@ a Hotel in San Antonio

There is nothing wrong with my house...it hasn't flooded, the air conditioning is not out, I do not have a pest problem that I am running away from. I am staying at eh Hilton Palacio del Rio on the Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio. I know it is weird, but in my new job, I often cover conferences and trade shows. My company, Pearson has a booth at the ISTE conference held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in downtown SA. ISTE = International Society for Technology Education. Because I live too far outside of SA and I have to be at the conference so early...I'm staying at a hotel across from the conference. I have to give 3 presentations each day...you would laugh...I have to wear this microphone around my head. Sort of "Britney Spears" like. Don't worry - I didn't bust out in "Oops I did it again!"...eventhough I was really tempted to. :)
I've never stayed on the river downtown. It is actually really nice and I've really enjoyed a balcony looking out onto the river. NICE...to quote Brooklyn, "This is the life!"

Alive, but gall bladder free!

Ros wanted pictures, but I didn't get any...so these internet pictures will have to do. Above is one with a gall bladder being removed and below is a picture of someone without a gall bladder!

So I am alive! I had my gall bladder removed last Monday. All came out well...or so I am told. Mom took fabulous care of me! I am glad that it is over. Last week was a bit tough. I have to say that I thought it would be surgery Monday, shopping and movies starting Wednesday. That wasn't exactly how it turned out. I did get to the movie on Saturday, but I am still only about 90%. I've heard that it takes about 2 weeks to truly feel yourself. Next Monday I expect to wake up and be my new and improved self.

Super Kate Baseball Star...

Well, maybe not a star...but big heart! What she lacks in talents she makes up for in passion and desire!

Here are a few pics...with more to come...

Yummy blackberries!

We picked blackberries about a week ago! Clair was not one bit interested in picking...Bowen (once again) confused eating with picking...Kate was my only helper! Then we came home and put Bowen (and a very grouchy Clair) down for a nap! Kate and I made one run of jam! Yummy!

Still Our Emily!

Gal bladder or not...you are still our favorite sister and aunt!

We love you Em and wish you a speedy recovery!

(PS We anxiously await surgery pictures...well Kate does!)

Happy Father's Day!

We are so glad that you are our dad. Thanks for all you do for us. You are a great dad, friend, and papa. We appreciate your willingness to move us around the country, build things for us, make us laugh, set an example for us, and just being a great day. Thanks for everything.

Happy Birthday...Joel!

They say it's your Birthday...so HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We are so lucky to have you in our family. You are a great brother and dad. I hope today is a great 29th year...you should make it a good one, because starting next year - it's down hill from there! Just kidding...it only gets better. You are a funny guy, who always knows how to make us laugh. Thanks for being a part of our family!

Summertime...and the living is easy!

So our first official day of summer vacation (yesterday) was a blast!

We got up and went to breakfast at the Waffle House (as per Kate's request!). It was yummy but my kids drank so much chocolate milk that they didn't eat any of their breakfast! (Except Bowen who ate nearly the entire waffle as big as a dinner plate!)

Then we went to Wal Mart and the kids got to pick out new pool towels! I was able to talk two of the three down from the more expensive trademarked character towels, so I was pleased!

When we got home we put on sun screen and swimsuits and went down to the pool for a couple
hours! We had lots of fun and got a little sun kissed!

Once we got home we ate lunch and Bowen went down for a nap. The girls were excited to start on their summer workbooks! So while I did the dishes from lunch and cleaned up the kitchen they did a little work! Kate also practiced her piano! Then we read a couple chapters from our Narnia book!

After Bowen woke up we went to the library and signed up for summer reading! Kate also got her very own library card. She was proud and poor Clair was so sad she couldn't get one. I promised to bring her ON her birthday to get one!

Next we stopped by to see the cousins Alex and Ben. We stayed just for a second cuz Aunt KT had to be somewhere!

Then we went and got some dinner...sushi for mom, teriaky rice and stake bowl for Kate, and McD's for Clair and Bowen! We brought the food home and ate it up (plus some ice cream)and then took baths and read some more Narnia and a few of our new books from the library!

It was a great day!

Bowen Thinks He is a Big Kid

Bowen came with me to Clair's gymnastics. He totally thought he was one of the big kids!

Then he snuggled up with Kate to watch TV later that night!

He's so cute!

Clair in the Spot Light!

Clair had her final "Big show" at Little Gym yesterday since it was the end of the term! She got to perform for everyone and did such an awesome job! Here are some pics!

After their routines, they got to take their families around and show them their favorite things to do!

Then they got medals! Clair was SO proud of her little medal! she even wanted to wear it to bed!