Peppermint mint mint mt milk SHAKE

Kids finally had one in Norman, Okla.

I don't think any of us actually liked it. The four of us couldn't finish the one we ordered!

But at least, now we know.

Peppermint mint mint mt!

Evey's 16th birthday song

Happy 16th birthday Evey!

Our sweet Evey Jones turned 16! We celebrated over a dinner at the Baldwin Mexican restaurant.

I tried to sneak away to arrange the birthday song but everyone saw right through me. I got a video of the song, I'll post it to YouTube soon. 

Evey is digging the Old 97s Christmas song in Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas Special so I picked up one of their CDs from Love Garden. And you know Evey loves Glass Animals…

Happy 16th birthday Evey!!! We love you!!! 

Bub's birthday song on his 11th

 

This is old but since Evey's birthday is Wednesday, better post this now! Bub's 11th b-day party at El Potro in De Soto.

The weekend that was Thanksgiving 2022

I had been working pretty hard since early October. Business travel coupled with some new opportunities (Equip Expo) and some magazine deadline really ransacked my day-to-day life. In fact, over the last few weeks, I took two business trips that were 5 days and 6 days long. That’s a rarity for me. I travel a lot for work, again now that we’re coming out of Covid (I think) but I’ve always tried to limit my travel to three days away, four at the max. And that usually works.

Not for Equip Expo (5 days) or the back-to-back Summits (six days.) It wore me out, and I came home from the back-to-back Summits gripping the steering wheel a little too tight.

So I took off Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving, even though I was on deadline (a magazine was due the following Tuesday afternoon, while I was double-booked with travel) and I needed the time off. Work schedule be damned.

I should mention that at this time, Adrianne was on the downhill with her first experience with Covid. So I hadn’t really seen her up close for over a week. She got sick while I was in Orlando, and when I got home, even though I hadn’t seen her for six days, we had to keep our distance. This was tough.

///

On Wednesday afternoon I took the kids to my sister’s house and we met Jess, Jett and Marina and Cousin Melissa for a pre-Thanksgiving Mexican feast. It was great! Jess made queso, pasole and enchiladas, I made refried beans. We all enjoyed the meal. Then Boyd suggested a game of Monopoly (Ghostbusters edition… OK, we brought it along). The game went a lot longer than normal (the risk of playing with folks who don’t play much) but Evey emerged victorious eventually. Boyd was on a three-day winning streak. We had been playing every evening at the house while Mom was in quarantine, a different Monopoly version each time (we own several.) Evey suggested that maybe this is a new Thanksgiving tradition? Maybe. But I did come in last place three of the four games (and second against Evey at Jess’ house.)

///

Thursday was Thanksgiving and I was pretty excited that a lot of the cooking fell to me this year. With Adro sick, and her cousins making plans months ago to spread out all over the earth during the holiday we have been hosting (I won’t take it personally… I think) that meant we had a small crew. Grandma Judy usually cooks the turkey and ham while I make a few sides, and my sister makes a few sides. 

With Adro sick, that meant Grandma Judy couldn’t come over. So call up Seth Jones and his kitchen sidekick, Evey Jones, culinary student extraordinaire.  

I watched a YouTube video the night before (in the guest bedroom, my new bedroom while Adro is sick) and came upstairs early with a game plan. Evey joined me around 10 a.m. and we first cleaned up the whole kitchen. I recorded the KU/Wisconsin game (KU won on a last-half-second tip in by Bobby Pettiford Jr., a game I watched about three hours after it concluded) and Evey and I put on some tunes and got to work. 

I made everyone breakfast burritos early to hold everyone off to 3 pm that afternoon. I got the turkey in the oven by 10:45 a.m., just a little later than I wanted. Evey got busy making the stuffing and green bean casserole. Bub came up and we all cleaned the house a little. With Adro down for the count, the Halloween decorations were still up, something we’d just have to deal with.

Jess and Melissa arrived right on time, much to my surprise. We were still in cleaning mode, but it was great to just stop and hang out. Melissa brought Polly Princess, here little toy dog, so we all watched as her dog and Mittens tried to kill each other through a window.

The weather was mild so we relocated to the HOJ. Irony, the kids and I cleaned the house but I didn’t bother cleaning up the HOJ… and it became the headquarters for Thanksgiving! We all made plates and headed outside and Adrianne joined us. We ate, listened to music and watched the sun go down. A super-memorable Thanksgiving.

And I NAILED the turkey. Super juicy. There was a moment of nervousness because the little thermometer red button thingy hadn’t popped out when I pulled the bird out… but the YouTube video I watched advised I get the turkey to around 165, 167 and then pull it out and let it rest for 20 minutes… it’ll keep cooking internally and make it to 170. (I did get a 170 reading actually so I felt OK pulling it out.)

My sister is always good about posting photos of the family on Facebook. She wanted a photo of me with the turkey, before I was about to carve it. I was still moving pretty fast, trying to make sure everything was ready.

When Sis snapped the photo, I’m smiling, looking into the camera. I’m holding a soup ladle in one hand. In the other, a knife, upside down.

///

Friday was pretty chill. Black Friday! 

I told myself I’d clock in, work a little (deadline, remember?) Instead I slept in, woke up and made (almost) everyone their own breakfast (ham, egg and cheese on an English muffin; egg over easy with a tortilla and bacon; Evey makes her own smoothie, I don’t make hipster breakfasts). 

Poured myself a beer by about noon and put on sports. Then I went next door and started CLEANING. 

By 2 p.m. or so the girls (Jess and Melissa) returned and we watched the US Men’s National Team play a weak sauce 1-1 game against England (a game they could have won.) That afternoon was a little long and made me grumpy. The weather was nice, though. 

I probably knew, deep down, I should have gone to work that morning.

/// 

Saturday was another fun day. The highlight was the entire family, including Grandma Judy, loading up and heading to AMC Studio 28 for a midday showing of Glass Onion. 

The movie was fun. Silly in spots. A good ensemble cast.

Afterwards we went to Wahlburgers, which I will state for the record, sucks. But Adrianne was finally Covid-free (as of Thanksgiving afternoon) so to celebrate I knew she wanted some mediocre cheeseburgers in a cold warehouse setting, along with overpriced milkshakes and slow service.  

C’mon, c’mon! Feel the vibration.

That night I went and met Neuty out for beers at Rick’s and we watched the KU/KSU football game. It might have literally been before Covid since we did that (drinking together at Rick’s, that is. Because I never stopped drinking at Rick's by myself.) 

///

Sunday came and I told Adrianne: best weekend ever.

Had a lot of fun, saw family, ate a bunch of great food, nice mild weather, played a ton of Monopoly, watched a bunch of sports. I told her, “I’m almost ready to go back to work!”

Sunday afternoon was Chiefs / Rams. The weather got colder, but I turned on the propane torch and we watched the game outdoors. The neighbors came over. Hot dogs off the Oscar Meyar roller. Chips and queso inside.

Eventually I packed a small bag for a quick business trip to Houston. Reluctantly went to bed. 

Exhausted, but finally rested.  

More Seattle photos

This was right when we arrived. Had a nice direct flight to Seattle.

The kids and I decided to give the Big Wheel a try. It was kind of cool.

We had a blast at the Mariners game and we went spur of the moment.

Bub and me taking in the view at the Mariners game.

 

Birthday bike ride

 

These photos are from Bub's actual birthday... but today (Sunday) we all went out for a nice bike ride.

Adro and I walked with the dog, while the kids biked the path. It was Craig's Crossing or something like that... off the Woodland exit of K-10. We biked it last year.

Nice afternoon. Beautiful weather here.

Happy birthday Bub!

***

Thursday or Friday, I was in the HOJ and Boyd parked his bike. He's wearing this long sleeve Batman T-shirt, new to me... maybe Kelly Jones art? Or Norm Breyfogle? 

I looked at him and said, "Dude. Awesome shirt."

He walked by me and said, "Awesome bike!"

***

I'm glad he likes the bike because I guess there was some discussion about him getting a working cell phone for his birthday. But he seems quite pleased, and thankful, for his birthday gifts, etc.

***

We had a sleepover party last night, for Bub's b-day. I survived! 

Attendees:

• Joey (previously Joseph)
• Tom (previously Thomas)
• Pancake (previously Nolan)
• Brady (still Brady)
• Aiden (though he didn't spend the night)

All is well.

***

Say... nice bike.

Watchdog day

For Boyd's birthday I'm here volunteering at his school. It's 1202 I've been in the lunchroom for an hour and it is CHAOS. 

And I'm starving. Boyd gets here in 13 minutes.

Pictured is art class. One of the more relaxing hours so far… 

Indiana days

 Here's a pic from my mom and dad's photo album, of Jess and me with Dad. I'm guessing 1980? The other photos in the batch were of the year we built a snowman on Easter day. 

All about Boyd (5th grade)

9 holes at Eagle Bend

 The kids and I had such a great time at Eagle Bend two weekends ago. I let Boyd drive my cart (where it was safe) and we all had highlights. Evey had a great tee shot over the ravine on No. 8. Boyd had a few nice chips. None of us made any putts though!

***

I took a mini-vacation to Minneapolis with my old friend Andre recently. We went and did a fantasy football draft then played 18 holes at Rush Creek the next morning.

Friends, my putter was HOT. I dropped one of 20+ feet and two or three more around the 10-15 foot range. I finally cooled off on the last six holes but by then the damage was done.

I would like to play like that again but with some co-workers next time!

***

Took the kids to see WWE Raw on Monday. We had so much fun! I took a few photos, they aren't great (like these golf pics) but I'll try to post them soon.

***

We celebrated Adro's birthday recently! I took her to Hollywood Casino for a bit of day-gambling, then What-a-Burger for a late lunch. There were some other gifts too like flowers, scratchers and an AMAZING painting. I'll share the painting (by Evey Jones) soon.

Drive-by trucker

So this was a first for me... as I was driving with Boyd, heading to his parent/teacher conference ... I saw a familiar car approaching me... it was my own daughter, driving by me, heading home! She waved, I waved. Crazy.

***

Photo is of the kids both doing homework (OK, Evey doing homework) on the back patio. The cat is hanging with them. Koko wanted to come join, but as soon as El Diablo Rojo (what Boyd calls the cat) saw Koko, she started scratching at the glass door to scare Koko away. Adrianne brought Koko to the front, so she could hang.

***

I grilled cheeseburgers on the flat-top after work today. They turned out great! Adrianne gave me a nice compliment at the end of dinner, about how good they were.

On the menu was cheeseburgers with grilled buns... and grilled onions and mushrooms (for me and Evey.) We decided to watch TV during dinner (we don't do that very often) and we put on the season finale of Rat in the Kitchen, this cooking show the kids (especially Evey) love. The last episode was actually pretty fun.

Will the show return for a season two? Chef Ludo puts out his hand and drops a thumb... down? (That's my guess.) The co-host said they would be back for season two.

***

Breakfast burritos for the kids before school today. Gonna try to fire out ham and egg and cheese croissants tomorrow morning. 

That's my A-game in week one of school. In two more weeks, it'll be cereal! I hope not, I like making the kids a decent breakfast before they go to school. And I can make a small egg meal in like 10 minutes.

 

 

First day of 5th grade and sophomore year!

 

 Evey is driving to school now, in her own car! She is driving Adrianne's old Tucson... just about the perfect wheels for her.

And yeah, she's still 15. Crazy!

We worry about the idea of her out there as a young driver, but she is also SO RESPONSIBLE. We trust her to pay attention and be careful. It's nice that it's all country roads from home to her school. But still, stressful.

Love you kids, have a great year!

Waterfall at Mt. Rainier

 

Here's that photo of the kids by the waterfall...

Right now we're in South Padre Island. Kids are still asleep, I'm on the back patio. My back is toast from two weeks in foreign beds...

Between Seattle and now a long Texas trip, we've been on the road almost three of the last four weeks!

We miss Grandma, our dog and our home. Evey and Adrianne also miss Mittens.

We're going to go do another day on the beach. The beach just beats me up. I'm not as young as the kids but I still try to boogie board with them and that workout is hard on me. It is fun though, in the moment. It's the before and after that I dread.

Evey and I walked around Port Isabell last night and scored a couple good root beer floats. That was a good close to a long day.

Oh, and we returned to Wanna Wanna and the burgers, like always, were amazing. 

Mt. Rainier

We took a tour of the mountain. It was pretty cool. The most memorable part was the 2-hour drive home in an unairconditioned bus… 

But the lunch on the trip was also great. And we hiked a lot. I think Evey enjoyed the woods. I don't know how Bub felt about it all. He was cooperative at least.

I have some cool pics of the kids by a waterfall I'll share soon.