When it's a Billion Degrees Outside, Find a Shaded Park

Yesterday, I took the girls to the park. We're crazy, right? Maybe not, we found a shaded park.

Even though it was burning up, it was a gorgeous sight.

Chey rode her bike, while Dakota and I played in the shade. By the way, Chey dressed herself and Dakota. Somebody is ready for football.

Later, we went home to clean. Dakota was like…."NO, I'll watch."
Now, the girls are in Abilene for the rest of the week, visiting with family. Earlier, they went shopping with Nana.

Ft. Worth people, I tried a new pizza place called Patrons Pizza. It's near Ridgmar Mall. It's soooo good!!! Our whole family ate there for under 21 dollars. It's a buffet and the pizza is extra thin and super crunchy! Trey didn't like it because the sauce had onions in it. What does he know??? I loved it!!!

Growing Before Our Eyes

This weekend the girls and I went school shopping.

Doesn't Chey look so grown-up in her school uniform???We bought the majority of her outfits at Old Navy. We found a super cute jumper from The Children's Place.

Since, Trey was tied up with work, we decided to go out to eat at Yucatan Tacos. I've been wanting to try it for a few years, now. Trey's has never cared about trying it. I liked the chicken lime salad. Cheyenne didn't eat a thing, she didn't care for it. Dakota was like, whatever, it's food, I'm eating it.



Between the down time, running and family time --- it was a good weekend!

Weekend without the kids

Saturday, after I ran Cedar Ridge Trail Race, I went home, cleaned up and then headed to Weatherford to record a wedding.



Sunday, Trey and I slept in for a bit, FaceTimed' with the girls and then headed to Six Flags. Cheyenne was not pleased, when she found out we went without her. We got there right when the park opened and didn't have to wait in long lines. We left around 2 pm and then went swimming.

Later that night, we went to Tillman's Roadhouse and I got my s'mores fix.

I've been wanting to eat at Tillman's for years.

My favorite show, the Chew, recently did a segment on Tillman's. Check it out.

Family Date Night: Fancy Pants Edition

This evening our little family went out to eat at the keg steakhouse and bar. It's a fancy steak restaurant, I was really impressed. Trey doesn't take me out much. I'm kidding, but really, I'm more of a Chili's, Logan's or Pizza Inn --- kind of girl.

The lighting at the restaurant was pretty dim, Trey had to use his flashlight on his phone to read the menu.

We had a wonderful experience at the Keg and the food was heavenly. I highly recommend it for a date night or family date night too (why not?). We took the kids.

I'm not sure if they always do this, but our waiter brought out a kid appetizer for Cheyenne.

What's your favorite cocktail? I usually stick with a margarita. Have you ever had a bellini? I tried one for the first time, tonight. It's a sparkling wine and peach purée cocktail. It's an A+ drink, in my book.

Herb Garlic Shrimp appetizer -- this was all mine. For the main course I tried the filet mignon wrapped in applewood smoked bacon. Mmmmm, b-a-c-o-n. The only thing I didn't care too much for was the dessert. It's probably because I overloaded my taste buds and by the time dessert rolled around, my taste buds were like, noooooo -- we can't take anymore, too much stimulation! Ha, maybe.

I'm stuffed with food! Now, I must run 100 miles, this week. I'm kidding! But really, I ate enough food to sustain me, for at least a week and a half. All I want to do is this....Dakota knows, what's up. 

Distracted by Devices

Trey's parents came into town for a short day trip. We met-up for lunch and then we just spent time visiting at the house. We sat next to each other and texted each other the entire time.

Even Ella, Cheyenne's doll, participated.
I'm just kidding, about the texting, but I thought this moment was worth capturing.

It seems like every time, the in-laws come to town we eat at Chuy's. I'm okay with that!

I Planned on Holding Her Hostage

You want to know what's sad? Erin and her family are moving away. Next week, they will leave Ft. Worth and start a new chapter of their lives, in West Texas. TEARS. TEARS. LOTS OF TEARS.

It's no secret, I don't want her to leave (me or Chey). I thought about kidnapping her and holding her hostage, but she said Mike would eventually come looking for her. I said no he won't, but I guess eventually he would start to wonder....So, I scratched that plan and yesterday, we went out to dinner and coffee instead. Ultimately, I took her home, but it was late -- so that should count for something.

We planned on eating at Love Shack in the West 7th District, but they are no longer open (at that location), so we went to Chuy's Mexican Restaurant and then to AVOCA Coffee Shop. The heartburn and caffeine was so worth it.

Pregnancy Update:
I'm 5 days from my due date and I'm showing signs of the beginning stages of labor (I will spare my male readers the details), but the contractions are still sporadic. It's a constant roller coaster. I get excited when I feel the contractions and then several hours will go by before I feel another set. The contractions have been painful, so it is weird that I'm getting excited about the pain. I'm sure when I'm in full blown labor I will be like, MAKE IT STOP!!!! 

Saying Goodbye is Hard

Yesterday evening, I hosted a farewell party for my boss, Dee Dee, at J. Gilligan's. We partied in the restaurant/karaoke area.

Dee Dee served UTA for 12 years and she's been my amazing boss for almost 5 years.

I've known about her resignation for several weeks, now. The first week, she told me the news -- was the hardest. I cried everyday for the first 4 days and the rest of the week, I walked around in shock. Now, that I've had time to process, I've come to terms with it. I mean I can't make her stay, so I should be happy for her. I AM happy for her. She has a great opportunity awaiting her.

She will go back to full-time stage work with IATSE Local 126. 

D2, help a sister out and get me a camera-op gig for a big time concert!
She got me my first stage job, working the Maroon 5 concert. That was a great experience.
(Blog Post from 2007)

Everyone loves D2. I made her a memory book and a 30 minute video with pictures and video messages from colleagues. We also sent her off with $1,000 dollars cash. Home girl, banked it! One of the co-hosts, Felicia, asking to borrow money..."So, drinks and food are on you, right?"

Friends, Co-workers, and previous co-workers attended to say goodbye. It was a come and go party. I stayed for 3 and a half hours and when I left, the party was still going strong.

Even Trey and Cheyenne joined us. Hey, where did Dakota go? I should've turned sideways, so you could see Dakota too.

My sweet pea, partying past her bedtime at a bar and grill -- Mother of the year award, right here.

 Sharing cake is nice.
 
 When Trey had the last bite, Cheyenne was like NOOOOOOO!
Don't feel sorry for her, she had plenty.

I need to get in the habit of requesting nachos with half the cheese. Goodness, gracious this is ridiculous...ridiculously good! Ha!

What an amazing party, but work goes on....

Happy 29th Birthday to Trey!

I love Trey's deer in headlights expression! Maybe at the very moment, he realized he's one year away from turning 30. This is probably the widest Trey's eyes have ever been. He usually squints them and sometimes they disappear when he laughs.

Cheyenne gets double use out of her 3D glasses....ends up they are also excellent sunglasses, since you know it was dark outside.

This evening we loaded up in the truck and headed to Ihop to celebrate. Did you know if you are part of the Ihop email club, they will send you a free birthday coupon? A lot of restaurants and fast food places offer deals like this. My favorite birthday freebie is a Red Robin burger.

Trey ate the Rooty Tooty Fresh 'n Fruity and I enjoyed a short stack.

The Birthday Boy

Trey wanted to take the truck. This is the current state of the interior.

It's a work in progress.

Joe T. Garcia's Mexican Restaurant & A Surprise Party

Happy Birthday Isis!

Lee planned a surprise party for Isis at Joe T. Garcia's Mexican Restaurant. She said, "I posted on FaceBook that I was going to yoga class!" She was surprised to see about 20 of her friends at Joe T's. We were there to wish her a happy birthday.

Make a wish

Have you ever been to this restaurant? I really hadn't heard much about it, (I'm probably the only person in DFW).  It was a neat experience and extremely romantic. We sat on the patio and there was a mariachi band playing, candlelights, a shallow pool in the background...really amazing atmosphere.

Trey, Chey and I shared the fajita plate. Later, we indulged in birthday cake. Oh, I love recovery week, it's almost as good as taper week. Hmmm, My stomach is not use to so much over indulgence and I have to admit she has hated me on several occasions, this week. Dear stomach, don't worry, we'll be back on track soon.

Abilene, It's Been A While

It's been forever and a day, since we made a trip to Abilene. But here we are. It's been fantastic visiting and catching up with everybody.

Bella, my niece

She just got her ears pierced

Right now, she's in the beginning stages of crawling...go.go.go.

Amy scheduled for the three girls to take portraits together. We did our best trying to get Chey and Bella to cooperate, but it didn't go so well. As you may recall, my daughter has issues taking professional portraits. Well, some things don't change. We ended up with one "decent" photo, but Chey put her hand in her mouth. Amy said it's okay, because she's a baby. I'll post the photo when I receive it.

Here are a few photos I took, while the girls were waiting to take pictures:

Angelica is a doll.

I'm not sure why, but Chey put herself in timeout. What's up with that?

Natasha and I went shopping and found this pretty dress for Chey for only $14.99. Bargain shoppers, oh yeah. We call this dress, her princess dress.

Bella was drooling, so she wore her diva bib. And then she acted like a diva during the photo session. People, the bib don't lie! 

Chey wore her hair down. It's getting super long. I'm glad she has my curly-curls.

Baby curls

After we took pictures, we met up with mom and Frank at Texas Roadhouse.

The food was TERRIBLE! But the company was great.

Trey looks like he's a head taller, compared to us shorties.

Mom and I ordered a margarita, but they gave us water limeade. Even after they took the drinks back and doctored them, they still were a watered down version of a lime drink. GAH. The drinks were eventually taken off the bill. Thank goodness. I wish I had taken a photo to show you. There was no color to it. It was clear as day.

Today, Frank made me a drink while I was over there. It was perfect-O. It even had color! I should've paid him 12 dollars for it. Ha!