Texas Trip - Part "The End"

Our days in Texas were winding down.
We head north for the last leg of our journey and saw Stephanie and all her men in their new home!

First things first...let's get acquainted with the "other" family members.
Meet Logan's bearded dragon, Bolt!
I must admit he is very pretty -

 And very interesting -

One problem though is that he eats disgusting food like crickets and meal worms.
Bleh.

I can't remember if I touched him.
I think I might have put one finger on him to feel the skin, but none of this cuddling business you see here.
No thank you - even though he looks adorable on Steph's shoulder!

And of course we got reacquainted with Samson!
Awwwwww!
Now this guy I can cuddle!

He's livin' the good life.

Laying down, getting groomed while gnawing on something delicious.

And it's NOT a cricket or mealworm!

The first day everyone just sort of got used to each other again.

The kids anyway - Stephanie and I just pick up where we left off as sisters do.

I think that the older the kids get, sometimes the harder the time away makes things.

I remember that feeling while visiting some cousins every few years in Austin at Thanksgiving. 

The first few hours we just sort of looked at each other...then by the time the visit was over, we were like dear friends.

The second day we went to a fun entertainment center called Main Event.

They bowled and climbed and played laser tag and basically reconnected.
We all had a great time!

But I think Steph and I agree that these were some pretty neat days as well...

August 2005

February 2006

July 2010

And plus or minus a few details - that pretty much covers our 2013 Texas Tour!
When we head back to Houston to catch our flight, we were able to see Granny and Grandpa again...and spend a fun night with Melissa!

We love our family and had a great time!
Of course we were also ready to get home and had a dad and husband waiting who missed his family!
But also...we were very sweaty.
:)
Later Texas!!

Texas Travels - Part Three

With any luck, I'll get this Texas blogging done before we make another trip!
So - where were we!?
We drove from College Station to Austin!
A drive I did many many times while a student at A&M, but sadly, I had to ask a kind police officer at the restaurant how to get out of town.
My memory = no bueno.

We drove to the Silver's house and spent a few minutes hanging out before we head over to visit with Susan, George and their boys.
Susan had prepared a delicious dinner for all of us!
Ribs, corn, squash, bread...and brussel sprouts.
I'm a recent convert and Susan had roasted hers - delicious!
I had seconds and then finished off what was left as I took some dishes to the kitchen.
Sorry Richard and Cole - I'm the reason there were no brussel sprout leftovers!

That night we were able to be around for cozy bedtime routines.
I took some adorable pictures of Rosie and Lena having their first bath together.

Then some bedtime reading...

The next morning we went to Papaw and Maw Maw Vics for the day!
Several months ago, my Spop was so sick we were saying goodbyes.
Now...we still get to make plans for celebrating 107!

We got there in time for breakfast and Vicki had the most delicious spread waiting - and I stuffed myself!

It was super hot (surprise!) so Ivan and Jenelle spent the day in the "redneck swimmin' pool"!

Jenelle wore herself out and needed to take a nap.
She looked so cozy...

...and burnt...to a crisp.
Good job mom!

Hannah helped Axel stay cool while he played fetch.
Over and over and over and over and over and over....

Dad and Vicki gave Hannah a very sentimental 8th grade graduation gift that was a surprise for even me.
First she opened a package with a framed photograph of my beautiful Granny!
The second part of the gift was a strand of pearls that my Granny was wearing in that same photo so many years ago.

There are so many times that I miss Granny - this was one of them.
She loved her family and loved the fun and sweet things in life.
I think she would be so happy to see her picture on Hannah's desk and know that her pearls were going to her great granddaughter.

So so touching!

Thank you Dad and Vicki!  

Another photograph that I found was my dad when he was just a little guy!

This pictures reminded me a lot of Ivan.

Not identical, but there is certainly a resemblance.

Back at the Silver's, we were able to hang out at their neighbors pool with the kids.

Rosie and Lena - what can I say?

Stinkin' ADORABLE!

Thank you Hannah for the awesome photography!

And Ivan and Jenelle - for entertaining us (especially Rosie) with your wild jumps!

I'm sure Aunt Joanna and Uncle Brian will remember the pencil and flips for a loooooong time!

:)

Texas Travels - Part WHOOP!!

For a long time I've wanted to take our kids to College Station.
But when we come to Texas, we are usually on such a tight schedule that there is no time left.
This trip was planned with some cushion for just this sort of thing.
As we left the Houston area and headed towards Austin, we took a detour through Aggieland.
First I drove around looking for a few old haunts.
The town has changed so much.
I was able to find a Whataburger that I frequented on late nights after leaving my bartender job, but my old apartments and places of employment have been replaced with newer and bigger...
Some areas were really unrecognizable because of the growth.

And although the campus itself has undergone changes and growth as well, most of it remains just as I remember.
It's strange how something so far removed from your life can feel so familiar.

Our first stop was Kyle Field.

I don't believe for one minute that the temperature reading on that stadium is accurate.

We walked around campus on one of the hottest days of our whole trip with temperatures reaching 104!

Afterwards, we found a parking garage and took off for a walking tour of some memorable spots.

One of the places I took the kids was Sterling Evans Library.

What was crazy was how it smelled!

EXACTLY the same as I remember!

We took the elevator to the 5th floor.

This was the week of finals for summer school Ags, so while there weren't many people there, we were quiet for the sake of those who were studying...and...because its a library.  

You can't help but whisper.

I showed the kids the study carrels that I remembered soooooo well.

Ivan found a pencil and we grabbed some books so they could pose like studious college students.

After they had their turns, I showed them how real studying works!!
Or maybe that was just me!
Cool Hannah photo!

 And just some fun pics among the stacks!

 You can see by Ivan's expression that he is so happy to pose for these pictures...

 ...and Jenelle is sooo not into it!

Next stop was Mosher Hall in the Commons.

This was my dorm for the first two years and I didn't know if we were going to be able to get a peek at where I roomed or not.
I guess we looked innocent enough as I was able to easily convince a student to let us into the hall.

We walked to the 3rd floor

and there it was...room 327!

I didn't want to stay too long...I felt like we were intruding a bit...so I didn't pay any attention to the names on the funny faces.
Hannah pointed out to me that they were...

WHAT?
This used to be a girls dorm!

We left the Commons and took a walk through the Quad that houses the Corps of Cadets.
Love this plaque that is inside the Quad.

Next a walk down to the MSC which had recently gone through some renovation.
Lots of nice changes, but somethings just looked the same to me and I loved that.

We spent some time and money at the bookstore.
Jenelle bought a hoodie that I'm sure will show up in future pictures as the weather grows colder.
Just look for a BRIGHT pink hoodie with Texas A&M on the front.
Wish I had bought this shirt...

Of course pictures at the Academic Building and Sul Ross statue were in order.

We saw piles of pennies at the feet of Sul Ross and I was at a loss as to why they were there.
This is apparently, a tradition that I didn't take part in when I was a student.
I found a great short article from the Battalion that explains the tradition.
You can read it here!

Carrying on down the walk and we came to the Century Tree...a 100+ year old live oak that has been home to many marriage proposals and even weddings!
Its big and beautiful and I can't even let my head go to a time when an amazing thing like this tree isn't around any more.

Just a couple more pictures Hannah took along the tour...

We left campus and found a Wings 'N More - a necessity!

Then, we made one more trip back to campus before we left for Austin.
I wanted to visit the Bonfire Memorial.
I didn't expect to be moved as much as I was...it was powerful.
And until I read this - I wasn't even aware of all the beautiful details that were included in the memorial.
Its a short article...and worthwhile.

Each gateway held a likeness and signature of the victim as well as quotes, poems, letters, emails and memories that their families felt were important to share.
This particular poem was written by one of the Aggies who died in the collapse.

Everyone feels strongly about their university.

But for Texas A&M, truer words have not been spoken...

After a full, fun and hot day, we needed to move on.
It had been a long afternoon for some of us...