Ok, so I’m WAY sad that this past week that I looked forward to for the last 4 months, had to come and go so quickly. I had the best time with my parents and sister. I can’t explain how much I needed that time with them. Everyone looks so good and it was so nice to be able to show them where we live, where we work, where we goto church, and all the other stuff. I will post photos when I get home I promise. I’m at work today and wanted to briefly write something as I have the best friends in the entire world who read this everyday and say such nice things in the comments. All of you know who you are and know that I’m thankful for each one of you! You all are the best! Ok, anyways, my thoughts are all over the place today so bear with me.
When my parents got off the plane we were there with our sign that said in bold colorful print “Texas welcomes Grandpa, Grandma, and Autumn!” Everyone that came down the escalator read it and instantly got a smile on their faces. The kids colored the sign and it was so nice. I saw my dad from across the hall and about dropped Braden as I ran up to him and hugged him. I instantly started to cry, tears of joy. Then I hugged mom and Autumn. The tears just swelled up in my eyes because I was so happy. Erik was able to take a late lunch and welcomed them in with me but then had to go back to work. I took them all around and then we had supper at the house. Wednesday night Mom, Autumn and I went Christmas shopping for the kids. We hit Target and got it all done. We decided that avoiding the Friday after Thanksgiving crowd was worth it!
With my mom’s recipes and guidance and my mother in laws help I pulled off feeding 14 people for Thanksgiving at my house! My first turkey turned out awesome which I’m sure it did because of our traditional turkey dance we do just prior to stuffing it!
We talked Erik and Dad into letting the kids open presents on Thursday night so they could have lots of time to play with them while Grandma and Grandpa were in town. Braden figured out fast how to open the gifts. His favorite seemed to be his sisters new doll though! He got one of those Little People Car Garages with the ramp/slide for the little cars to go down. Well Braden found a way to slide down it too. He also got some toy power tools complete with googles. Avery got Lego Star Wars for the Play station2, a watch, some Star Wars figurines, and some other magnetic guys. Jaelyn got a doll and stroller, a pink Fairytopia Barbie, tons of Polly Pockets, and a My Scene Barbie with a moped. Braden also got a Potato/Carrot/Corn shaped mini potato heads and a Simon Says Sit and Spin. All in all, they did good! We ended up getting new pillows for our bed, a coffee pot, and a new comforter set for our bedroom.
Friday while Erik was at work I took everyone to Galveston. We hit the Pier, saw a movie about the Great Storm of 1900 that killed 6000 people in Galveston and wiped out the town. The kids thought the hurricane movie was cool but I think it spooked them a little having just went through it with Rita. Then we went on the ferry and saw the dolphins and fed the seaguls and walked the beach. The kids talked Grandpa into buying them Volcanos, a brownie sundae dessert, at The Rainforest Cafe before we headed back home.
Saturday it rained so we spent the day inside at the Johnson Space Camp (Nasa). We’ve been there before but had just as much fun the 2nd time. Then we played cards that evening after supper at Pappasitos, a Tex-Mex restaurant.
Sunday morning was here before we knew it and we dropped them off at the airport at 9:45am. We couldn’t park and go in with them so we dropped them off at the front of the airport, said quick goodbyes, and cried all the way to church. Jaelyn was the worst. She said, “Mommy I think my heart is breaking.” Bless her heart! Mine was breaking too but I didn’t have the heart to let her see me weak too.
After church we all took naps and tried to recoop from the busy but fun weekend. I heard it was COLD in Marshall and foggy on the way home. I’m glad my family got to enjoy weather in the 70-80’s while they were here so they could see just how nice the weather can be. I think it helped alot too that they got to see where we were and how we lived. Just made it all better for them.
Now I’m already looking forward to March when we can fly back to the midwest! I can’t wait to see everyone again. Unfortunately we aren’t going home for Christmas this year, maybe next year.
PS. I almost forgot, Avery finally lost that eye tooth that I thought was starting to get infected. Erik accidently flicked it and then Avery begged me to pull it out the rest of the way. The tooth fairy found him in Texas and even left $1.25 for him in quarters. No state income tax must really pay off!
