Don't Hog The Grandmother!

Ben and I were in Austin for lunch on Saturday.
It was awesome.
I promised I would only post one picture.

I got to spend some time with Boo.
He can read.

Boo and I bonded over Skylanders.  Yes, it's true.

There was a serious accident during our visit.
None of us were around.  Fortunately a nurse lived next door to the babysitter.Boo assured me he was just fine.

On Sunday Papa Ben and I found ourselves in Lake Jackson.
Amazingly, the breakfast, provided by Uncle Jeff, was from a Czech kolache shop,
Jeff didn't actually attend our breakfast, but the kolaches did, as long as they lasted.

My contribution to the morning fun was a paper bag.  I intended to startle everyone, but the bag wouldn't break.  It got funnier when Jacob couldn't break the bag, either.

Papa Ben never lets us down!

Lunch was butter chicken, of course.

Melanie made the naan.  She's a pro.

Papa Ben and Julia were pretty hungry, but they had a long talk to pass the time.

After lunch, we played.

These kids and their parents are so fun to be around!

We watched Dave's big fish tank.  He now trades coral for fish.
Dave, the coral king.  I didn't see that coming.

Near the top of my list of favorite things to do at Dave's house is feed the anemones.
You can't imagine how exciting this is until you've done it.

Nate loves to play my tile game.  He won.

I managed to tie with Julia.  Whew!

It was at about this point that I heard someone complain, "Hey, don't hog the grandmother!"  I will tell you, I was having such a great time!  I read a chess book before facing Will this time around.  Unfortunately for me, Will had already read the same book.

Jacob and Papa Ben played a marathon game, with Papa Ben finally skunking Jacob.

We enjoyed a marvelous, spontaneous talent show.

For the record, this is not pretend talent.  These kids are quite the musicians.

Matt plays in the senior orchestra ensemble.  He's 15.

To top off the show, Matt and Will played the Piano Guys' Winter Wind.  I was blown away.

To my utter and complete surprise, there was a birthday party.
For me!
I got a present.

There was a candle and a special, homemade dessert by Carolyn.

And -- ice cream!!

Everything was delicious.

We had the best time.

All of us!

I can't wait until next time!