Hoy House's 9th Birthday

This year, we were a little lax in deciding what to do to celebrate our family's birthday, especially in light of the fact we just came off a big trip where we did all sorts of celebrating. How could anything we do top partying with Mickey and friends? 

Matthew's current double ear infection/ double eye infection made up our minds though, that this year, we were staying in to celebrate.  We played with a few of our new Christmas gifts, watched Return of the Jedi and ate pizza.  A very nice way to celebrate our family's 9th birthday! 

Broke the Streak

After 8 and a half months, we went to the pediatrician today.  Matthew's been fighting something for a few weeks now, but it moved into his eyes this weekend and today he just looked bad. 

I debated about taking him to a clinic (Redi or Minute or other) instead of the pediatrician, knowing that this is just an ear/eye infection, but figured that there would be a line of flu infected persons waiting at the clinic.  Texas is a hot zone for flu right now.  It was a good call, as we got a prompt appointment with our new pediatrician, with no one in the waiting room and now we are set up as patients!  It was just in time too since Matthew's eardrum ruptured this morning and he started leaking yucky stuff from his ear too.  Rx for antibiotics and eye drops will hopefully fix him up!

8 and a half months-- I cannot believe that streak!  It's not to say that Matthew's been healthy the entire time, but he's been mostly hearty and able to fight off everything that came his way, save the trip to the ER over Thanksgiving for croup.  Amazing!

2013 Year End Review

We started 2013 with Mickey and friends (both his and ours), with the knowledge that our year would be full of changes.  Boy, was it ever!

After returning from Florida, Darren put in his notice at HP and had moved to Austin and started his new job by the start of February.

During the Spring, I solo parented in Houston during the weekdays, while teaching and carting 3 kids to 3 different schools while Darren shared his Austin bachelor pad with our dogs as he settled into his new job.

In April, Matthew scared us silly with his emergency surgery and 12 day hospital stay.  Though, in Matthew fashion, 4 days after we feared he wouldn't make it, he learned to ride a tricycle around the hospital.

We bought our house in Austin and sold our house in Houston. 

School ended and we said 'good-bye for now' to our Houston friends.

My Grandmother went to Heaven.

The kids and I went on our marathon summer road trip to visit friends and family-- with 82 driving hours over 22 days, and Darren joining us in Michigan and Chicago.

 

We made new friends and caught up with some old friends in Austin.

We celebrated Uncle Bryan and Aunt Brandi's wedding in Los Angeles.

School started and we settled into a new routine at new schools.

We visited family in Chicago for Thanksgiving.

Our dog, Leia, passed over the rainbow bridge after 14 and a half years of faithful companionship.

We went to see Mickey again, this time at sea.

My Granddad joined my Grandmother in Heaven.

Now, after celebrating a quiet Christmas at home with just the 5 of us, we begin to prepare for the new year, one with a little less flux (I hope!).  Good bye to 2013!

More Bright and Shiny Memories

More bright and shiny memories from the cruise:

In front of the 'big boat'.

A cookie as big as a face at Key West.

Donald and his nephew working on the back of the boat.

Watching a show.  Matthew LOVED the characters.

An impromptu dance party with Chip and Dale.

Fireworks in the middle of the Gulf.

Great Granddad

On Saturday, when we pulled into Galveston after our 7 days unplugged at sea, I learned my Granddad had passed away while we were gone.  We went from the ship to his service. 

My Granddad was 92 years old.  He had a life well lived.  He grew up in the great depression with his mom and grandmother in a small town in Oklahoma, where he met my Grandma when they were just kids.  They married and he went off to WWII as a fighter pilot in the Army Air Corps.  He was shot down after they ran out of ammunition and held as a POW for 8 months.  After returning, he settled into life with my Grandma and their 3 kids-- a girl (my Aunt Ricki), and 2 boys (my Dad and Uncle Mark).  Granddad had a degree from Oklahoma State and later taught there, before his long career at Phillips 66.  I remember going to the office with him when I'd visit.  After retiring, he played golf every day until he couldn't anymore.  He and Grandma moved to Texas when they were 90 years old, to be closer to my dad.  This summer, after 71 years of marriage, my Grandma passed away, and he has followed her to heaven 6 months later. He loved my Grandma beyond measure and I smile thinking of them together again. Granddad was an interesting mix of positive attitude, quiet thoughtfulness, perfectionist, and a bit cantankerous too.

To me, he was a great Granddad, though the title came later when I had kids.  Every time I would visit, he would make sure there was ice cream in the freezer for after dinner.  He would light up like a kid when he'd whisper the flavor to me. He'd take me to the golf course with him, and when we got far enough away from the clubhouse, he'd let me drive the cart.  When I hit a park bench with said golf cart, all he did was laugh and let me continue driving.  When I was little, he always had a camera around his neck and he was the one that taught me to pose for pictures, though I never mastered it.  I used to love hearing his stories, about when my Dad and his siblings were young, especially my Dad's teenage antics.  When I grew up, Granddad was so supportive and proud of my choices, even if they weren't always the best ones.  He always made me feel like I could do and be anything.  I was lucky to be his granddaughter. 

And I see that part of him in my Dad, as he is a great Granddad to my kids.  My Granddad's legacy will continue.  Rest in peace.

My Dad and Granddad.

Granddad and Grandma.

At their 50th wedding anniversary, as I remember them growing up.

Granddad and me on Christmas 1981.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to you and yours!

7 Days with Mickey

Last week, we went on a Disney cruise.  It was fantastic! 

We watched movies, swam on the ship, enjoyed a trolley ride through Key West, played on the beach at Disney's private island, spied fish through a glass bottom boat in Nassau, ate and ate some more, danced with the characters, read a little, napped some, partied with pirates, enjoyed the fireworks in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, and gazed out at the beautiful blue water.  It was the perfect vacation for our family, as we are now. 

With a 3 year old, though, there is still an element of 'vacation = kid care on the road' or boat, as it were.  There is great irony in the fact that when it becomes easier for the parents, it is less 'magical' for the kids.  Seeing Matthew LIGHT UP when he saw Mickey Mouse made it worth the extra effort it took with him.

We had so many bright, shiny memories. 

Outside our room.

Lots of face time with the characters!

Nothing but blue sea.

Shiner on tap- Darren was a happy guy.

Disney's private island was 'awesome' to quote the kids.

Pirate night was a highlight.

We had a couple of dance parties with the characters.

Matt spotted the 'boss' after dinner.