Thursday, December 29, 2016

Pumpkin carving

My oldest chose not to carve a pumpkin this year. I'm guessing that now that he is a teenager, he is way too cool for that kind of stuff. 

Jansen was ok with carving as long as it wasn't too complicated. 

A creeper is super easy. 


He was happy and it was fun to do together. 

Sunday, November 6, 2016

South African friends visit

When Josh and I were on our cruise over the summer, we made friends with the Park West Gallery auctioneer and his fiance. Wouter and Tineke are from South Africa and were on the Carnival Breeze until October, when their contract was up. 

On the cruise, we were chatting about various things and the subject of football came it. It just so happened that the day their contract ended was the same day of a home game for the Texans. Josh offered to take them to their first ever American football game. 

We were excited, but it was 4 months away. Fast forward 4 months and October 16 was finally here. 

At 7am we left to go pick them up from the Starbucks at the port in Galveston. We brought them back to our house to chill by the pool. We drove around our neighborhood on our golf cart showing them the subdivision. 

The guys went to Academy while the girls took naps. Then we took them for lunch at the Wursthaus and then got dressed for the game. 

We got there a bit early so that they could experience the outside activities. 





Then we ran into some other cruising friends of theirs and spent some time with them for a while. 

The game was a nail biter...but we won. And the best part, was we were able to go onto the field after the game...just the 4 of us. I have never been on a football field like that before. It was amazing and surreal. 



















I'm so glad they were able to come with us. It was so much fun!

Clute Intermediate Band Night at the Brazoswood game

Since Caleb is in Symphonic band this year, his group gets to go to band night at the high school. 

He had such a great time!





They played both in the stands and on the field. He is so proud to be a member of the band!

Houston Texas preseason games

We had two preseason games scheduled at NRG. 

It was the first time we would be able to see our seats, experience the Chairman's Club, and get ready for the season. 

Our PSL's are in the Chairman's Club, which is basically a side entrance by the Ford entrance on the ground level. Once the doors open, there is a red carpet that leads to a service elevator, ready to take all the fans to the club level 7. 

I was concerned that we were going to be so high up, but once we saw it, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. 

Getting off the elevator, they put wrist bands on us and give us the fan signs of the day. We get free Game Day magazines and the food is ready to go. Each week there is a different menu, all of it included in the price that we paid for the PSL's. It ranges from brisket and sausage to pulled pork sandwiches shrimp po boys. They also have unlimited nachos, hot dogs, peanuts, peanuts, popcorn, sodas, and salad bar. It was worth it!
















Our seats are quite roomy. Our knees and legs aren't bumping into the person in front of us, and we have an aisle seat. The people around us have been quite nice and we are super happy to be there. 

We look forward to making more memories while watching our beloved Texans!!!!

Saturday, October 29, 2016

It's been two months!

Gosh! What's wrong with me? It's been two months since I posted and our lives have been going full speed ahead. 

I'll try to get all my photos and events posted in individual posts, but on to the quick update:

I've been working at my new job for almost 3 months now. At first it was rocky. Not because I don't like my school or my co workers, but because I was trying to figure out a new job. I know how to be a nurse, but being a school nurse is taking some figuring out. Now that I am almost to the first major holiday of the school year, it seems like I have a better routine. Things aren't always easy, and I still have some anxiety about the professional relationships I am building, but it's good. It was a good decision to join this team. The teachers have all been very nice, I love the administration at my school, and there's a nice spirit in the building. I really couldn't ask for anything more. The thing I am dealing with the most is the autonomy. It's great and right up my alley, but that also means that I get lost in the shuffle. I'm not a teacher, I don't see the teachers every day, and I have to work harder to remember everyone and make sure to try to be as much a part of the team as possible. This will come with time. 

Caleb and Jansen are cruising through school. Caleb is in symphonic band and they are pretty active. He has band sectionals Thursday mornings at 7am and private lessons on Fridays until 5:15. Right now he is at Regionals. He's loving band. 

Jansen is in beginner band this year playing trumpet. He's enjoying that as well. He's also in drama but he doesn't want to continue that next year. He joined the choir and likes it. He has a lovely preteen voice. I'm glad he found something he likes.

Joshua is working as usual. He has been working a bit extra so that he can be off for our Texans games. That has been worth every penny we spent because it gives us plenty of fun times as a family. We are loving it!

So that is the quick version...more individual posts to come!

Saturday, August 27, 2016

First day of school 2016

This week was the first week back to school for my boys and my first week back with the students at my job. 

It was a whirlwind, it was stressful, but it was successful. We made it!

Last week, the boys had Meet the Teacher and they got their locker, supplies, and Chromebooks. I had two happy kids and that made me happy. 



Then we were ready for First Day of School breakfast. The kids were so sleepy that they wouldn't take any photos eating breakfast, and honestly, I don't blame them. 




Lunches were packed...


They were looking great and ready to go! 




I dropped them off at 7:15 and went straight to my school for a busy, busy day. 

The kids are so cute and everyone at my school has been very welcoming. I'm looking forward to this year!