Fun Fest Weekend

If it's the first week in October, it must be Family Fun Fest Weekend at St. Vincent -- and we did it all! Friday night was the perfect start to the weekend. I declared it Family Date Night, and we all went to the taqueria for dinner. The boys got their usual (Porter: taco, rice/beans; Jackson: enchilada, rice/beans) and we all shared yummy queso and chips. Katie and I got the parlliada tapitita (mixed grill of beef/chix fajitas, sausage, grilled shrimp, quail, queso fresco, onions, quac -- tons of food) and I had a couple of very nice margaritas. We all needed a good night out. By the time dinner was over, though, we were all a bit exhausted. Jackson laid his head down on my lap while I finished my last fajita, and I knew it was time to take the boys outside while Katie wrapped up.

Saturday we hung out around the house for most of the day until our nephew Kyle came to visit for the night. Tim and Christina had a party to go to, so we let him spend the night with the boys. Saturday night was bingo night at church, and we all loaded up the truck for a little numbers action. Katie and the kids spent most of the time running around outside and playing on the playground, though. I probably should have done the same, since I didn't win any games. But it was fun just keeping up. Saturday night after we got home, we let the kids stay up late, and finally got them in bed around 9:30. Porter, of course, couldn't get to sleep, so he was up a bit later. I spent the rest of the evening polishing off some Sam Adams Oktoberfest and watching Sat.Night Live -- season premiere. Given the fact that the debates were this week, there was ample jokes -- good ones all around!

Today the kids got up way too early (about 6, then finally out of the room at 7). Katie took them to breakfast and to the park so I could sleep. Kyle went home about 10:30, and Katie went to help set up the Festival games at 11:30. She worked a double shift at the 'duck pond' game, and we got there about 12:15. By the time we hit the festival, things were in full swing! It was a hot day overall, but we did all the games, the jumpers, the cake walk, and did it all again. I had a bbq sandwich from the K of C booth, which hit the spot.

Around 2:30, I was hot and tired, so Katie let me call it an afternoon -- I came home to watch the rest of the Astros win (clinching the wild card spot). I think this is the year they go to the World Series. I just have a feeling...

This evening, we played with the boys, Katie made shrimp creole, I packed for the week in Dallas, and after the boys went to bed, Katie and I watched Starskey and Hutch -- great light-hearted movie. Now it's time to get some rest so I can get up way too early and head to Big D. I think I'm going to make it a short week this week. I'm getting a little breathing room in terms of not having to directly deal with the client's developers/contract staff any more, so I ought to be able to ratchet back a bit. We'll see. All I know is that every time I head out, I know I'm going to miss my boys and wife dearly --