Finally! It's Open!

est. March 23, 2009

The restaurant opened March 23, 2009. On the 21st and 22nd, the restaurant hosted two "friends & family nights" to provide the kitchen and staff an opportunity to go through the motions full throttle before actually opening. Both nights were so exciting and, well, downright special to see all of George and countless others' hard work come to fruition. I had so much fun hanging out with some of my favorite ladies for dinner!

With George's chef Partner Joe Gerardi (the other name on the door!) and his lovely lady Angie

At the Rodeo!

A very rare family shot!

At the Houston Rodeo

Yee Haw! I love the rodeo! I grew up going religiously in San Antonio. My family owns a business that had a float in the rodeo parade and it was such a treat to miss school on Friday to ride in the parade. They also had a booth in the exhibit area so I was always there running around ... so much fun! It will be fun to share my love of the rodeo with the boys as they get older! I'm not the biggest fan of the actual rodeo but have always loved the carnival which is what we did. Much to George's dismay, we missed the BBQ cook off this year. We also attended the Katy Rodeo Parade .... one of our family traditions!

At the Katy Rodeo Parade

And, at the Houston Rodeo ...

All rodeo-ed out!

7th Grade Flashback!

Texas History was a requirement for 7th graders when I was in middle school (yes, ions ago!). For some reason, I really hated it. Which is a shame because Texas has such a rich history worthy of dedicating an entire school year to studying it. We took a little Texas history field trip of our own and visited the San Jacinto monument (site of an important battle during the Texas Revolution). Luckily, the trip also included a quick ferry ride and lunch at a great litte seafood restaurant near the monument.

We need to return when the boys are old enough to sit through the movie they show telling the story of the battle. Mr. Piper would've been proud!

What the Heck Happened to January?

I can't believe it's almost February! This month has just flown by. I just realized I've blogged next to the nothing for January so here's a recap ...

Roommates

The most exciting thing this month has to be the roommate situation. Well, George starting his new job is actually the most exciting but I already posted about that! Last Saturday, Gavinand Joey officially became roommates! We moved Joey into Gavin's room so we were concerned about Gavin feeling like Joey was taking over 'his' room rather than it being 'their' room. It's only an issue when Gavin gets mad at Joey and then it's ~ get out of MY room Joey. LOL! It's going great though. This move also marked Joey's transition from his crib to big boy bed so he's probably having the biggest adjustments to make. The first couple of nights, he laid there for HOURS before finally falling asleep. He's a roamer too. I've found him roaming around the house way too early several mornings and just plunked him back in his baby bed for a few more hours of sleep. Of course George saw this as regression until I suggested he be the one to get up and get him back to sleep ... back in the baby bed he goes! Joey is still napping in his old room and hopefully once he's a pro with our nighttime routine we can work on nap time.

Hanging out on Joey's bed

Finally!
I have my first hobby! It only took me 39 years to find one and I am hooked! Several of my friends inspired me to participate in Project 365 ... a picture a day, every day of the year. I've been posting my pictures on my facebook account but hope to turn them into a photobook when the project is complete. I am really, really enjoying this! First of, I am loving following my friends' projects. They each inspire me in different ways ... to be a better photographer, a better mother, a better wife, better friend ... just a better person in general. Who knew? = ) I'm also more mindful of the little moments now. Things that may have slipped by me before ... just thinking ~ hey that would make a great picture ~ is actually helping me slow down and *pardon the pun* smell the roses.

Happy Birthday to Me!
I celebrated my 39th birthday on the 14th. George had to work so the boys and I went over to my friend Donna's house for supper. The boys decorated the most beautiful birthday cake I've ever had! = ) Well, Gavin, Ethan, and Joey decorated it while Joey undecorated it! I need to harass Donna for the pictures. My darling hubby and I went out to dinner that Friday night and I received the best present! Several months ago, the prong on my engagement ring was damaged and he had it reset ... happy birthday to me! And he can be the sweetest man ... he got down and gave it to me as if he was proposing all over again. Very, very sweet. If only I could remember his words ... the ring caused temporary memory loss! I just can't believe I'm less than one year away from 40. Hhhmmmm, 40 definitely must be the new 30!

Movie night with the girls

Resolution Update
Gym ... I've been going three days a week all month. It's time to crank it up though! I need to eat a little better and get a solid workout schedule set ... I haven't incorporated weight-training yet. We've signed the boys up for Exertots two days a week. They love going to 'the gym' while Mommy exercises.

Church ...we've working on our routine! we went several times this month and I also attended the orientation at Grace Fellowship. I would like to attend a bit more before making my final decision but if my initial impression holds true, Grace will be my church home. One of the boys' teachers works in their Sunday School class so they love going and I really enjoy the pastor there.

Project de-Clutter ... slowly making progress. Moving the boys into one room was a huge step in the right direction as I can know work on turning our third bedroom into a guest room / office. Our hallway is full of CRAP that needs to go on craigslist and I'm hoping to have one final garage sale to get rid of things we don't need.

A few random pictures from the month ...

A few of my favorite 365's from the month ...

A New Year, A New Gig

George started his new job on Monday. So far, so good! He's really liking it and is impressed with the Fleming's concept even more. He'll be training in an established location for six weeks and then transitioning to his store which opens late March. I am so very proud of him and so very excited for him! He had been at Morton's for eleven years and, frankly, needed a change. He is already working with three of his managers .... the partner chef and two assistant managers. He'll be filling three (I think) more management positions soon and then his team will be in place. It's nice to hear the excitement in his voice again when he talks about work.

Here is the restaurant's web site ... http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/

and the commercial / residential area it will be located ... http://citycentrehouston.com/home.html

We love you Daddy!

Who Says You Can't Go Home?

We're just home from a visit to San Antonio. The Gods of Travel were smiling down on us as I can not recall a more relaxed, stress-free, and fun trip 'home.' George even commented several times about how surprised he was that things were going so good. hhhhmmmm, I wonder what he was expecting! : )

We had a slight scare before heading out. The Durango was packed, we were all loaded and ready to go, and I (sitting in between the boys' car seats) was attempting to load the DVD player when we heard the most awful noise. Of course, I demanded we drive immediately to the Dodge dealership (not really!) I did ask George to go inside and get the portable DVD player though and he came out with that and a butter knife. We were able to retrieve the Chuck E Cheese's token someone (Joey) put inside the DVD slot! Crisis averted!

While there, we rode the train at Brackenridge Park and also visited the Texas Train Museum. The museum was a HUGE hit with the boys. We rode an actual train, got to walk in / on a retired engine and passenger cars, and observed several model trains in action. Both boys even helped the conductor signal the engineer to blow the whistle. Very exciting stuff! Gavin was in Heaven! And I was in Heaven when we had lunch at Henry's Puffy Taco! You just can't get puffy tacos in Katy!

We had a family dinner Saturday night and everyone came over to hang out with us. It was so bittersweet for me. On one hand, it made me so happy that the boys 'fit' with my family. We visit once, maybe twice a year so my worst fear is that Gavin and Joey won't know everyone. I can't believe that thought even crossed my mind. It was like we see them everyday. And, on the other hand, it made me sad to think it would be a while before we were all together again. Gavin and Joey LOVE Jenna and Zoee! Those girls are just all over the boys and they eat it up! They play together so nicely too. It made my heart melt as well to see the boys with Aunt Teenie and Uncle Jack (Nee Nee Pie and Poppa Ja as Joey calls them!). I just can't wait until we are all together again! I'm thinking .... Easter in San Antonio!

http://www.henryspuffytacos.com/

http://www.txtransportationmuseum.org/

Ringing in '09!

This was the very first NYE George and I have spent together. He's worked every NYE since we've been together so no midnight kisses for me until now!

The boys and I went to a 'Ringing in the Noon Year' playdate and had a ton of fun! My friend Monique is too creative! The rest of the day was a little wacky. I was stressing out about rescuing the $800 our flexible spending account was holding hostage so after thoroughly reviewing what is and what isn't an eligible over the counter expenditure I went shopping! We are prepared for any minor medical issue for the next two years at least! We popped fireworks with the boys and after getting them to bed, George and I hit the town! Well, we went out to dinner and then grabbed a couple of drinks anyway. I can not tell you how nice it was to ring in the new year with my darling hubby!