memorial

hugh and i were able to be a part of a cool tribute to a friend's father today.




paddle outs are a traditional way of remembering loved ones out here (and hawaii and california). friends and family get together at the beach, talk a little, and then paddle out on surfboards and form a big circle...

father's day on the boat

fun times on a HOT day!

our lawn aeration system...

these little guys are out of control. when they go at it, look out.

...

and then this evening!

this morning...

a week of birthday

happy birthday hugh!

hugh's 30th is later this week but we've been celebrating since this past weekend...

memorial day

some others from our week in tejas

a champagne toast, of course!
(you should see the series of pictures on this one- it'd make a hilarious flip-book)

"playing" mom's organ

these two love margaritas!


and i love la madeleine!
(if any of you have connections... tell them to open one near us! i've asked, but i don't seem to hold much clout and they haven't listened)

dr. mom

we have SO many beautiful photos from this wonderful weekend of festivities. i've tried to choose some of the favorites.

rice university has such a beautiful campus. i could have taken pictures there forever (though hugh would probably say i did). the courtyard where they held graduation felt like we were at an old european university, with its turrets and brightly colored banners and marble... quite breathtaking.

(where hugh decided to stand during graduation)



congratulations mom!!

(quick note on the amazing job rice did with graduation festivities... ceremonies, special concerts with champagne toasts, reception, dinners, an impressive fireworks show, and enough bottled water and snacks at every event to make sure everyone was cool and happy! good job)

Congratulations Dr. Mom!!

this morning, my mom graduated with her Doctorate in Organ Performance from Rice University... and we are so proud of her!




(pictures, etc to follow...)

derby fever

i love the kentucky derby.

we lived in louisville for a number of years when i was a kid and ever since i have been in love with (just about) everything derby. the fanfare and festivity surrounding the event are full of excitement and fun and i love it.

this year i decided that despite the fact that i didn't feel like organizing a derby party, i'd do something that would still allow me to celebrate.

so i made derby pie (a chocolate pecan pie) and we watched the 135th annual running of the roses. faith suggested a 10c wager, so we made our bets anxious for the 30-cent pot :) we all did terrible, with hugh's winning pick coming in 10th. good thing we're not betting people.

in honor of the hat parade, i donned my (easily accessible) beach hat


mmmmm


delicious!
quite possibly the best pie ever made

the best of both worlds

we dog-sat a neighbor's dog this weekend. it stayed at their house... and played at ours. a pretty good deal if you think about it.

across the street...

celebrate

mmm, easter. one of two favorite holidays. as i've said before, it's favorite for a combination of reasons... an instrumental piece in my personal belief system combines with the family tradition of togetherness and celebration to make a lovely holiday.

it's been a great weekend. hugh and i had a perfect lazy saturday together (which included sleeping in after a 3 a.m. return from DC thanks to some crazy storm systems) and an early easter dinner. our church has a festival after church on easter sunday and we volunteer to help each year (pics below) so we decided to have our special traditional dinner on saturday.


now, sunburnt and tired from the festival, and back from a quick bike ride to the library, i'm sitting on the couch while my best friend (hugh) makes french toast for dinner.

:)

go bears

tonight my baylor bears vie for the NIT championship in the final game of the tournament...


sic 'em!