Halloween 2018

This morning we walked Noah to school.

I was at my school from about 11:30 - 1:30 and then I came home.

I drove with Chewie to pick up Noah from school.

We ate an early dinner (corned beef) around 5:30 and starting trick-or-treating about 6:00.  Noah's friend Grayson joined us.

It was raining for about the first hour, but then it stopped.

We stopped trick-or-treating around 8:45pm.

The kids each got 11.5 pounds of candy!

Now everyone is getting ready for bed.

It was a fun night.

Another long, long day

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

This morning, just Chewie and I walked Noah to school.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Rachel goes into school early.

I drove into Touch To and worked from there for a while. I planned on being there all day but I ran into an issue on the HomeAway stuff I was working on and had to drive into HomeAway.

On the way, I met Rachel at the Toyota dealership so I could sign the papers that allow me to drive her car.  Rachel has to renew the loaner every 30 days so that's why she was there.  Rachel then drove back to school where she had a staff meeting.

Rachel didn't come home because she started tutoring right after the staff meeting.

I got home just in time to walk and get Noah.  Then I worked for an hour and half before I took the boys to get hair cuts.

After getting their hair cut, we got dinner and then they had a hitting lesson at TRPD.

We're home now and the boys are playing.  Rachel is still out tutoring.  She should be home soon.

Until next time...

Sunny Weekend

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

The sun has finally emerged in Austin.  And today, they were even able to remove the boil water notice!

Yesterday, Noah had a flag football game in the morning.  It was cold at the start of the game, but warmed up quickly.  Noah has developed a specialty of blitzing the quarterback.  Last week, the quarterback did not complete a single pass when Noah blitzed.  Yesterday, Noah was even more successful.  While he didn't get a "sack", the QB just threw the ball up twice when Noah blitzed and it was intercepted and run back for a touchdown.  His team won easily.  It was really nice seeing Noah have that success.

Noah had a birthday party to go to in the afternoon.

While Noah was at the birthday party, I took Evan to his baseball games.  His arm was still hurting so he couldn't play a position where had to throw.  He batted only in the first game.  In the second game, he played first base.  He's a pretty good first baseman so I think he enjoyed being out there playing.  They lost both games.

Evan's friend and teammate, Josh, came home with us and stayed over night.

Evan, Josh and I left early in the morning for today's baseball game.  We stopped at Donut Taco Palace on the way.

Evan's arm felt somewhat better, so he played in the left and right fields.  He got the ball three or four times and they limited the distance he had to throw.  Unfortunately, they lost the game.

After the game, we met Evan's friend and teammate, Angelo and his family at Popeye's.  It was a nice time.

Rachel took Noah to another birthday party.  This party was ice skating.  Rachel stayed at the party.  Then they went to a Wonders & Worries Halloween party.  Finally, Rachel dropped Noah off at Sunday School.

For dinner, Rachel and I picked Noah up at Sunday School.  Then we went to a restaurant called Bamboo Bistro.

We had to stop at Target on the way home to get some stuff for a blog post for Rachel's blog.

The boys are upstairs playing now.

Until next time...

Driving All Over

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

We were able to walk Noah to school today.  It had rained overnight but the rain held off long enough for us to walk to school.  It started to drizzle shortly after we got home.

I went into HomeAway in the morning, then went to Touch To for a meeting.  From there, I drove home and stopped long enough to get Evan.  Then we drove to Cooper's house and picked him up and went to Lakeway for Evan's baseball practice.

Rachel taught in the afternoon, drove and picked Noah up because it was raining.  She tutored in the afternoon.

We got home at the same time and made dinner.

The boys are upstairs playing now.

Until next time...

Still Boiling, Evan's OK

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

Day 2 of boiling our water continued.  We boiled enough yesterday that we actually didn't have to boil anything today.  People are definitely freaking out here.

It was raining (of course) when we got up this morning.  Chewie and I drove Noah the trail and dropped him off.  It was just drizzling so he didn't mind walking the trail.  But it was still too wet to walk.

Rachel didn't come as she has early days on Tuesdays and Thursday for teaching.

I went into Touch To today.

I left a bit early and picked Evan up from school.  I took him to see a Sports Therapy doctor.  He's the one who works with TRPD.  He was great.  He was able to show us that Evan had hurt his ligament from his tricep to his elbow.  It was a bit inflamed and irritated.  He worked on it to ease the swelling.  He gave Evan several exercises to do, and he has to alternate cold and heat.  He has another appointment on Friday morning to see how he's doing and for the doctor to work on him some more.  And then he'll have to come in one more time next week.  He won't be able to play in the field this weekend but he has a chance at playing in the field at a tournament next weekend.

Rachel picked Noah up and then dropped him off at home.  Then she left to tutor.

I came home and worked for a while.  The boys played upstairs.

We grilled chicken for dinner and roasted garlic to put on a loaf of bread that Evan and I picked up after his appointment.

Evan is doing his exercises and watching the World Series.  I guess when Evan can't play baseball, he watches it.

Until next time...

Boiling Water

This morning, we had an email and several notifications on Facebook about the alert to boil water before using it.  We have had a lot of rain here and the city cannot clean the water fast enough.  At 6:30am there were already posts about stores being out of bottled water and lines around the block.

Luckily we had a little bit of bottled water already in the house and then we boiled several pots of water to last through the day.

The alert is still in effect and as of now, school is still on for tomorrow.  They had to make changes to the school lunches and several restaurants are stores either closed or had a limited menu today.

We walked Noah to school this morning.

I went for a short, slow run.

Morry went into work and I went to my work.

I got home a little after 2pm and drove to pick up Noah from school with Chewie.

My tutoring was canceled today.

The kids played outside with Brodie for a little bit this afternoon.

I dropped off Noah at his football practice and Morry picked him up.

When Morry was leaving the practice to bring Noah back home, his car wouldn't start.  I had to drive over so that we could jump start it.  From there, he went to NTB to get a new battery.

I fed the kids dinner at home.

When Morry got home we ate dinner.

The boys are playing video games now, but in a few minutes, they will get ready for bed.

That's a Wrap on the Weekend

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

Evan's baseball tournament was cancelled for yesterday and they just did a one-day tournament today.  Noah still had a football game yesterday.  It didn't rain yesterday, but everything was very wet.  Luckily the football field was in good shape.

Noah was a defensive force.  They would line him up 7 yards off the football and have him blitz.  The rule is you have to be 7 yards away from the line of scrimmage to blitz.  Three times, Noah pulled the flag of the running back just after they took the ball from the quarterback.  While he didn't sack the quarterback at all, he was constantly in the quarterback's face or causing him to have to throw while running leading to poor throws.  When Noah blitzed, the QB didn't complete one pass. Noah's team won easily.

Evan, Noah and I met Alex and Jake Ramati at the movies last night to see Venom.  Jake is Noah's friend from 6 Points.  We had a nice time.

Rachel went to a CBD oil event for influencers with Deborah.  Then she and Deborah got dinner.

This morning, Evan and I got up early to go play in the tournament.  Two weeks ago, Evan had hurt his arm while pitching.  He really hasn't thrown since then until Friday night.  After Friday night, he said it hurt again.  We iced it yesterday and gave him Advil.  This morning, to be proactive, I gave him Advil and had ice on his arm on the way to the games.  He thought he'd be able to go, but during warm ups, he realized he couldn't throw.  He batted in both games, but he couldn't be in the field.  In the first game, he was the one calling the pitches by sending the signs into the catcher.  They won the first game in a shut out.  Evan took some credit for calling a good game.  In the second game, Evan was quite loud directing the kids where to stand or telling them when/where to throw.  He looked like a coach in the dugout.  It was pretty funny to see.

We brought his teammate Josiah back from the game and met his dad at Raising Cane's.  Evan got lunch there.

The boys both played outside with the neighborhood kids.  It was the first nice day we've had in a while.

For dinner, the boys didn't want to go out so we left them at home and both Rachel and I ate at Madam Mam's.

The boys are getting ready for bed now.

Until next time...

The Cold and Rain Continues

This morning Morry and Chewie walked Noah to school.

I was at my school from about 8-12 today.

When I came home I got some stuff done around the house.

Morry and Chewie walked to get Noah from school.

We took it easy this afternoon.  We did not have any activities going on.

For dinner, we had matzoh ball soup and leftover Coke ham.

For dessert, we made shaved ice with a new snow cone maker I was sent for the blog.

Now the boys are playing some until bedtime.

Continued Wet and Cold

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

It wasn't actively raining when we got up this morning, but it had rained over night, it was cold and still wet outside.  We decided to drive.  We didn't go to the front of the school, we dropped Noah off at the trail.

Later in the morning, I went into HomeAway.  I had four meetings there today.  Two were late so I wasn't going to be able to take Evan to practice.  Unfortunately, after I got to HomeAway, I realized that Evan's bag was in my car.  So at lunch, in between meetings, I drove home and dropped his bag off in the garage.

It was raining in the afternoon, so Rachel drove to pick Noah up.

When Evan got home, Rachel took him over to Cooper's house.  Evan was catching a ride with Cooper to practice.  Then Rachel went to a student's house for tutoring.

I picked up Evan from Cooper's house later.

For dinner, we just pulled leftovers out of the freezer and ate that.

The boys are upstairs playing now.

Until next time...

Hitting Lesson

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

Again, it was raining this morning.  Chewie and I drove Noah to school.  Then I drove Evan to the bus stop.  Chewie did not come on that trip.

I went into Touch To today.  I had some meetings there.

I came home and made lunch and had a conference call.  Rachel came home from teaching.  She had stopped at HEB on the way home.

Rachel quickly unloaded the food from HEB and then took Grandma, Papa, Uncle Jay and Aunt Dian to the airport.  They are going to Europe.

From there, Rachel started her tutoring.

Evan, Noah and I went to TRPD for hitting lessons.  Noah did well.  He really seems to get it.  I think if he wanted to, he could be a good hitter.  He seemed to enjoy it.

We came home shortly after Rachel got home and then we made dinner.

The boys are having hot apple cider and then they'll get ready for bed.

Until next time...

News Story Airs

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

A cold front blew in over night.  The temperature went from the upper 80s, yesterday, into the 40s today.  I honestly don't remember an October day as cold as it's been in Austin since I moved here.  This is my twenty-first fall in Austin.  It was raining at the time we needed to take Noah to school so we drove him.  I also drove Evan to the bus stop and he jumped out when the bus came.

The news story that was filmed last Monday aired today after we got home from taking Noah to school.  You can see the story here:

http://www.fox7austin.com/good-day/breast-cancer-survivor-talks-about-brca

I went into HomeAway for a meeting this morning.  Rachel rested until she had to go to teach.

Rachel and I both got home around 2:30.  It was still raining so we drove to get Noah.

After Evan got home, Rachel left to go to tutoring.

For dinner we had steak from the EasyPlate meals.

The boys are upstairs cleaning up.

Until next time...

Quick Trip + Sushi

Yesterday Morry and Evan went to Mansfield, outside of Dallas for a baseball tournament.

Last night, since it was just Noah and me, I asked Noah what he wanted for dinner.  He said he wanted sushi, so we tried a revolving sushi restaurant.  We had a nice time.  Look below for the video.  After dinner, we went to the bookstore next door.  It was a Japanese bookstore that had gifts and books with an Asian theme, but also American and English products as well.

This morning Noah had an 8am football game and had to be there at 7:30.  He and his team played well. They won 28-6.

There had been a lot of rain in the Dallas area and this morning, they canceled the baseball tournament.

Morry and Evan ate breakfast with the team and then drove back to Austin.  2 other boys rode in the car with them and came back to our house.  Then, 2 more boys were dropped off here as well.

The last kid was picked up a little after 7pm.

We ate dinner at Panera.

Now the boys are playing some video games.

Full Day

This morning Morry and Chewie walked Noah to school.

I was at my school from 8am - 12 noon and then went to H-E-B before going home.

Morry and I walked with Chewie to get Noah from school.  Noah had a field trip today and it sounded like he had fun.

Noah played outside with Brodie this afternoon.

For dinner we made and Everyplate beef sandwich meal.  The kids ate well. 

After dinner, we went to the Thrift Store to look for items for the kids' Halloween costumes.   Evan wants to be Marty McFly and Noah wants to be Doc from Back to the Future.  We were able to find some good stuff for Evan, but nothing for Noah.  I think we'll have to shop online for Noah.  Does anyone have a lab coat we can borrow?  :)

Here a picture from tonight.

Soon the boys will get ready for bed.

Everyone Busy on a Wednesday

This morning we walked Noah to school.

I didn't have to be at school until 12:30 since the kids had PSAT this morning.

I drove to pick up Noah from school and dropped him off at Grandma and Papa's house.

I tutored 2 students this afternoon and got home around 8pm.

While I was out, Morry took Evan to baseball practice and then stopped at Grandma and Papa's house to get Noah on the way home.

Morry and I ate leftovers for dinner when we got home.

Now the kids are getting ready for bed.

Tuesday Like a Monday

This morning Morry and Chewie walked to school with Noah.  I didn't go since I had to be at my school.

After I taught and did study hall I went to the Pink Ribbon Cowgirls lunch at Whole Foods.

I got home about an hour before it was time to get Noah, so I tried to rest a little bit.

We drove to pick up Noah since it was raining.

When we got home I left for tutoring.  I tutored 3 students and got home around 7:30.

Morry fed the kids dinner and then we made dinner, an EveryPlate pork meatballs dish, when I got home.

The boys are getting ready for bed soon.

Parent-Teacher Conference and the News

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

The boys didn't have school today for Columbus Day.  They were able to sleep in.  I slept in a bit before I had to get up and feed the animals.

With it being a teacher in-service day, the parent-teacher conferences are held.  It's not really like a one-on-one.  The child shows you their work and you can talk to the teachers for a bit.  I took Noah in and saw his work.  His main teachers like him and had really nice things to say about him.  They talked about how happy and how laid back he is and how smart he is.  I spoke to his math teacher about making sure he's challenged and we talked about having Noah in Algebra by seventh grade.  It was a good conference and Noah is doing well.

The Fox 7 Morning Show came to our house to do a follow-up on Rachel and talk about the BRCA 1 Gene Mutation.  So they came to our house and interviewed Rachel and then took some shots of us in the house including Chewie.  They had already arrived by the time I got home with Noah.

I went into HomeAway after that.  Rachel left to tutor.  The boys stayed home.

For dinner, Evan went to Grandma and Papa's.

Rachel, Noah and I had grilled chicken and couscous.

The boys are upstairs and will be getting ready for bed soon.

Until next time...

New Car

This morning I left the house before 7:30 to get to my 8:00 class, so just Morry and Chewie walked Noah to school.

After my school duties were over, I got to the car dealership around 12:30.  They have a new car for me to drive.  I turned my old Highlander in and got a new 2018 one with just 82 miles on it.  It's silver on the outside and black inside. 

I drove with Chewie to get Noah from school.

Morry was out all day with work stuff and he had an even tonight so it was just the boys and me for dinner.

We got another one of those Everyplate meal kits.  Evan chose the steak dinner, so I made that for us.  The boys really liked the meal.

Morry got home around 8pm.

Now the boys are getting ready for bed.

Here are a few pictures.

Middle of the Week

This morning we walked to take Noah to school.

After that, I took it easy at home for a little bit.

I had a phone meeting at 10am and then at 10:30am Anna picked me up to go to school.

I got home around 2:00.

I drove to pick up Noah from school and the dropped him off at Grandma and Papa's house.

Shortly after Evan got home he and Morry left for baseball practice.

Noah was ready to be picked up at about 7pm. 

When we got home I started making dinner and Morry and Evan got home just a few minutes later.

We ate dinner.  Morry and Evan had pasta.  I had fish and green beans.

Soon the boys should be getting ready for bed.

Oh, and today is the 1 year anniversary of when we got Chewie!

Back to Work

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

Rachel had gotten up very early yesterday to walk at the Race for the Cure.  So this morning, she slept in and did not come with me to take Noah to school.  Part of the reason is that Rachel knew that she was going to be going back to work for the first time.  She wanted to make sure she was well-rested for that.

A woman from the neighborhood also teaches at the Austin Tennis Academy.  She picked Rachel up around 10am to carpool in.  She also brought Rachel home at the end of the day.  Rachel was tired but it went well.

I went into HomeAway for a few hours in the morning.

In the afternoon, Rachel rested some more while I walked to get Noah.

Noah had flag football practice and Evan went to Grandma and Papa's for dinner in the late afternoon.

Rachel, Noah and I had chicken tacos for dinner.

We just got back from walking to pick Evan up.

Until next time...