90 Years!

When Mom told me that Grandma was turning 90 and there was a lunch birthday party being planned I knew we had to go.  Luckily Paul's schedule allowed us to leave around noon on Friday and make the drive to San Antonio for a super quick weekend.  While driving down we explained to the kids that we were going to "my grandma's" birthday party.  And that she was turning 90.  Naturally that was difficult for the kids to grasp.  Tyson had been around Grandma a few times but Em only as a baby. We also explained there would be lots of people they may not recognize giving them hugs. 

 This is what 5, 65, and 90 looks like!

 

 Grandma with her youngest and oldest daughter.

 

 Grandma with just a few of her great grandchildren

Happy 90th Birthday Grandma!

5 Days of BLISS

Back in June we went to the DFW area to see Paul's parents and some friends.  Anne asked if she could have Tyson for a few days to come visit this summer.   I thought it would be fine but I thought we should include Em too.  BOY am I glad we did!  Those two had the best time at Anne and Jim's.  And Paul and I had the best time just being Jill and Paul, not Mommy and Daddy.

They went everywhere and did everything imaginable.  Nobody really wanted to come home.  Before I start with the pictures (courtesy of Anne and Jim, Jim put them on a thumb drive for us to see) I should say it started out a little rough.  The night before we agreed to meet them halfway for the big drop off, I spent quite a bit of time packing the kids up.  I took LOTS of time to plan all of Em's outfits, carefully accessorizing each one with proper bows or hair clips and of course the right shoes.  I'm pretty sure I had at least 5 pairs for her.  I even went as far as to place each complete outfit into a one gallon zip lock baggie labeled with the day or event on it.  I wanted to make it as easy as possible for Anne to get her dressed.  Not that I have control issues or anything.  It was all for simplicity.  Tyson was easy.....5 pairs of workout shorts, 5 tee shirts and I threw in one collared shirt for good measure, 1 Texas rangers hat and 1 OU visor ( he informed me he would not be combing his hair).  Anyway.....the kids put together their own "carry on" bags, complete with lovee bunny, "Grace,  Princess Merida and Tyson had his "guys."  They were ready. 
We met Anne and Jim at the Cracker Barrel in Gainsville.  After a nutritious lunch of pancakes the kids were ready to head to Texas with Grandma and Grandpa.  We had parked right next to them to make it easy to transfer the bags and booster seats.  Long story slightly shorter........when Paul asked me, "hey where's Em's bag?"  My heart sank because I knew it was right where I had left it..........on the floor in her room open with 5 one gallon Sharpe labeled zip lock baggies sticking out.  That's right folks I HAD FORGOTTEN HER BAG.  Seriously?!?  We have taken MANY road trips, family vacations, long weekends and I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN A BAG.........EVER......till Saturday, August 4 2012.  While I stood there trying to blink as if it wasn't really happening and surely Paul was just overlooking the pink and purple luggage in the back of my car Anne and Jim were trying to calm me down and assure me that it was "going to be ok."  Was I seriously about to leave my baby for 5 days with just the clothes on her back, the tennis shoes on her feet and one lovee bunny?  Anne and Jim told us it was fine and they would by her some clothes on their way in to town.  But it wasn't just outfits, she needed EVERYTHING.  Shorts, shirts, jammies, panties, swim suit, toothbrush, socks, flip flops, hair thingies.  We kissed the kids goodbye and Tyson calmly said to me, "don't worry Mom, I'll help them shop.  I know what you like."  Love him!

Ok, back to the kids fun filled adventures with Grandma and Grandpa.  Enough with my issues.  Pictures courtesy of Grandpa Jim and outfits courtesy of Grandma Anne.

First stop after shopping for Em was the pool.  My little fishes had to show off their mad water skills.

  Sunday was Circus Day.  The kids were thrilled.  Tyson had been to the circus when he was four but Em had never been and she didn't know what to expect.  Leah and Luke came too.  The kids were pumped to hang out with their cousins.  Unfortunately Paige was sick and couldn't join them.

When we talked to the kids that night they couldn't stop talking about how "cool" the circus was.

Em even got to go to every little girls dream store and pick out her birthday present.  The American Girl Doll Store.  She LOVED it!

Grace got a new outfit and some bathing gear.  But shhhh, it's a surprise.  She can't open it till her party.  Em wants to go back soon.

 I heard these two did some serious work on a giant grilled cheese from Five Guys!

After the circus Tyson was really impressed with the guy walking on stilts.  So what does every Grandpa do for their grandson who was intrigued with the stilts?  Well........he builds him his own pair.  Jim and Tyson built a pair of stilts and Tyson absolutely loved walking in them.

Somehow it has become a tradition to just end every night there with a fire in the fire pit and s'mores.

The spent an afternoon at the Museum of Natural Science and History.  I think this might have been a favorite.  They talked quite a bit about this place.  And from the looks of these faces I think they loved it.

What a way to wrap up their summer vacation.  There was also a couple of afternoon movies and lots of eating out thrown in there along with a mani/pedi for Em. The kids had a blast and cannot wait to go back.  They have informed me they are going back for a "whole week" next time.  Better rest up Grandma and Grandpa!

Ballgame........party of 8 please!

What else could be more fun than going to a Texas Ranger baseball game in 105 degree weather?  Perhaps going to a Texas Ranger game with your ENTIRE family........kids, hubby, parents, sister and her hubby in 105 degree heat.  When Jenn and I did this fantastic planning of this "mini vacation," we were doing things on a budget so that meant that our seats were in the sun till about an hour into the game.  I didn't think that would be a big deal, I just figured I'd hang out with Em in the concourse till the shade covered our seats.  She was ok with that and so was I. 

Dad wanted to take Tyson to batting practice.  So they left REALLY early. 

Dad had always wanted to take Tyson to a Rangers baseball game......pretty much since we found out we were having a boy back in 2004.  I don't know if it went the way Dad had planned in his mind but Tyson had an absolute blast.   I think he forgot how the favorite part of games for Jenn and I back in the day was walking up and down the stairs to get refresments and checking out any cute preteen boys that were hanging around.  Somethings don't change.  Tyson loved being in the stadium but once he got in his mind he wanted a funnel cake, there was no changing it.

The ladies!!!!

The Rangers lost, but I don't think any of even cared......well, maybe Dad.  We had all had so much, fun now it was time to head back to the pool for some MORE late night swimming!

Blast from the past.......

Jenn and I planned this trip to Arlington back in May.  We thought it would be fun for all three families to take a mini vacation in the city where we grew up and hang at some of our old favorite places. It took us all of two days to pick a weekend, pick a Ranger game, buy tickets and get rooms at a hotel.  Perhaps we should be expert travel planners!  Everyone got in Friday.........of course the kids wanted to swim (not like they don't do enough of that at home) then we headed out to one of our OLD favorite resturants that Mom and Dad would take us back in jr high and high school, Mercado Juarez.   Except this time Jenn and I were the ones ordering the margaritas!!!!

The kids were so excited to be vacationing with Grandma and Grandpa.  We were glad to have everybody there.  Especially when I think of this time last year and Mom was on one of her last chemo rounds.  A lot can happen in 12 months!

 Check us out.......not too shabby for "early thirties" and "mid thirties!"

A pitcher of 'ritas and a whole lotta fajitas later we were done and ready to head back to the hotel.  Jenn agreed to take the kids for a late night swim.  And they were ALL over that!

My handsome Bullfrog

Hands down, swim team has been one of the best things for Tyson.  Not only has it improved his swimming it has been so good for his confidence.  Unfortunately he will end the summer with some serious goggle tan lines across his face.

Love this tan goggled face boy!!!!