Having fun with Steff, Molly and Jacob

Do you have an old friend that maybe you hardly ever see or talk to,but when you do it's like no time has passed at all? That's how it is with Steff. I met her 11 years ago this summer. I was the nursing unit secretary at Spring Branch Medical Center and she was the cute doe eyed new graduate nurse. I immediatly dismissed her because she was beautiful, blonde and a had a rock on her finger that Liz Taylor would wear. I assumed she was a moron! I was wrong. She was incredibly smart and super funny. We hit it off real quick. She even invited us over for dinner, and Robert was sooo irritated, he hates to go out with" friends" he doesn't know. But after a few minutes with Pete her super cool husband, even Robert had fun. Pete and Steff are great and fun people! Since then we've both had kids and moved a few times, but they stay in the Katy Area because they have their own business, Equisite floors and rugs of Katy

It is always a joy to see Steff and catch up. Her kids are the ages of Quentin and Alice and they are a load of fun also. Last Monday we all got togethe at their house and played in the pool and ate pizza- It was a day that was awesome for everyone

Isn't the pool awesome? By the end of the day, even Alice was making the leap into the pool from the Rock Wall.

Thanks Steff Jacob and Molly!

This is DQ Country

Here we are celebrating family night-minus one- since Quentin is in Austin.

We originally were going to get snow cones, but they close at 7:00 so DQ was put on order.

We had a lot to celebrate-

Quentin was chosen to particpate in a Texans Field Training Night at Reliant Stadium.

He gets to go next Tuesday with Robert.

He'll do drills and run plays with Texans and Coaches.
Take pictures with Cheerleaders (he said "Dad'll like that")
and eat dinner there-

It was a cub scout contest- He's so lucky!

We miss him, but he's in good hands, he's going out to eat, seeing movies, swimming, staying up late and sleeping in-

David's glasses broke and his back up glasses are MIA- so he's going without them for a few days- he says he looks like a girl- silly boy!

We are still waiting to hear from Uncle Bo....

Going for Glory

We finally gave in and let Quentin play football. He had tryouts on Saturday. For the low price of 160.00 he'll get fun and a uniform- we still supply helmet, pads, practice gear etc. Oh and also a fundraiser- anyone want to buy some tupperware or braided bread, let me know! I'll be sure to ask the youth football league to account for expenses. He's real pumped up and did well at tryouts, he made every catch and was spot on with a good spiral on his passes. He needs to work on his dashing, but other than that he did real well- Here are some pictures-

Uncle Bo-if you are reading, we are still waiting to go swimming!

Oh and David UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES wanted signed up- so dont' feel bad for him!

Joely was cute but very HOT- the tryouts were at one (who was the scheduling genius???)

Robert went and met mom and dad in Brenham after the tryouts and got Alice and David and dropped off Quentin. Originally Joely was going to go, but Robert and I chickened out, we just couldn't let the baby be gone a whole week!

So..Quentin is spending a week at my mom and dad's house living the good life all by himself. I'm sure as a member of a four child home, it's good to be an only child now and again. Thanks mom and dad for taking the kiddos!

If mama's cryin'-them's good onions!

This time Quentin and I made Onion Rings and BBQ baked Chicken wings-

So you cut the onions the desired thickness and let them soak in buttermilk for at least 5 minutes.

That is not alfredo sauce, it's just buttermilk-

Then you cover them with a mixture of 2 cups corn meal, 2 cups flour , generous ammount of kosher salt, pepper and o'course TONY's

We love Tony's Blends. They are all good, but we stick with the original. After they are good and coated, drop them in hot grease (I had it just above medium on the stove) and cook for about two minutes until golden brown. Quentin helped with all of it.

The Chicken Wings were baked in Stubbs BBQ Sauce, you can use whatever you like, the trick is to bake the wings until nearly done, then add the BBQ sauce and then Broil for 5-10 minutes to get them crispy-licious.

They were messy and good. In fact too messy to take pictures- our fingers were super dirty!

Definatly finger lickin' good.

YUMM-O

With the other kids gone this week, Quentin has really been pumped about doin' some serious cookin. When we came home on Sunday he got out his cookbooks and planned a menu for the week. Last night he made Rachel Ray's "Steak Night, Table for four" from her 2-4-6-8 cookbook.

It was delish- to quote ms. ray.

The steaks were seasoned with Kosher Salt, and ground Pepper. Then Quentin rubbed fresh Rosemary on them. After having dad Grill them (fire-bad) they were served with Fresh Arugula and Tomatoes on top- the Arugula and Tomoatoes were dressed in EVOO (you know Rachel) and lemon juice and seasoned with some red pepper flakes.

It was a great combo to dig into the juicy meaty goodness and also have a sweetish refreshing fresh from the garden taste.

The sides were baked asparagus and roasted potatoes.

He made the batter for Molten Lava Cakes, but we were so very very stuffed, he's going to make the cakes tonight to enjoy after our Roasted Chicken and baked Mac n Cheese.

It's fun to spend time with him in the Kitchen and he's got a real knack for it. He's like his dad!

Who by the way made me this on Sunday Night.

We had traveled so far and wide to get back home on Sunday that nobody wanted to leave, we figured we'd do a clean the fridge night.

He grilled some yummy sausage for sausage sandwiches, but for me he sauteeed some roma tomatoes and bell peppers from our garden with some onions in (of course) EVOO and then added the Feta Cheese at the end.

It was a great treat!

Thanks Roberto!

Spending the Fourth with My Fam

This year we broke from tradition and went to See mom and dad in Austin, well actually Round Rock, but most people have heard of Austin and only some people have heard of Round Rock, plus when I got married they still lived in Austin. But I digress. The picture shown above is on the way to Austin (round rock) we left as soon as I got off work on Saturday morning and decided against doing breakfast, so instead the children ate the breakfast of champions, individual chip bags! YEAH Robert and Kareena, parents of the year.

This is David, "just outside La Grange" (queue ZZ TOP music) at a scenic overlook. We had to stop and let Truffles use the bathroom. There were a gazillion Texas Sized Grasshoppers and David had to catch as many as time would allow. Mean Mom that I am would not allow him to take any in the car. Joely revolted at about Bastrop Texas and wished that was where Grandma and Grandpa lived- she weeped, wailed and gnashed her teeth the rest of the way (about an hour) until we got to our destination.

As soon as we got to mom and dad's -it's about 200 miles- we ate pizzas before quickly and I mean LICKETY SPLIT jumping in their shangri-la pool

Robert said, "Hey who is that bald guy?"

Against her will Truffles got to "swim"

Here is mom "swimming" please note she NEVER lets her hair get wet. I have pictures of me as a kid at Indian Springs Pool outside of American Falls ID- her hair is never wet- for that matter, her sisters and mother all swam without getting their hair wet- It must be in their pioneer DNA.

Here I am hangin' in Heff's Grotto- and little Joely safe in her life jacket

Swimming is Miss E- Mom and Dads little Doberman Pinscher- she's a sweet dog but she's under the impression she's the size of a rat terrier-when in fact she out weighs mom and can stand taller than her. She loves to be thrown in the pool. Truffles looks on in amazement.

The only thing better than Grandma's pool is her never ending supply of ice cream treats. They help keep you cool while drying off ! Thanks Grandma.

As a kid, I don't recall going to many fireworks displays (one in 1979 when I was a special guest thanks to my award winning American Legion Essay-another post) but mostly we stayed home because nothing could compare with what my dad the original pyrotechnic man could put on. I remember going to the indian reservations to get the good stuff. The shows were AWESOME- this year was no exception. Uncle Brian and Dad had it all, except no Roman Candles or bottle Rockets- due to the burn band and winds.

He had a ton that went way up high in the sky, they just dont' photograph well. And of course Sparklers! After working in the ER I've never let the kids play with sparklers, but Grandma had them, they actually look a lot safer than I remember and nobody got burned. I'm sure sparklers will be requested from now on. David was real interested in the fire- I'm sure one day he'll take Uncle Brian's spot and do the lighting.

We had a great time and when we came home we only had 1/2 the amount of kids with us- another bonus! David and Alice are staying this week and Joely and Quentin will stay next week. Divide and Conquer.

Say yyyyes to vvvvv VBS

Vacation Bible school

Central Baptist Church

Baytown Texas

"It all comes back to Jesus"

June 22-25 2009

Robert's parents work at Vacation Bible School every year. Robert's dad (holding Joely) we call him Bobby, teaches about the missions of the church and Robert's mom (standing by Robert) we call her Sue, teaches the first and second graders.

It's a fun filled morning, bible lessons, (this year all about Peter) theme related activities (this year about the Down Under) snacks, games and songs.

One of the songs is the title of the blog.

There are three things I love about VBS at Central Baptist Church

1. The kids are gone for at least 4 hours a day for 5 days (usually more since Grandma and Grandpa are good about taking them out to lunch)

2. The kids get to spend a whole week with their Grandparents.

3. The kids get to hear about their Dad when he was little.

Most of the workers at VBS have known Robert his whole life, some of the helpers have known his parents most of their lives too. Robert's Aunt Elaine (actually elaine is rob's grandmother's aunt) was there helping to serve snacks and livening things up

Here is Quentin with Aunt Elaine.

On thursday night it is family night and so we go and listen to their songs, pick up their crafts and eat cookies. Robert's grandma joined us there.

Here is Maw Maw Jo Jo-

Her real name is Annie mae Elizabeth Johnson, but with all the grandmas the kids have, David and Quentin christened her maw maw Jo JO because of her parrot named Jo Jo. I need to get some pics of Jo Jo.

When we lived in East Texas, the kids attended multiple Vacation Bible Schools, you could easily rid yourself of children for the entire month of June, all for free! The kids loved hanging out with their school friends and playing games. I stayed one time at Calvary Baptist Church to see if they needed any help, and they didn't. These VBS's are well oiled machines and they are so well organized. The odd thing, they have no idea how many kids will come, but they never run out of supplies. Truly a loaves and fishes thing.

We can't wait for next year at Central, when the theme is Saddle Ridge Mountain

Lest we Forget, Farrah Passed away too....

When I was a little girl I LOVED CHARLIE'S ANGELS!!!
I don't think I identified with Jill Munroe as much as I did Kelly, but I always thought it would be wonderful to be her. It would be awesome to have that beautiful blonde hair all big and feathery and have her amazing voice and look like she did as she ran around catching bad guys for Charlie. I thought being married to the million dollar man, would be a dream come true.

She also looked amazing in a swim suit.

I wanted to be a cute girl from a small town in Texas.

I would tell a joke that I didn't understand, it went like this,

"Why does Lee Majors hate plumbers?"

"Because they are always trying to turn on his fawcett."

I was a bit older when she shocked us all with the Burning Bed

I'm sure many people thought she was just another pretty face. But when she made that movie, she put a face and a name on spousal abuse. Before that movie, nobody talked about it. I beleive there are many women out there who owe their life to this movie.

She was in a lesser known movie called, "See you in the morning." It also starred a young adorable Drew Barrymore and I beleive Jeff Bridges. She played his beautiful model first wife, not really a stretch for her, but I remember crying my eyes out during the film.

I was a little disturbed when she was on David Letterman that one time and she quite frankly lost her mind, I worried about her.

When she started showing her artwork, I was again amazed by her talent. I wish she could have won her battle with cancer.

I feel like we really lost an angel.

What makes me the angriest is that her death is being eclipsed by the death of Michael Jackson. Who cares that we have one less pedophile on earth?

At least with Farrah, all you have to say is her name, you don't need to add a last name.

Rest in Peace Farrah

In a bowl you can eat!!!

Keeping with my theme of being mother of the year, last Friday I made breakfast bowl and filled them with yummo scrambled eggs, cheese and bacon.

I normally can not stand to watch Paula Dean (I'm sorry Arcalee) her voice just makes me want to throw things at the tv. That being said, I love her recipes. They are filled with either butter or mayonaise, no light this or margarine that, only fat filled goodness. I was at Sue's house to get rid of one kid or the other and Paula's show was on. She made these biscuit bowls and filled them with chili (mah oh mah they are yyyyuuuuummmmyy and her boys just come a runnin' when she makes them)

I thought, and I was right, they'd be good for breakfast. Here is her recipe, I ommitted the cayenne pepper and grated cheese in the mix. And since I'm not employed by Bisquick, I rebelled and used Pioneer biscuit and pancake mix-

Vegetable oil cooking spray
2 cups biscuit baking mix (recommended: Bisquick)
2/3 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Flour, for dusting the work surface (thanks Paula, we're morons, we wouldn't have thought to dust the work are with flour)

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Invert a muffin tin and spray the underside with vegetable oil cooking spray. (this doesn't make sense without seeing it, but you are using the back of the cupcake pan, not the inside, if you use the normal inside your bowl will be itty bitty)
Stir together the baking mix, milk, and cayenne. Shape into a ball. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead 3 or 4 times. Divide the ball into 6 pieces. Roll each piece into a 6-inch circle. Place a dough circle over the back of each muffin cup. Press around the cup to form a bowl shape. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool slightly. Remove the biscuit bowls and let cool.

I then added my famous scrambled eggs, I scramble them with some milk- there that's my secret. I also learned after being the food coordinator for Girls camp back in oohh 1990, you need to cook the bacon BEFORE adding it to the egg mixture. So many girls suffered from trichonosis that year, but it's a lesson they remember to this day. COOK THE BACON!!!!

Hey who was the moron who left a 20 year old in charge of food for 35 girls and leaders?

I digress- The results were mixed, David liked it somewhat,but not the bowl at all, just the inside. Quentin liked 1/2 of the bowl, but it was too much for him to finish,plus it tasted like flour. Alice and Joely loved it and Alice said it was the best thing she had eaten. I don't know if it was the best thing she had eaten that day or ever, but nonetheless, she loved it.

I, for one, really loved it and will make it again, although probably not for David and Quentin, maybe for Brunch with the girls.

IN other news, Truffles is still adorable. She's getting huge and enjoys pouncing on Alice, it's fun to watch, until of course Alice gets hurt, and then well its hillarious. We are working with Truffles to redirect her agression with Tennis Balls and occasionally we throw Sammi under the bus and make her "play" with the puppy. Playing for Sammi means growling and moving away, but Truffles doesn't understand the body language and thinks she's getting attention.

Also we are now wireless. So come over the Mullens Hot spot and I'll log you in with our super secret Mullens family password. Go ahead and try and guess it, I know you won't figure it out.

Looking ahead to the 4th of July, we'll be doing the Cub Scout Float on the Independence Day Parade, so you'll see me sporting my finest in scout gear.

Land of the Lost

On the last day of school, nearly two weeks ago, I took the kids and two of David's friends to the movies. We originally were slated to see UP but it was sold out- So we saw land of the Lost, which is what I wanted to see anyway- so win win right?
WRONG!!!! Although it was funny, this is definatly not for children and although similiar to the wonderful show with awesome special effects that I watched all through my youth, it is not for children. The language was inappropriate, ceramic boob shots, Chaka kept his hand's on Holly's breasts and there was also a little sleestak mating.

For adults it was hilario!!! I was so embarrassed though that I had other children with me.

I still think the pupettry in the 70's is way better than any digital special effects they have now,

Call me Old School, (another hilario will farrell movie)

One thing I agree with the makers of the movie is "Matt Lauer can suck it!"

Fare thee well Mrs. Randolph...

Alice was so blessed this year with Mrs. Randolph. We are sooo going to miss her. She is a seasoned teacher who truly loves her job. She considers it her calling from God and she certainly is fulfilling her calling.
I wish she would teach first grade too!

Some great things she did-

1. She made us a memory book of all the fun things they did this year.

2. She made Alice (and subsequently all the other children) feel like they were the most important children on earth.

3. Her parties were well planned and lots of fun.

4. When it was clear that Alice could read well, she let Alice read from her "personal" collection- Alice cherished those books.

5. When Alice went to sea world, Mrs. Randolph sent a special book bag, with pencils, erasers, colors, markers, worksheets, books and a notebook, so she could "keep up" (alice was only gone one day) Alice again felt so important.

6. She instilled a love of learning that will last Alice her lifetime.

We worried that our little center of the universe would be overlooked, but she wasn't. Alice chose to go to school on a day she could have stayed home to be with her grandparents (because Mrs. Randolph would miss her)

If you are in Crosby, request Mrs. Randolph!

And they called it Puppy Love...

Her name is Truffles and she's a german shepherd, black lab mix.

She's adorable. We love her already and she's just been with us 24 hours.

I'm sure there will be plenty of posts about her in the future.

Also, this is my third post tonight, so scroll down for more fun info on the Mullens Clan.

Waiting for Grandma

On Thursday The 29th, Mom and Dad came to visit. Joely was so excited. In the morning she kept laying down in my bed and hollering, "Where's My grandma?"

Finally I called them and they had passed downtown Houston which means it would only be Thirty Minutes!

When I told her it would just be Thirty Minutes, she said, "OH MAN!!"

and before I knew it she was asleep on the floor.

This is what Greeted Grandma and Grandpa.

They came to watch Alice's Dance Recital, David's School Program and Quentin's Crossover Ceremony to become A Webelos Scout.

(and not that's not a typos, its Webelos for single and plural- thank you very much)

Joely turned traiterous and would only allow Grandma to help her. Only grandma was fortunate enough to watch her "pee pee." THANKS MOM!

Also mom got to play cootie and pop up pirate OVER AND OVER AND OVER-

I didn't get a shot of it, but she did play the drums on rock band, while Quentin was on vocals.

Good Times

I wonder what the poor people are eating tonight...

This is a phrase that Uncle Rex coined.

We use it whenever we are eating real good, like we did Memorial Day Weekend.

Robert smoked ribs and briscuit and it was delicioso!!!

In the tradition of Green mesquite of Austin, Robert made me briscuit tacos to take to work the next night and it really made me miss the good old days of Living well in Austin (before the Californians took over and they voted in the Anti-Christ Rick Perry) But I digress, here are the fruits of his labor.

Thanks Robert!

Even Joely knows it looks bad

Today we went and searched pond scum, so appropriatly I wore the uniform.

Joely came in my room when I was putting it on.

SHE BURST INTO BELLY LAUGHS!!!

She kept touching it like it was some strange textile.

It is.

When I walked out of the room, Quentin said it all in a word,

"Mom?"

I said, "Yes I'm wearing my uniform"
"really mom? Why do they want you to look lame?"

So we went and did the pond ecology at Sheldon Lakes State Park.

The boys learned about the food chain in the ponds and put on waders and skimmed the pond for lifeforms. It was a total blast! They skimmed the pond, and put lifeforms in a metal pan, then they put them in a big table on the outdoor classroom for better examination. They captured them in beakers with magnifying glasses.

Joely originally was on board to wade in the mud until she actually stepped in mud, she quickly sat down and took of her boots, and she was ready to go.
Sadly, Robert had to work this morning so he missed all the fun.

Dirty Socks and feet after the "wading"

Enjoying the fruits of their labors.

Here is David with his precious nymph. A dragon fly female lays her eggs in the water and that is where they hatch. They live as larvae for a spell and then morph into a nymph. They can live as a nymph for 6 months to a year. After that they morph into the dragon fly. They only return to the water to lay their eggs and the cycle goes again and again. An adult dragon fly can live up to a year in our forgiving climate, but in most places it's only 6 months.

Mr. almost a Bullfrog. He's still had a little bit of his tadpoleness and he's just getting used to his lungs. It was real neat to see. We also saw several small alligators, but like Quentin said, "where there are baby alligators, there is gonna be a mama alligator."

A green snake crossed our path too, and I screamed like a little girl. David said, "aw mom it's just a harmless green snake." So I told him, "the mambo in Africa is green and small and deadly."

To which my braniac son said,"This is texas mom."

and Quentin said, "Uncle Rex is in Africa."

The big picture in the title, is a sand table with different paw stamps so you can make animal tracks. My friend Melissa said, "I think this one is an opossum" and Alice said,"no it's not an opossum doesn't have claws" and then Melissa said,"how do you think they hold on when they are hanging upside down?" To which Alice said,"they use their little tiny opposable thumbs" And she's right you know!

All in all it was a great day. We look forward to a fun weekend!

"My Mind Can't Handle the Lonliness"

Said, Alice when I asked her why she was in my bed instead of her own bed.

I wanted to say,
"oh Please save the drama for your mama" but
I am the mama-

So I listened to the drama

And then I took her by the hand

Grabbed her new Shamu stuffed toy (from her weekend in San Antonio with Rob's parents)

and tucked her into bed.

Where She stayed until about midnight

and then she was on the couch.

We Love ALICE

We realize it's her world and

We are all just living in it.

Other than that here's what we've been up to

First off, Joely doesnt' beleive in clothes other than her panties now. She's a nature girl through and through.

This is Robert's "birthday" fire pit. Since it hadn't been put together, I claimed it as a mother's day gift, after Robert and the kids put together my real mothers day gift which was new and FABULOUS book shelves.
I'm realizing now I didn't take a picture of the finished product because I still need to paint another wall. This is Robert working it on Mother's Day Weekend, and yes it is a WHOLE WEEKEND- not just a day.

Ok so last week I was running late and figured, as long as the kids are there by 10:30 so they are not counted absent it's ok (the state mandated tests are over, books are turned in) since they are basically just "phoning it in" from now until June 5th at 11:40-
Anyhoo- David "forgot" they had a lame field trip to visit the new campus he'll attend in 5th grade. So when we got to school at 9:00 all of 4th grade was gone. I decided to take him to the 5th and 6th grade campus, but on the way over there he convinced me it would be better for everyone involved if he stayed home.He went with Joely and I to Walmart and he got his haircut and so did Joely. Joely loves spending time with "DADID or HEN" and on occasion"ASSEE" but she really has something special with her brothers. She was happy to have him stay home and kept inquiring about her "HEN" she makes them feel so good when they get home. She's a wonderful greeter. She stops everything to go running and squealing to the person entering the house. She's like a little yellow lab.

The top pictures of Alice in her recital costume were taken by Arcalee Gautier (Miss Arcalee) she can be hired for families and individuals, her sitting fee starts at 75.00 plus travel allowance. She gives you the CD of the edited images and you can develop your own keepsakes. If you want to get ahold of her, contact her via her retreat business at Texas Roundup Retreats.

You'll be glad you did.

Ok So Arcalee met Robert, the girls and I at the Houston Garden Center and took their pictures. Initially Joely wasn't very receptive, plus she was covered in a rash, she looked like she had measles, but Arcalee won her over and got a few good shots and then she edited out the gross disfugurations- and voila, we get this cutie patootie!

I'm guessing by now you're wondering (if in fact you are still reading) what happened to my poor dejected middle child. I don't know why I don't have many pix of him of late, But here is a shot from the roller skating party last Saturday. This Saturday his den (of which I am the leader) is having their final Den Activity as Bears and I'll make a post dedicated to my little Qbone or Hen as we call him now (thanks to his clone Joely)