Updated at last......

Greg and I ~ seeing the famous Texas Blue Bonnett's for the first time

Wow~ where does the time go??? I can't believe it was January when we last updated our blog. And now it's almost May.

Well, since January things have stayed pretty busy for us here in Texas. Work is going well, for both of us. Greg has only had a few trips "so" far this year. And our sales at Panera are doing really well. We have "down" sized our family in the past month. Our little kitty cats now all have new homes ( hopefully) happy ones. It was just getting to be an uncontrollable circus with 3 cats and 2 dogs. It's still crazy with the dogs, but it's a much more controled home now.

Even though they are not with us anymore, they will always be a part of our family.

It's Rodeo Time here in Houston~ Opening night at the Rodeo

The Grand Entry at the Rodeo

Every March marks the biggest Event in Houston ~ The Houston Rodeo. This year we ventured to the Rodeo for 3 different shows. Rascal Flats, Toby Keith and Brooks and Dunn. They were all really good shows. Our good friend Lori from Dallas comes in every year for the BBQ cook-off and to see Toby Keith. We had a lot of fun, and can't wait for next year !!!!


April was an exteremly busy month for us. We flew to Arizona at the beginning of the month to help celebrate my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. Along with a few surprises, we had lined up for the weekend. It turned out to be a great weekend with family. I'm still amazed we actually pulled it off.

The family ( mom and dad, Linda, Will, Greg, Laura and me)


First suprise a success. Linda, Will and Laura flew in and arrived at my parents house while they we at the airport picking Greg and I up.

Surprise number 2~ my mom's brother Roy and his wife Sue would be arriving that Saturday afternoon. The Mission~ keeping mom and dad in the dark, with having to cook "extra" for dinner that night........ Not a problem..... Mission accomplished, and what a BIG surprise !!!!!

When in Arizona, do as the "snowbirds" do..... play shuffle board !!!!

and of course all good games, must have a good cheering section !!!!!!

Mom, Aunt Sue and Will enjoying some cool down time in the shade !!!!


Happy 50th Anniversary Mom and Dad !!!

The yummy cake at the Reception

Mom and Dad with good friend and Minister Wayne

Dad, my uncle Roy and brother Will at the Reception

After returning to Houston, we had just a few days before Greg's mom and Grandma arrived for a visit over the Easter weekend. We had a great time with them here, and the dogs really loved having some extra TLC.

Good Friday ~ we spent touring the Johnson Space Center with Mom and Grandma. It was such a beautiful day- we saw the Training Facility and Rocket Park. We also watched a movie about the Space Program and how far they have advanced, we even had a picnic lunch outside the Center. When we left the Space Center, we took a drive down to Galveston, so they could see the damage that IKE had done.

Mom and Grandma standing in front of a Rocket at the JSC

Saturday we thought we would take a drive out to Brenham, TX where the ever so famous Blue Bonnet's were in full bloom. WOW ~ what a sight, after living here for almost 6 years, we finally saw the fields of flowers, that everyone talks about here in Texas. Of course, I was thinking ahead to Christmas~ and wanted to get a few good pictures for our cards this year. However, we had more trouble getting just one good one. The sunlight, that afternoon- was causing Greg's eyes to water, we tried sitting in different directions, looking down, looking up, looking away..... and well.... here are a few of our funny picutres we ended up capturing that day. Enjoy !!!! ( and who know's which one will end up on our Christmas card)

Smile..... say "Merry Christmas"
Now my eyes and starting to water....

Grandma, Greg and Mom in the Blue Bonnet Fields

Easter Sunday at Church~ The kids get to release Butterflies. The picture below is from Greg's classroom, luckily the rain held off long enough for them to release a few butterflies. It's always a neat experience to see the Butterflies and are kept dormet at 40 degree's in little envelopes, as they start to warm up, they become more active and are ready to be released.

Happy New Year !!!

2008- A look back........

Day after Christmas- Galveston, TX

Well, it's hard to believe that another year has come to a close. Where does the time go???? We usually send out a Christmas Letter with our cards, but this past year has been so crazy. Here with thought, if we make it through the Wedding, things will slow down...... yeah, right, it only got busier. So here is a brief over view of our year, and well wishes for you all as we roll into 2009.

January 2008: My Grandma Steffen passed away on December 21, 2007. In January we flew to New York for her memorial service and some much needed time with the family. Greg also traveled a few weeks in January with work. ( the start of the year of travel)

Me in Downtown Rochester, NY January 2008

Febuary 2008: I was told at work that some down sizing was about to occure, and that I would no longer be over seeing the Catering, and that I would be taking on the role of a General Manager for a Cafe in Missouri City, TX ( about an hour drive from home) I was really unsure of this transition, and didn't think I would like it.

March 2008: Sierra joined our family...... Our little monster, only about 4 weeks old, wandered into the yard on Saturday morning, and found Greg.... LIfe just hasn't been the same since. Although, we are past the every 2 hours of getting up and letting her out each night. We still have to be very careful with what's left out for her to chew. Shelby, I think at times wonders what were we thinking...... Over all it's been fun having the 2 dogs. ( and yes, they went to see Santa at Pet Smart)

Our first night with Sierra- Shelby is not to sure of this

April 2008: More traveling for Greg

May 2008: Greg's brother Graeme graduated with his PHD, and Greg was able to fly back to Chicago for his graduation and a weekend with the family. Congratulations Graeme !!!!

June 2008: And the weekly trips continued for Greg- by this point he's spent time in Iowa, Kansas, Dallas, New Orleans, and Oklahoma. I was transfered to a Panera closer to home in Pasadena. Now I only have about a 15 minute drive to work. It's a much busier Cafe, so it's been a little rough to transition.

July 2008: Greg and I took a week off from work, and spent some time working around the house, and a few days in San Antonio,TX. It was nice to spend some time together and just relax.

Greg and I at Sea World

August 2008: We had a close hit with a Tropical Storm Ed this month. No major damage, just lots of rain and wind. Panera closed down for a partial day as well as Hobart.

September 2008: September 12, Hurricane Ike made landfall. We lost power for 5 days, and took weeks for the city to return to somewhat of a normal way of life. To this day, many houses in our neighborhood are still covered with the blue tarps on the roofs, and fencing down. It was a night we will never forget. Greg was told at that he would be traveling to Kansas City every week until the end of the year to help run the branch up there. I was less than thrilled about this, but had high hopes of a promotion for Greg and a chance to move closer to friends and family.

Looking out our front door the morning after

Kehma Broadwalk, after the storm

October 2008: We celebrated our First Anniversary !!!!

November 2008: We were able to take a vacation up north and spend Thanksgiving with family. And enjoy the snow !!! Sorry for wishing the snow on everyone, but it was AWESOME !!! While in Chicago we learned that Greg would be returning to Houston at the end of the year,due to some down sizing of a few branches in his district. It was not the news we had been hoping for, but we've excepted it, and eagerly are awaiting what the future has in store for us. (all our pictures from Chicago are saved on Greg's hard drive, we'll have to post at a different time)

Greg and I in Chicago- this was our Christmas card picture

December 2008: My parents made the long drive from Arizona to spend Christmas with us. It was sooo nice to have family around for the Holidays. Thanks for making the drive- it truely made our Christmas special. Shelby and Sierra really enjoyed their time with you as well. December 30th- was Greg's final trip home from Kansas City. This marked week number 34 of travel this year for him.

Our Christmas Tree- Santa Came after all

Mom and Dad opening gifts

Shelby showing my Dad what Santa brought her

Mom and Dad on the beach in Galveston the day after Christmas

Moody Gardens Festival of Lights- Galveston, TX

Greg and my Dad in front a Gingerbread house at the Festival of Lights

A Giant Gingerbread house at the Wortham Center- Where we saw the Nutcracker

The girls wondering where everyone is. My parents and Greg all left that morning- it was a very long night...............

We hope everyone had a very Happy Holiday Season (so hard to believe it's over) we send out best wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year.

PS- Go Chargers !!!! Super Bowl bound :)

It's Snowing in Houston !!!!!!

Can you believe this wonderful sight

Yes, that's right..... It's snowing in Houston, TX tonight :) It's been a very cold,wet day here in Houston, (31-35 degree's) and tonight it finally let the white fluffy stuff fall. I couldn't resist taking pictures of the snow here in Texas for the second time in 5 1/2 years. Not a lot of accumulation as of now, but it's still coming down pretty good. Who knows we might be building a snowman in the morning.

Sierra trying to figure out what the white stuff was..... she didn't stay out for long, she's a "Texas Pup" and likes the warmer weather (we might have to buy her some boots if we ever move north)- Shelby on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with going outside and only peaked her nose out the back door !!!

Greg and I returned from our trip to Chicago on Friday night. It was hard to leave, but also nice to be back home. We found out last week, that we will not be moving to Kansas City. Greg will be returning to the Houston branch for now starting at the first of the new year. It was a hard blow for us to find out, but we've excepted it for now, and can only continue to pray for something even better to come along.

In the meantime, we are getting very excited for my parents to come spend Christmas with us. The "girls", are even excited about the possible walks they might get to go on. :) I doubt the snow will still be here by then, but you never know.

Happy Holidays,

Tina and Greg

Let It Snow, Let It Snow......

As you can see I finally got to see this wonderful white stuff, that I've been crying to see for so many years. I know everyone who lives in the Chicago area, is hoping I go home soon. ( I wish I could take the snow with me back to Houston) But thanks for putting up with me and all my prayers for snow while we were here. :) On Monday morning this was the sight we woke up too...... Oh, how exciting it was to finally see snow again !!!!!

More of the awesome snow !!!!!

On Sunday- we made the ever so famous Grandpa Marino Chocolate Chip Cookies with his mom and Grandma. It was well worth the wait of 8 years to finally taste the cookie that everyone spoke so highly about. YUM-O !!!!! Above is a picture of Greg melting the butter in a sink of hot water.

Greg with 2 of his high school buddies- Scott and Joe

Tuesday night we meet up with Scott and Nancy and Joe and his 2 girls for dinner at one of their favorite spots from High School. We had a few hours to hang out and catch up with them. Many stories were told of their days in High School...... Thanks for meeting up with us guys, it was great to see you both.

Scott and Nancy

Joe's girls eating the enormous tenderloin sandwiches (can you believe the size)

Today is Thursday the 4th of December, and were enjoying our last day here in Chicago. It's been so relaxing and nice to spend time with friends and family. Sorry that we didn't have the chance to see Denise and Alan, hope you two are feeling better.

Thanks again to everyone who made us feel so welcome. It truly was nice to see you all, and we hope to get back to the windy city again sometime soon.

Hugs,

Greg and Tina

Thanksgiving in Chicago

Happy Holiday's

Greg and I in front of a Steam Engine at a local Round House in Wisconsin

It's starting to look alot like Christmas..... Hard to believe we are upon the Holiday season already. This year has gone by so fast. ( I guess that's what happens when Greg is out of town 30 out 52 weeks) We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and are just as excited about Christmas as we are. This year we were able to fly to Chicago and spend Thanksgiving with Greg's family. We spent our first few days in Wisconsin with his brother Greame and his family Julie, Jacob and Greyson. Thanksgiving morning we all were up very early and bundled up and headed out towards Madison to watch Julie run in a 5K race. Although, it was only about 28 degree's we still had a great time that morning.

Greyson and Jacob waiting for the 5K race to start

Greg and Greyson and the 5K Race

The boys have grown so much in the year since we last saw them. We really enjoyed playing, and just spending time with them while we were there. On Friday, one of Greame's friends who works for the railroad invited us down to the Round House to see an old Steam Engine, and gave us a tour of the place. It was amazing to climb on the Engine, and see just how those things work. ( Greg enjoyed the tour more than any of us)

Greame,Greyson and Jacob in the Fireman's Seat on the Engine

Me, on the Steam Engine

Grandma Helen, turned 93 on Saturday !!!

Happy Birthday Grandma

Today is Sunday November 30th- This morning Greg and I ventured out to Church. We visited Willow Creek Church ( which is the sister church to our's in Houston) This church was the Biggest church I've seen....... we were given a little fact sheet when we walked in, on average they have about 22,000 people in attendance. WOW !!!! It was a great service, and right in the middle of the service it started to snow....... Yes, it's snowing today :) we are expecting about 3-6 inches today/tonight.

We will keep everyone updated as we continue on our trip in Illinios. We are heading down to see Greg's Dad and Judy on Monday. We will also be visiting some of his friends in the area while there. Hope everyone had a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving. Stay tuned.......