As most of you know, I recently got back from a vacation in Houston. My parents moved there in September and this was my first trip down there. It was really strange to visit my parents in Texas of all places. I mean their house has palm trees and a swimming pool. Crazy! They have always lived by mountains and enjoyed snow. Before I left my dad flew out here to work on the wiring in our house. It was so much fun to have him here and help with the kids. Thanks dad! The first 24 hrs there didn't treat us so well. Auretta was jumping on the water bed, fell and got a HUGE black eye. Mommy called the doctor and the doctor said, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!" I read that book to her over and over while we were there. She loves it, but I don't think she knows it is talking about her. The next morning I got attacked by Gober, the declawed cat. I have never been attacked by a cat like that before. I was dripping blood! I have the scar to prove it. Crazy cat! While we were there I mostly hung out with my sisters and sister-in-law. They introduced me to Doris Day, and I fell in love! Everyone should see Pillow Talk and my personal favorite, Send Me No Flowers. I really enjoyed seeing Johnathon and Rosie. Johnathon is huge and absolutely adorable. Rosie turned three while we were there. I'm so glad we got to be there for her birthday party. She is a beautiful little girl, we love her so much. Rosie was pretty terrified of Auretta touching her stuff, sitting by her, or just being in the room. I think I would be too at that age. Her nickname is Auretta the mess maker. But it sure made me laugh! The one day my mom had work off we went to Galveston (it is on the coast). Patrick was in hog heaven with all the tugboats, ships, cranes and the pirate hat I bought for him. I think if the train went by he would have cried from pure joy. We enjoyed a boat ride through the harbor and I went crazy when we saw dolphins! Seeing dolphins and alligators in their natural environment is as foreign an idea for me as seeing a bear in a back yard to a Texan. It was really cool! After that, we went to the beach and once again Patrick was thrilled! A giant sand box and water. And every now and then grandma gave him a cookie, every boys dream. I also kept up my running even though I was on vacation, thanks to support from the girls and the men being watching kidos for me. Laura, Laura Jean, Janeia, my mom and I finished off the two weeks with a Lunt 5K. I was so happy with myself, I ran basically all of it; I did walk some, but not very much at all. I'm on my way! Now here is the part where a smart person would post a lot of really cute pictures, well, I'm not going to for two reasons. I forgot my camera and I don't know how to get the pictures off of my phone. But I will put up recent pictures anyways.