Long time out...

Lots happened since I have last posted. My mom can down to visit for a week and we put in several plants and painted my kitchen. We painted it grassland and it looks good. I’ll have to post photos later. We went to the zoo and took Erin’s friend Kylie, they were a handful, but hilarious to watch.

Erin and Kylie - Our one person stroller became built for two

Erin and I eating lunch in Hermann Park

Kylie & Erin in the prairie dog tunnels

We then decided to trek downtown and go to the observation deck and the Chase building, which provided a great aerial view of the city. Erin freaked out a bit because of the height; I don’t think she realized that the glass would keep her from falling. I have more pics from the observation tower posted on my Houston Photo Blog.

Shortly after mom flew home my Uncle Marcene passed away after a long battle with liver cancer. He was a character and an awesome man and will be greatly missed. Erin and I caught a flight out the next day for the funeral.

We ended up staying in Iowa for 10 days to see family and help at the monument shop. I helped Dad uncrate and move granite and get ready for their business open house while Erin helped Grandma in the office. Mom said everyone of the checks she sent out had the return address stamped all over it compliments of Erin. Erin helping grandma with invoices

Erin taking her first lawn mower ride with Uncle Max

Erin fell in love with Mom and Dad's two shop cats – George and Mama. By the end of the week they were petrified of her and for good reason, she was pretty rough with them.

Erin got to go trick-or-treating in my hometown. She was piglet this year. The weather was rainy, windy and about 30 degrees , the typical Midwest Halloween. We went to about 15 houses. She would run up to a door and freeze and get all shy and then turn around and yell “new house” and run to the next. Max had to work so dad went with us and of course dressed up.

Dad showing off his mask, Erin thought he was very funny in it.

Erin and Gt. Grandma (again she was stalking the cat)

The weather was milder at Renshaw’s house. Erin loved playing on the trampoline. The dry air mixed with the static created from playing on the trampoline made Erin have some very cool punk rocker hair.

We also went up to Ames to see her uncle Jeremy at Iowa State and we got to take her to Brookside Park in Ames. Erin officially now has a cousin. Jeremy and Rachel had a baby last Sunday and named her Brooklyn. Sounds like mother and daughter are doing great.

It was good to visit but also feels good to be home and in a routine.