Dear Kids,
Two weeks ago Mom and Dad made a Big Escape. Auntie Noel came to play with you all weekend long and Mom and Dad flew away on a jet plane to Austin, TX to chill with your Uncle Mick and Aunt Denise. It was pretty much totally awesome.
First we went to this really cool section of town "Congress" I think it was called. We went to this amazing western wear store that somehow combined Bohemian Chic with Western Cool. It was pretty amazing to see. We learned that in Texas, everyone and I mean everyone, even your almost-cool Uncle Mick, owns a pair of cowboy boots and at least one awesome western shirt to wear to nicer events. Like backyard bbq's.
I must confess, it made me want a pair of chic cowbow boots myself. Like desperately, like so much so that I didn't even try a pair on because I might not have taken them off.
And this was Daddy's look while I begged for my first pair of chic cowboy boots. Recognize it?
After tearing ourselves away from the bling and the leather, we made it to an awesomely fabulous vintage shop. Mick found a "fez" which apprently he's been searching for for years. Since the brotherhood clubs are pretty much going out of business, they are pretty hard to find.
You probably don't even know what that is. It used to be that men would get together in "fraternal organizations" like the Brotherhood of the Moose, Knights of Columbus, etc. They would do a few service projects a year, ride their cool cars or motorcycles in parades with their cool hats, and generally hang out and drink in their clubs. But you hardly ever see them any more. Luckily I now know what do be on the lookout for for Uncle Mick's birthday.
Then Uncle Mick and Aunt Denise took us to this awesome cupcake store, Sugar Mama's. It was wonderful. And this is where I took my one and only picture of Aunt Denise. Unfortunately it wasn't flattering, her eyes are wide and she's shoving in a scrumptious cupcake. Basically even though the shot is technically perfect, Daddy won't let me post it. So just imagine there's an image here of your beautiful Aunt Denise delicately nibbling on a beautiful cupcake.
Later that night we went to see Esther's Follies, which is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. It's a mix of skits, musical comedy, magic, and just plain fun. Their best skit of the night was an Obama campaign speech mimicing the Old Spice commercial that I posted awhile ago. Seriously, I almost peed. A total riot and I'm so glad we went.
While sight seeing on the street after the show, we went through a crosswalk and BAM! there was the capitol. On our way back, I checked my settings, ran to the middle of the road, snapped the shot, and ran the rest of the way across. I'm sure everyone thought I was nuts but I was practically dancing because I had nailed the shot.
Finally, right before we flew out the next day, Uncle Mick and Aunt Denise took us to the "County Line". Only the best BBQ meal I have ever eaten in my entire life. Children you will soon learn that the only thing I love more than travelling is sharing meals, really good meals, with people I love. This meal goes on my top 10 list.
Kids, I know you love your Uncle Mick. He's a pretty fun uncle that's up for anything and loves to take you swimming and plays video games with you whenever you want.
Do you know that I love your Uncle Mick? He's my big brother and has always excelled at the job. He's wonderfully over-protective, someday I'll tell you the story of his phone call when he learned I was so quickly engaged to your Daddy.
He listens well and is always ready with any advice you might want (or even not want) to hear. He was vitally important to my music education and has always answered well my questions about the history of music and movies and social systems and how they all tie together. I know without a doubt that because he and Auntie Noel went to college, that's why I went. That's why I didn't even question IF I would go but merely where. And looking back over my life, I cannot imagine how different I would be if I had merely stayed in Sedona, working at restaurants and partying on the weekends. YUCK. Thank God for Uncle Mick.
and ps. He loves to laugh.
