2011 Houston Auto Show

This is one event we have been going to since we have been in the Houston Area. Sorry to say, it's not getting better every year. This was one of those 'off' years.

This year the program was free so we got one

A concept Corvette Stingray

BBB Shower aka Baby Boy Bollman

Early this morning, Aedin and I eagerly awaited the arrival of Taylor, Mrs. James, and Emily.(Aedin had spent the night) They were meeting us here and I was driving all of us to Austin for the shower. We met up with Annemarie at a Starbucks before going to Laura's home. Annemarie treated us all to a beverage and we visited until the clock almost struck 1. Then I gave Annemarie the key to drive us there so she would have more room than trying to squeeze in the back seat.

Alas I was remiss in not bringing my camera; but Taylor stepped up to the plate and lent me her photographs. Thank you, Taylor, and kudos to Erika and Aedin for taking the other photos with Annemarie's camera.

What a nice greeting

The wonderful array of food for our afternoon repast ~  the owl cupcakes were so cute

Upper left ~ Annemarie flanked by the hostesses with the mostestesses Erika, Laura, Renae

Bottom center ~ Annemarie relaxing with Dylin, Ava (Laura's oldest daughter), and Aedin ~ Laura has triplet 14 month old daughters as well

Erika, Laura, and Renae showered Annemarie and BBB with love and a wonderful party with family and friends

Aedin's Ninth ~ A Family Affair

The invitation arrived from Erika via e-mail. What else would one expect in this world of instant messaging except I don't text so she had to send it via e-mail.

We will be hosting a dinner party at our home Friday for Aedin's birthday and would love if you could make it. Appetizers at 7... Dinner to follow.

The menu is as follows:

Appetizers:

Fruit tray -strawberries, blackberries, raspberries & bananas

Wheat thins, saltines w/cheese

Main Dish:

Bologna, mashed potatoes & cheese

Sides:

Still to be determined

Dessert:

Cookie cake for Aedin

Birthday cake still to be determined

As you can see, it will surely be a festive evening filled with fine dining. Please let me know if you would like to come!

Erika :)

Aedin opening gift from Grandma and Papa Sneed ~ a Target gift card and a friendship bracelet  kit

Olsin coming in for a Happy Birthday kiss ~ Picture made by Dylin for Aedin

Erika drew the picture and Dylin volunteered to be the elephant ~ WOW, a Nook!!

Enjoying bologna w/mashed potatoes and melted cheese ~ Lighting the candles ~ Making a wish

Cuteness and Yum - an Owl and a Pie

Today was a big day for Taylor. She cut out the pattern pieces, then sewed, stuffed, and put the finishing touches on her second owl. She accomplished this solely on the sewing machine with the exception of the final whipped stitching that closed the stuffing opening. After lunch, she whipped up her first pecan pie which we enjoyed as soon as "O" the Owl's last stitch was secured.

Blasting into 2011

Erika invited us all down to the fireworks on their cul-de-sac. Kevin, Erika and Terry's next door neighbor, enjoys putting on pyro-displays on the 4th of July and New Year's Eve. The entire neighborhood benefits and the majority of them turned out to "ooh and aah". Brett was super excited and we just had to stop so he could get some fireworks of his own to shoot off. As Annemarie put it, "Brett is as giddy as a school child right now."
The show started around 10pm when it was good and dark and lasted about 30 minutes. Afterward sparklers were lit and the young ones had fun swirling them around. We processed to the backyard and enjoyed marshmallows roasted over the firepit.

Enjoying marshmallows and s'mores

Annemarie and Brett ~ Erika and Terry ~ Sneed and Anne ~ Cheryl and Kevin

Aedin made sure we all had our flutes filled with sparkling grape juice and red and/or green grapes to toast the New Year. As we watched the ball drop on tv somewhere in the Central Time Zone, we lifted our glasses high and toasted to 2011. A very exciting start to the New Year.

Staying up with the Owls

Annemarie made an owl ornament with some of her friends in CA. While Taylor was here tonight, she asked Annemarie if we could make one. On the spur of the moment, she said yes. While Sneed and Brett went to Fuzzy's to pick up some pizza, we scurried over to Hobby Lobby to get the fixins to make a couple of birds. It's obvious that I can take some lessons from them. My owl doesn't look nearly as good as theirs.

Annemarie: "Taylor, do you even know how to use a sewing machine?"  Taylor: "ll just wing it"... and she did.

Us with our finished products

A Christmas Play

Aedin wrote, directed and narrated the play as a Christmas present for her Dad, Terry.

There was some last minute stage fright...the understudies had to step in and fill the bill

Watch for the ass that carried Mary. Excellent acting there. And if I do say so myself, Annemarie was the perfect Mary.