Granny and Mom's visit

My mom and granny were able to come for a visit this past week. The weather was great this entire week and we were able to take a car tour of the city and eat at a couple of different restaurants including the restaurant at Mount Vernon.

Bauer bonded with Granny on the couch!

Granny got to ride the Metro for the first time ever!

Tagged by Abby

Here are the rules:
1. Choose the 4th folder where your pictures are stored
2. Select the 4th picture
3. Explain the picture
4. Tag 2 other people

I tag: The Jones Family Scoop (Christina) and Alaskan Adventures (Kim)
I was just out visiting Christina in Livermore, CA at the Wente Winery. I know, I know...drinking wine- shocker! See post below for more excerpts from this trip!

PS- We had to hike up the mountain to take this picture. This, of course, totally counteracted the calories.

I'm famous...at least for the day.

Last night I went to the Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball hosted by the Texas State Society here in Washington, DC. I had a chance meeting with a photographer from the Austin American-Statesman and look who made it in to the online newspaper. Check out the story and picture...click here!

My co-worker Catherine had an extra ticket and invited me to go with her. We're both Texans.

We listened to Neil McCoy, Tracy Byrd, and numerous other speakers and entertainers including a surprise visit from one of my favorite actors, Denzel Washington!
I even was able to hang out with the 1st president, George Washington. He is a "big head" from the local Washington Nationals baseball team.

The Rangerettes from Kilgore College welcomed guests and entertained during the evening. Both my parents attended Kilgore and even I went to Rangerette dance camp in elementary school!

The Trip Continues

I'm taking full advantage of my layover in Las Vegas by updating you on my trip to see Christina, Stacy and Shelby! It's either play slots or update the blog for free...and as you can see I do NOT take after my mother as I am NOT gambling!

I arrived late Friday night in Oakland and Christina came to pick me up. Shelby was surprised in the morning when a stranger emerged from the spare bedroom. It didn't take me long to bond with a two-year-old and our day was off to a great start!

During Shelby's afternoon nap Christina and I headed to one of the local wineries, Wente, for some wine tasting and girl time.

Shelby turns two on February 1st so he got to open his present from "aunt" Carol a little early.

We spent the afternoon watching some movies on the couch.

After reading Shelby's nighttime books and brushing his teeth we all enjoyed a delicious salmon dinner that Stacy prepared. Mmm, mmm, good.

Thanks for a fabulous visit Tina!

Surprise Trip

For those of you who weren't in on the secret, I had been planning a surprise trip to see my best friend Kirsten for her birthday on Monday. Her husband Greg and I had been scheming for months and finally the time had come. She showed up at the airport blindfolded (cops were looking at us funny) and was totally surprised!

On Monday, Kirsten's actual birthday, we went to the Glen Ivy Spa. This is a crazy cool place where we were able to give ourselves a clay body mask and we got to go underground into the grotto and do a sea kelp body treatment. I couldn't have asked for better weather as we were parading around in our bikinis in 85 degree weather. We even got a bit of a tan laying out at the pool.

The good weather has stayed with us all week and we were able to go on a long hike with Bella and the dogs, Olive and Hunter.

We went out to see Shannon, Kirsten's sister-in-law, and took a stroll from the Manhattan to Hermosa boardwalk and back. Again, it was so nice to be in the sun!

Greg, Kirsten's husband, is an assistant coach for one of the local high school varsity men's teams. We went to the cross town rival game of the year and his team kicked some butt! This was a cool game because Kajsa, Kirsten's sister, is actually a cheerleader for the other team. The whole family attended and everyone was happy at the end of the night, especially Greg!

Well, my time here is nearing its end. I am headed to northern Cali to spend the weekend with my girl Christina and her hubby Stacy. I am sure that more pics are forthcoming. I want to formally thank Ty for playing single dad this week at home so that I could take this trip.

Happy New Year, Goodbye Cobra

We celebrated New Year's Eve at Ken and Jessie's house and on New Year's Day Ty sold his Mustang. It was a sad day, I cried.

With the new year there are new resolutions. If you don't tell anyone then no one can hold you accountable, right? Right. Therefore I will tell you that among other things I have resolved to going green-er this year and learning to sew. Ty is resolving to finish his Master's and run in a 5K.

This year also marked the start of Bauer being a true grown-up. We put up his crate and he is now a big boy that gets in trouble very rarely. He has resolved to keeping up the good behavior!

Happy New Year to you and yours. I am looking forward to a happy and healthy 2009!