run followed by a 5k run for the masses. Dave and I considered signing up at the last minute, I was glad we didn't when I saw the uphill finish!

After a busy day, and the evenings outing to the Trail Of Lights, the girls were fed and it was time for bed.

Bedtime was proceeded by the "Toothpaste Tube Went Into The Toilet Meltdown."

Thank you Dave, Amelia, Lily, and Sophie, for the wonderful weekend in Austin.

I was spoiled by you once again!

Grand Finale

How fortunate I was to be able to spend part of the Thanksgiving Holiday with my kids and grandkids!

I was spoiled and entertained constantly... what a way to live!!

Alas, all good things must come to an end, but in the words of that nefarious marauder Black Bart:

"I'll be back Lamoreaux's!"

Ride to Chocolate Island & Virtuoso Pianists.

 ~ Thursday ~

For those uninitiated... Chocolate Island is a wondrous place that lives in the imagination of select group of true pirates. Tales have been told of pirates navigating the hazardous chocolate seas that surround the island so that they might have a picnic on the island.
But pirates beware.... the island is also inhabited by the dreaded rogue pirate Mom. It's been said that when the pirate Mom boards a ship anchored at the island, the terror it causes the boats crew is so bad they cease to act rationally, and can be so distraught they fling themselves off the boat with no regard to what might lay below, much to the consternation of pirate Poppy.
Arrrr,,, what's a few more gray hairs!
Thanks Eden, for taking me on the exciting picnic at Chocolate Island.

School visits.

Wednesday with the Lamoreaux's found us picking Eden up from school and heading over to Ezra and Kian's school for a visit with the boys during their lunch time recess.

  Clockwise from top right: Picking up Eden at school, Kian ambles across the playground, then takes a break while acknowledging mom's arrival, Ezra in goal, Eden rides the shuttle.

 Picking up the pace.

BMOC

Recess and Lunchtime. "Bottom right" Eden lights up when her Bro comes around the corner.

While the boy's do homework, Eden takes her Ballet Lessons.

Ready for the Bolshoi!

Work Hard... Play Harder!

Monday after the Thanksgiving Day holiday I bid farewell to Mom, Barb, and Hannah, and caught a hop to Phoenix to stay with Kate & Brig and visit the kids and grand-kids. I could get used to this life... I went from being spoiled and catered to, to being catered to and spoiled.

Sigh... as I write this I'm back in Dallas, and dealing with the reality that no one is going to prepare dinner for me, drive me to Starbucks for a Mocha, or walk up with an unsolicited hug and smooch.

Sniff...

Tuesday found Ezra, Kian, and Eden at school and Poppy doing homework. That afternoon the boys returned from school and Eden, having returned home earlier, awoke from her nap, and they all worked to complete chores and homework.
I was impressed by the semi-strict regimen Kate has designed, that allows all concerned to accomplish everything that needs to be accomplished. I imagine if she ever needed a job she could snap one up running the Swiss Railways. It was also fun to watch the kids mentally drift away from the task at hand, then see them snap back with moms request to "focus".

While the boys worked to finish their homework, Eden joined the fray with work of her own. I was never quite sure what her homework consisted of, but I imagine it involved lists of Hello Kitty accessories.
The boys also practiced their piano lessons which was a treat to listen to. They are getting very good at playing the instrument and while playing they are both practicing their skills and entertaining their old Poppy in the process.

After working so hard at school, and at completing their homework, and chores, it was time for Ezra's Boy Scout meeting while Kian and Eden blew off some steam down at the park.

Over the river and through the woods....

I spent Thanksgiving with Mom and Barb this year after being away for much too long.

Two years....Yikes! Call me the Prodigal Son.

I started the day with a run in the La Canada - Flintridge Thanksgiving Day 5K. This was my first sanctioned run after several years of lollygagging, and I was pleased with my results, 9:59 gun. I'll take it!
(Yikes!!! That 9:59 time was the per mile Pace... lest anyone think I was part Kenyan)

I deemed the results worthy of two slices of pie that evening.

Lining up for the start. It was a perfect day for a run!

The rest of the morning was spent assisting with the preparations for the afternoon meal. For me that meant staying out of the way. Some of Barb's family came for dinner, and what a treat it was! Jim brought a brined and smoked turkey that was to die for, and Barb threw in a 24 pound bird for good measure. Of course there were all the fixings along with a plethora of pies. Wondered if I could get it all to fit.

I was glad I did the run earlier.

 The Iron Chefs at work. I'll bet if you laid all the yams Mom has candied over the years end to end they'd reach our neighbor galaxy Andromeda!

Did I mentioned the 24 lb turkey? Holy Smokes... that thing was so big it could have fit a small football stadium inside!

Clockwise from top right... Mom and the prodigal son, Mijares menu, view of La Canada from Angeles Crest Hwy., Barb rustles up some of her world renowned Spaghetti, doing homework down at Barb's classroom in Saint Bede's.
Deja Vu... Saturday detentions!

Humble Beginnings.

While I was visiting my Mom & Barb for Thanksgiving, I stopped by the Valley Water Company's lot in my old home town, to see how things were progressing with the City of La Canada-Flintridge Rose Float.

 There, tucked away behind all the plumbing fixtures it sits, awaiting the hundreds of volunteers that will turn it into the masterpiece that will trundle down Orange Grove and Colorado Boulevards this coming New Years Day.

Even on this early Sunday morning, just after Thanksgiving, a volunteer (in red sweatshirt), could be seen welding on the infrastructure.

I am always amazed at how much is accomplished in so little time. With just over 5 weeks until the parade, the float is still very much just a skeleton. Hard to imagine that it will be finished on time.

All Hail, Dino-Soar!

The small red spot on this picture is the guy welding. Gives you some perspective on how large these floats really are.

Good Luck La Canada-Flintridge!

And Happy New Year!

Just a walk... er... ride in the park.

I took a ride up to, and around White Rock Lake Saturday afternoon, as a reward for finishing my midterm that morning. (say a prayer).

Perfect day to be outdoors, and there were visitors from afar on the lake.

~~ Every fall, usually by October, a flock of white pelicans migrates south, possibly from as far north as Canada, to White Rock Lake to spend the winter months. Most often they can be seen at Dixon's Bay (a.k.a. Sunset Bay), on the east side of the lake, either sitting on the mudflats or sometimes on shore. Occasionally, they can also be seen floating on the water by the spillway, on the opposite end of the lake. ~~

Not unlike the snowbirds we had in AZ, I found a couple of the Pelicans coming out of a liquor store with gallon jugs of Vodka, Bourbon, and Gin. And, like their counterparts in AZ, these snowbirds were all over the lake, willy-nilly.

Glad I was on a bike!

Budding Thespians

October 2012 on King William.

Tuesday Susu and part of the King William Crew had dinner at O'Tooles.

Dave Belde was in town for a work related visit and joined the fray.

 From right to left-

John, and Lindsay, Ruth Ann, and John, Alain back in the dark.

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Mia and Derek

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 Mike (must have just bit into a lemon) Schwartz, and guest of honor, Dave Belde.

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RA, John, and Alain has come out of the dark.

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Wednesday was, of course, Halloween and Susu shared pics of some of the goblins that haunted  the 5000 block of King William.

Witches and Warlocks - Inga, Alain, and Beryl

 Leah aka Minnie

Carlin and Mike (Inspector Clouseau perhaps?)

 Jack (I think) and Klara

Ian and Mia

Greta

Left to right

Ghosts Sammy, and Charlie, Pippa(in pink), Rosie, Princess Pete, and Nora

Fairy Princess Nuala

Life and death of Hurricane Sandy - NASA GOES Project

 Click Me!

 Fascinating NASA video showing the life and death of Hurricane Sandy

Updated TX Digs

Adding this post after speaking to my daughter Kathleen and realizing she was under the impression I was still sleeping on the air mattress.

Went to Macy's a few months back and ordered the mattress, box-springs, and frame. They had it delivered and set up about a week later. Found the sheets, pillows, blankets, etc... at Walmart and Kohls.

Splendid luxury!

It's nice to get out of bed in the morning and be on your feet, as opposed to on your hands and knees.

 

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The second upgrade was made shortly after the bed arrived.

IKEA was the source for the last addition, and I am very pleased with my choice. Think I'll get some for down in the man cave back in VA.

Very comfy, and very inexpensive!

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