Texas, part 2

Again, this post is later than I intended it to be. I had planned on getting it done last week, but obviously, it didn't get done. It is a little long, but I figured I had just better get it done. I hope you enjoy!

These were all taken at the Water Gardens in down town Ft. Worth. We used to enjoy coming here when we lived in Texas and always make it a point to visit when we come back. Good times.

These 2 pictures were taken at one of the two BBQ/B-day parties that we went to while in Texas. This one consisted of a lot of visiting and a fun water party for the kids. We had a great time and ate WAY too much. Ethan definitely has a blue tint in this picture. He must have been a little cold.

Before the BBQ, we went horseback riding at Katrina's parent's house. The kids were really looking forward to it and it didn't disappoint. They wore their cowboy hats that they got from the "Big Texan".

Before we started riding horses, the kids were being shown this rat snake. Gavin was a little too close and got a "kiss" from this good sized snake. Gavin was taken back but didn't cry. Poor kid. He just couldn't catch a break this trip. If you notice, (as if you couldn't miss it) the green band-aid is covering the stitches that he had to get just a couple of days earlier. I guess he was playing tag with the older kids and tripped and fell into a ceramic dolphin. The dolphin shattered and it's fin opened up his forehead down to the bone. It just so happens that I was out with some friends and missed the whole thing. Tim and his sister, Rachel, took him to the ER. You just can't call it a vacation without stitches and a snake bite. Right?

We also spent one day at Six Flags. Rachel was kind enough to watch Gavin and Ethan and we brought Ashley and Katie with us to join in on the fun. The weather was great and after all of the high school/field trip kids left, we pretty much walked onto every ride. As you can see, the kids loved the water ride. I always sit out on this one. I don't enjoy the feeling of damp Levi's all day. Also, Spencer went on a couple of rides that he "swore" he would never go on. He finally tried them and found out that he really liked them. There were still a couple of rides he refused to go on. But that's OK. There is always next year.

In the past, we usually go to the Ft. Worth Zoo. However, this year, we decided to go with some cousins to a place called Fossil Rim. Basically, you slowly drive and look at all of the animals. Along the way, you have a bag of food that you get to feed the animals. There are zebras, giraffes, ostrich, and a bunch of exotic deer/animals. It takes a couple of hours to drive through and the kids really enjoyed feeding the animals out of their hands. We stopped in the middle of the drive for a picnic, petting zoo, and souvenirs. It was a lot of money, but well worth the experience and the memories.

Here are just a couple of more pictures from the Stockyards. I love the one where it looks like the Cowboy is patting Gavin on the head. Also, isn't Emily a pretty girl when she isn't covered with dirt and/or snakes?

Gavin has such a fun personality. He is usually the center of all the fun and likes being the life of the party. He is such a fun kid.

Well, that is the last of the "Texas" post. Until, next time. Love you all!

----Allison

Family Vacation in Texas

Yes, I realize that we have been back for over a week now, but really, it takes a while to get back into the swing of things. As soon as we returned home, Tim hit the ground running and I only had a couple of days to get things in order before I had to do my 2 weekend shifts. I am still behind but I am not complaining. We had a wonderful time and it was well worth the drive (and speeding ticket). Anyway, we were all very excited to go and visit our family and to do some fun things along the way. I will have to break this up into 2 posts because we did so many fun things and I took way too many pictures. (These pictures are a little out of order, but you will get the idea).

We spent a lot of time just visiting and catching up. The kids were often found with their cousins and the adults passed time talking and playing cards. One day Tim and his brother Matt took all of the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese while "The Girls" went and got pampered. I didn't get any pictures of it, but Betty treated herself, my 2 sisters-in-law, and I to our first facials. They were heavenly. A few of us even got henna tattoos on our feet by the Indian woman in the salon. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon.

We also did a lot of eating on this trip. Ethan surprised us by finding an appetite. He was eating everything and loving it! He didn't even throw up ONCE on this trip. I don't have an official weight but I am sure that he gained some. Even if he didn't, it was fun seeing him enjoy his food.

Spencer found a girlfriend while in Texas. Isn't she cute!

We spent a day in the Stockyards with cousins Sarah and Ashley. We did a lot of shopping, eating ice cream, finding our way through the wood maze, and taking pictures, of course.

The first night we arrived, Betty had arranged a birthday party for Ethan, Emily, and their cousin Tyson. As you can see, Ethan really enjoyed his Sponge Bob cake.

Emily was in heaven once she learned that there were snakes in the backyard. She would sneak around for hours looking under rocks. She actually found several baby snakes while we were there. These little things don't bother me, but I am very glad she didn't find their mama!

On our drive down to Texas, we stayed in Amarillo. The kids had remembered going to The Big Texan on a previous trip and wanted to go again. We didn't spare any expense and even let them get the "souvenir" boot drinks. But after the bill came, I think Tim and I decided that next time, we won't be stopping in Amarillo.

This pretty glass ball was mysteriously broken a few days after we arrived. I am not sure, but I think I may know who couldn't keep their hands off of it.

Now, as you can see in the above pictures that I am married to a very handsome man. However, EVERY TIME I would try to take a picture of him and I together, THIS is what I would get. I even told him that these were going on the blog and to give me a good one. Do you think it worked? Obviously, not.

Assuming I can get all my work done, in the next day or so, there will be more to come from Texas!

---Allison