Houston, TX

Houston Kingwood Terry and Charlie
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2008-12-14

Most of the day was spent traveling. Continental did not have direct flights from Dulles (the closest airport to Megan) to Houston, so Lori and Ian flew from Dulles to Newark on a small plane and then from Newark to Houston. They arrive into Houston a little after 2 pm where Sue picked them up from the airport. She made them hamburgers for dinner that night and they all caught up on the last two weeks of Lori and Ian’s travels.

Needless to say, when Santa arrived, the kids (except for John Michael, who is still frightened of Santa) were screaming in excitement and the adults were laughing and Megan was almost red.

Houston El Patio Mexican restaurant Lori Carol and Marc
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2008-12-15-23

After traveling, visiting with everyone and seeing things, it was nice to sleep in and know that there was not too much of a rush to get up. Lori and Ian spent time over the next few days getting ready for their trip, finishing the Christmas shopping, and helping her mom, Sue, get the house ready for the rest of the Miller, Friel and Parkes family for Christmas. On Wednesday, we went to Carol’s house for lunch. She prepared a wonderful meal that started with a salad with carrots, walnuts and raspberry dressing and had a tasty beef stew that Ian treated himself to two servings of. We spent some time visiting before heading back to Kingwood. Ian cooked us a Shepards pie that night for dinner, which everyone found yummy.

Houston Xmas Tree Ian
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On Thursday night, we met Carol and Marc (Lori lifeguarded with Marc in Kingwood when they were 16) for Aggie Happy hour at the Shot bar in mid town Houston. Carol, Marc and Lori were definitely some of the few people Aggies there who had graduated in the 90s. We stayed for a few drinks and then went to a TexMex restaurant nearby for dinner. Ian tried some fajitas that included quail legs and bacon. After dinner, we hung out at Marc’s flat near by for awhile before heading back to Kingwood.

Houston Xmas Tree Train Terry
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Friday, Lori’s dad’s, Terry, had the day off work, so they all worked together on the house. Carol came over for dinner that night and Ian treated us to a spicy stir fry. On Saturday, Julia arrived home with Ellie, her year old white, teacup Maltese dog. After Ian cooked a yellow curry for everyone, he and Lori worked on putting the Christmas tree, lights and ornaments up, while Terry put up his 30+ year old train around the Christmas tree and a playhouse for John Michael who was arriving the next morning. Megan, John and John Michael arrived in from Washington DC early the next morning. The day was spent visiting and catching up with everyone. The final Christmas guest arrived the next afternoon, Janet, Ian’s mom, from the UK. Megan and John went on a date to the Melting Pot that night, so we helped babysitting John Michael. He kept us busy. The next day, we took a trip to the Natural History Museum in Houston. On the trip there, we got a view of downtown. We spent time at the butterfly enclosure and exhibit. Janet was a pro at getting the butterflies off of the leaves and on to her hands. Ian and I did not really master the technique. We ate at Mission Burrito in the Rice University district for lunch. Soon after we arrive home, Lori’s Aunt Susan, Uncle Randy, Cousin Jennifer, Joe (her husband), Clint (her son), Cousin Christine, Aaron (her husband), Cousin Andrew, Second Cousin Joe, and Second Cousin Susanne arrived for dinner. The cousins took over the dining room for dinner and all the “adults” had dinner in the kitchen. We had a good time visiting with everyone and it was nice for Janet and Ian to meet all the family as they had only met Randy and Susan at Lori and Ian’s wedding. Clint and John Michael were entertained by the train around the tree and some cars, which they traded each other with part way through the night.

Houston Downtown Natural Science Museum Janet and Ian
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Houston Downtown Natural Science Museum Butterfly Centre Janet and the Butterfly
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2008-12-24

Christmas Eve was a relaxed day. Lori spent most of the morning wrapping gifts. We had a turkey dinner in the early afternoon and then attended mass. We went to Joe and Susan’s house that night for dinner. We got to see their children Michael and Laura and their extended family. We had not been to their house for their annual Christmas party in a few years, so we were not aware that Santa made a personal stop at the house. Luckily, John stopped him arriving and helped secure the rain dear, while Santa spent some time with the kids. =) Needless to say, when Santa arrived, the kids (except for John Michael, who is still frightened of Santa) were screaming in excitement and the adults were laughing and Megan was almost red. Soon after Santa left, we went home and were tucked under the covers waiting for Santa to arrive at the Miller house.

Downtown Houston
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2008-12-25

Lori was not in her usual form this year, so the family was not up at their normal 6 am time. She knew that this year would be dependent on John Michael’s schedule and for the first time since he arrived, he slept in. Most of the family was up at 8 and by 8:30, we were in front of the tree opening our stockings and having our tea and coffee. The opening of gifts one by one then started with a breakfast casserole and muffin break in between. As it was nearly 80 degrees in Houston, we also skipped our usual once a year fireplace use. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and talking to various people on the phone. Sue treated us to a wonderful ham meal for dinner.

Houston San Marco Party John as Santa John Micheal and Megan
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2008-12-26-29

The 26^th (Boxing day for the British) was spent visiting with everyone and some after Christmas shopping. Megan, John and John Michael were up early the next morning and we all had breakfast before they were taken to the airport. Julia was hoping to leave that day as well, but she was not feeling well, so she stayed at home another day. The next day was another early morning, as Julia and Ellie packed up for their 9 hour drive back to Tulsa followed by Lori and Ian taking Janet to the airport for her flight back to the UK. On the 28^th, Lori and Ian packed up their things and took their flight to Quito, Ecuador to start their South American leg of their trip.

Houston Xmas presents John Micheal Megan and Ian put santa on tree
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