Momster 2012

When we were preparing to move back to Brazil after our year on furlough in the United States, I somehow with my sister as witness, finagled a promise out of my dad that he would fly me up for a visit every year for the rest of his life . . . at least that's how I remember it.  Right, Kelley?  I'm sure he'll rue the day he made that promise, but I recently cashed in on the first plane ticket and spent two weeks with my family in Texas.  I had been looking forward to that trip for months, and immediately began to feel the time ticking away as I stepped off the plane.  My twelve days in Texas flew by despite my attempts to slow it down.  We still managed to do a lot of fun things, and I managed to have quality time with each member of my family.  We even continued the tradition of Momster Weekend (a two-day getaway with my two sisters and mom that we started six years ago).

We kicked off Momster 2012 at our traditional lunch spot, Hungry's in Houston.  Then we traveled to Galveston, Texas where one of my sister's clients has a great condo on the beach.

We settled in and began relaxing--eating and shopping.  In fact, a certain Vegan got caught with her hand in the non-vegan cookie jar.  Exhibit A:

But, then again, the rest of us weren't doing too great on our diets either.  Exhibit B:

On Saturday we shopped the historic Strand and ate a delicious lunch at Yaga's Cafe.

Our weekend was about more than food.  There was reading . . .

And memory book organizing . . .

And Downton Abbey screenings . . .

And Phase 10 torture . . .

And, of course, a lot of laughter and fun as well as a few mild irritations (i.e. Kelley's oversensitivity to a certain backseat-driving sister).  Hey, we are a family after all!!!  Strangely, there was no beach outing involved in our beach-side stay.

It was wonderful to spend time with each of them and catch up after almost a year of being apart.  I treasure the relationships I have with them--each unique and different.  It is hard to maintain a feeling of closeness when we are continents apart, but email and Magic Jack help (well, Magic Jack isn't always so helpful).  And, of course, my Dad's promise to fly me up TWO times every year helps.  Right, Kelley?!?

Until Momster 2013 . . .