Dear San Antonio,

I am writing to inform you that a new family will moving into your city limits. This family is a pretty big deal and has a lot to offer. Like, for example, the oldest daughter can touch her tongue to her nose. Big stuff like that. 

I know because it's my family. 

My husband has accepted a job at some energy company that has something to do with pipelines. At least, I'm pretty sure that's it. All I know is it's dream job/ in-house attorney mumbo jumbo and that means less hours at work and more hours at home doing the dishes. I mean, playing with the kids. 

From what I hear, you've got a pretty cool set-up going on and it appears his job is in a pretty swanky part of town complete with Nordstrom, NORDSTROM RACK!!!, Grimaldi's Pizza, BJ's, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and many other super duper awesome places to spend money. We've done our research and it appears the schools in that area are top-notch and the ward is pretty cool, too. With the rolling green hills and dryer air, I'm pretty much sold on San Antionio. 

Now I'm writing to tell you that you have a lot to live up to as far as people are concerned. We're coming from a place with quite possibly some of the most awesome people on this beautiful green earth and we're going to miss them a whole lot. My hope is that Texas is Texas and awesome people are just a dime a dozen in these parts. I don't let my mind head down the, "what if it's not?" path, so let's just go with it, k? But, in case there's a small chance that your people aren't as good as our people, this is your fair warning to get your act together and turn up the awesomeness. I'm not quite sure exactly when we'll be joining you. It may depend on how quickly you can get awesome. Greg starts next Friday. The kids and I will join some time after that. Depending on when our house sells, how long we can handle only seeing Greg on the weekends, how quickly I can pack, etc. 

Before I close, I'd like to ask two more things of you. Can you please get going with In-N-Out? And get rid of Tony Parker and Tim Duncan? This may take a few years and I'm prepared to wait, but, seriously, it needs to happen. This has gone on for far too long. Bringing in former Dukies would be icing on the cake, but it's not necessary. Just make some changes.

I realize I may be asking a lot. And coming from a family who can't seem to commit to a place for longer than 3 years, I can see why you're a little hesitant to comply. But, I assure you. 

We. Are. Worth it.

Sincerely,

Too cool for school

Darling's funeral

Drew and I were able to go to California for a day and a half this week to attend my grandmother's funeral. 

It was beautiful. 

Just as it should have been. For my grandmother, Darling, is one of the most beautiful people I know. 

It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many family members on this day. 

 The sister missing from this picture is, no doubt, throwing Darling a welcome home party on the other side. Along with all of her siblings and many other loved ones. If you knew Darling, you'd know that it's a happening party wherever she is. And now, she gets to party free from the pains that her 90-year-old body life brought her.

We will all miss Darling. She was the classiest, funnest, best dressed, best back-scratching, best treat-providing, most loving, complimenting, grandmother that ever lived.  

 The girl cousins.

 One thing that was said over and over again was how she managed to make each of her 14 grandchildren feel like they were her favorite. I'm sure every person she ever met felt equally special. That's a rare gift. And if I take one thing from this wonderful lady, I hope that's it. 

Well that, and her ability to name all See's Candy without poking or biting. 

The siblings, minus Elder Secor.

 So we substituted one naughty 1-year-old, of about the same weight.

Greg & Twins Week

Their week of fun began on Tuesday with Dad's day at pre-school. If you recall from last year, this is where we find out all the good stuff from our kids. Like, how Greg works with knives.  

No earth-shattering news this year, however. Oh, kids growing up and getting smarter is so disappointing. The best we got was that Greg's favorite thing to watch is commercials. That one made me giggle a bit.

Next up was Monster Jam. We do live in Texas. It was time our kids went to a monster truck rally, right? Ethan was clearly excited. And this was before he got there and realized it truly was heaven in a stadium.