Texas

I am so far behind with my blogging...what's going on with me?  A lot, a lot of busy loaded with gobs of tiredness & exhaustion.  I work, work, work all day then just want to sleep, sleep, sleep when I get home.  Most nights I go to bed at 8:30 with Aubri.

Back to this...

Alright, so, just this past end of September, begining of October, we took our 1st real family vacation!

That is,

     *Out of State
     *Big Airplane-Jet
     *All 3 of Us
     *Fun

Trace & I have gone on vacations & getaways before, but this trip included Aubri going with us!!  We had had this trip in our minds since June and knew that we were going.  Some very special friends moved to TEXAS during the summer and the purpose of this vacation was to visit them, experience a little of their new life in Texas, and introduce Aubri to the ocean/beach life!  We accomplished all of these & had a blast doing so.

 Grandma Joanie & Papa Sam dropped us off at the Omaha Airport.

 Aubri was so excited about her suitcase and backpack!

 And was very independent toting them thru the airport!

 She met a nice lady who she spent time with while waiting for our ride on the airplane!

They talked & visited and Aubri played with her I-Pad.

She has friends all over the place!

 This is ours!

 Such Excitement!!

 Walking down the jetway to board the plane!

 We're on & seated, ready for take-off!

 Showing off her gum! Notice her holding daddy's hand...that's to keep "Daddy Safe"!

 We packed her backpack with lots of activities, snacks and a few toys for her big trip!

 She approves with a "thumbs up"!  She did an outstanding job traveling. 

 We spent some time playing here during our layover in Dallas.

 One more short jaunt from Dallas into College Station, TX...we're almost there!

Her very own chapstick for the trip...cookie somethin or other!

 Going for a walk around their beautiful home!

Hand in Hand!

 Feel the love!

Aubri assisting Millie with her paci!  She was ALWAYS wanting to help Millie.

Thumbs Up from the both!

 Aubri was so excited to be here with her friends, Sylas & Millie Bop.

 Sweet 'Lil Millie!

This picture makes me think of 3 good chums just sittin around talking about the good 'ole times!

 This is Sherry, Allison's lovely mom, feeding my daughter lunch!
She & Pop arrived and they immediately tended to the kids and all of their needs...and wants!
Aubri knows a "Grandma" when she sees one and she immediately fell in love with Grammy Sherry.

 Daddy & Aubri telling *Secrets*

Me & my girl!

Horsy ride through the great outdoors!

Martini Time!

 Cheers to Texas!

 YUMMY...Sherry took to these real fine.  They went down really well!

Aubri did a lot of playing outside.

3 or 4 Martini's later...Sherry is kind enough to fold my freshly washed undies!
You see, thru our travels my underpants were drowned in an entire bottle of hair spray, hence becoming very stiff!  Allison washed & dryed 'em and Sherry folded 'em...or rather, played with them!

Out on the porch swing!

Aubri really liked "Pop" too!  This is Allison's dad and he played a ton with the kids.
Aubri still talks about Pop going to take her to the zoo.

These two are quite the pair!

Allison always cooks delicious meals for us!

After a lot of talking and convincing, Seth was onboard for a fishing trip!

 The guys went out very early one morning to catch some sharks...

 ...but they settled for these!

Check out the bend of the pole!

He's floppin and fightin...

but he was caught!

Nice job, honey!

This was our view from the hotel suite.

 In the evening, we took a walk down the strip and stopped in at Murdochs...it's a great spot on the beach with a huge deck overlooking the ocean where you can enjoy drinks & food.  In addition, there is a large gift shop to pick up some souvenirs!

 After Murdochs, we parked the kids in the bike rack and went into Captain Jacks for a drink!
...Just kidding, they came in with us.

 Shirley Temple!

We concluded the day with a game of this!

 This is where we spent an entire day...on Stewart Beach in the sun!
It was off-season so we literally had the whole beach to ourselves minus a handful of people.
It was awesome!  The kids ran and played, the adults sat & talked and it was a perfect day.

 Aubri thought this was pretty great and loved every minute of it!

Aubri & Sylas ran all over the beach this day!

What a goof!

 Allison's best friend, Kristin and her son, Miles were able to join us too!

 Aubri was practicing things she learns at tumbling on the beach!
This is called the straddle stretch.

 Miss Popular!  Grammy with ALL of the kids.  They just swarm to her.

"Whatcha think Sy?"

 Friends

 Love

Aubri

Family

'Til next time...

 At the airport awaiting our plane.

 We ended up having a broken plane on top of our already scheduled layover, so we decided to break out Aubri's new guitar so she could entertain us and many others!

Home...almost (in Omaha) at last!

Texas was incredible.  We had an awesome time and it was a much needed vacation.  We look forward to the next one already.  It was great being able to travel with our daughter and enjoy time away from home together as a family, enduring new adventures and experiencing new scenery.

A great big huge, endless thank you to our friends, Seth & Allison, for their gracious hospitality!
We are so thankful for their friendship and look forward to the next time of being together.