On to Abilene (July 4 through 11)

We are back at home so I am way behind on posting.  Catching up on vacation:

Next stop, Abilene!  We were so happy to see these sweethearts, Susan and Ally above, Ally and Aidan below.

As I mentioned, David took us to Post and we chatted most of the way, although he was supposed to be editing photos (while Rich was driving, technically!)  We probably kept him from getting much work done.  Our friend Jim met us in Post and we all had lunch together before David headed back to Amarillo and we went on to Abilene.  Weren't they both super nice to chauffeur us?!

Aidan loves working on Lego projects and always enlists Grandpa's help when we are together.  This was the first of several very complicated tasks.  I think it's pretty great that they have their own little traditions and have fun working together.

Susan and Corey,  out to dinner the next day.  My sister Kathi, my niece Alana, and Alana's cute baby Oren came  in from San Antonio for a quick visit.  We have family and friends all over Texas and it's really hard to try to see everyone.  We were thrilled that they took the time to make that long drive for just an overnight.

Alana and Oren

My friend Karen and my sister Kathi.   We stayed at Karen's home and kept the kids with us most nights so had a great time just hanging out and doing lots of things together.

Ally, Karen, Aidan, Kathi, Alana, Oren; Susan, Corey and Jane standing

Alana and Oren back at Karen's house

Kathi and grandson Oren

The next day we went swimming at the pool at Kathi's hotel. Aidan and Ally love the water!

Oren enjoyed it, too!

Then we went to the play area at the mall and ran off some steam

before going to lunch and saying our goodbyes to the San Antonio crew.  Thanks for coming to see us!  xoxo

Goodbye to Amarillo Family

Bonnie and I took Emery (and Luke) to a place called Jump 'n Jive, full of inflatables and a definite fun house for the kids.  Bryana and Lilly met us there and the girls had a blast!

Emery was moving too fast for me to get very  many photos!  She loved it and was very independent.

Gigi and Emery

Bryana with Lilly, Emery and Beck

Back at home, Emery wanted to put on a coat after her bath!  Funny girl.  She loves her Daddy, as you can see.

Another day, I met my friend Debbie for lunch.  I've known her since we were both twentysomethings in Waco, many years ago.  I was a social worker at a hospital and she was my field placement student from Baylor. We have managed to stay in touch all this time and try to get together when I come to Amarillo.

Grandpa and Gigi with the kids

With Bonnie and our little sweeties

It's always hard to say goodbye. The positive spin is that we were heading off to see the next set of grandkids.  :)  Since there is no good way to get from Amarillo to Abilene--flights go through Dallas and we couldn't rent a car for a decent price without returning it to Amarillo, which wouldn't work--David was kind enough to drive us to Post, where our friend Jim met us and drove us the rest of the way to Abilene.  Thank goodness for thoughtful and accommodating family and friends!


Bye, bye Amarillo sweeties!  We love you!

More Amarillo Fun

I've neglected the blog but I have a good excuse.  I have been having way too much fun with the kids and grandkids to be stuck on the computer!  We are actually in Dallas now, after leaving Amarillo and spending a week in Abilene.  So it's catch up time:

Bonnie and I took Emery to the library one day. She was so excited to see all the books.  (I love that!)  She and Bonnie read a few while I carried Luke around and kept him amused. 

We checked out several books to bring home and Emery immediately had Grandpa reading them with her.

Rich and I went out to see our friends Mona and Alex one night at their home but I failed to take photos.  Mona, Rich and I went to high school together in NJ all those many years ago and after Bonnie moved to Amarillo, we were able to get together on most of our visits.  We had a nice time catching up at their house and then they came by to get us for lunch another day so were able to see the kids.

I think Mona enjoyed her baby holding time!

Meanwhile Alex became fast friends with Emery while working puzzles.

Another night, Rich cooked some pasta for a crowd.

Rich and David

David's brother Jonathan

My niece Bryana's husband Seth worked on Bonnie and David's electrical while the girls played outside before we all had dinner.

Bonnie, Emery, Bryana, Josie the dog, and Lilly

Cousins Bonnie and Bryana

Lilly and Emery

Two of our cute girls

Rich and I made strawberry shortcake and these girls LOVED it!

Cute little Luke, almost three weeks old

Just Hangin' Out

Sweet boy!



Play time!

 Bath time for Emery

We started to take a walk last night; had both kids in strollers, Josie the dog ambling along with us, and barely got around the corner when it started pouring down big ole raindrops.  Back home we ran and that was that.  Our days have been filled with holding Luke, playing with Emery, doing a few chores, shopping, cooking and eating.  :)   Oh, and staying up way too late watching several episodes of "The Wire."