Back to B-more

Trisha and Dave are selling their home and moving back to Baltimore. This is bittersweet for me considering I will miss them a ton, but I miss the east coast trips; sitting on her porch or at a dive on Fell's street....or at Daniels Biker Bar. I could go on and on:) Anywho, the house is amazing so if you know anyone looking for property on or near the water in Clear Lake area send them a link to the property description. Simply click on the link below.

For Sale: 4BR/3BA Single Family House in Taylor Lake Village, TX, $369,000

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The Graduate

On June 3rd my baby girl graduated from elementary. It was bitter sweet. She is growing way too fast, but growing into such an amazing young lady at the same time. She is intelligent, compassionate, confident, polite and funny. I have always been so proud of her and she never ceases to impress me. Brianna received the presidents award from Barack Obama for maintaining an A average for the entire 5th grade year! She also received a citizenship and merit award. Way to go Bri Bri, keep up the hard work in Jr. High and you will ROCK!

Bri with her friends Nicole, Sophie, and Carolina

Memorial Day Weekend

What a way to kick off the summer....First and foremost I would like to acknowledge and thank all of our heroic veterans and troops that have sacrificed their time, families and lives so that we can have the ability to enjoy ours. God Bless our troops.

We had a wonderful weekend partying it up with family and friends. Between the 4 of us we had 6 parties to attend, not counting the ones we threw. Needless to say we are all taking it easy this Tuesday. Thank goodness we all have the day off to recuperate. Summer break can not get here fast enough.

LOOK What Uncle Nestor taught us!!!!

The spectators circle (what a great example they are setting) Chef Louie cookin it up

Aunt Kristin teaching Bella to swim

The many faces of Bella Rose

She was getting jiggy with it before bedtime:)

Chuck E. Cheeeeeeese!

We took the girls to Chuck E. Cheese for Anthony's Birthday. The last time Bella went she was 7 months and really not big enough to get the full effect. Things were quite different this time around. She was all over the place and loved it. She rode the little carousel about twenty times and waved like she was theFair Queen to everyone that passed by.

Pay Day!

Bri finally received her much anticipated paycheck for her modeling gig. She has spent her money three times over in her head and even starting a running tab with me. The loving mother I am decided to give her a break and not charge agent or interest fees:) She bought a new bathing suite, digital camera and a few shirts and put the rest in the bank for a rainy day.

Mother's Day

Walk to Empower

Bri and Louis

Bri and I @ Cyclone Anaya's for lunch lookin rough after the walk

99 bottles of wine on the wall

And last but definetly not least...... Bella's Mother's Day card to me. By the looks of the picture and the card ripped in two I really don't think she was feeling all that crafty that day at school.

America's Next Top Model???

As you all know, Brianna and I are obsessed with Top Model. We never miss a season and Brianna has been practicing her "model walk" since she has was 5! Monday night Bri had her first modeling gig. Here's how it all went down.....

I received an email last week from a casting director scouting for a Walmart ad targeted to the Hispanic market. I told Bri about it and she wanted to pursue it. We sent a picture in and received a call for an audition the following day. Out of 248 girls (most with agents and professional head shots I might add), Brianna was one of two that got the job.

The shoot was from 8pm-5am and Brianna's call time was 10pm (on a school night). We arrived a little early to check things out and watch another shoot before Bri was up. Her and Luis were indulging in the catering and playing a game on the iPhone when she started complaining she was feeling nauseous. I just thought it was her nerves getting to her because this was the first time she had ever done anything like this and there were lights, people and cameras everywhere. I gave her a little ginger ale and went into the bathroom with her to change into wardrobe. She got completely pale and I could tell she was going to be sick. She was determined to go through with the shoot (I doubt the $650 paycheck had anything to do with it). Luckily we were at a Walmart so I got some kids Pepto thinking that would calm her stomach(NOT!). I also got a thermometer to check for fever even though she didn't feel hot. I think that was just to reassure myself It couldn't be the swine virus. She vomited again while in hair and makeup and twice more while shooting. We had a trashcan at the end of the aisle She was shooting. She would just take a walk outside to get some fresh air, rinse out her mouth and say she was ready to go back in. She was such a trooper and I don't know how she did it. Tyra would have been proud!!!

The ad is supposed to come out in June. I will definitely get a copy and post it for everyone to see. Needless to say with all the commotion and concern for Bri i didn't even think to get any pictures. I did get one before the shoot and had her reenact the toilette episode after all was said and done. hehe

Brianna is fine now. It was either just a 24 bug or the fresh paint fumes got to her in the new building we were shooting in. She said she loved it despite the circumstances and can't wait to do another shoot. Watch out world, we may have a new Super Model on our hands!!!

Fun at the Davis's

This past week was packed with appointments/activities. I had several showings, Bri had volleyball practice and games. Her team has still not won a game but they are improving daily. This week I am going to plan a get together so that all the girls can get to know one another better. Another mom and I were discussing it throughout the last game and think better communication off court will help them improve their game on court.

Friday night I went to dinner with Kirsten and some old friends to celebrate her 29th bday. Saturday after Bri's game we headed to The Davis compound in Angleton to catch up with the Psencik clan. We had a great time playing washers, horse shoes, Tripoli and eating 100lbs. of spicy crawfish and cold beer. The older kids went paddle boating and Bella had the time of her life just getting dirty and running free. It was great to see all our family and catch up. We came home Sunday and worked on our garden, cleaned the pool and just relaxed. Kirsten brought the kids over in the evening so they could play. Bella was being very sweet to Brooklyn as usual at first , but then all of a sudden her "mean streak" kicked in. She did not want Brooklyn to touch any of her toys and was trying to spank her. Needless to say the playdate had to be cut short and Bella was put to bed.

I think Carly ate double her weight in Crawfish

Let's just say Luis is NOT the World's Greatest Washer Thrower

By Sunday Bella was exhausted and not in a very good mood for a playdate. She also decided to take up the pacifier she was has never shown an ounce of interest in before. She swiped Brooklyn's several times before I managed to dig one out of her toy box. After Brooklyn left she wanted nothing more to do with it and decided to give it to Duchie instead.

Happy Earth Day to all!

Here are a couple of events in our area you can join to help celebrate Earth Day.

All area H-E-B storesApril 22nd, 2009 3pm-7pm
Houston-area H-E-B stores will be hosting a plastic bag recycling drive in celebration of Earth Day 2009. H-E-B will be offering a coupon for a free reusable shopping bag to each shopper that brings in five plastic shopping bags for recycling.

Wednesday, April 22Earth Day at the Texas Medical CenterOrganized by the Houston Medical Center Recycling CollaborativeJohn P. McGovern Commons
11a.m.-2p.m.
Thousands of students, employees and visitors will come together to celebrate the first-ever collaborative Earth Day celebration at the Texas Medical Center. Nearly 30 hospitals, universities, businesses, governmental agencies and community organizations will participate and share information on their sustainability initiatives. Special events - including an electric car, a roulette wheel of eco-prizes, and a demonstration of green cleaning technology - are also planned. Visit http://www.hmcrc.org/earthday or e-mail earthday@hmcrc.org for more info


Wednesday, April 22City of Houston Earth Day Community ForumNational Conversation on Climate Action
7:00- 9:00 p.m.UH CampusM.D. Anderson Memorial LibraryRockwell Pavilion4800 Calhoun Rd.Houston, TX 77004
This Earth Day, be part of the action! Be part of the conversation! Save money on your energy bills each month by taking steps to green your home or business. Engage in action-oriented dialogue with other concerned citizens to build a more cost effective, sustainable future for your community! Get expert advice and assistance to design your own personal energy action plan! Learn how the city is investing in a more sustainable future and saving taxpayer money. Seating is limited, so you must rsvp. Send an email with the subject “National Conversation” and your name to ryan.foshee@iclei.org. For more information, go to http://www.climateconversation.org


Wednesday, April 22City of Houston - Code Enforecement Green Building Resource CenterPre-Opening Event
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.3300 MainHouston, TX 77002
Refreshments * Giveaway Drawing * Eco Hints * And More. The public will be able to have their plans reviewed for opportunities to add green strategies to save energy, save water and make their buildings healthier. Peruse the shelves and displays, touch and feel samples, and learn about green building options in a relaxed setting where they can browse on their own, use an interactive kiosk, or ask questions of the staff Program Director. For more information: Steve StelzerAIA, 713-535-7508 or Steve.Stelzer@cityofhouston.net

I have been attempting to make changes in our home for some time now. I am getting really good at digging through the trash to salvage the recyclables my family refuses to sort. I know I can do much more and am going to try really try to make a conscious effort to do so. Today to celebrate Earth Day I am taking bella to the library where they have a little workshop and story on planting vegetables. Hopefully by the time we get home Daddy will have that garden we have been talking about all tilled up for us and ready to start planting. (I am not holding my breath).

Gruene with the Grans

This past weekend Brianna, my mom, both of my grandmas, my aunt Trisha and cousin Chelsea went to Gruene Tx. We had dinner at the delicious Grist Mill, we shopped til we dropped at the Gruene Market Days and San Marcos outlets, listened to a great band play at Gruene Hall and capped off the evening sipping wine under a weeping willow. It was a perfect weekend to take a break from our usual always on the go lifestyle and just relax and catch up with family. We had such a nice time and I know my grandmother's did too. Bella and daddy seemed to manage just fine without us this time. Luis hosted a poker/ufc party for the guys when we were gone and not only was the house still standing, but completely spotless when we returned. I will post pics as soon as I figure out where Bri stored them. She was in charge of photography for this trip:)

Easter

The Rangel clan decided to have our Easter celebrations on Saturday because thunderstorms were in the weather forecast for Sunday. We ate more crawfish (no complaining here) BBQ brisket and lots of other yummy treats. The kids did an egg hunt, died easter eggs and had a treasure hunt. The adults ended the night with yet another highly competitive game of Taboo. Thankfully we are all still on speaking terms. j/k

Bluebonnets!!!

Kirsten and I took the kiddos to take pics with the bluebonnets. Bella was not happy about having the scratchy grass touch her legs but I managed to get a few good shots.

Although, the majority of them looked like this........

Afterwards we stopped by Paige's house for a crawfish boil in honor of her Uncle Ricky. He is heading off for the Navy Seals. We will keep him in our thoughts and prayers until his safe return home.

Camping on the Guadalupe.

Our family loves camping and we wanted to fit a trip in there before it got too hot. After Brianna's volleyball game on Saturday we headed to the hill country for a fun filled weekend of smores, fishing, cookouts, campfires and ghost stories. Luis's brothers and sisters and their kids came along and we all had a blast.

Spring Fever!

Spring is in full bloom! I just love this time a year. We have been doing alot of work in the yard getting ready for pool parties, BBQ's and all of the other fun that comes along with the sun.

March Madness

March was a great month. I turned 29! Brianna started volleyball, sang at seaworld, and worked hard to ace her TASKS test. Kirsten, my mom, Bri, Dev and I went to San Antonio to celebrate Devon's birthday and hear Brianna's big performance. Bella and daddy opted to stay at home and "hold the fort down". (Honestly, I didn't think the Alamo could withstand hurricane Bella.) We had a great time at the Riverwalk, Wild Animal Park, Seaworld and the Alamo. We packed alot in a short trip and were all exhausted by the time we returned home. I think Daddy and Bella were too!

February take 2

I could not leave out my favorite time of the year! The HLSR BBQ Cookoof. Yeeeeehaw!

Thanks guys, you put on one heck of a party!

My mom, her ole'school buddy LeRoy and my honey

And even though our little munchkin could not partake in all the rodeo activities I had to post this picture (from many months back) because it just fit the occassion.