Snow At 1718 Gardenia

Ok...I know....it don't take much snow to get Houstonians all worked up.

We came back from a great pizza at Doyle's with having had light flurries from about 5 pm on.

Then around seven it picked up and the whole neighborhood was out taking pictures (including me as you can see) and kids were laughing and screaming. It lasted about an hour.

A little snow in Houston goes a long way.

Thanksgiving 2008

As we made our annual pilgrimage to San Antonio for Thanksgiving we did it with prior knowledge that Andrea, Shane, Gabe, and Chase were not going to be with us for the first Thanksgiving in a looooong time. They made the trip to Atlanta to give thanks with Tyler, Hannah, Coppelia, and Estee for their first family Thanksgiving.

The GuidryPeas drove in Wednesday around noon to help Janel prepare the feast. Andrea's gang we learned were to be replaced by Robert & Cheri Griffins family so the crowd was not thinned at all. Two turkeys were cooked and an extra portion of homemade noodles had to be sliced and dried.

As usual Janel's meticulous table settings were marked with name cards prepared by Jenna and everyone's Indian name was written underneath. Mine was Patel (oops...wrong kind of Indian). We finished the evening with a round of Cranium and began planning for Christmas 2008 right back in San Antonio.

This was my birthday present....

GuidryPeas Go See The GrandTwins

We spent the Halloween weekend with Coppelia & Estee. Oh yea....Tyler and Hannah and Mamah Two (Vicki's mom Evelyn had spent the week helping Hannah) were there as well. Sweet Hannah went all out for my birthday with a handmade banner for PeaPa Trick or Treat and an excellent home cooked Shrimp Creole dinner. As the pictures show, we all had hats (even Tyler!) and sat down at the table which was decorated in Halloween style. Hannah took a cue from Vicki and made chocolate pudding (a birthday tradition for me) and brownies for all. I have a sweet daughter-in-law.

We can't believe how much the girls have grown and changed since Labor Day weekend. Coppelia is ready to walk and Estee is working real hard at crawling (the tunnel pictures of Estee were taken as I was calling for her to come to PeaPa....Tyler asked "Is that Estee crawling thru there?" - We were all proud of her (and her two little bottom teeth that stick out when she smiles).

It was a really good weekend. The weather was great, cool at night and very comfortable during the day. Nice to be with family and sharing their love with their children.

As true grandparents.....we spoiled them and split.

After Ike

Update 5:00 P.M. Friday: Cable TV and Internet are back!!

We got power back Wednesday 24Sep08 apparently around 2:00 pm. A neighbor went home to get ready for a doctors appointment and walked by her refrigerator and said "Why is the light on in my refrigerator?". Then she did a dance, called all of us, and we danced.

You don't know how much you miss electricity until you don't have it. We were two towels away from using Garner camping towels and close to having to buy new underwear. You can't wash clothes.

Funny thing Wednesday night was I kept going into rooms in the dark (I was getting used to it) instead of flipping on the light switch, which I had been doing all along without success.

Next milestone....restoring cable & internet.....come on Comcast.

Ike

It is Thursday afternoon and I finally got internet at work. We are without power still and the optimistic target is by Monday 22Sep08....the pessimistic is sometime after Monday 22Sep08. As you can see in the pictures there is alot of trees down in the area. We had just a minor leak (rain blew thru the vent) and of course some limbs and leaves. We lost power around 12:35 am on Saturday.

The tree across the street fell into the neighbor's house and poked what the owner thought was one hole that he patched....then Sunday morning we got 4-6 inches of rain and he found out there was a second hole....wood floors...bad.

We were blessed to come out unscathed for the most part.

The Kelly's, our next door neighbors, and us dined for 3 days on what was in our freezers. First night was Crab Cakes, chicken and dumplings, and tamales. Second night was left over roast and rice and the third night was gumbo and tacos. The combinations were strange but it tasted really good.

....waiting for power.

Hurricane Ike

Ok....here we go....Ike is headed for 1718 Gardenia. GuidryPeas preparations have been made.

We expect winds and rain beginning later tonight.

I have picked up, tied up, boarded up, and stocked up. Will do a post mortem tomorrow....if we have electricity.

8:30 PM Update - 30 mph wind gusts - light rain....still have electricity and a glass of Cab (not pictured)

We Are Family - McKinney Texas Aug 2008

We (along with Evelyn aka MaMah2) were in McKinney from 20Aug - 24Aug while Tyler, Hannah & the girls came to visit Andrea, Shane, & the boys. We had brisket, chickens, MaMah2 beans & German potato salad and swam and enjoyed each other's company. MaMah & PeaPa are truly blessed to have had this time with our family.

Vicki Is Morton Free

Vicki had surgery on her left foot to remove a Morton Neuroma (enlarged nerve) last Wednesday. The surgery seems to be successful and she has been pain free. I have been waiting on her as much as she will let me. We watched 4 movies (27 Dresses, I am Legend, Juno, and The Great Debaters)over a couple of days and put her "P Pony" in the shop to fix all the dings over the last 3 years.....so it has not been a cheap week. :)

Link to Morton Neuroma info

Garner State Park 2008

This is our 22nd year to go to Garner State Park. The weather was beautiful (excuse a few rain showers) and we had three generations of family there for a wonderful time. PeaPa brought his famous brisket and carne guisada along with steak, hot dogs, Joe McMuffins and plenty to drink. The Frio was a little low but we made the best of it....enjoy!

Hats On to the Cousins

The GrandTwins Tour Texas

T T T T

Michael Anthony Guidry

After a courageous battle with brain cancer my brother Mike left us for a better place on Friday March 7, 2008. His wife of 42 years (Mary Ann), Vicki & I were standing over him reciting the rosary when he took his last earthly breath...a fitting send off for Mike.

The family gathered to celebrate his life with a funeral mass at St Jerome Catholic Church in Houston where he attended daily mass with his wife.

Mike is buried in Brenham Texas.

We will miss his infectious laugh, sense of humor, and love of life. Party on Mike until we meet again.

Da Peas Got Grandtwins