Songs by Request

Today we had a bit of a funny dinner. Megan had a birthday party for two of her friends, and afterwards they invited us to dinner. Dinner was at Traildust, a real Texan looking place. It is a steak place, they make a big production of cutting the tie off of anyone who comes there overdressed, and all of the staff wear full western wear - hats, shirts, boots, etc.

Tonight from 6-8 there was even live music. Megan and Gwyneth were on the dance floor dancing a bit while we waited for our food. They went to Dance camp a week ago (theme was princess camp) and so they were practicing some of their fun dances. Next thing I know, Megan has gone up to the guitarist at the song end and asked something, then come back to the table.

She told us that she asked for a song (not even sure why this occurred to her!)
One song later, the nice guy (who earned his tips) obliged them and played his (rather rough - quite unpracticed) rendition of "UNDER THE SEA!"

I was almost literally rolling on the floor, as were other members of our table. The poor guy looked miserable singing it, but in fairness his family was there, and his two year old liked it too!

But it was a sight and an amusing step out from the other country music flare...

Only in New Orleans

New Orleans visit (5 of 17), originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Funny Story. We went to lunch down in the quarter on Saturday. I was looking at the menu, trying to decide what to drink. The guy gave Megan a list, and she chose lemonade. Then he told me "We have peach tea, raspberry tea, pomegranate tea..." I think he would have continued, but I said - "Pomegranate tea sounds nice".

Then my tea arrived (here in the photo, with Megan's pink lemonade on the right). I took a sip. I took a second sip and thought it tasted a little different.

At third sip, I realized the "different" was VODKA. Ummm, hello I didn't know I was ordering an alcoholic beverage at the time. The guy came back and I asked for some "regular" tea as well. He looked at me like I was a bit silly for NOT knowing that OF COURSE the pomegranate tea has vodka in it.

Really, only in the French Quarter would I need to order tea and specify to "hold the alcohol!"

FUNNY TIDBIT to add. I can't spell pomegranate apparently. So when the spell check caught that, I guess I clicked the wrong choice. This whole story was about POMERANIAN TEA for just a bit today. Ewwww!

Road Trip!

This past weekend, we took our minivan on its first official road trip. We went to New Orleans to see Megan and Ethan's great grandmother. We saw GG Sarah, Jack and Uncle Stanley and had a great visit.

The trip there wasn't even too bad -- long for the kiddos (and parents) but they both did well.

Here you see Megan all outfitted, headphoned and ready to go! She can watch her movie with the headphones, and we can still listen to normal music!




On the trip back, everyone was tired. We left late anyway (almost 8PM) to try to capitalize on kid sleeping hours. But after the second "Momma -- can we stop at a gas station?" I said "Why - do you need to go potty?". "NO, I think I need to throw up!" I just had to throw my hands up. Since Ethan had already had his moment (and thrown up earlier that day) we called it a day, stopped and got a hotel.

It was actually good to break the trip up a little.

She got the entire back row (and had nested quite thoroughly by the time we cleaned it last night), Ethan the middle row (with the optional seat open so Chris or I could sit with him, feed him, etc.)

Loved the minivan for the space -- lots of room left even with all of our stuff loaded!

AND we had a great visit, so thanks Jack and Sarah for having us. And THANKS Uncle Stanley for getting the awesome food -- Crabs one night, Ribs the next!! (The thank you for the Crabs is from Chris of course....) : )

Megan finally got to see a swamp, although she was disappointed she couldn't see the alligators. She really wanted to feed them marshmallows!!@!




We also went to the aquarium, the quarter, and to the cemetery of course!





And the cemetery was quite different with all the above ground tombs and mausoleums in the place! We visited the resting place of Chris's great grandmother, Nana Gulich.








We also got a few interesting shots at the cemetery.







This was on the way out, and kind of funny. I guess there are lots of people who were thought to be turning over in their graves after the Saints won the superbowl. This guy came and posted it for his ancestors to see!



Chris even got to see the superbowl ring of the Saint that attends GG Sarah's church! They have a real saint at their church. Ok, ok, maybe it isn't as funny as it sounds to me!

June fun

June fun (2 of 6), originally uploaded by homanhouse.

A few photos of June so far. It has gone by in a flash! Megan has had some fun playing with the neighbors (and so happy to have summer here with more friends to play). Plus, this week she is going to "Princess Camp" at her dance studio. Dance, crafts and Snow White even visited today! I hope to get some cute photos tomorrow during the parent observation class time where they show off what they have done this week.




And what has Ethan done you ask? He has made it to his due date, grown and grown, and slept and slept. What a good boy!

His sister still just adores him and spends all of his "awake" time talking to him, and stroking his face, and generally just loving on her baby brother. She is such a great big sister, and has some natural nurture in her!

Family Photos

Here is the link to the whole collection of photos on flickr -- CLICK HERE

Family Photos 2010 (39 of 44), originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Grandpa and Ethan

Lester's photos (1 of 17), originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Hi Daddy

Lester's photos (9 of 17), originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Cute kids

kiddos (4 of 4), originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Ethan sleeping on Daddy's chest

Family Weekend

uncle doug birthday (13 of 15), originally uploaded by homanhouse.

This weekend, we had a good family visit. Uncle Doug and Aunt Gina came down, and we also celebrated Uncle Doug's Birthday!

Grandpa came and also helped work on a few house projects in the playroom, and Aunt Rosie and Uncle Ed came to visit and play (and see the new baby) too!

We had dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Of course, when they came to sing happy birthday (and consequently usually ask the birthday person to sit on the saddle they bring) my brother was in luck that he was the first into the booth and it would be just too difficult for him to get out over the other eight people gathered. Darn....



And I guess it wouldn't be Texas Roadhouse without the Peanuts....

Megan greets Ethan Edward

Megan greets Ethan Edward, originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Such a super sweet time captured between the kids. We had just got home, and this is Megan holding him for the very first time at home! Ethan is 2 days old, and Megan is 4-1/2 She just loves her little brother.