So Very Thankful

Another epic holiday has passed. We had a wonderful time, safe travel to and from and wonderful times with the people who mean the most. Family is such a blessing. I had some conversations with my cousins over the holiday and just did some personal reflecting in general. Life, love and family should never be taken for granted. There are so many people that don't have these things in their life, so truly it should be treasured.


We took off a day earlier so I got to spend all day Wednesday in the kitchen cooking and prepping for the Holiday with my Mom which is a complete blessing after her health challenges from earlier this year. I got to hang out with my cousin from California, which was an unexpected treat also. My parents got a new dog, which they were reluctant to tell me about since they know I am really afraid of them. LOL They were jokingly calling her my new little sister. LOL I will admit that she is a very gentle little dog and after about 48 hours of anxiety, I was fine. I am still not that comfy holding or touching her, but everyone seems to love her.  My nieces and nephews are fascinated with her and it is fun to watch them bonding with the dog.  I like the fact that she seems to helping my mom with a routine and something for her to focus on since she is retired now.


We got up early Thanksgiving morning for our annual family tradition of running the Turkey Trot. I did the 1 Mile Fun Run this year because my ankle would not let me be great. LOL My 5 yr old nephew, smoked me like nobody's business. He is quite the little athlete.  My 11 yr old niece shut everybody down in the 5K, we were very proud of her. She has been playing basketball this year and her stamina was through the roof ! She did a great job.

Early morning stretching for the race !

Heading downtown for the Turkey Trot

My parents even brought their new dog  to watch LOL 

Go girls !

My BIL & Niece after she made us all proud 

Me & my little track star niece

My cousin reppin' the OKC Thunder LOL 

Later that day, my Aunt & Uncle hosted in their home as always & we had a great time, eating, watching football, doing Karaoke & of course the annual Taboo Challenge of the men vs. the women. We spanked them of course ! LOL Even my dad got in on the Karaoke & had us rolling singing " Mustang Sally " LOL ! And I don't know why my nieces & nephews were shocked that I know the words to "Hot Cheeto's & Taki's" ???? I love that video on You.Tube. Those little kids are the cutest and can rap too.

Me & my cousin from Cali ! 

The famous "Kiddie Table X 2  " LOL  !

My my my  they are growing like weeds !

Hot Cheetos & Taki's !!!! LOL 

The boys wanted to get in on it too. 

My sister & BIL singing a duet !

Daddy had to get him some. 

My cousins doing Bonnie & Clyde by Bey & Jay Z !

My two favorite guys :) 

On Friday, the day after we did absolutely no shopping. I am not into the Black Friday Madness. We took the kids to an indoor Trampoline Park which was really fun for them & cool to watch. I was sore from the run, so I could not indulge but it looked like a blast. The kids had an impromptu Pizza Party that night & the grown cousins went out for dinner and drinks at Republic Gastropub which was a cool little spot.

Oh to be a kid on a trampoline again ! 

No more Turkey ! Let's have Pizza ! 

This little girl is a handful, best believe ! 

Love these little girls .......

Me and my love at dinner :)

Saturday morning. Me & Mr. Mixologist had a breakfast cook off challenge. We made two different versions of Shrimp n' grits for the family. They thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't have to tell you that he won the challenge, but everyone said that both were really good. I just realized while writing this blog, that I took no pictures of what we cooked. I guess I was too busy cooking.


Saturday afternoon, we went to a Cigar Lounge and watched football.  Mr. Mixologist  got my cousin from California to try a Cigar & she is hooked, LOL. She can't wait to go back to LA & find a local spot to hang out at.

Puffin it up ! 

When we finally got tired of all the Turkey we made our way to our favorite Mexican spot when at home, Ted's Cafe Esconditio. I really love their food.

My BIL & Sister

My sister & cousin 

I hated to have to get back to reality, but we did. It was a wonderful holiday. I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by.  Not it's time to start shopping for the Christmas tree ! Dang.

How was your Thanksgiving ?  

Do you have any holiday traditions ?

Who traveled the furthest to celebrate ?


Thoughts ? Commnts ? Questions ?


Beautifully Complex 

Funny Friday Vol. 6

This actually happened a couple of months ago, but me & my mom were laughing about it again recently and I was reminded of it.

So we took all the kids horseback riding for Spring Break. It was my 5 year old nephew K.J.'s  first time riding ever and he was so very anxious and excited. So picture this. There are 10 of us riding together on the trail. Me and Mr. Mixologist mixed in between the six kids, then you have a front Trail Leader and a Back Trail Leader.

It is a beautiful ride, and very quiet and peaceful. No one is talking. You can't really hear anything except the horses.  Everyone is just enjoying the ride, the beauty of nature and the overall atmosphere.  Occasionally, I would call out to each child to make sure everybody was OK on their horse. Both Mr. Mixologist and K.J. were riding behind me. In fact, K.J. is the very last rider because the rear Trail Leader actually had his horse's harness tied to her waist because he is such a young novice rider. I looked back at him several times to see him looking up at the sky and all around with this big smile on his face.

When you leave the ranch for the ride, you head into a heavily a wooded trail. We went on an hour long ride. As soon as you hit the trail it starts winding and twisting and turning. After about 10 minutes into the ride, you can no longer see the Ranch, the parking lot or the horse stables.

So we are riding along and I hear Mr. Mixologist start laughing. Then I hear the rear Trail Leader start chuckling too.  I turn around and can hear some conversation between K.J. and the Trail Leader but I can't make out what's being said. Then Mr. Mixologist says,

"Did you hear K.J.? "

I say,

"No, what did he say?"

He said to the Trail Leader,

"Hey, wait a minute, are you sure you know how to get us back ?" 


LMAO !

We all just broke up the peace & fell out laughing. Every body heard it when Mr. Mixologist repeated what K.J. said. It was too funny ! K.J. was like wait a minute, this is fun and all but we are getting real deep into these woods and I need to check and make sure you know what you are doing. LOL !

She reassured him that she did this for a living and that she would make sure that we all would find our way back to the stables before the hour was up.LOL

You can always count on kids to keep it 100 !

Thoughts  ? Comments ? Questions ?

Beautifully Complex 

Spring Break Crew !

We have an annual tradition of taking a formal picture every Spring Break when my nieces and nephews come to visit. We pick a different color to wear each year. I let the little ones decide what color it will be and then we coordinate our outfits. I was looking at some of the previous years pictures last night. In fact, this was our 8th year and we are running out of different colors to wear ! LOL   The kids invited Mr. Mixologist to join us this year since he is our family now & they were pretty excited about that. These annual pictures are a wonderful way to capture their growth and maturity. We had a great time at the photo shoot & the photographer looks forward to shooting us each year.

The gangs all here !

Aunt & Uncle

Individual Poses

Me and the Girls ! 

My favorite guys ! 

Chillin' with the Fam ! 

Getting my Sugar :)

Looking at these pics has me missing the kids right now, but we are headed to my parents for Mother's Day this weekend and I will get to see them all at the family gathering.


Do you have any family traditions ?

Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?

Beautifully Complex 

Spring has Sprung ! Part 2 The Final Wrap Up

Wednesday afternoon, we headed to downtown San Antonio. Every time I visit the Riverwalk I wonder why we don't go more often since it's not that far from Houston. The kids enjoyed themselves. We had dinner at The Iron Cactus . The food was pretty good. A Mariachi  band came to the table to serenade us. After dinner we took a boat ride through downtown.

Walking the river

Lazy River

Boat Cruise

Mariachi 

Ready to ride !

The kids were most excited about Thursdays activity, Horseback riding. We went to Cypress Trails the same place we went a couple of years ago. The girls have ridden before so they were acting like little equestrians ! The two boys 5 and 7 had never ridden before but they can work with any skill level.

The little ones get ready

Getting mounted up

All eight of us on Horseback !

Ridem' Cowgirl !

Pay attention ahead ! LOL

My mom sponsored the horseback riding this year. She knew the kids really wanted to go & that I plan a lot of activities for them & this was her way of helping out. I truly appreciate her giving spirit.  I was so glad that the weather cleared up after raining for two days straight. The trails were a little wet, but it was an absolutely beautiful day to ride.


Between walking up and down in those caves on Wednesday and riding that horse on Thursday, I had used some muscles that I haven't used in a while so I was feeling it in my back & legs  before long ! By Friday, I had to have my niece to give me a massage LOL !

Kids taking over my bed !

Best Buddies !

Worn out from the ride !

Friday was the last day so we did it big, the weather cooperated so off to Galveston Beach we went......We had fun in the water, had a picnic for lunch and managed to relax in the sun for a bit before we had to trek back to Houston to wind up this years Spring Break Adventure. Mr. Mixologist was a life saver last week.We would not have been able to do so many activities without his assistance & extra supervision of the little ones.

Beach Buddies !

Jet Beauty !

Laying out !

Cool pup !

Picnic time 

Building Sand Castles

Taking a Break 

A had a very long night Friday washing & conditioning lots of hair, washing clothes & packing bags for the return trip.  We cut out the Spring Break Party at my house this year because I wanted to go back early to see about my mom over the weekend (she is constantly improving). As God's perfect timing goes. My 24 yr old step-daughter (ex-husband's daughter) happened to have her baby on Saturday morning. We had talked just the week before about getting together for a visit when I brought the kids back over the weekend. When I called her on Saturday to try to meet, she was in the hospital !

Their new cousin 

My nieces & nephew were excited to see the baby, so we went & picked up some flowers, a card and balloons & headed over to see her. The baby is absolutely beautiful and she looked great to have just given birth only hours earlier(but not yet photo ready) LOL.

Do I look like a grandmother ! LOL

Mr. Mixologist gets a real kick out of me being a grandmother & has been teasing me in the months we have been waiting for this baby to arrive.








It was a busy, fun, stressful at times, love filled wonderful adventurous week, but I am glad to sit still for the moment. We have been recovering all week long (hence the late post). I am truly thankful for the blessing of my family.


Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?


Beautifully Complex