Memphis Turkey Trot & Thanksgiving with the Tilleys

When we lived in Houston before we developed a tradition of going to Memphis, TN every Thanksgiving to spend with Dave and Breana and their family.  This year we brought the tradition back and we got to run the Memphis Turkey Trot.  Braden ran it with us too.  It was a 4 mile run.  Braden encouraged all of us to get matching pink argyle socks for the race.  It was a family bonding moment.

New construction on the new home

Strange as it may seem, after moving in we decided we wanted to change up the open concept of our living room, which was originally designed with high vaulted ceilings that spanned the first and second floor of our home.  We decided to add a room above the living room, and while we were at it, we made the upstairs game room smaller and added an additional bedroom to give all of the kids their own rooms.  

Goodbye Malibu

So...I got in a car accident.  Rear-ended a driver coming home from work on a Friday night.  Just didn't see her stop in front of me.  Luckily I was on a side street and not going too fast, so we both were not hurt, but my trusty Malibu was totaled.  My airbags deployed, it freaked me out and I now need to do a safe driver course to keep the ticket from going on my record.  Ah, the joys of driving.  I am really thankful though that it didn't turn out worse.  We've loved our Malibu - bought it brand new in 2001 and it had nearly 140,000 miles on it. Could have driven it to the ground.  The air conditioning was starting to go out though so I'm not sure how much longer I could have driven it, especially here in Houston.  But it has been with us a long time and we weren't really prepared to say goodbye.

Katy Children's Choir at La Centerra

Dallin and Landon have been singing in the Katy Children's choir since we moved to Katy - it's a new choir led by Debbie Siebert who is really great with the kids.  They got to perform at a Katy town celebration in the early fall - Dallin performed a song with a boys ensemble, "Trashing the Camp" from Disney Tarzan.  Landon did an ensemble of Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better from Annie Get Your Gun.  Then they learned some Christmas songs and we got to go hear them sing at La Centerra at the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.  Before the ceremony we decorated cookies, went on train rides, and Braden got his mop cut.  The kids have been having a great time with the choir and we've been hearing them harmonize on lots of songs that we know!

Our Caribbean Cruise, Part IV

Saturday at sea, on the way back to Galveston.  Good chill time, and of course some Karaoke.  I actually made a list of every song I sang on this cruise.  Here goes:

December 1963 (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons); Faith (George Michael); Big Girl (Mika); Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers); America (Neil Diamond); Endless Love (Lionel Richie / Diana Ross); I'm All Out of Love (Air Supply); Walking in Memphis (Marc Cohn); Dancing Queen (ABBA); I Love a Rainy Night (Eddie Rabbit); When I See You Smile (Bad English).

So, if you are considering going on a cruise with the Olsens, you've been warned.

Anissa and I caught the last bit of sunlight at sea.  Then we went to dinner and enjoyed some magician entertainment.  Finally we got ready for the big performance of the evening - Rob had auditioned earlier for a dancing competition and won a spot in the big show; Bob had auditioned to play Bruce Springsteen in the big show and won.  I actually auditioned with the wrong song for Neil Diamond and didn't make it...it's like they say on American Idol - it's all about song choice!!  So yes I was a bit bummed that my friends got the spotlight and I was in the audience, but it was a fantastic show!!

The cruise was a much needed vacation and extremely memorable way to spend time with the Youngs and Carvers.  Hope to do it again soon!

Our Caribbean Cruise, Part III

Thursday was spent at the Cayman Islands, where we went swimming with dolphins, and went to an awesome place offshore called Stingray City.  The stingrays were amazing, there were tons of them.  We got to get out on a very shallow part and swim around with them and even feed them calamari.  It was amazing to see these creatures and feel them swim by and touch their skin and feed them.  

Then we went back and hung out on the beach, caught some rays and Anissa watched me catch some waves.

Then it was back on the boat for a nice formal dinner and........Karaoke!

Friday we pulled into Cozumel and went on a bumpy ride to a new excursion with the Carvers called the Amazing Secret River.  It was my favorite excursion - we didn't get any pictures because it was all underground caves.  We got a guided tour with hardhats, wetsuits, and flashlights.  It was truly breathtaking, I'd do it again in a heartbeat!