In Texas, Gustav and Ike were just Names

Not only did we get to see Kevin kick his time goal's butt during his triathlon in Austin, we also did a little cousin and grandparent bonding.

In fact, the day Ike was passing over Austin, Uncle John and grandpa took the cousins to the park for sweet kite-flyin. Take THAT hurricane Ike.





This picture PROVES that Enoch is the coolest kids EVER! I saw him do this each time we went to the park. He plants his head firmly in the gravel and bulldozes paths through the rocks. What a fantastic idea!! He must love the feel of gravel through his scalp or just the sheer joy of knowing he's dirtying his hair all the way to his brain in a matter of moments. Whatever it is - complete genius.



Notice my little, sweet, princess Elle catching the vision. Ahhh, I sense greatness.



Little Sister was so patient with Elle, who insisted on decking her out in Mardi Gras beads and leading her around the house - more than once.



Grandpa secretly wrote grandma this profound sentiment with left behind sidewalk chalk. I think Elle appropriately celebrates its great worth with her rejoicing twirls ON TOP of the symbol.

To quote RobertA, and Gnarles Barkley, "I love Mary" too.




Grandma was a sewing MACHINE! OK, not literally. She sweetly sewed Ellie an "Ellie Doll" as a gift for her birthday complete with wink and wearing a PINK Dora dress (all Very Elle characteristics as her 2nd birthday approaches).



Grandma also graciously sewed all the crazy matching pajama pants I so wisely thought we needed to make. Arien and I cut them out and mom sewed them ALL up. In one afternoon. SEVEN sets. Amazing.

Kevin at the Triathlon

Kevin ran the Austin Triathlon WHILE hurricane Gustav made a direct hit on Houma, LA. He must have directed all his frustration and angst towards the race because he blew his time goal out of the water by about 30 minutes. That race, at that time, was quite an amazing place to be. I'm so inspired when I watch Kevin's races.



The night before the race, my mom, my dad, Arien, John and I stayed up late making KMV shirts to surprise Kevin at his race. My mom and John designed a logo using Kevin's initials and styling the M like the Ironman logo. My mom bought enough shirts for 6 adults and 7 kids to wear during Kev's race. We worked into the late hours stenciling away. Kevin was so touched - first that so many of his family were there to cheer him on, and secondly that we were wearing the coolest shirts ever that praised his name. We got tons of compliments on the shirts and lots of people asked us which race we ran to earn them. Too bad for them they are limited edition for our exclusive fan club.

Crazy Fun at Dick Nichols Park