Vroom

Okay, so his feet barely touch the bottom, but Remi loves this exersaucer that we borrowed from a friend. He will stay in it forever. We always get impatient and want to hold him before he ever starts whining. I love how fat his little thighs are!

Out of the loop

Now that our post-Ike lives are starting to calm, I started realizing that we have fallen out of touch with quite a few good friends. I feel so bad that so many important and exciting things have happened to our friends and we don't find out about it for weeks, if not longer. On the flip side, we don't really keep our friends abreast of what is happening to us here in Texas. Is it out of sight, out of mind? I'm not sure. I am making a goal to get back in touch with these people, the people that really do mean a lot to us. Especially since most of the friends we actually see seem to be pilots, and my brain switches off when Keith starts talking shop with them.

What's left...

For those who didn't get a chance to check out the slide show, here are a couple of examples of what happened to Galveston during Ike.
Keith's cozy little room


Keith's old family room
Anyone need to use the toilet
What's left of the Mermaid Pier. This structure used to be flanked by two longer piers that served as gift shops

Body Worlds 2 Exhibit

Grundy, our favorite Yale nerd, stayed over Thursday. We wanted to do something fun while he was here. I saw a commercial that Body Worlds 2 was on exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. This German dude, Gunther von Hagens, developed a way to preserve the human body through a process called plastination. Basically they suck all the water and fat out of the body and, through use of vacuums, replace it with polymers and plastics. So you see real bodies and body parts but they look like they are made of plastic. It is crazy. I figured it was a once in a lifetime opportunity so we all went to see it. Holy Crap, it was awesome! I know it is controversial, but I do not find it offensive at all, in fact I left the museum with a whole new respect for life and the human body. If you get a chance, please go see it. In fact, Body World 3 is on exhibit in Salt Lake at the Leonardo, 209e 500s. buy tickets at theleonardo.org. Definitely worth the time and money. Wow. Awesome.

So long Galveston...

Candice and I went to Galveston to retrieve my car. I parked on the fifth floor of a parking structure, so my car was fine. It was pretty sad to see my home away from home in such a state of ruin. Click on the pic below to see all the images of Galveston. Enjoy.

Galveston After Ike

Thank you!

Thank you to all the family and friends who have checked on us by text or phone before, during and after the storm. Callie especially did a great job keeping me updated while I was without internet or TV.
I really appreciate your thoughts and prayers! Hopefully our lives will be getting back to normal soon.
If one good thing came out of this: Keith's Galveston base was destroyed so he will be flying out of an airport closer to home. That might mean I actually get to see my husband everyday instead of 6 months a year!

Just Because

I'll get my power back!

Power was finally restored on day 8! We are still being nomads in Louisiana and dealing with the joys of dogs with diarrhea, no real option but to eat out, nothing to wear but dirty clothes, and weirdos around every corner of our hotel. Today we had a one sided conversation at breakfast with a man who had one tooth. After 5 minutes the only word I understood was 'street' or maybe it was 'sweet' or 'teeth.'
When it seems that I want to just plop down on the bed and cry, I remember that some don't have a home to go back to like I do. Beautiful areas are completely leveled and many have lost their livelihood. Some people don't have enough money to stay in a decent hotel or buy a nice meal. So I am just going to shut up and be grateful that I am with my little family and that we are safe and healthy.

Wah wah wee wah

Power is still out at the house (day 6,) so I thought we would venture to Louisiana to visit Keith. Remi, the Pups and I took the two and a half hour drive from Houston this morning. I was absolutely shocked at how much devastation Ike left in it's wake. Down powered lines, trees, and signs. Lines of 100 people or more waiting outside Walmart and the Red Cross. Gas stations completely stripped of their pumps. By far the most interesting thing I witnessed was a temporary electrical sign that simply read: "House on Road" and wouldn't you know it, there really was a HOUSE ON THE ROAD. The river must of relocated it for the owners. Funny thing is that the house is perfectly in tact. I will post pictures tomorrow

Neighborhood Damage

I took this quick video while going to check on my house. My neighborhood fared pretty well except for one of the houses in the video.

New Trick

I think the days of laying down are over...

Hurrah for Ike

Ike destroyed Keith's crappy Galveston trailer. Now maybe he'll get some decent accommodations!
Here is what's left:

My darling, dearest

Thank you to my sweetest Keith for being my texting cheerleader during the most harrowing night of my life.

Alive and Well

This is a cool picture of a statue on the Galveston sea wall taken before Ike came ashore. We are still waiting to hear from neighbors on the status of our house. But all that matters is that Remington and Candice are just fine. I am sure she will write about the experience in the near future. I have to say thanks to John and Vicki. Thank you a thousand times for harboring my poor refuge family.

Stupid Ike!

This little jerk is going to mess things up. We are planning on our base being destroyed. We evacuated all the aircraft and equipment to Lafayette, LA. I am with the aircraft and Candice is with her family in Houston, hunkering down. The biggest damage will be from the storm surge flooding Galveston and coastal areas. It shouldn't be too bad where we live in NE Houston. Thankfully we are ready for it. Thanks to all those who have called and checked on us. I will post in the morning to let you all know how it went. The good news is that our housing trailers at my base in Galveston will more than likely be destroyed, they are old and nasty. Hopefully they will get us an apartment or at least new trailers.

Utah!

Oh how I loved rolling on soft grass, re-connecting with family and friends, and eating Taco Time...
Em and Buddy
Grandma Beth and Aunt Brenna
Mama She She
Papa Dave and Mama She She
Dani
Dennis and Matt at Affordable Auto
Grandpa Frank and Grandma Beth
Me, Remi, Amy, Luke, Emily, Mason, Tiff, Lucky
Papa
Callie and Bud
Granddad Charlie and Grandma Sharon
Cousin Caleigh
Cousin Zach
Aunt Katie

Newsletter: Month Six

Current Nicknames: 'Baby Son, #1' 'Remingson' 'Reming' 'Rem' 'Remi' 'Kick n Kick' 'Fuss n Fuss' 'Son of Sons'
New Tricks: Grabbing toes, tipping side to side, rolling from tummy to back, transferring a toy from hand to hand, making eye contact, intense focus
Highlights: Swimming, Playing with Pups, Daddy time, New foods, Trying sippy cups
Weight: 19 lbs
Length: 27"

Dear Remington,

Today you turn six months old, and what a month it has been! You continually impress me with your good moods, your smiling face, and your sweet disposition.
This month you sat through 3 movies at the theater without so much as a peep escaping your drooling lips. You still have the patience to allow us to eat at restaurants, go shopping, sit and talk to friends and take long drives. I have had small fears that your patience may be an indicator that something is amiss, because surely we do not deserve such a wonderful addition to our lives. You fit right in with our little family. Unfortunately, Daddy has only gotten to see you about 6 days out of this month because of a crazy work schedule with the hurricane season, and our trip to Utah. But you still recognize him and you adore him fiercely. Your face positively lights up when he walks into a room. Daddy can make you laugh like no other. You guys are two peas in a pod. I love to sit back and watch you play. I know he loves you as much as you love him. We have spent much of this month in the village swimming pool. You enjoy floating in the kiddie pool for hours at a time. We made the mistake of walking you home without mosquito netting and you paid for it with at least 7 bites.
The dogs have been particularly fond of you this month. I have gottn to the point of trusting them with you playing on the floor. One day I was doing dishes and you were laying there playing on a blanket and I heard Niles begin to growl. I was worried that he and Baxter might be wrestling next to you so I ran over just in time to find a stuffed monkey toy (intended for dogs) halfway in your month. It appears that Niles considers you his equal and brought you the toy with the intention of starting a tug of war match. Needless to say it never got that far, and now I have to watch the dogs like a hawk. Uh oh, no, no! The Pipers were kind enough to send you and I on a trip to Utah for my birthday present. In a total of eight hours of flight, you only fussed for about 20 minutes. The first person we saw was Mama She She at the airport. She held you while I went to grab my luggage. I returned to find you screaming your saddest, high-pitched scream. Apparently, the second I left you started wailing. When you finally got used to her, we handed you off to Grandma Beth, and you cried again. This continued for the entire day. As soon as you would get used to someone, someone new would want to hold you and the wails would start yet again. I think the only person you didn't cry for was Grandpa Frank. Luckily, the next day you were back to your old self. We spent 10 fun filled days dragging you around to show you to family and friends. You couldn't get enough of the constant attention and I couldn't believe how much you loved the chaos that seemed to constantly surround us. You maybe cried 4 times the rest of the trip, and that is mostly my fault because I stretched you to the limits on naps and feedings. You created a beautiful bond with both Grandmas and I hope they will be able to see you again soon. Now that we are home, you just have my boring face to look at, and you are actually talking to me again! With all of the attention you were getting in Utah, I felt like you were forgetting all about me! Your sleep schedule is quickly getting back to normal and it's obvious that you were ready for a little peace and quiet.
Today you went in for your 6 month doctor appointment. You were a champ until the nurse gave you your 5 shots! I have never heard such gnashing of teeth! I quickly fed you to stop the crying, propped you up to burp, and you gave me one of your heart-melting grins, as if to say "Okay, I'm ready to go!"
I keep thinking to myself, "This is my favorite age..." but I have been saying that since the day you were born! You truly are a little wonder.
I can't wait to see you grow and change, develop, and try new things.
I love you so!
Love,
Mama

Here we go...Ike!

This is the first time since we have lived here that Keith has had to evacuate his helicopter because of a hurricane. Half of Galveston is under mandatory evacuation and the other half is under voluntary evacuation. So while Keith is in Louisiana, Baby Son and I will be battening down the hatches here. We bought water, food, diapers and extra flashlights today. Here goes nothing!

Back

Well, I'm back from my 10 day trip to Utah which involved no computer time whatsoever. I'll be posting pics a little later.
Thank you Keith for the glorious homecoming!

REST IN PEACE, JIMMY

My grandmother, affectionately known as Nana, recently lost her beloved partner, Jimmy. They have been together for nearly two decades. Jimmy was instantly one of the family and loved by all. He had an energy and passion for life. They were always off on an adventure. New York, Cruises, Europe. I am grateful for the companionship and love he shared with her. I know he will be missed. Our thoughts are with you Nana.

Ahhhh....

I love my job.