Work conference on the coast was this past week.  I was able to play in the golf tournament this year for the first time, and my team managed to win!!  I contributed several shots, including sinking a 20 footer for birdie and (proudly) out drove my team twice.  And let me say, two of my team members were dang good, so I was pleased to have contributed.  

Of course, I have to go spend time with John, MB, and Hugh - I mean how could you not?  I was met at the door with a chant, "Aunt Dray, Aunt Dray, Aunt Dray!"  Then when I left each time, he had no less than 5 reasons why I shouldn't leave and why I should live with him "fo-evera."  We finished up work around lunch on Monday, so I spent the afternoon with John and MB.  MB really wanted a pedicure so after his nap and work for her, we went to get pedicures.  John sat with me and kept his feet in the tub the entire time.  He thought it was so much fun to have his feet in the water...no we didn't let him get his toes painted.  Oh and in the way of a big sister, MB told John to pick out a color for me, while she grabbed one and ran to the chair before he could help her.  Gee thanks, Sister.  John and I settled on a blue/silver/purple/gray color.  Then we had to go to kick ball practice.  He promised to kick the ball for me.  And sure enough he did!!  But then he displayed his running skills, uh...actually...dirt kicking while running skills.

The rest of the week was a lot of work with a little fun mixed in (I think the powers that be make sure we have some fun just to be sure we come back to work on Monday after conference).  

Mom and Dad came back out on Friday for the weekend.  I really should add that Andrew made sure the dishes were done, the house was picked up, and even swept for me.  It was very nice to come to a house that was ready for company.  A certain oreo cookie looking dog was living a dream all weekend.  He put his face up to the door and Mom couldn't jump and run fast enough to let him in.  They seriously allowed the dog to do things that they would have never let Ham do...like this...twice...

We had a super busy weekend.  We took the door down, picked out stain, Dad (with Andrew's assistance) stained the door while I took Mom to get a pedicure, then dinner at Sal and Mookies.  We started back over first thing Saturday morning (poor Andrew was working 7a-7p shifts all weekend).  We went to look at cabinet hardware for their kitchen, ended up picking out the set (we think), then bought paint/stain for our shutters, then Dad and I played 9 holes at Whisper Lake, went to Pawn Stars and the Farmer's Market, back home for lunch, then put the first coat of poly on the door while Mom and I painted the shutters, and before we finished Dad sharpened the lawn mower blade and changed the oil in it for us (while Mom and I drank a beer, ha).  We went to Keifer's for dinner and after chasing the moon (seriously, Dad was determined to get several pictures of it), I treated them to Bop's.  

On our way home from dinner on Friday, we got stopped on Lakeland in traffic.  While terribly sad, we were honored to watch a police escort of the Pearl officer that was killed earlier in the week.  It was amazing to see the support that the different jurisdictions were offering.  That is one traffic jam we will never forget.

On a much lighter note, Mom had never seen me play golf.  Dad and I played together when I first started lessons in middle school, but that was years ago.  While I wish Andrew could have gone with his, it was a lot of fun.  Dad hadn't swung a club in 4 years (and since he had shoulder surgery).  He played very well.  I shot a 41 and he shot a 48 (par 32) - had it not been for one blow-up hole, he would have been right there with me.  Mom loved watching us and kept us laughing the entire time.  Our score discussions with her went like this:

Mom: What did you have?

Me: A par

Mom: Well how many is that?

Me: 3

Mom: Oh that's how many you are supposed to have.

Dad and I: Yep that's what you call a par...

Mom: Did you have a 5?

Me: Yep

Mom: Ohhh, you were only supposed to have used 4.

Me: Yep, I am well aware that I missed my par putt...thanks for pointing it out.

Mom: Well you should have made it, it was only about 8 feet.

Dad and I: Ha!  If only it was that easy.