Michael and My Anniversary Date

Michael and I had a wonderful Anniversary date celebration. Thank you everyone for asking! We had our first date in at least 6 months, if not more! We took the boys over to Pat's house for a few hours and Michael took me to dinner at a very nice restaurant named, Pappa's Bros. We ate like King and Queen...we both had the stake and lobster and then we were uncomfortably full the whole rest of the night! :)
Here are a couple of fun pics from our evening!

Us at dinner...

Our amazing dessert...Chocolate Marshmallow Mousse with Toffee Crunch and Vanilla Malt Topping...seriously one of the best desserts I have ever had and with one of the best messages I have ever seen! It was a perfect night!

Mom, Dad and Top 10 Songs!

Today Mom and Dad would be celebrating their 37th Wedding Anniversary! I was thinking about them leading up to today and I thought I should do a top 10 song list about mom and dad. I have a whole other list of sad songs, but let's not go there. In retrospect, mom and dad were very musical! I guess I didn't notice any difference since I was raised that way, it seemed totally normal. But I think it hit me after dad passed away and mom gave me his iPod...it has 33,000 songs on it...Just so you know...that's A LOT of songs! I only have 5,000 and I thought I had a lot! When I think back to any occasions or just a normal day, it involved music, singing, even dancing! ;)
Music can evoke such emotion and these are all things that remind me of mom and dad and make me smile. There are of course so many more, but these are the first 10 that pop into my mind! If you have any songs that remind you of my parents, either or both, please share, I would love it hear it.

10) 'Beautiful Boy' by John Lennon...
I really wanted a particular song that I could sing to Jonathan and that could be 'our song'. I tried a few on for size after Jonathan arrived. I really liked Beautiful Boy and continued to sing that to him. One day at mom and dad's, dad overheard me singing it and had to go find it on his iTunes. Before I knew it he was blaring it from his study! That alone made me laugh, but in the following days, he and mom started singing that song to him ALL THE TIME. I teased them that it was supposed to be just a me and Jonathan song, that they couldn't sing it too, but dad teased right back, with his usual come back to me..."You're not the boss of me!"...One of my favorite moments of dad with Jonathan, was just a couple of weeks before he passed away. I was driving, mom was in the front seat with me, dad was in the back with Jonathan. I heard dad softly talking to Jonathan, telling him he had the most beautiful big blue eyes. Then he softly sang a couple lines of Beautiful Boy. Mom and I were trying to play off the fact that we were listening! It was a precious memory.


9) 'Crazy' by Gnarls Barkley...
Amy and i had been together in the car and arrived back at mom and dads. We had just heard that song on the radio and we were singing it around mom and dad. One of them asked what it was and then some how we ended up in dad's study and dad downloaded the song off iTunes. The next thing I knew Amy, mom and I were dancing around dad singing "Maybe I'm crazy!" ...and we were!

8) 'These Boots are Made for Walking' by Nancy Sinatra...
On my maiden voyage of Dad's silver VW Bug (the last of many that he built) this song came on the radio. I perked up and said, I LOVE this song, he smiled at me and turned the volume up all the way! He and I cruised and sang at the top of our lungs. We laughed cause our favorite line was, "you keep samin', when you oughta be a'changin'!" - Who says that?

7)  'Unforgettable' by Nat King Cole...
I had a really hard time figuring out what dad and I would dance to at my wedding...the father daughter dance...it should be meaningful, sweet, touching, slow...I just couldn't land on something that fit that for us. We liked fast paced music. Mom and dad took me on a Pre-wedding trip down to Galveston about two months before the wedding. I brought wedding 'to do's' on the trip and one of them was finalizing music. I sat in the front with dad as he drove and we talked music going up and coming back. We went back and forth and all around and finally settled on Unforgettable and I'm so glad that we did. It was a lovely and special moment/memory.


6) 'Ice Ice Baby' by Vanilla Ice...
On the same Galveston trip that I mention in #7, I asked both my parents if there were any 'must play' songs that they wanted me to play at the reception. Mom was sitting in the back and she flew forward and yelled out, "you have to play Ice, Ice Baby!" dad and I bust out laughing! With out missing a beat, she started rocking her head around singing, "for-eva ice, ice baby...too cold...too cold". She was such a hoot! And yes, the DJ played it and yes, she danced to it!

5) 'Natural Woman' by Carole King...
One of the things I became really upset about after dad passed away was that I never talked to him more about certain things, one of them being music. One day I was crying to mom, "I didn't even know his favorite song." ...So as mom was in the hospital the last time, she and I would have really long conversations about things from A-Z. One day, with my note pad in hand, I asked her to tell me her all time favorite songs. To my surprise, she said 'Natural Woman' was her all time, absolute favorite song. What? I laughed and laughed. I never recall hearing her listen to or sing that song! I gave her a hard time, asking her if she had been listening to it in private all this time or something! But she held strong, at least until the next day when I came back, she told me she changed her mind and she really loved anything by Larnelle Harris! I told her it was too late to change her answer, I wrote it down in pen! Of course I was teasing, but it will always be curious to me that she said it was her favorite!


4) 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' by The Beach Boy's...
At first I actually put down 'any Beach Boy's song' but decided I need to stick to actual songs and not be generic. The reason that this song reminds me of mom and dad is because it was actually 'their song'!! Mom told me that this song had just come out right before they started dating. She said she could remember singing the words and feeling it was written for them! But then she laughingly told me that it was the 'song' of every dating couple of that time! I don't care, I still love that this is their song! I can just picture mom as a high school / college student driving around town in her yellow VW Bug singing and wishing she was married to dad!! ...the reason that Any Beach Boys song reminds me of them is because...growing up we would drive to El Paso every year. Without fail every year dad would pop in the same Beach Boys tape! Amy and I recently were talking about our trips to El Paso...we would usually be driving in the dark and West Texas after dark is pitch black since there is literally nothing out there. As we would approach El Paso you could suddenly see LOT's of lights on the horizon, after the 10 hour trip, it was always such an exciting sight. Typically dad would be listening to and possibly singing along with his Beach Boy's tape and mom, Amy and I would be waking up from an uncomfortable car cat nap...it is just a sight and sound combo that I will never forget.


3) 'Turn Your Eye's Upon Jesus' by Alan Jackson...
After my dad passed away, mom picked this song to be sung at my father's funeral (the hymn, not Alan Jackson). I didn't question it because I knew she and dad liked that song and it was always one of my favorite hymns too. But mom later explained to me that dad had recently purchased Alan Jackson's CD called Precious Memories, where he sings all the good ole' Hymn Classics. Softly and Tenderly, When we all get to Heaven, The Old Rugged Cross...etc and including Turn Your Eye's Upon Jesus. The last two weeks of my father's life, mom was in the hospital and dad didn't leave her side. During that time she said that dad played that CD over and over again. They both loved it, and sang together and talked about each song and what it meant to them. She started to tell me what he said when he talked about 'Turn Your Eye's Upon Jesus', but she got choked up and couldn't finish. She never did tell me what he said, but she didn't need to, I think I know. And I will always hold that song close to me.  


2) 'Why Not Me' by the Judd's...
As probably a pre-teen we were on yet another road trip probably to El Paso; we were listening to something other than the Beach Boy's. This time it was The Judd's. We had listen to the album a lot and we all knew all the words! Amy and I were in the back seat singing away and mom turned around and said "you girls have such beautiful voices you should become the next family singing group!" And it's funny ever since she said that I have always thought in the back of my mind that that was seriously an option for me!!! Even though Amy and I did not peruse or destiny as the next country singing sister combo, it just always meant so much to have a mom who really believed in me (us) and said such sweet and encouraging things! I want to remember it so that I can pass it on to my sons.


1) 'So Happy Together' by The Turtles...
It was a little difficult to pick the #1 song because they are all special. But the second I hear this song it puts a smile on my face! Back when mom & dad were in High School they had been together in their Sophomore & Junior years but they broke-up during their Senior year. Mom won Homecoming Queen and one of the perks for all El Paso Homecoming Queens was front row tickets to The Turtles concert!! Pretty cool, right? Anyway, dad went to the concert too and just for fun he brought a date. So the good part of this story is my dad's version of what happened...when he was there, with this other girl and everything, he had a clear view of mom. She was down front with the other girls, dancing and having a good time! He told me that he couldn't keep his eyes off of her, she was so beautiful and everything he wanted, he knew he would get back together with her. Of course it didn't happen over night, but they did get back together on graduation night...and were 'so happy together' ever since! ...I just love their love story. I feel like The Turtles concert was a big role in my parents getting back together and therefore the reason I am here!!!

Nancy and Bill Ramage. October 19, 1974.

Honeymoon

In honor of our 6 year wedding anniversary today, I decided to revisit our Honeymoon photos! (since I know a lot of you have seen ton's of our wedding photo's and probably never seen our honeymoon photo's) We had an amazing time! It was truly paradise! Michael did good picking this place!
We went to Acapulco, Mexico and we stayed at Las Brisas Resort. The resort was a happening place when it first opened back in the 60's. We were told that the Rat Pack stayed there often. The awesome thing about this place is that it is up in the cliffs of the bay area. Every room or little home is built to have an amazing view and tons of privacy! We couldn't see any other guests and rarely heard them, so you really felt secluded. We had every thing we needed, including a pool and didn't really need to leave!
It was an amazing memory! I would love to repeat, but unfortunately, the crime has become so horrible there lately, I don't think we will be going again.
I didn't take tons of photo's, I think I have 30 total. There aren't tons with Michael and I in them either. But, here is just a taste of the beauty of where we were...

The view from our room!

Another angle of our view

Another angle of our view

Our pool!

The Resort Ocean Pool

The flowers that they put in our pool everyday.

Since we were so far away from the city, we just decided to stay in and have room service almost every night. The food was so good. This was our favorite thing to order...or what's left of it. The Mexican Sampler...a little of everything.

Had to go see the cliff divers.

Having lunch out at 'Taco's and Beer', another one of our favorite places to eat. The best taco's I have ever had, a bucket of beer and the ocean. You can't go wrong with that!  

Me at 'Taco's and Beer'.

The only night out of the 6 that we were there, that we went out to eat. And the only good picture with both of us in it!

I took this the morning we went snorkeling. One of my favorite photos.

Sunset on our last day there. :(

Looking back up at the resort as we left.

Texas State Fair

The State Fair is in town once again, and once again we must go! Michael and I have always loved going, and to our delight, Michael's company picnic is at the State Fair every year on Saturday of opening weekend! Which is pretty awesome, it includes free admission ($32 value), Free Parking Pass ($10 value) (right at the gate), about $40 worth of free coupons (which is like cash), admission passes to the exhibits that cost and an IMAX movie pass! Unfortunately we have only used the general admission and the coupons! Maybe one of these years we will go into the exhibits and/or watch an IMAX movie. So at the end of the day, we didn't spend any money! Isn't that crazy?
This past week both boys have been sick so we have laid low for most of the week. I was definitely ready to go to the Fair and I was praying hard Friday night that the boys would be well enough to go! And much to my delight, Ben slept through the night, 8 whole hours, something he has done just a few times in his 5 months. Yeah Ben! So that told me that his ears must be feeling better. Jonathan woke up looking great and running around, laughing and wanting to eat...all good signs! So we decided to go ahead and go! Yeah! 
We had a great time! It was super crowded, but that was expected. Having 2 boys vs. just Jonathan wasn't much different. We took the new jumbo stroller and it was awesome. Ben is such a laid back, patient kid, that he just hung out the whole time, not really a peep from him! Jonathan is fun to go with, because everything is cool to him and he wants to see and do everything! It's so much fun! I was more distracted by watching both of them to see if I saw any signs of them being sick. I didn't detect any further sickness, thank goodness, but we were all pretty pooped when we left and we were only there for 4 hours!
We were talking/laughing at the fact that in all the years we have gone, we always do the exact same thing...we take the same route, visit the same places, eat the same things and go home. Today was no different, but we promised ourselves we would do something different...one of these years! 
Our usual stops are; the Car Exhibit, Corn Dogs, Something Fried, Something Sweet, the livestock, the petting zoo, the midway and home (give or take a few pit stops in between!). So my pictures will reflect as much! If you have any suggestions on new things we need to add to our next trip, please let me know!




Getting started! The boys in their stroller!



Jonathan's driving! Look out!

Role reversal? They are in the GMC Terrain, the car I really, really wanted last year.



I had to jump in! I will own one of these (probably an older model) before I die!




My boys in a Vet.



Poor Ben was still stuck in the stroller, but he was cool to just chew on that strap. :)



My favorite part of the Auto show, the concept cars! This was awesome, Chevy Stingray!



Incredibly cool! And old Mustang converted into a Pool table!

Fried Brownies! Super Yum!

But even better...Fried Pumpkin Pie! It was so good! I saw them make it on the morning show yesterday, so I knew I had to try it! It is Pumpkin Puree, Powdered sugar, & I think Cream Cheese. Sandwiched in between 2 ginger snaps, then coated with something else yummy, then dipped in gram crackers, then dipped in batter, then fried. It was AMAZING.

Mounted Officers

When I look at this photo, a song pops in my head...
'Get your motor running...Head out on the highway...'
(He claims this ride was his favorite part of the day!)

Jonathan and I ran into the Petting Zoo and left Ben and Michael outside of the craziness. Jonathan was so excited to feed the animals, but poor baby, none were interested. He actually surprised me that he was so eager to shove his hand into the animal cages!

AAAA! I didn't see him there. Attack of the Longhorn! And right after this, J walked up and put his hand in this big guys face! I couldn't believe it! I pulled J away just in time and we moved away.

Poor guy, someone please come eat from his sweet little hand??

Crazy Camel

The highlight for me, I have never seen a Porcupine in person before! I had no idea what it was when I first saw it!

He even tried to feed the Turtle!

He turned to me and said, "That's a BIG Pig!"

This made me laugh!

FINALLY! A baby goat ate from my baby!

Fire Dept Open House

Yesterday the Hurst Fire Dept had an open house. I have been waiting a long time for Jonathan to be old enough to appreciate going and it was well worth the wait! We had so much fun! We might have a future Fire Fighter on our hands. :)

Squirting the water hose!



Sliding in the gigantic bounce house shaped like a Fire Engine!




Brother wishes he could join.




Having a blast!



That's a tall ladder!

The Boy's checking out the truck!

Drivin' the truck! He was in heaven!

Watching a cool demonstration.

In the back of an ambulance. Don't worry, it's a dummy on the gurney. It kinda freaked me out too. That Fire Fighter was so nice, he let Jonathan do all sorts of neat things.

Listening carefully with the cool flashlight tool thingy that the Fire Fighter gave him to work on the patient.

Ben gave up and went to sleep.



Got a nifty new hat and had to do a dance.



A jaws of life demonstration. I thought it was funny that the Fire Fighters sat in the car after they cut it up.

Someone woke up..."What's all that noise? Sounds like someone is cutting up a car or something?"

Very interested in the presentation.

One of those bomb robots! It was pretty cool!



Another super nice Fire Fighter let one lucky boy sit in his truck!




He was so happy that he made up a song about Firemen and Fire Trucks on the way home. We will definitely go again next year! Thank you Hurst Firemen!!