Galveston B. I. (Before Ike)

We paid close attention to the recent news coverage of Hurricane Ike, because the storm inundated and practically annihilated our most recent and special vacation spot, Crystal Beach/Galveston, TX.

We were there over Labor Day weekend with our friends the Stentzels. We've planned on going back every year and hope the area can recover quickly. Anyway, here is what Crystal Beach looked like B. I. (Before Ike)

P.S. Hurricane Gustav (bad storm, AWESOME NAME) was thinking about visiting us that weekend, but headed toward New Orleans instead. We're glad.

The waves and sand were perfect for the kids. They had a great time frolicking in the surf.

Maisy, bathing beauty


Maisy and her buddy Carter


Soakin' it in . . .


Heading back to the beach house


Pickin' up some fresh fish


Crazy kids at Bob's restaurant.


Here's wishing the Crystal Beach area plenty of peace in the near future.

First Day of School

So, I know that it's been a couple of weeks since the first day of school, but better late than never--right? (that's what I always say.)
Brett takes Wil to school because it's just down the street in our neighborhood now. Our new school has opened this year and it has just been a beautiful thing.
Well, this is somewhat of a humdrum post, so I thought I would throw in some really cute pictures of Ace.
This is one of our favorites and in fact, Brett says this is probably the cutest he has ever seen Alton. That's a powerful statement because he's pretty adorable a lot of the time.

Daddy and dancing

We recently signed Maisy up for a dance class. It teaches a potpourri of ballet, tap, and tumbling. There is hardly anything cuter than little girls in little leotards, little tights, and little dance shoes!
"Wow! Check out that leotard!" you might be thinking. Well, it's pretty special because her Grandpa Ming picked it out for her. He amazingly has always had an eye for fashion. She just sparkles in it.
Last week, I had to go to the store at the same time that Maisy needed to be chauffered to her dance class. So I delegated this undertaking to Brett. As I hurried out of the house I called out, "Don't forget to pull her hair back! Can you handle that?!"

"Sure, sure," was his response.

When I got home he reassured me that everything went smoothly. "But next time you pull Maisy's hair back, can I watch?" he asked. So of course he received one of my looks and a exasperated *why???* Apparently he couldn't find any small rubber bands and so he used some of my big ones. As you can see in the pictures, Maisy doesn't really have a lot of hair to work with in the first place and that is why the little rubber bands are the only ones that accomplish the task. So as usual, Brett, being slightly clueless threw in a little *razzle dazzle doo* and Presto! just like that, a solution--Brett style.
She is loving the class of course and it is so fun to see her enjoying it.

Restaurant Review: Hutchins BBQ

It's been a while since we've done a restaurant review, so today I (Brett) will tell you about my FAVORITE restaurant in the Dallas area: Hutchins BBQ in Mckinney.
The rule of thumb with Texas BBQ is simple: The crummier looking the place is, the better the BBQ will be! You can tell from the look of Hutchins BBQ that the food is AWESOME. Now, the front of the building has recently been refurbished, but the BBQ/Catfish sign remains in its original decrepit state, signaling good food inside!

We went a few nights ago with our dear friends from Vegas, the Whipples, and we had a fabulous time. I ordered my usual, the succulent chopped beef sandwich.


My hungry friend Kaid went with the all-you-can-eat platter. He's not very good at holding back when he sees something he really wants.


Kasia got her favorite, the pulled pork, accompanied by a fresh hot plate of fried okra!


The kids were enthralled by the mac and cheese, corn dogs, and fries.


Did I mention that rolls and drinks are included in the price of the meal?


Not to mention free ice cream, banana pudding, and/or cobbler at the end of your meal?


So, while Kaid kept all-you-can-eating . . .


and Maisy licked her second bowl of ice cream clean . . .


And Wilson expressed his newfound lack of mobility . . .


I went off to get the little treat that makes Hutchins BBQ my favorite place to eat in the world. The FREE PEACH COBBLER!

Here's where the magic happens. The cobbler is on the right, under the romantic heat lamp.



Bowl #1


Bowl #2

Needless to say, we left Hutchins BBQ full of food and full of good tastin' memories. If you haven't been to Hutchins, it's time to go!! You'll be glad you did. Comments?

I LOVE the Bumbo!

Who thought up this wonderful creation of foam?

I LOVE IT!

Ahhhh the Memories

So, my parents came to visit this past weekend and guess what they brought me?! Some of my old toys! Apparently they have decided to sell their house in Oklahoma. They had to do some serious cleaning--er--throwing away, I guess. But, they found a few of my treasures. I was so EXCITED! These precious keepsakes are like keys to my childhood. I'm just glad they didn't get hauled off in a dumpster or taken to Goodwill...right Mom and Dad?
This is Stephen and Stephanie, my twin dolls. I got these dolls for my 8th birthday. I LOVED these babies like they were real. They did seem like a true part of our family. Even my brothers felt that way. They were terribly upset the time Stephen's head fell off after they forcefully threw him off the top bunk. He was doing a body slam on Stephanie, they had told me. I cried for minutes while Stephen was in *surgery,* and they stifled hysterical laughs. Well, the years have been good to you Stephen and Stephanie--welcome home.
YES! This is the Barbie McDonald's! Are you jealous? That would be Skipper over there ordering a Big Mac. Love your jacket Skipper, because I had one just like it. I was so happy to see my barbies again. And I have to mention--they were in GREAT condition. They were clean and had no tangles in their hair. I took good care of my barbies.
That's right--I'm about to confirm what your eyes behold and can not believe. It's Jem and the Holograms!! Jem is TRULY OUTRAGEOUS--truly truly truly OUTRAGEOUS. And her earrings still blink.
Well, it's been fun reminiscing. Isn't it funny how toys magically link us to our youth--infusing child to adult? It's pretty special. Oh and for your challenge for the day...who can name the gang in this last picture??