Weekly Catch-up of Summer Happenings

For family night we played Monopoly Empire.  Gracie was on my "team" and Jacob played on Dad's.  I was surprised at how much fun we actually had, and how well the older boys played.  At the eleventh hour, however, Daddy and Jacob rolled a miraculous hand, and immediately after going bankrupt WON THE GAME!  There was much victorious, over the head hand-shaking.

Wednesday found us at at a day-trip with the Cub Scouts to the Armand Bayou Nature Center.  I had never been before, and it was really neat!  There's lots of natural wildlife exhibits and hiking trails.  I'd like to go back when I have more bug spray and better shoes on.

I just want you to know that MOMENTS before, the boys were running around and laughing like crazy.  The frowns aren't from the amazing time they had or the delicious popsicle they're enjoying, they're from Mom forcing them to take  yet another picture.

Stevie in particular insists on rolling his eyes at me every time I ask for a picture.  Come to think of it, he's starting to roll his eyes for numerous other reasons as well.  He's not even ten years old, for crying out loud!  I didn't think all this attitude would be here for at least another 2 years!  A friend suggested that I bop him on the back of the head when he rolls his eyes and say, "Whoops, didn't want your eyes to stick that way!"

It rained for the rest of the week, so we spent some time shopping and hanging around the house.  Gracie received her first (of many I'm sure) tiara, and David got a new pair of swimming goggles.  

But other than a few night-time giggles involving the Mario and Luigi hats, we had a pretty boring week.

Yes, my sweet baby girl is wearing her older brother's old pajamas, complete with adjustable crotch.  I always thought I would dress her like a princess in every instance, but then I remembered how cheap I am.

Cow Appreciation Day

Oh yes we did.

David is mid-moo.

So Chic-fil-A has a "Cow Appreciation Day" where they will give a free meal to anyone who comes in wearing a cow costume.  Naturally being as cheap as I am I took advantage of the situation.

Stevie Jr. was absolutely mortified about the whole thing at first.  He didn't even want to get out of the car.  But the lure of that delicious free chicken sandwich was too much for him to pass up.

Stevie Jr. looking less than pleased.

Don't worry- he felt better after he ate.  Here he is after quickly freeing himself from the cow costume.

The rest of us had much less shame.  We proudly brandished our homemade cow masks and ate with relish. 

So traumatic childhood experience aside, free food is good!

Day at the Beach

This week I spent a day at the beach with these fun folks:

I love the beach, but I don't usually stay that long.  I guess I lose interest after awhile.  This day was an exception.  I'm not sure if it was because Daddy was with us, or because we went with good friends.   Maybe it was because I wasn't feeling petrified of jellyfish at the moment.  Whatever the reason, we ended up staying for FIVE HOURS!  I had such a marvelous time.  I could have floated with my kids in the waves, or sat on the sand talking all day long.

Here the kids are participating in the obligatory beach excavation.  Never been when some serious digging didn't take place.

Elle and David posing as mud creatures.

Gracie and Jake loved feeding Doritos to the seagulls---far away from us, thankfully.  (I hate those flying rats).

This beach trip has convinced me that I need to spend more time on the sand and in the waves.  Just fills up your soul with goodness.  

Fourth of July 2014

We started out the day by heading down to the Friendswood Fourth of July parade.  July 4th means PARADE in capital letters to any Arlingtonian (like myself), and so we decided to check it out with our besties, the Greenfields.

Waiting for the parade to begin.

Happy 4th!  Jacob's red mouth is due to a patriotic swig of Fruit Punch.

The Greenbergs (as we are sometimes called).


After the parade, we all stopped for breakfast at IHOP, of course.  We always stick the kids at one end of the table, and then the four of us laugh and talk at the other end.  This may possibly make things less pleasant for those seated around us (particularly when David and Jacob run a victory lap around the table), but it's great for the adults!  Steven and Jed both ordered Chicken and Waffles (what??!!) and BOTH poured SYRUP into their HOLLANDAISE SAUCE!  Needless to say I was horrified.  But my pancakes were delicious and my friends were hilarious and so a good time was had by all.

After breakfast, the Grundbergs headed to the annual League City Citizen Appreciation Day in Old League Park.  It's a perfect small town celebration complete with free treats, the standard classic rock cover band, bounce houses, pony rides, the absolute works.

Enjoying free snow cones.

Gracie's first experience with cotton candy.  Needless to say, she was a fan.

The pony rides are always a great favorite with the kids.

Jacob was seriously making this face the entire day.  He was a happy, happy camper.

Little Grace had a very hard time waiting for her turn for the pony rides.  Each time she realized it wasn't her turn yet, she'd break down in hysterical tears.  Waiting is so hard!

She absolutely loved those ponies!  She kept talking about it all day.

Saying goodbye to our pony after the ride.

After a quick shower and nap, we finished off the day by heading over to Nassau Bay park for festivities and fireworks.  Unfortunately, the weather was looking very sketchy on the way down.  We were definitely worried.  While we were there, we ran into some other families from church (the Blakes, the Westwoods and the Busselbergs), as well as meeting up with our friends the Goits and the Greenfields (some of whom were NOT happy with the weather).

Jakie chomping on a chicken leg while we waiting for the fireworks to begin.

He insisted on taking a grumpy picture.

Gracie ate more cookies that night than is probably healthy for any human being.

Unfortunately for us, it began to rain quite steadily within an hour.  We were completely soaked.  But nevertheless, we stuck it out until the fireworks.!

My little girl looking like a drowned kitten.

The kiddos were sopping wet, but happy as clams.  And the fireworks ended up being even more beautiful in the rain.

My friend Sarah was less than excited about the rain.  But Jed kept cheering us on with constant encouragement...some of which were:

--Just wait 5 minutes...

--It rains harder just before it stops.

--Look, it's clearing up over there.

--We're right on the edge of the storm.

--Did you see that bald eagle fly in?

So at least he kept us laughing.  And to sum up the evening, I'll quote Jed:

"It was all worth it in the end; it was literally epic!!!!!!"

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2014 League City Stake Broadway Review - "A Trip to Broadway"

 This year, our stake tried something a little different....

Our first ever stake-wide Broadway revue.  I had the opportunity to be the musical director for the show.  It was a TON of work, but I can honestly say it was probably the most fun I've had in a very long time.  I can not believe the incredibly amount of musical talent we have in our stake.  I'm glad we got to put it to good use.  We had huge audiences at all three showings -- close to 800 people attended the show!  We're crossing our fingers that they'll let us do it again next year.

"Magic to Do" from Pippin.  Steven was "Humor."  It was the opening number.

A few of the fellas from "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame" in the hallway before the show.

"There is Nothin' Like a Dame" from South Pacific

This number was so hilarious---the audience loved it!  And Steven was fantastic, of course.

"You're a Grand Old Flag" from Yankee Doodle Dandy.  This was the finale for Act I.

A few ladies from "Belle" right before the performance.

"Belle" from Beauty and the Beast.  This was probably my favorite number we worked on.  You can see me in the back arguing with the baker (H. D. Maddocks).

I think Chris Reeder and I did a great job being nosey small town biddies.

"Hello, Dolly!" from Hello, Dolly!  Kate Reeves was born to play Dolly.

 "Bosom Buddies" from Mame.  Neither Steven and I were in this number, but it WAS my all time favorite number in the show.  These ladies really landed their zingers perfectly!  

The "Suddenly Seymour" girls before the show.

Steven and I played Seymour and Audrey in "Suddenly Seymour" from Little Shop of Horrors.

"We Go Together" from Grease  was our show finale.  

  

The entire cast after the show.  I love these people so much!

Glad I found my own Seymour (though mine is actually way cooler in real life).

Here's the video of Steven and I singing Suddenly Seymour.