Spandaus in Amsterdam

Here are two photos sent this morning (around 2 pm in Amsterdam today!) of Simone and Robert trying on some of the wonderful items at the Diamant Museum - looks like fun!

Simone is "wearing" the Queen of Holland necklace and the Bridal Tiara of Queen Elizabeth II of England!

Robert is "wearing" a tiara from the Russian Imperial Treasury, a tiara worn by the last Russian Empress, Alexandra, wife of Czar Nicholas I (before the Russian Revolution, of course).

More birthday doin's

Today, Anne took Kira and three friends (and me) to Minute Maid Park to watch the Astros play the NY Mets. The game was sad, but we all had a good lunch and a fun time.

The four girls before we left for the game


The four girls as we were getting settled at our table


Kira and Abbi sharing a BIG brownie sundae!


Jenna and Morgan sharing their brownie sundae!


Kira's shot of the field and the stadium from where we were sitting

Kira went shopping!

Kira got a gift card for Justice (clothing for girls), as well as a 40% off card! She was very excited and had been browsing through the Justice website yesterday. Today we went to the nearby store, and she had a field day! Shop, shop, shop!

Here are Kira and Abbi modeling Kira's finds - two shirts with wonderful words and designs, and a sparkly hat. She's a very happy girl!

Happy Birthday to Kira!

Today, Kira turned 9. She's such a happy girl!

First, she and her brothers and I went to Starbuck's - her choice for breakfast! Then when we got home, she started opening all her cards. She collected a tidy sum, and after Austen's clarinet lesson for the week, we went to pick out her new NintendoDSi.

Blue Bell Creamery -- yummmm!

Today, Jodi and her kids and Anne's kids and I went to Brenham, a town west of here, where we went on a tour of the Blue Bell Creamery. This is a wonderful day-trip, not too far away, good activity (how all that ice cream is made), and yummy ice cream at the end of the tour. Afterward we went to lunch and then drove back home. Clearly, the kids had a GOOD time!



Here, the kids are standing next to one of the first refrigerated trucks used by the creamery in ... what? ... the 1930s, I think.

Happy Birthday to Anne!

Happy, happy birthday to Anne ... yesterday!

After work, Anne met us at our favorite place for TGIFs ... and their wonderful margaritas!

Clockwise, there's Austen, Parker, Austin, Kira, Abbi, and Anne.

(Click on the photo to "biggify" it!)

We had a great dinner and a wonderful time!

Kira and Abbi were the only ones who would allow close-ups!

Wouldn't you know ... ?? =)