Month: January 2010

I’m finally getting around to my Christmas post.

We went to Houston to visit my family (did I say that already?). All of my family lives there now, including my parents. Probably because until now, that is where all of their grandchildren lived.

For Christmas Eve we had a soup potluck at my parents’ house. I made a vegetable beef soup which was brought to us by our Aunt Patty. It was all dried food storage stuff. I was definitely skeptical but now, it’s one of my favorite soups…when you minus the beef part. Devin tried a new recipe, too. He found one on the internet for his favorite Olive Garden soup. He said it tastes exactly the same so we will be using that one again as well. My mom made a salmon bisque. My brother made an Italian sausage with noodle soup and my sis made a veggie soup with dumplings (which I’m also a fan of).  I’m just not big on sausage which is why I had to pass on my bro’s and Devin’s. But it was fun.

That night we read Luke 2 and…Matt 2? Something like that. I never remember where those wise men are anyway. Our family tradition is to alternate reading a verse in English then have my dad read the verse in Czech. That’s become one of my favorite traditions.

Just before we read we had to take some pictures. Here is Katelyn and her cousin, H, who is just a few weeks younger than her. H wasn’t about to wake up for the camera. Their matching outfits are courtesy of Kiersta, Tara’s sister.

 

Here are all the cousins together. If you are wondering what the super hero outfit is about, he’s a wise man and was very excited about his costume.

Here are my parents with all the grandchildren. As you can see it was a little difficult to get the all to cooperate for the picture. Little M was willing to go give his cousin I a hug, though.

And here is our little family on Katelyn’s first Christmas. I’m not sure why we didn’t stand up after picking up Katelyn off the floor…

And now I’m wondering why we didn’t get a whole group picture. Huh.

A few days before we left for Houston we decided that we needed to have a family activity with Devin’s family since we wouldn’t be here for the holidays. As usual, things didn’t go as planed.

Our first plan was for everyone to go to dinner at the Garden restaurant. We called a week prior and they were full on reservations but said we could walk in and hopefully get a table in a decent amount of time. Well, we showed up early hoping to get on a list but they wouldn’t put us on any list because the place wasn’t full yet. They told us to come back when everyone in our part was there so we did only to be told that there would be a three hour wait. Interesting how much of a difference 45 minutes makes.

Fortunately, Devin and I had someone take our picture before it got dark out.

So here is our nice family couple’s plus a stroller picture for the memory book. It actually didn’t turn out half bad.

After deciding that we didn’t want to wait until 8pm to have dinner we checked our next option–Olive Garden. Over the phone they said 1 and 1/2 hour wait. So onto option three–Sizzler. Bleck. But wait time was 0-20 minutes so it won the hearts of everyone hungry.

What was nice is that due to the size of our party they put us in the party room.  What wasn’t so nice is a few minutes later we were sharing it with another sizable group. Lucky me, Katelyn decided she wanted to eat minutes after we sat down and wasn’t going to cooperate with the nursing cover. So I spent my time in the car with her while everyone else enjoyed a hot meal. But really, what did I miss? Warm, hard breadsticks instead of cold, hard breadsticks? Both were just as disgustingly, again.

After dinner we headed out to see the Temple Square lights.  In a crowd of a billion in 20 degree weather, it was little less than fun standing and waiting for the Tracks (Trax?) to come only to realize that there was no room in the inn for 13 freezing Colliers. So we walked…and walked. But didn’t sing. It was too cold.

After a jaunt around the square to see the lights in record time, we headed back to Little America where we enjoyed an over-priced cup of Swiss Miss.

To sum it all up, it was yet another visit to Temple Square without Starbucks hot chocolate. Every time we go I say “I will walk around drinking Starbucks hot chocolate.”

I guess I need to add that to my new years resolution list, again.

Once again, the best and most important pictures are on Devin’s computer. But here is what was left behind on the memory card from our trip to Houston to visit my family.

Here is Katelyn a few days after Christmas. She is sporting the take-home outfit that my dad bought for me when I was born. It’s the first and probably last time she will wear it because there were a few buttons that were about to pop when she wore it. I guess I waited a little too long to try it on her. Never trust a 6 month size to fit even a small 3 month old. And yes, I was drowning in it when I wore it.

This next one is my favorite even though it’s a little fuzzy.

While in Houston we decided to checkout one of the best rated hamburger places in the area. My dad ordered this huge thing which had a half pound of bacon on it. It required a fork and knife to tackle and a doggie bag for leftovers.  But all the meat eaters said they would go back again (Mel’s Country Cafe).  My grilled cheese sandwich was just that–a grilled cheese sandwich. Nothing to write home about.

Devin liked it, too.

 

I have this envelope stuck to my fridge. It has written on it my return address.  In the area where there should be a “to” address it only bears the words “Webb Family.”

I’ve had this envelope and its beautiful contents of Katelyn’s birth announcement for nearly two months.

Perhaps you have chosen to disown me since I elected not to deliver Katelyn on your birthday like I had been given the option.

Perhaps you are not sure how to read your blog comments of me asking for your address.

Perhaps when I write “dot” for my email address you are not aware that means “.” not the actual word.

Perhaps your husband does not know how to check his messages on Facebook asking for your address.

Perhaps you are too busy with your handsome boys and beautiful new home to send a message to your long lost cousin.

Perhaps since you are now in a new home, you are not sure what your address is.

Perhaps this will get your attention.

Amber, I need your address. Please.

Your favorite cousin,

Brittany