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.