Life's a Filet of Fish: Valentines and Reese's Times

Part I: Valentine's Day 2014

First and foremost, it is Valentine's Day again, and I can't help but take a moment and say something about this guy:

Has it really been more than two years?

Where does the time go? In some ways, it seems like this photo from after our honeymoon was pretty recent, and yet in the past year,,,

our "baby: John turned one,

we celebrated our second anniversary (with the last of our cake),

AND you turned 30!

(Thanks for help with the birthday book messages, friends! They were a fantastic hit!

Apparently the two of us think a lot alike.) ;)

And yet, somehow, at the end of long days, you are able to make it all still seem new, and fun, and exciting. You are so much better and more than I knew I wanted to before we met. I love you!

He always has the best surprises up his sleeve, like perfect gifts and dinner reservations....

So here's to my valentine. And though he would protest, he is in fact one of the most thoughtful, caring, clever, and interesting people I have ever known...

and loads of fun, to boot! Here's to you, darling dearest. Thanks for always playing along and making my like the Happy Song it is.

Happy Valentine's Day,

My Captain, my life, and my love.

We also had a lovely dinner out last night, fun with my mom today for lunch, and then fun while my mom watched Johnny and we scampered off to catch a movie. A lovely weekend, indeed!

Part II: The Flashbacks Continue

Or, you know, last year in Houston and Tucson...

More Reese Family Flashbacks to 2014

But first, a side note:

A surprisingly high number of my Junior English students have a hard time with the concept of flashbacks. While reviewing literary terms with them for a quiz last week, one class got horribly derailed by trying to cite film references as examples of flashback. This led to an elaborate discussion of X-Men Days of Future Past, Back to The Future, and time travel. I finally put the whole thing to rest with the Star Wars opening. It's not often a Star Wars reference can solve a real world problem, but it's sure satisfying when it can!

July:

As was briefly mentioned in a prior post, there was a fun week last summer when Gordon's mom was able to make it out to Houston to play with us. Johnny and Grandma got some great one-on-one time, and we had lots of fun! Here are some more pictures of our adventures (including the impromptu trip to San Antonio) I meant to post ages ago!

Lunch Breaks!

Vintage Park is always a good idea.

Tubby time fun!

Just Chillin'

Hi, James Family!

Uncle Kevin: Expert Baby Holder

Fun on the Floor

Oh, hi there!

He's transfixed. :)

Also, mention should be made of the absolutely fabulous meal we had at our Vietnamese place, Rakku. Am I right that this was a first time sushi and pho eating for Falicia? If yes, I can only say well done! She chop-sticked and soup sipped like a pro! (And she was a very good sport about it.)

And of course, a stop at Menchi's Yogurt, because why not?

(And because these have been going so out of order, I see no reason to start using a logical time line now. Without further ado...)

November:

Also as mentioned earlier, we spent some time with the rest of the Reese clan in Tucson over Thanksgiving. Here are other highlights of pictoral relevance. The notable lack of Thanksgiving dinner pictures proves that we don't always Hipster Thanksgiving our meals.

Besides, that would be so "main stream." (Wait, is it ironic that on Thanksgiving we're NOT having Hipster Thanksgiving?! Hipsterception?! Whatever. I'm thankful for these people, and that's what counts.)

Awkward hotel selfies can be fun... really!

these are awkward...

Okay, this is as good as it gets.

I just liked the lighting and the fun with dog interactions in these photos. John was quite enamored with the beagles. Kirby was perpetually ambivalent about him.