It's Always Fun When Grandpa Comes, Hurray!

Grandpa came for EJ's baptism and stayed for the whole weekend. As usual, there were lots of special treats, presents, and bug-like scum-sucking bottom feeders. He brought us (frozen) lobster and crab he caught himself in Maine! The girls were pretty excited because they love crabdaddies.  Bear wasn't too sure about the giant bugs (smart boy).

Bear was thrilled with the zillions of new trains and track Grandpa brought for him. He had fun building all kinds of tracks with Grandpa and Daddy. He still plays with them daily and he can usually persuade his sissies to join in and build things for him.

Of course when Grandpa comes, there is lots, and lots of tickling!

On Monday before Grandpa had to catch his plane, we took him to Bass Pro Shop. Think Cabela's except with more of a hunting lodge theme. Grandpa declared it to be better than Cabela's.  As a side note, I think I need more antlers, shotgun shells and pelts in my decor- that centerpiece is doing something for me...

The girls (and Bear!) got to try out the shooting gallery.  I love how serious they all are!

Grandpa even let them get something from the gumball machine- something we never do so it was a special treat!

We watched the big catfish and gar in the giant tank, checked out the rattlesnakes, real ducks in their pond and lots and lots of dead stuffed animals.

Bass Pro Shops is one of Bear's favorite places. He loves the "Boats and Trucks".  Funny story- we pass Bass Pro Shops on the way to his neurologist's office. He saw the sign and started begging to go - "Boats and Trucks! I want Boats and Truuucccckkkksss!!!"

After the Boats and Trucks, we went to the mall across the street and all Bear's dreams came true when Grandpa bought him a ride on the little train there!

After our adventures, Grandpa took us to Corinne's Catfish.  It's the first time I've had fried catfish and it was really, really good. The kids tried fried okra (didn't like it) and hushpuppies (gobbled them down and asked for more) and loved their catfish!  Then, sadly it was time to drive Grandpa to the airport.  The kids were all so sand and teary that he had to go so soon.  For days afterwards, Eli would demand candy ("treats") and when I told him no, he'd say "Where Grandpa?"   He still talks about "Grandpa Trains!" and Grandpa is his favorite person to "call" on his toy phone.  Can't wait until the next visit!

We Love Grandma and Grandpa K

By far, the most special part of our UT trip was all of the time we got to spend "hanging out" with Grandma and Grandpa K.  The kids (and I!) got to soak up a year (or six months) worth of snuggles, spoiling and loves.  They are the very best Grandma and Grandpa!

Bear started out calling both of them "Grandpa" but then switched and they are now both "Grandma".  I just love that that word is in his vocabulary and he knows who they are when he sees pictures and talks on the phone!

The girls loved the attention, loves and cuddles they got with their Grandparents.  

I love EJ's face as Grandma hugs her and whispers in her ear!

Grandpa even got out his special trains for Bear to play with!  He is convinced that Bear is the smartest 2 year old ever.  He's right.

It was so hard for us to leave!  I loved spending time with my Mom and Dad.  Even though I'm grown up, I still love spending time with them and value their advice and love.  Plus, I got to sleep in and I didn't have to cook dinner!

Thanks for letting us crash your new house!  We all can't wait until next year!

P.S. I may or may not have cried a little while writing this. I just love seeing my kids with their grandparents and we miss them lots!

Austin and the Texas State History Museum

On the second-to-last day Grandma and Grandpa were here, we all woke up bright and early to drive to Austin. The drive wasn't too bad, and it was fun to see more of Texas.  We met Grandpa's sister, Aunt Kathy at the Texas State Historical Musuem. It was really, really neat.  Outside is this giant Texas star.

While we were there, we got to see a 3D Imax movies about the ocean and coral reefs. Not much to do with Texas history, but really, really cool. The girls were thrilled and loved the 3D effects (I'm pretty sure this is their first 3D movie- they've only ever done the Toy Story Disney ride at California Adventure...).

You couldn't take any pics inside the museum, but the girls loved looking at the beautiful floor mural in the entrance. It depicts all the diffrent people who have lived here in Texas- Cowboys, Native Americans, Spanish Missionaries and etc.

It was really fun to visit with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Frank. We learned a lot about their ranch and the girls got to hear Uncle Frank's first-hand story of the time he shot a Chupacabra!  EJ also learned about branding cattle and what Uncle Frank's brand looks like.  We really loved visiting and wished we had more time!

Dallas Zoo w/ Grandma and Grandpa K

The weather was BEAUTIFUL for our day at the Dallas Zoo with Grandma and Grandpa K. You can't beat 65 degrees at the end of December!  We had so much fun.  We headed to the big cat encounter first. It was so neat to see the big male lions up close (and these guys aren't even fully grown yet!). At the end they "stood up" and it was very impressive!

We all love the giraffes. Bear was especially interested in them this time and pointed and hooted excitedly at them :) 

 Birdy was wrestling this 'gator "just like big friend Andrew" (remember? her imaginary friend?)

Look! a wild baby in a cage!

EJ made a new penguin friend (shot with DMP's phone)

Grandma and Grandpa K visit Dec 2011

We were so happy and lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa K come vist just after Christmas this year. It was a fun trip filled with presents (lots of presents!), good food, treats and adventures!

The day after they arrived it was like Christmas morning part 2! Then we spent the rest of the day playing with our new toys and visiting Fancy Walmart (one of the Walmart's near us is seriously the fanciest Walmart you will ever see!)

Grandpa wanted to sample all of the good food that we've discovered and we were only too happy to oblige- we had Rosa's tacos, Old Town BBQ (awesome!), a Nick's sandwich and dressing, and Chik-fil-A. We went to the Dallas Zoo, the Dallas Nature and Science Museum, and we even drove to Austin to the Texas State Historical Museum! It was so fun to go to these places that we've never been!

In between the presents, there was lots of cuddling and reading (with everyone, not just Bear. He just sits still longer than his sisters, sometimes!)

And yes, that is the same book he asked everyone to read. He still drags it around the house and it is his "good night" book.

We loved, loved, loved having Grandma and Grandpa visit. It was nice to have a house big enough that we all got our own space, and we all enjoyed soaking up every bit of Grandparent love we could get. We can't wait until we get to see them again!