Leaving Texas

My last full day in Texas we decided at the last minute to not do anything. Jen and I  took Lily shopping and to get a steak for lunch while Shawn let the big kids play together one more time then took them to a movie.

Had a great time with two of my girls. Bought Jen her Easter outfit. She's much easier to please than she was as a teenager.

Silly girl wanted to wear my glasses to read the menu.

Shopping wears a girl out. Maybe it was the quick high from the blue ICEE.

Then we met up with the rest of the group after their movie at the playground in the mall

The next morning we were all kinda down

We had such a bonding day the day before she didn't want to leave me.

I think she felt how sad I was getting. She got very upset when I left, crying and saying she wanted to come with me. I thought it was going to be Jack who was upset because he was telling Sami how far it was back to Maryland. To Sami, it just took a few hours to get to Texas. It took Jack five days to drive and he understands the distance a bit more.

Lunch at the airport.

At the airport gift shop we spied the confetti eggs we had gotten at Wal Mart to take back. We paid $1.84.

 

We had to get a new coloring book at the gift shop for ONLY $4. Nothing like a new coloring book, snack and drink from a gift shop.

She's an old hand at this flying thing now.

I did have to hold her to get her to nap though. I didn't mind.

I wish we could have gotten a video of her seeing her family when we got off the plane. She was so excited. Ella was glad to have her back!

The next morning she slept in a bit but things were back to normal for the most part.

He loved the outfit I brought back for him.

Wyatt liked his too. You can't really see his vest since his is black. I loved these vests we got at The Saddle Blanket souvenir store but it wasn't until later I noticed they were made in India, oh well.

While Charlie and Michele were visiting and Tom was taking Ella to school we got the phone call placing our little 'Z". So much for vacation.

She looked so sad those first few days. Couldn't get her to smile and she very rarely would look up.

So back to normal for the most part. Always something to do. Next trip to Texas will be June 12th and Tom will be taking Ella and then she will be flying back by herself so that she can spend some extra time there. I love my family!

Back to Texas

We went back up to the mountains but this time we did it the easy way, by tram.
We also had run into Kohl's to exchange something and ended up getting the girls matching dresses.

I still have a couple of hundred pictures from my Texas visit, we had such a great time!

We had to stand in line for 45 minutes for a FOUR minute tram ride but the kids didn't seem to mind.

Of course Shawn had to make sure everyone was sprayed down with sun screen.

and of course with Shawn there's always a learning op

a rock

Sami missed her Nenni

He was playing 20 questions with them and had the people standing in line making guesses.

Our first sight of the tram, We rode on one when we were stationed in Colorado in the late 80's and this brought back some great memories.
 

Always taking pictures even if it's just of us standing in line.

Smiles all around except for Shawn telling us something about something. Love Him!

Once we got on the kids were amazed.

 

Great views

When we got to the top we had a little snack.
Sad the gift shop was closed.

Another teaching experience.

Shawn was really excited to do this but I think he was more excited than they were.

The breeze was great! I can't believe how hot I was all week.

I just love how comfortable these two were with each other.



"Look Johnny, a lizard!"

The thing was only 2 inches long but they loved watching it.

The other side of the mountain

and yet another teaching moment

They really did have a good time.

Look! I can see our house

Then back down to our starting point

cool hat

After all that heat we stopped by the PX mall for a run in the fountains

then back to the house to relax and prepare for the birthday party the next day

 

He got to open the gift Pops and I got him because he needed it before the party started

A Bouncy House!

You need help daddy?

ta da!

The end of another great day

While the kids were sleeping the grown ups were setting up for the party

Jack wanted dinosaurs and Mommy wanted cowboys so they did
Tyrannosaurus Tex

Sami's on bed number two. The kids thought they could jump on the first inflatable mattress. It didn't make it through the first day.

I miss going in and kissing this sweet face every night before I go to bed.

When she went to bed she kept my side of the bed free.

By the time i got there though she was all spread out. I didn't mind sharing with her.

Good Night Sleep tight