Happy Birthday to Mister - Part 1 - Donuts and McKinney

Happy Birthday to Mister!!!  We have decided to spend the day playing around the metroplex and as he has been mentioning donuts for about 3 months now, that is our first stop.  A funky little shop down near Love Field is the ticket and as we sit and enjoy our sweet treat, the traffic in and out of here is non-stop.  Lots and lots of Saturday morning Dad/Child visits.  Love those traditions.

One of the items he has been promised for his birthday is a new hat and I saw one a couple months ago that the person had purchased at a Buc-ees.  There is one north of McKinney so that is our direction for today.  First up:  McKinney.  Parking on the square downtown gives us the ability to just walk and see.  This is one little square that we have not walked before.  Every corner has these beautiful planters and the whole area is just bustling today.

Red Hat Valentine - Miss Etta's 95th Birthday

For two months in a row, I am able to attend Red Hats luncheon.  I know that that is coming to an end quickly, but I'm loving it while it lasts.  March is out for me and although I can't locate the email, I think both April and May hit during my retreats as well.  It is what it is.  I'll be pretty clear after that until fall.  Fingers are crossed!!

Anna is in charge of our gathering today and it involves a hat contest and I'm loving the creativity put into these.  I didn't play this year, but others did and they are so fun.  As people gather into the room, plans are being finalized and friendships are being renewed.

Happy Valentine's Day

Ahhhh, a day of love!  One of my favorites.  Also one of the most difficult for me as so many that I love are so far away.  My sweetheart is so understanding of this and greeted my day with treasures all over the house.

Manhattan Project Visit

I've been gone for the better part of 2 weeks and my sweetie has stayed near to the house.  It's just what he does.  So, after I arrived home today, I asked if he wanted out a bit before the work week starts again.  He read that Manhattan Project is having their food grand opening this weekend and we love their beer.  We were there once before when it was basically a large warehouse.  You can read about our first visit and their vision in this Previous POST.

Today, the place is gorgeous.  EXACTLY like the artist rendition of what they wanted it to be.  Taking up a spot at the end of the bar, we meat Juan, who is bursting with information and we soak it up like sponges.

Utah - Days 7 & 8 - Playing at Home and Travel Back to TX

It is so crazy cold out that school has been cancelled completely - even the college.  They expected more snow, but it kept itself north of us and hit Salt Lake pretty good.  Here's hoping my flight tomorrow will be okay.  Until then, it's just a play day at the house.  Roads aren't great to go anywhere and it gives these littles another day to recover from their cold.  At this point, I'm well and keeping my fingers crossed that I stay that way.  I don't think I've washed my hands this much in years.  Honest.  Lots of reading and just relaxing going on today.  I'm loving the calm of it all.  At least at this point - everyone is doing their thing and enjoying life.

Utah - Day 6 - Mairead's Blessing

It is a beautiful Sunday morning in the Salt Lake Valley.  The skies are blue, it's not quite as cold, and we have a blessing taking place.  Everyone is up and dressed bright and early and while the last minute items are being attended to, I grab the girls for a couple of quick picks.  Where are they looking?  Oh, a show that is just more fun than smiling for Gammy.

If I stand in front of the television, perhaps it will work?

I tried for selfies with them both, but Ava opted out rather dramatically.  O it is.

Now to dress Mairead and then we are ready to go.  I take that chore on with glee and grab the camera.  Hey there pretty girl.  Without bow.

With bow.  Cassie did such a beautiful job on both the dress and bow.  Right?

Hey Momma, look here real quick.  Fifty per cent isn't terrible is it?

JP --- will you do a selfie with me?  WOOHOO!!!!!

Out the door we go and walk the two blocks to church.  Settling in, I have Mairead and JP is busily munching next to me.  Are those bubbles?

The blessing goes so well and not a peep out of our star of the day.  Perfect.  She is happily hanging out and on Mom's lap now.

Once home, the race is on to get all the food out for guests and several hours of chatting and playing pass by.  The house gets put back into place and right before naps, I ask if they want a family picture.  Most do.  JP -- not so much.  First one, interesting.

Next one --- nice.  It's a wonderful day here.

Mom and Dad with their precious new one. 

AND, even I managed to have a picture with her.  This part of the day is done and it has been very nice.  Now for some quiet time (I sewed while four slept and Cass and O played Mario Kart) before dinner and baths.  My time here is rapidly coming to an end and a storm is heading our way.  I hope those two don't collide.  O has had school cancelled for tomorrow so we will have one last play day together.  Fun times ahead.

Utah - Day 5 - Cookie Time

My time here is more than halfway gone and I'm trying to soak up these littles as much as I can.  I watch them as they play and smile at their antics continuously.  A video of their entire day would just crack me up on down days and I wish I had one, but these small reminders will have to make do.  A peek in at Mairead first thing in the morning finds her propped on Mom's bed and just kicking away.  That is until I talk to her and she spots a face.  Now she needs to be picked up.  Well, alrighty then.  I'm not going to refuse.

Cassie needs to run to Costco and the grocery store and since her hubby is home for a bit, I ride along and see the blue sky for the first time since I've been here.  Oh, the mountains are just gorgeous.