Galveston

We had Mark visit for a couple of days over the 4th weekend and Rachel really enjoyed it. We went to the beach which is not something I was able to get Josh to do last year but since Mark had never seen the ocean  we had to take him. If you look close there is a fish jumping out of the water behind Mark and Josh is watching Rachel hold the kite in the one above that.

We have had a really dry summer and the rains have finally been starting to come. When they first fell a little while ago a bunch of different mushrooms started popping up everywhere. I saw at least 6 different kinds. A little time has passed but here are some of the ones I could still find. I also saw show about a guy that eats everything and he wen to a place that specializes in mushrooms. The people forage daily for a million kinds. Makes you wonder if you are looking at something edible and delicious or deadly.

fall in a pine forest

All of Kingwood is not pine trees but we do have a bunch and this part of the park was quite full of them. She was specific about where I was supposed to sit and was adding to the pile. The video was shorter than intended because the camera battery died.

smoky chicken gumbo

Last night I made smoky chicken gumbo. It was spicy rich and wonderful but like all great thing in life it takes time. You just have to plan for when you are making it because the chicken is brined for flavor and tenderness then the chicken is simmered with aromatics to get the chicken super tender and make a super stock. Then it is pretty easy and fast especially if you have your mes en place meaning you dice up your veggies and get out the spices. For the recipe go to foodnetwork.com search Gumbo. It is from Guy Fieri. If you search just his recipes you will find it easier

Lights out

This was actually before Halloween but Rachel pulled a chair up to the kitchen(she does this more and more wanting to cook with me) and discovered she could turn out the lights. I let her turn out the light after the bath everyday but its funner when you don't have help, can do it a bunch of times and when mom makes surprised faces.

Trunk or treat

This is not the most exciting video but it is proof that we went to the trunk or treat that was a few days before Halloween. Rachel learned to say trick or treat..in her little kid way.

shadow

So I don't have a picture of it....yet, but mom said that Monday while I was teaching the art class and she was watching Rachel and Collin that She discovered her shadow! She was walking towards it to catch it and reaching down to touch it and then grandma (mom) played a game where she was chasing Rachel and Collin and catching their shadows. I have to try to get this on camera