Celtic Festival in Lake Charles, Louisiana

A couple weekends ago (yea, we know, we know), mama, dada and I went to the Celtic Festival. It used to be held in New Orleans, but after Katrina, they decided to make a go of it in Lake Charles. When we got to the Festival, I had quite a thirst from the long truck ride.

Mmm, Guinness gives me strength.
Papa stopped to say hello on one of his many treks to keep the entertainment nourished (ie bring them beer).

After a little snoozer at the hotel, we went back to the festival and watched the sun set over Lake Charles. It was actually pretty nice. Lovely view of the casinos across the lake.
I got in some cuddle time with Ga....
while 'da men watched an Irish performer.

We were all pooped when we got back to Katy Sunday night. I know this isn't a good picture, but mama laughed out loud when she came upstairs and found me and dada watching tv, with half the tv on The Best of Elmo (you can see Elmo on the left side of the screen), and the other on the Sunday night football game. Dada says this parenting thing is a snap!

Yo, Mario Williams from the Texans was supposed to sign autographs at the HEB. Dada and Ga took me, but Mario had to cancel. Bummer. Go Texans!

Ga took me to the pumpkin patch to celebrate my 15 month birthday. I also had my 15 month well baby check-up. I am 21.2 pounds (8%), 32 inches long (75%), and my head is 18.50 (43%).

Ga let me pick out some pumpkins to bring home.

Nose!

Ga took me to Marble Slab to eat ice cream for the first time today. Mama has taken me when she ate ice cream, but this time I got to eat it. Peppermint, tasty!

Hangin' out in my room.

Reading books.

Lots of books.

Mama! Cut it out with the camera!

Mama took the picture right as I kicked off my red sock.

My favorite game is to remove all my clothes from the dresser

I mean ALL my clothes...

and transfer them to the hamper, with my other red sock.

Tippy toes. Love those calves ladies?

Family trip to Houston Zoo. Sunday, September 30, 2007. Whoa.

Bald eagle. Very cool.

Stopped to pay our respects to my late brother, Tex.

Ohh, the petting zoo!

Happy family.

I ate my first cherry shaved ice on the way home to cool off.

Good to the last drop!

Happy Retirement Grandma and Grandpa.

After many long years of slaving away to ensure mama and dada had more than they even knew they could ask for, Grandma and Grandpa are finally retired. Grandma had to work two years longer to get Grandpa through to 65 because she carried the insurance. To celebrate, mama and Uncle Billy arranged a surprise visit to Minnesota. Grandma and Grandpa thought they were coming up to see Jamie and Katie in a play, but just after they arrived and got settled, mama opened the basement door and I ran right in front of them. After Grandma got over the initial shock of the "ghost" opening the basement door, she and Grandpa were so excited to have the families together for the weekend. And what a weekend is was...

There is a story behind this piano, but mama doesn't remember it. It was maybe my great, great, great, great, great Grandma's????? Anywho, whose ever's it was, I sure enjoyed playing it!

Me and Gramps.

Come sail away, come sail away, come sail away on Lake Minnetonka with me... On Saturday we took advantage of the lovely weather (seriously guys, you couldn't beat it) and took a cruise on Lake Minnetonka. Even the retired couple loved it! Don't they look so content? Fall colors were just starting, so all the trees had a golden hue. Mama would like to retire to this house, in the summer. She'll go back to stay with dada in the bay house in Texas in the winter.
After I took a nap with dada....
I had a blast running around, or trying to, on the boat. Grandma got a kick out of my antics.

Katie enjoyed a brief moment of relaxation before she began chasing me again.

The captain let me take the controls for a very brief minute. Then he got nervous and gave mama "a look."

Uncle Billy took a turn watching me too. He said he wouldn't throw me in the water as long as I behaved. Good picture of Jamie, otherwise known as Jaybird. Jamie is going to play Ms. Hannegan in the musical Annie this fall. She's the tallest girl in her class!

Aunt Kristen looking beautiful as always.
And Grandma too. Retirement is working for her!

Ok, mama admits it, she's beat. She blogged the end of the trip first, and just can't muster the energy to do the beginning of the trip now. Maybe tomorrow, maybe Thursday....or maybe it will wait until Friday when she is taking off the last day of the billable year to just RELAX!

Stay tuned for Part I of our trip to Minnesota.

After the boat cruise, we ran around the yard so I could blow off some steam. It was a long ride on that boat, and lots of time spent keeping me contained.
I ran, and ran and ran. No fire ants to worry about up here.
This duck is so funny. I even quacked once to show my enthusiasm. And after a good run, what's better than chilling out on the hammock with Grandpa?
The fall colors were beautiful. But, just like that, it was time to go back to Texas. Hopefully we'll see Uncle Billy, Aunt Kristen, Jamie and Katie before Christmas 2008, which is the next planned trip - this place is going to look a lot different in December! I'll see Grandma and Grandpa for Thanksgiving! Happy retirement guys, you deserve it!

First Sauerbraten dinner

My Aunt Kristen made Sauerbraten for dinner on Saturday, and Katie kept me company while I played in the pan cupboard. The last time the family had Sauerbraten together was Christmas, but I was still on a liquid diet. Sauerbraten is a traditional German meal where a huge hunk of beef is soaked in a vinegar and water mixture with cloves and a bay leaf for three days. It is then slow cooked for a long time so that the meat about falls apart. The gravy is served over potato balls, which are potatoes that are riced, formed into balls, and boiled. The sides are always green beans and red cabbage. Like a good Irish chap, I did eat the potato balls, and I gave those green beans a run for their money. Well, I'm not 100% Kraut, so mama's not surprised I wasn't a huge fan of the meat, but I bet I learn to like it in a few years. If not, Grandpa says there is more for him.

Hey ladies...you can call me Hef.
Come on over anytime!