Trip to Texas

Last Thursday morning we took an early morning non-stop flight to Texas to visit Matt's sister Traci, husband Keith, and our nieces Samantha and Sydney. Matt's other sister Shawn, husband Mike, and our nephews Alex and Joshua flew in later that day from Oregon. Matt's parents (from Oregon, too) had flown the day before and came to pick us up from the airport in their rental van.

This was our annual family gathering - this year in Texas vs. our annual trip to the Oregon Coast at the end of August. With Keith and Traci's move to Texas earlier this year, we all opted to go see them in their new home where ALL of us stayed (quite comfortably - it is a big, beautiful home).

The three siblings, Matt, Shawn, and Traci catching up in the kitchen

Sydney opening her birthday gift from Shawn's family and our family

(Her birthday was the week before)
A funny photo of Sydney asking her Mom for scissors

A new skateboard!

Above: Video of Sydney unwrapping her gift

Below: Alex & Joshua unwrapping their Xmas gifts from Traci's family

Shirtless Jay (he got too warm in his long sleeved shirt)

An impromptu family photo Thursday night

(missing Mike on the far right and Traci who is taking this photo)

Friday night PopPop and Nana treated all of us to dinner at Babe's -- a must-go-to restaurant if you are in Texas.

Saturday morning Matt, Jay and I drove about 30 min. and met up with our good friends Joe, Jennifer, and their daughter Elisabeth (she'll turn 3 in December) for breakfast. We learned they are expecting Baby #2, too, and to all of our amusement, they are due with their baby the exact same day we are expecting our Baby #2!

Saturday afternoon Sydney had a soccer game. Everyone went to watch her game, but Jay and I stayed back at the house for our afternoon naps. Following Sydney's game we enjoyed eating out at Pei Wei (the cheaper, more casual version of P.F. Chang's).

On Sunday we attended church and listened to Chuck Swindoll give a wonderful message (what a treat and blessing for Traci's family to attend his church and sit under his teaching) followed by a delicious Thanksgiving meal Traci had planned for all of us. After coming home from Pei Wei Saturday evening, we had all helped out in the kitchen preparing the various items for the Sunday Thanksgiving meal -- PopPop and Nana did the stuffing, Samantha made a yummy no-bake turtle pie, Shawn and Nana peeled the potatoes, Mike and I helped put together pumpkin bars, and Traci prepared the turkey and other miscellaneous items.

The kids made daily trips to the nearby park and community pool. Jay being his very independent and busy self, walked pushing the umbrella stroller the entire way there and back almost every time, but one time he did a face plant on the concrete. Nothing a little love, witch hazel, and neosporin couldn't fix. Jay LOVES being outside and put up a fuss most times when it was time to go inside the house.

We had a very relaxing, wonderful time with our family. We miss Traci's family so much so it was REALLY terrific to spend quality time with them.

We flew back home Monday afternoon. Matt and I quickly learned we'd been doing it right to tackle air travel in the mornings. On this final flight Jay's energy level (since it was in the afternoon) was definitely on the active side vs. his more lathargic mornings so it was a bit more challenging keeping him occupied and happy, but he was still a pretty good traveler. We were tuckered out yesterday (Tuesday) recovering from the trip, but all is back to status quo today.

More and better pictures of our time were taken by PopPop, Shawn, and Traci, so I hope to post more pictures that they took in the week to come.

PopPop and Nana, THANK YOU SO MUCH for this special trip and Traci, a HUGE THANK YOU to you and your family for your hospitality. You did so much work to get everything ready for our time there which was truly wonderful. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family members. We love you all so much!!