Memorial Day

This morning was the annual Church Memorial Day breakfast at the League City Sportsplex. This year, my friends Emmaly and Chelle decided to put together a little "morning run" before the breakfast. The idea was to meet at 7:45am about 3.1 miles away and run to the park. They even had a water station set up about half way through.

I was not entirely eager to participate. I haven't run seriously since my 5k, and I was worried about how much I'd enjoy it. But Emmaly was persuasive, and so I decided to go anyway, and I'm glad I did. Some of my dearest friends were there, running along with me (or should I say, far ahead of me). The weather was beautiful and it just felt good. I did, however, have to stop in at a gas station to use the restroom, and that put me so far behind the bunch that when I finally DID catch up to the last group, we walked and gabbed the rest of the way. And I'm glad we did that too, because they are wonderful girls and I love them.

The breakfast was a blast. Several of the men were flipping pancakes and grilling ham for the entire ward, and we enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the company of great friends. I also got to know a few new people, and realized we've had some pretty stellar people move in. All in all, my heart was full of love for my church family and friends.

Steven played football with some of the fellas, and I DOMINATED in bocce ball (thank you very much). The little boys of course managed to have a water fight and get soaking wet, while Jake attempted to escape into the parking lot every two seconds. We stayed long after it was over talking and laughing, and then a few of us went to Sonic to get drinks and talk and laugh some more.

I'm tired, sweaty, and my hair looks like a birds' nest. But I'm feeling overwhelmingly content. And ready for a nap.

Oh Yeah--Steven's Birthday

Hey, I'm only 17 days late in writing about this...

Steven got a lovely present this year for his birthday. He got an excellent deal for it on craigslist from some random instruments dealer, and so now the Grundbergs are the happy owners of a stand-up string bass. His father owned one up in Chicago that he loved to play, and he missed it a lot when we moved down to Texas. He's really good---and he's extremely attractive when he's playing it, too.

Due the price tag, however, we just a had a relaxed family dinner of steak, veggie ka-bobs and of course---FUN-FETTI CAKE! (And I feel like it's a little less hideous than it was last year, so that's good. The boys helped me decorate it--as is becoming Grundberg tradition).

So Happy Birthday to the love of my life and the reason I get up every morning. And like my brother Adam wrote on your Facebook page--I'm glad you're still alive.

Water Works

I've had another delightfully busy week focused on maintaining my home, my body and my relationships.

I've been having a lot of fun going to a Zumba-type class. It's right up my alley---filled to the brim with highly 'inappropriate' hip-shaking (man, I love to dance).

Stevie's been counting down the days until summer vacation. Every morning when I wake him up he greets me with an ear-splitting groan. He's ready to sleep in. (Me too, kid).

David is ready to have his brother at home (though he'd never admit it). I will say that I've enjoyed the mid-day snuggles I usually get from him. After lunch, we'll cuddle up on the couch and watch an episode of "The Fantastic Four" or "Danny Phantom" together while Jakie is napping. It's lovely and I'll miss it next year when he's at school.

Hotter weather means the kiddos have been begging me every single day to play in the water. Some days (when I'm feeling environmentally righteous) I'll lecture them on water conservation. But then some days I remember how much I loved that water hose as a kid, and I let them have their fun.

i thank You God

for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birth
day of life and love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any-lifted from the no
of all nothing-human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

-e.e. cummings

What I'm Up To (Just Me, Me, Me)

Nothing terribly exciting, I guess.

But it was a good week. After wallowing a few weeks in self-pity and self-indulgence, I finally got off my rear and accomplished a few things. Things that need doing but aren't necessarily noteworthy. Like cleaning my house thoroughly. Doing ALL the laundry at once. Doing a serious weekly grocery shopping excursion (ugh, how I hate them). Spending a little time with friends. Getting my hair cut (and loving it). Getting my car inpsected. Exercising with a little more purpose and eating better. Trying a yoga class. Things like that.

And it felt really good. What a relief to be a working cog in our family again. It's also nice to enjoy friendships and socializing with a little more ease and enjoyment than before. It's funny how I always fantasize about how I'd love to spend every day just sitting in a chair and reading. But in truth, I'm usually much more content being productively busy.

Makes sense, I guess. Even though it never looks right on paper, Working Hard = Being Happy.

Father/Son Campout

Last weekend the boys went on their very first Father/Son campout with their dad.



Stevie had fun playing baseball with some of the boys


The dads loaded the boys up on this trailer and pulled them around for fun. The boys loved it (of course).


The fellas had a great time playing with Brother Haddock's soda bottle rocket launcher.



But eventually the bottle got stuck in a tree...


Jakie stayed home with Mom and watched "Mamma Mia." (Well, he didn't---but I really enjoyed it!)

Steve's Mad Sewing Skills

Youth Conference was a huge production this year. It was an actual Book of Mormon reinactment, and the leaders and youth were required to make their own costumes. Steven really surprised me in his handiness with a sewing machine. Apparently, he's a quick learner. He made his own tunic, belt and sash.

Here he is feeling pretty good about himself:


Here is his "Woe unto ye sinners!" pose. David doesn't look terribly worried.


Anyway, not a huge deal, but I was impressed! It was more than I could do. When will this man stop knowing how to do everything?

Jacob's First Haircut

May 7th, 2011---Jacob's first haircut recorded for posterity.



Why is it always a little traumatic to cut your little one's hair for the first time? But he definitely looks like a happy little boy, now. No question about it.

Greek Festival

Last weekend we decided to take a little family jaunt to the Clear Lake Greek Festival hosted by the local Greek Orthodox church. We're a big fan of festivals---the cornier the better---and this one was outstanding. We ate souvlaki, enjoyed some excellent Greek folk dancing, rode some rides and shouted "Opa!!" at various random intervals. Absolutely fabulous.

I bought a hip scarf (seen here on my head). I couldn't resist it's jingly wonder. Now I suppose I'm required to attend a Zumba class.


Stevie especially enjoyed the souvlaki. That child is a serious carnivore.


Okay, what you can't really see in this picture is that this dude is dancing around, lifting a little girl sitting on a table using just his MOUTH! I was definitely not familiar with this Greek tradition. It it was kind of creepy and oddly captivating to watch.


The boys were outraged that I made them watch the Greek dancing. All they really wanted to do was ride rides.


We'll definitely attend next year. Maybe we'll even take part in the Toga Fun Run 7K. We'll see.

Stevie's Music Program

Just darling.

A bunch of 6 year olds, perched precariously on risers, dancing and singing their little hearts out to songs like "Do, Re, Mi," "Soap and Water" (which was a parody of the song "All the Single Ladies," except it was about washing your hands--High-larious!), and a song about dances from the sixties (the monkey, the mashed potato, etc.). Stevie, of course, was fabulous. We're expecting his Tony award any day now.




Stevie's original artwork was on display as well (it's a self-portrait).