T-minus One Month

We're officially in crunch time. We've got about a month before we close on the house and we have to to get everything ready to go. All I can think of is...

aaaahhh

Anyways, it's not my glorious writing that brings you here. It's the pics, because otherwise it didn't happen.

Inside the living room...

Brick on the back!

Will Fauxreos blend? Yes they will!

The bricking is done on 9/21!

Hey, we'll have a neighbor after all!

It's looking pretty nice...

Alison is thinking of things to put in the room, while I'm just happy that there is a room.

Here's a close-up of the masonry on our house.

Kitchen looks good too!

Alison's cadre of English teachers got super excited and bought tickets to go see Khaled Hosseini. Apparently they got too carried away and bought extra tickets, so I went along for the ride. He wrote Kite Runner and a couple of other books about Afghanistan.

We sat in a box seat in the Brown Theater.

He just published a new book, which he was kind of promoting. It was very interesting to hear his perspective on Afghanistan--where it has been, where it is, and where it will go. Before I went in I ran into one of my coworkers, who I learned is from Afghanistan himself.

Later in the week, Alison begged and pleaded with me to attend her school's homecoming football game. Reluctantly, I came out to the bright artificial lights of Friday night for the first time in 10 years.

The visiting team had a rather small traveling fanbase

It was surreal attending a football game as a civilian. We sat next to the mother of the varsity coach who regaled us with her, well, entire life story. Thankfully she was done after the first quarter and took off, allowing us to actually see some of the game.

I'm not sure if the Caney Creek Panthers realize how close their flag is to the Soviet Union's...

Hmm...

Here we are, almost wearing the school colors!

The next day, we went back to the house, which now has a walkway to the road. It was also very muddy and I got my feet soaked in it. I gave them a nice rinse in a pool of acidic runoff. We need vegetation here soon.

My shoes may be somewhere in this picture, mired in mud

An accidental selfie

Shelves to go with our otherwise awkward art niches!

And it started raining again...

Now comes the fun chore of selecting which refrigerator, washing machine, and dryer we need to buy. I've decided to get a gas line in the utility closet, so gas dryers are also an option. Have any recommendations? Sound off in the comments!

Photo Dump - Alison's Camera

Hi, again, folks! Gordon does a great job of keeping our blog updated, and I always think afterwards, "Hey, I should put some pictures and stuff up too." Then I never do. So, here's what I'm calling the photo-dump blog. Below are headings and some fun additional photo re-caps of things you may have already read about. Enjoy!

New York: 
We had lots of fun! In no particular order, here are some cool things we did and saw. Special thanks to Mike, Linda, Graham, and Chelsea for being awesome fun and delightful tour guides. We love you guys!

An upstate trip to FDR Mansion and Grounds, anyone? Pictures from Hyde Park, NY:

 Mike and Gordon discuss the architectural merits of the stable/garage. None of us would mind living there.

 Ah, HERE's the Mansion.

 Mammaroneck! (and near by)

Look, a deer out the window! 

Into the City!

 Graham inspects a book at...

 The NY Public Library! (of Ghostbusters and The Day After Tomorrow fame.)

There is no better way to get to know a city than walking around in it in the rain.

I'm so glad we got to do it on Gordon's first trip in!

World's Largest Toy Store: FAO Schwartz!

 Welcome to our world! 

MY FAVORITE CITY PICTURE:

 Initiatory Kanish in the Rain.

(One of my favorite things to do in NY, only $2)

Grand Central Terminal Food Halls

Want to buy some gourmet spices while waiting for your train?

 Trains are fun.

MoMA and Met Photos:

 Love it.

I was hoping they would come to life and follow him, but we didn't say the magic words.

I love this sassy girl.

\

 More City Fun:

Gordon tried Grava Lox on a bagel in Grand Central on our way in one morning... 

reviews were mixed.

Famous Carnegie Deli with Graham and Chelsea!

 The sandwiches are huge.

 The pickles are home made.

 The setting is fantastic!

Shake Shack is also delish!

 Mike and Linda's famous Blackberry Chicken:

 Cloisters, how I love thee:

 I love this place. Part of me will always feel at home here.  

See ya next time, NYC. 

Other Early Summer Shenanigans:

 I bought art from my old Rommate, Virginia May!

Yay!

 Strawberries are yummy.

Food Truck Fun

Mmm... we drove home happily into the sunset. 

(Forgive the graininess.)

We had a delicious dinner at Brian and Kristina's!

Gordon played a high-scoring round of LOTR pinball before the great house purchasing went through in the Woodlands!

It was so fun having Hilary and Ian visit with the kiddos from China!

 

 Andrew's Pre- Bridthday Party was fun! Almost 4 years old, woza!

 Brown Cousin Fun at Potato Patch Cafe

(Sorry, no picture of the Throw'd Rolls)

Grandma Debby takes magic wand lessons from "Presto" in Grandma Chris's living room.

Baby Elizabeth hangs out with Great Grandma Gibbs at the Houston Children's Museum. 

(I love this one.)

Ryan and Hil keep things cool by the water fountain on Market Street. 

(Note cool sunglasses.)

Mad Dash across Utah and Idaho:

Gordon and I went to Utah for the 4th of July and got to see lots of Reeses and Friends!

Grainy Sibling Picture! This was my only pre-phone death family photo on the 4th. :P

We had a great tour of Brigham City and new temple grounds with Grandpa Reese!

Rob and Michelle came with the girls to visit in Houston, and we had a blast! 

Grandma Debby and I went with Emma on a fun late birthday outing. It was great!

Charlotte had fun just hanging out at Grandma Debby's new place.

Charlotte seemed to enjoy exploring the unfurnished living room.

Emma enjoyed her Tiana birthday doll. ("Tiana is my favorite!")

And oh my goodness, then there was Papas Steak House.

Dinner at the fabulous Papa's Steak House downtown was, well, fabulous.

(Monty Python's The Meaning of Life movie clip that Rob shared with us after was necessary, but oh so applicable.)

We meant to take more pictures of the amazing food here, but we ate it too quickly and forgot. 

Here's what we did get.

... and this was one of many entertaining quotes on the bathroom wall.

In short, yum!

Other fun things?  

I got new Glasses

 The House is coming right along!

Eric and Haley came to visit!

(What the what, no pictures! See earlier blog.)

That's all for now, folks! 

(Oh, and baby boy is incubating nicely. We'll keep you posted on the details!)