Memorial Day Weekend --Day 2

Saturday was a busy day full of activities for us here in SA. Kristen and I started off the morning with the Memorial Run for Police Officers at Brackenridge Park. It was a fun event and a quick race.

The afternoon was spent at the Alamo Heights pool and I was covered in sun screen. The spots that I missed were evident as I had the hand prints all over my back. Sigh.

We had dinner at La Gloria in the Pearl Brewery. Our Saturday night dinner always revolves around Mexican food with this group since we are in San Antonio. The atmosphere is fun and the food here is mostly street tacos and truly authentic Mexican food.

Wrapping up the evening we walked over to Sam's Burger Joint where we went to see Lost Bayou Ramblers. They are a Cajun band and we had a blast! Our good friend Julia told us that we "wouldn't understand a word they said" and come to find out it is because the songs are all in French. It was a hit and I can't wait to see them again!

Matthew kept singing along with the band by saying "French, French, French, France, France, France, bayou", etc. We had so much fun dancing to this music.

Friday Night in Gruene, TX

Memorial Day Weekend for us is always one we look forward to spending with college friends from all over Texas and now our SA friends we have here. I think the weekend extravaganza is getting better and better as the years go by! There are new faces and familiar ones but by the end of the weekend there are new memories made and ones recalled.

This year the weekend played out as such...

 3rd Annual Crowell Family Memorial Day Weekend Extravaganza!

Friday (5/27): Reckless Kelly at Gruene Hall
*Tickets at the following website: http://www.gruenehall.com/

Saturday (5/28):  Memorial Day 5k, Alamo Heights Pool, La Gloria and Lost Bayou Ramblers

Sunday (5/29) AM: Golf at Brackenridge for the guys and brunch at Liberty Bar for the girls!

PM: Grilling at the house. 3rd annual Crowell Invitational Washer Tournament (Scott Scherer defending champion). Inaugural Flip Cup Tournament, duh winning. Headliner: "Koby West and the Midland County Quartet" will be winding down the evening.

Monday (5/30): You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.

Friday Night we headed to Gruene Hall to see Reckless Kelly. We had dinner at the Gristemille and enjoyed rekindling friendships. Friday night just flew by but we enjoyed the first evening together in some time.

The rest of the weekend to come so stay tuned...

While Momma's Away the Children Play!

This past week I took the girl's to Abilene to stay with my Momma. My Dad was out of town and it was going to be Mickey and my two heart beats. It was my first time to leave Landry. I missed them both very much and it was one of those drives back to SA where I didn't even know what to listen to on the radio. I felt so alone without my girls! We have our big Memorial Day Weekend every year and we thought it might be time for an overnight stay in Abilene. Luckily, I had a play by play of the weekend with many texts, phone calls, etc. I drove the girls in from San Antonio during the week and then back to get ready for our company on Friday night.

What a blast the girl's had with their Mickey and how I missed them like crazy! I believe she is now the preference though.

She took the girls to pick out some toys and play, play, play!!

 They had a tea party with the Disney Princesses while I was gone.

They actually had several tea parties.

This is probably my favorite picture. I knew immediately where it was taken. When I was a little girl, my Dad and I build a fort in the backyard. It was a huge fort to me with swings and stairs to climb up. Well, it has been a long time since I've played in the fort. But it has been kept up with for the girls. I almost feel like I must have built it for them because that is all Laney wanted to play in. Next time we go to Abilene she wants to sleep in it. Life is funny and little did I know when I was running around as a child myself that my children would be playing with my toys.

They played with chalk on the sidewalk.

And they played with chalk in the driveway when they woke up.

They went to Chuck E. Cheese. Yum. I have yet to take them so I'm glad they got the experience.

My preschool friend, Lindsay, went by to see the girl's when they were in Abilene. She hadn't seen Landry in a while and I love this picture and Landry's face.

Then my Momma took them to the ranch to see the Crowell's for a couple of days. She stayed with them to help out before she brought them back to San Antonio. They had a good time here too.

They swam in a baby pool.

 Landry experienced eating watermelon and loved it!

My Momma brought the girls back to us on Memorial Day. I was so happy to see them! I have the most wonderful mother ever and am so thankful for everything she does for my family! I couldn't do half of the things I do without her help and support and love.

Friendly Traditions

We just recently hosted our 2nd Annual Crowell Family Memorial Day Extravaganza. Another weekend of chaos and memories has just passed and, per the usual, I'm exhausted. The boys had a busy time with floating the river in New Braunfels (apparently for the last time but we will see), golf, washers (ugh), and grilling out. The girls had manicures, shopping, brunch, and babysitting. We had dinner on the patio at La Fonda and the atmosphere and weather were ideal. Sarah and Koby are pregnant this year and we are all very excited to meet the West's newest addition!

We went to a concert on Friday night in New Braunfels, which I will quite honestly say was a total bust. On the up and up, the venue was amazing and Matthew and I had a nice getaway. The company got me through the concert because I love the way these guys behave when they haven't seen each other in a few months. They are hilarious and my stomach hurt from laughing, how I love that feeling.

 I fell in love with several of Matthew's dearest friends over the weekend when they had a guitar in their lap. I'm sorry but is there not something so attractive about a guy that can play the guitar?! My apologies for sheer honesty but dang. "We" could not be more tone deaf, yet, Matthew is still the one who stole my heart.

Laney Kate, bossy britches.

Too much washers, why do boys love this game? Although, when the girls played Sarah got 2 ringers!!

It was a wonderful weekend with little sleep and new memories. I cannot wait for next year!

Month of May

The month of May has slipped through our fingers. I have yet to find a routine here in San Antone. I do love it though, we are in such a bubble in Alamo Heights and people are small town nice. And my Monday and Tuesday's in Austin are going good. We stay overnight on occasion and the drive seems to be relatively quick. I am happy to be working and home with Laney three days a week. This suites me. But I need a nanny for the conference calls. And this month has been full of trials and triumphs. Still, here is our precious heart in her not so little personality.

We had our first pool trip at Hunt Conger's birthday party; Hayley Sullivan's little boy. It was a lot of fun splashing around in the baby pool with Lanes. I can't wait to take her this summer to splash around! We need to get to Sea World soon.

Our trip to Dallas was, in a word, unlucky. We drove in during the wee hours of the night to arrive at 3:30 am. We had a dinner with Matthew's section in San Antonio that was a lot of fun but put us on the road in the middle of the night. Plus, no idea it was five hours from here. We are flying next time.

I got to see my Paw Paw in Arlington! And he is such a sweet man that is in such great health mentally and physically for his age. I am so proud he is mine! Laney wasn't shy kissing him bye bye either! She loves her Great Paw Paw!

Have I mentioned the collision on I 30? Yeah, we got rear ended so that was awesome. Which, yeah. Here is a picture and we have the car in the shop right now. I have my rental and UGH. Hence, unlucky.


Mother's Day was spent at Aunt Susan's. All the cousins got to play and it was not the least bit surprising to see L kissing on her cousin John! And sweet Princess Morgan loving on Laney! Precious!!!!!

On the way home Laney had a blow out diaper. So we stopped and changed it close to Lampasas. It was a beautiful drive; just a very long one.

Did I mention Cinco De Mayo at Whole Foods and the party planning committee? Ha, well, we call ourselves that but we are just four girls in accounting that like to plan parties! Pictures with our faux margaritas! Jackie is so clever! The 5th of May celebration at WF was filled with delicious Mexican food. I made the queso. Easy and yummy.

We got to see Nick and Crick this month! Nick graduate from Texas A&M and is quickly on his way to becoming a CPA. We are so proud of him and I am jealous! And that Bailey is as sweet as can be. We love you Blake's!

Matthew taught Laney to blow bubbles. She has always enjoyed them but she can now blow! Good job M!

Memorial Day Weekend was busy. We went pretty hard from Friday through Monday. We had eight people stay with us over the weekend and we have a small house. But we had a lot of fun! Reckless Kelly on Friday night and hanging out Saturday. Kristen and Jackie came to visit and a the Midland Guys and James! We had a full house!

We had another incident with Laney. She fell, on my watch, off the desk chair and hit her head on a pair of free weights. Basically, a huge bump on her forehead and the ER for several hours. She is alright but it was startling and scary.

Rainforest Cafe on the Riverwalk was cool! It was Laney's first time and she wasn't so sure about the animals. She loves monkeys and will always do the beating on her chest to go see them. And when it would thunder she would exclaim "rain! rain!"

There it is in a nutshell. May 2009. Good Bye. You were a very trying month. I'm hoping to feel better about June and I hope it creeps by. Still, you were busy and kept us on our toes. And I know, hectic or not, every single day we get is a gift.