Family Fun

We finally lured Grandma away from California and work and onto a jet plane to fly halfway across the US to see us.

Sometimes I think we're happy out here - we're certainly accomplishing the things we set out to do - but then sometimes, when I really stop to think about how things are going, I realize that I miss going to the grocery store or walking down the street with a 90% chance (or better!) that someone will recognize me. But then again, that better happen on a good hair or cute outfit day :) I guess, despite the drawbacks of everybody knowing your business, I'm really still a small-town girl at heart.

So I drove over to Borders the other night to look for some books and ESCAPE the house!! I figured it was nice enough outside, so I rolled down the passenger-side window (cuz the other one won't roll down in my POS car!) and enjoyed the warm evening wind. On my way, I passed the amusement park and saw the bright lights and moving rides. I could imagine the people screaming as they rode the roller-coasters or the ride that amounts to an elevator falling to the ground at a stomach-in-your-throat pace (like in all of those crazy action movies that remind me when I'm in an elevator that I'm suspended on a measly cable system and could fall at any moment - and what good will those little red phones do then, huh?). So what was I saying? Oh yeah, the change from Winter to Spring always calls to mind BBQs and Baseball games, birthday parties and Easter, church and all the people I left in California. Funny how certain times of the year amount to snap shots, holidays and birthdays lined up side by side throughout the years, constantly being compared to the same date or holiday in previous years. Hopefully they always improve, because if they don't, you're left wanting on an occasion that should be fun and exciting. And that's a bummer.

So anyways (sorry for the digression, at least it doesn't happen often - HA!), I really enjoyed having my mom here. Other guests included my aunt and her husband, my cousin and his wife and their two kids. It was a full house - FINALLY! We actually had people stepping over each other in this mini-mansion. It was great having the familiar faces around and I loved being the hostess. I finally got my house in good enough shape - thanks to Craig's list! - to relax about it. I was asked to post pictures, so here ya go...

Still needs a bit of work... but it's coming along. Like the baby decor? :)

Here's that new chest I was talking about. Unconventional, but nice. I love the marble top!

This is one of several art niches in the house. I don't have expensive art work, so I made do. What do ya think? We bought the top picture in New York at Central Park. I really like the graphic effect. Wish I could go back *sigh*

Craig even hung up a candle chandelier that I've had for, like, two years now and never used!
But what you don't know from that picture is that there are supposed to be two...

Hey, what happened up there? :(

Pretty funny, actually. Craig was drilling a hole for the second one and our lights flickered. Of course, this happens RIGHT before I'm supposed to leave to get my mom from the airport (wanted to get the house lookin' spiffy for our guests!). He thinks he hears metal. He's thinking junction box. So, while my Mom is in the air on her way here, my hubby calls up my Dad (electrician) in California who says if you're not sure, cut away! So here's Craig, up on a ladder (oh, good grief!) and cutting a hole *gasp* in the ceiling with AN OLD STEAK KNIFE! As far as I know, my landlord does not know about this blog - ;) "It's cheaper to repair dry wall than pay for an electrician to come over," he says. Well, my guess is that it stays this way until we move and have to fix it... I'll let ya know if I'm wrong and believe me, I wanna be wrong! :)

For now, the thing sits, in my office, still not hung, on my pepto-bismol pink desk, still not refinished :(

But on with the visit...

We all went out to eat and soak up the little bit of Texas sunshine we had over the weekend. The restaurant we ate at was the least crowded, and with 7 adults and 5 kids, we needed quick seating!
Grandma and Hannah, right before she spilled lemonade all over her pants...

One half of the group. Ian with his cool buzzed head. April trying to figure out how to work her own camera (J/K, April!). Mike pouring over the menu and blocking his adorable little Leah so you can't see her in the picture. Hannah sitting away from her parents like a big girl who needs NO help, just before she spilled the lemonade all over her pants.

And the oh-so-cool cow tablecloth.

Now, tell me if you disagree, but there's something strange and unappetizing about eating on a surface meant to look like a cow's hairy back! Yum-Yum! But, I must admit, the food was pretty darn good. As long as you stayed away from this section of the menu...

HAHA. Funny! Rabbit food... Craig ended up eating a salad, too. I forgot to mention that the poor guy got sick the day before my mom came out. Flu... which had already hit Hannah. And have you ever heard of a 6 month old with strep throat? If not, ya have now! Hannah, too... When will we NOT be sick in this family?

Good food, interesting conversation...April still working on getting that picture! ;)

After lunch, everyone went shopping while we went home. Well, you all know how much Jenna loves to shop! And poor Craig with the stomach flu. Mom brought home a gift. Now before I show you, I have to tell you something. When night falls, I'm fanatic about setting the alarm and locking my doors. I always walk quickly by the doors and windows that you can see out (and in). My Mom says she thought she heard someone out there while she was here - thanks mom! So she gets me this gift to taunt me every time I LOOK OUT THE BACK DOOR (not really her purpose, I'm sure, but still...)

Can you see it? Look closer...

Yep, stickin its tongue out. Like "na-na-na-na-na-na." Yeah, HAHA!

They told me Hannah ran for cover when my mom was putting it up. Like mommy, like daughter... :) I must admit, however, it is a funny and cool conversation piece. Like the tree from the Wizard of Oz ("Rainbow" in Jenna-neeze), we tell the girls. They don't buy it. But to Mom: Hannah is liking the tree now. And I like to think I can have a sense of humor about my stupid night-fears now!

Leave it to moms...

But I got her back, though. Well, not me really, but it's fun to take the credit... While she was here it stormed. Big Time. Lightning, like God taking a snapshot; daylight at 1am. Crazy! And thunder - yes, we were forewarned - that shakes not only the house, but the whole block, the entire city... Thought the Earth was gonna open up and gobble us down... And of course, the sun came out the day after Mom left. Go figure!

But seriously, we loved having our company. We loved having Grandma here. The girls were so happy! And I miss having my Mom and Dad around. But there will always be the visits... and the stories we tell afterwards!

Love ya, Mom! :)