Boys of Summer.....Backstreet's Back...Alright!!!

Saturday August 31, 2013

Destination : Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

I took my daughter Tammy, her friend Ashley and my friend Kelley to see....

Ashley, Tammy, Me and Kelley

 The Backstreet Boys

 We started out early cause we had a 3:15 check in which ended up being a 4pm check in...

Our tickets allowed us to have front row center to Sound Check and Q&A

 It was really a cool thing to sit through and I found myself taking loads of pictures of this guy...the youngest (30 years old now) Nick Carter.

He is kinda cute!

 It was fun sitting through this with my daughter as her and her friend recounted their pre-teen days when they liked The Backstreet Boys and N'Sync.

As I know the feeling as I was a huge Donny Osmond (The Osmonds) fan back in the day and I still am....One thing you should know about me if you haven't already figured it out...I like all kinds of music and entertainers....if it's good...I like!

It's cool to be that close to someone you like or use to like and I'm just glad I got to share in the moment and one day a memory.

But our ticket just didn't allow us to a sound check...it allowed us a meet and greet as well.

 All the guys were very nice and very humbled...they are a good group of guys...and yes that young cutie pie is a little cocky like he's all that and a bag of chips...which he is...he is still a very nice guy.

Concert time....

The show opened up with Brian's son (one of the Backstreet Boys) opening the show, I think he's like 10...sounded like a 10year old Micheal Jackson or Donny Osmond...and then this group was next...

They are called "B-5"....very fitting for 5 Boys.

They sounded good and had some great dance moves...I expect we shall see them very soon in the music scene with the younger girls.

 Pauly D from The Jersey Shore was the next act to open...he did a DJ thing which was loud and very cool.

And then it was Backstreet Boys time....

 They put on a really good show....the place was packed...needless to say it was a sold out show...I don't think I have ever seen this venue so packed.

 One thing I don't have pictures of is we were also (because of our ticket) allowed to go on stage (there was about 30 of us) during 3 songs...we sat on risers behind the boys as they performed an acoustic set.

It was very cool...we had a different view and got to see where the boys go behind the curtain with all the equipment back there....not a lot of room...

It was a great time spent with my daughter and friends and listening to some good and fun music.

I know summer is technically over but I have 2 more shows next week... that to me will end my 

Boys of Summer...stay tuned for my recap.

A Night In The Jungle

August 15th

Kelley, Stacy, Fonda and myself headed to Houston Toyota Center

for 

THE MOONSHINE JUNGLE TOUR

 featuring non-other than

BRUNO MARS

 I was just in love with his music and so curious to see him perform when we found out last year that he was one of the acts on the 2013 Houston Rodeo.

His show was awesome and because all performances are not that long at the rodeo and your view is from afar I knew I needed to see all full blown out show.

 Right after his rodeo performance it was announced he was coming back to Houston and playing at the Toyota center....I knew I had to be there at any cost.

 So, when tickets went on sale I had my oldest daughter Jennifer come over and we both were on our computers at 10am when tickets went on sale...first go round, no tickets available, second go round I had nose bleed section Jenn had nothing, third go round I got nothing she goes...it says section A row 3 which I screamed

GET 'EM!!!!

 We got 'em baby...3rd row from the stage, regular price, something so hard to get these days...needless to say I was a happy camper.

Also the show sold out in like 30 minutes.

 The show did not disappoint...Bruno is an excellent talent....I love going to a show not just to hear a great singer but to be entertained and he can do that...plus it doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes.

It was a great night spent with great friends and I'm already thinking...

when is the next concert to see

BRUNO MARS

A Day At The Circus

July 18th

The day before we left for our Florida vacation I took the grand-babies to the circus.

We had such a good time....even Noah did good...it was his first time with us to an event like this.

Some even liked it better than our Disney On Ice outings.

 Popcorn always helps you enjoy a show a little more.

 Above: On a high wire  there's a motorcycle and 3 acrobatics...a little freaky since they were right above us riding the motorcycle from one end to the other.

 Above: our seats allowed us on the circus floor for a portion of the show...pretty cool...

And in that bottom picture you can see us all as one of the clowns took my camera and took our picture and pictures of other people as well.

And below the cutest grand-babies there ever was!

Happy Grand-Babies

 A little of the show

to me the most amazing was 8 motorcycles in that round metal ball all going a round and a round and a round.

A lovely day out with my 2 daughters and all 5 of my grand-babies.

Look Who's Two

I'm a little late on this post...so much going on but just wanted to recognizethat my youngest grandson (and child) turned 2 August 5th.

 Noah with one of the toys I got him and then with his birthday cake....
I was told his big brother Liam helped decorate the cake.

 Happy Birthday Noah
Grandma Love You More!

Last Day of Our Clearwater Vacation

Today is Sunday July 28th

Tammy and family left in the middle of the night, Josh and Paul left that morning, my cousin Lonnie left with the guys and dropped them off at the airport for us.

It was just Jenn and I with Liam, Noah and Hayden.

We rested a little and started to pack a little and clean and then decided to go to Walmart to get some bins to pack the left over food in.

My cousin Lonnie came back to the house as she left all her credit cards at the house from when we had gone out....so since she came back she just stayed and went to Walmart with us and then we went out to lunch and got some last minute souvenir shopping in.

And while out I ran in to this old fart

 After back at the house my cousin left and the we changed and headed to the beach for shells

Below: Liam and Hayden walking to the beach, the house was just a 2 block walk from the beach...

and then Hayden enjoying some play time

 Jenn, Liam and Noah...looking for shells ...there were 3 different rows of shells (tons) all piled up on the beach.

 cousins at play

 Almost sunset

then it was time to head back to the house gets baths done and kids to bed and then we packed...

up until a little after midnight and up early to finish.

We left at 9am, a little later than we wanted too but it was all good.

Family BBQ Time

Saturday July 27th
We threw a backyard BBQ and had a pool party for my family that lives in Tampa.
It was a good opportunity to visit with everyone in one place, be relaxed and for the kids to have a good time swimming while adults could play if they wanted or visited if they wanted.

This post will be basically a picture post to share our day....we went from about noon until around 10 that evening...I think we all had a great time and the pool was a hit.

Thanks to all my family for driving out to the beach
I love you all!

All names in these collages will go from top left to right, then down and to the right
Above: Paul had grill duty, Alex and Vanessa (my cousin Lonnie's daughter), cousin Cheri and her grandchildren, Tammy (my daughter and her family) grandson Noah and granddaughter Hayden

Above: my cousin Kenny (and Lonnie's brother and Cheri's husband, Cheri is cousin by marriage)....Me and Noah, my brother John with the grands Tayler and Colton, Cheri and my Mom, Vanessa, my aunt Loretta and Ilene (my cousin Lonnie's mother and her daughter's)

Above: my sweet little grandson Noah, Vanessa-Noah and Ilene, Cheri and Lonnie with Ilene and Vanessa (Lonnie and Cheri are sister n laws), My son Josh and my brother John

Above: my son in law Paul and my cousin Crystal's husband Phet, Paul, Jenn and Noah,
Paul, Liam Jenn (my daughter) and Noah ,
my grandchildren and Cheri's grandchildren
my granddaughter's Tayler and Hayden
and then Hayden

 Phet (my cousin Crystal's husband)
my Mom and aunt Harriett (cousin Crystal's mom)
Cheri and her oldest son Kenny Jr and grandchildren
my uncle Loren ( Crystal's dad and Harriett's husband)

Above: The cousins, Kenny, Lonnie, Me, Crystal and John
Kenny and Lonnie are brother and sister and then Me and John are brother and sister
Hayden
Colton
cousin Crystal and aunt Harriett
and 4 of my 5 grandchildren

And Colton has it right....just chillin' on vacation.

One more day and then time to head back to Texas.

Clang Clang Clang Went The Trolley.....Clearwater Beach Vacation

It's Friday July 26th and today was a little laid back during the day.

My brother came in town around lunch time.

My cousin Cheri came in for the weekend and so did Lonnie's girls.

This evening we were set to have family pictures taken at the beach.

I wanted to get some pictures with my mom to capture the moment.

A good friend of mine named Fonda had suggested some months back that I should hire a photographer and have beach pictures taken and not worry about trying to get them taken ourselves.

So glad she suggested it.

I'm posting only the 2 pictures I posted on my Facebook page because not all my children have seen the pictures yet and I want them to see them for themselves first.

Below is me with my beautiful grandchildren.

 And here is my family...my children, grandchildren son in laws, a brother and a mother.

 Like any photo shoot with children it was interesting but not too terribly so...it was fun...they just enjoyed the beach and the sand.

After pictures I had rented a trolley for the night so we could go out and have some fun and not worry about driving and parking.

The trolley was so much fun.

Here is all who came out to have a little fun

myself (of course!) my son Josh, cousin Lonni, Alex (Vanessa's boyfriend) Vanessa (Lonnie's daughter) Cheri (my cousin) my daughter Jenn, son in law Paul, Tammy(Lonnie's daughter n law) Christina (Lonnie's daughter) Ilene and Tray (Lonnie's daughter and son in law) and on his knee my brother John

 And the gang is ready to go.....

First stop was Frenchy's Rockaway Grill on the beach...I loved the vibe of this place...it was a little crowded but we didn't have a problem finding spots at the bar and around the band.

Next stop was The Brown Boxer where we also got a little bite to eat along with drinks

 Above: Vanessa, myself, Tray and Cheri

Below: Jenn and Lonnie

 Outside ready to hop on the Trolley to our next destination

Below: Tray, Lonnie in the back ground, John and Josh

Next stop is Jimmy Crow's at Pier 60 House

It's a roof top bar and the view was wonderful....there's Captain Memo's Pirate ship at the marina

 Alex, myself and Ilene

 Just dancing the night away...someone in the group dropped their drink and soaked 2 of us but I won't call that person out...things happen but I will say...

It wasn't me!!!

One more stop

when we arrived it was around midnight...they still had a full cover charge so I asked if we could get a deal since it was late and we were a big crowd...

he said if I was willing to pay cash he would, it was less than 50% off...cash it was...

way to score....

but sad thing was, it wasn't hopin' ....it was hot no breeze coming in off the water

but we had a good time still, had a couple drinks and a few dances and then headed back to the house.

It was a great time spending the evening with family...

I miss them already.