Austin Trip, Day... I have lost count

We are in Houston about to head to Galveston. There is no internet access at the beach house - which I guess is a good thing, but I won't be able to update my blog for a few days. I can guarantee that my next post I will have tons of beach pictures though! Pray for us to have atleast 2 hours w/o rain today please!

Austin Trip Day 4

Sorry, but no pics for day 4 right now. My camera battery went dead and I forgot to charge it. On day 4 we went over to my moms for a little while and tore up her house (wanted to give my dad's house a break) and then we took the kids to Gatti-town. It's sort of like a mini Incredible Pizza. After that we went and rented a lot of movies at Blockbuster. It has rained every day we have been here, so we decided we needed some indoor activities. I went and had a little me-time and had my hair done by my cousin, Mika. That was a much needed break from the 4. And then I had even more me-time and went to dinner with my mom and went with her to her Bible study while my dad watched the kids. I didn't get home until about 10 pm and not surprisingly the kiddos were still awake.
We have postponed our beach trip until the rain chances are below 90%. Hope that's real soon.
Oh - and to update you on the swimsuit - I found one! But - you won't be seeing pictures of it.. atleast not on me!

Austin Trip - Day 3

No time to finish Day 2 - already a day late on Day 3. Struggling w/ this

daily blog idea!
Yesterday (Day 3) we continued the hunt for a swimsuit with no success. I have to buy one today b/c we are leaving for the beach tomorrow. After that we met Chad and my parents for lunch at Threadgills downtown (see pics below). Chad tried to talk the boys into doing a performance on stage, but they were too reluctant.
After lunch the kids and I headed to visit my friend, Andrea and her girls - Averi and Emma. We visited with them for a while and then we took them up to this really cool indoor bouncehouse in their mall. The kids had so much fun and bounced non-stop for a long time. We didn't get home until about 9:30 and had no problem getting them in bed at a decent time.
I have to apologize for the terrible pictures - I almost didn't post them. I have a little point and shoot that I am using b/c it is just so much easier to carry around than my big camera!
I am not sure why I thought vacationing by myself w/ the 4 kids would be relaxing! What was I thinking???!!! Luke - where art thou???????

Andrea, Averi and Emma

Andrea's attempt at getting a picture of me and my boys

Me and Andrea

I think there might have been a little flirting going on between Averi and Cam

Olivia and Ryder

Averi

Ryder

Threadgills debut

Chad has not a shy bone in his body!

I really have no idea who this crazy family is! But they sure arefun!

Austin trip - Day two

This morning my mom and I took my kids and Campbell to the Austin zoo. We had a great day and I will fill you in on more later, but now it is almost 10 pm and all 4 are wide awake....
Pictures will have to do for now.

This zoo fits right the city - fun, yet wierd

Ryder had no fear of animals. If he could stick his hand in the tiger cage i'm sure he would

Campbell loved being fanned by peacock feathers

Olivia ended up using her new hat to swat bees

Bye-bye turtle

Bye-bye goat

Campbell thought this goat was pretty funny

Went shopping for a swimsuit today and opted for a UT hat.

Storm came. Mimi's electricity went out. Roasted goldfish.

Mimi's nightly read to Cam

Papa and Olivia seeing how close they can get to the deer

Austin trip - Day One

Yesterday we arrived in Austin after driving for a long long long time. We only got out of the car twice, but made many stops. We stopped at Starbucks, Burger King, Chic-fil-a, McDonalds, Starbucks, McDonalds, Starbucks and Starbucks. And then when I got tired we would stop at Starbucks again. The kids did very well. Lane and Cam spent most of the time pacifying Ryder.
Our first day in Austin was spent back-to-school shopping. We went with Mimi and Papa to the Round Rock outlets. It was really nice out there and shaded.

Everyone has new backpacks and ready for school - well actually they are protesting the going to school part, but would say anything for new clothes.

Olivia sitting nicely and quietly coloring

and then there are the boys....We got some great indoor toys. So far, nothing has broke

Lane couldn't resist these slippers

This might have been the highlight of the shopping trip

This officer has it made. I want one - sure would help my aching feet -

except I would probably have 4 kids hanging off it.

We seem to get excited now-a-days when we see longhorns

Everyone was a little tired and wanted to ride.

Glad Papa was with us to push the 300 lb stroller!

Science camp

Lane went to science camp at Camp Washahsahsheeheee... or something like that. The night I picked him up they had a rocket launch (see terrible picture above). He had so much fun! That was his last camp of the Summer. Next is the beach - no more cabins for him.

Swept away to Super Target.. I mean the Renaissance

On Friday Luke surprised me for our 12 year anniversary by taking me to a hotel in Tulsa. He arranged the sitter and everything else! I was so impressed. We stayed at the Renaissance which has to be the nicest hotel in Tulsa and the most exciting part was that it was walking distance to Target!! ;-) Luke knows me so well. Seriously, we had so much fun! In our hotel room there were a dozen+1 roses and chocolate covered strawberries. I got teary eyed! Luke is getting really good at this romantic stuff. Friday night after we kicked back and had coffee on our private balcony ;-) we went to a really fun sushi bar called In the Raw. The hotel description called it a "hip" restaurant, so Luke and I had a debate on if we were worthy of dining in such a place. ?Turns out we weren't the dorkiest people there. Not sure if it's a chain or not - but it was fun and really good. Then we went to Starbucks and Target. My night was everything I had been dreaming about. But - the next day was even better. We woke up and Luke went with me to work out - wow, that was nice to watch! Then we ate a delicious breakfast at the hotel and then Luke arranged for me to have a massage and facial at the hotel spa. I felt like a princess! After that it was time for check-out, so we packed all our stuff up, went and ate lunch. I had a cheeseburger and fries - I was feeling really crazy! We spent the rest of our time walking around Utica square and people watching at Starbucks. The next morning at church someone commented that I looked really rested and glowing! I honestly can tell you that since I have had kids (10 years ago!) I have never received that compliment. I always get the "you look tired" comment. I am thinking that this nightly get away should happen a little more often! Might need to rob a bank first though ;-)

12 red = years, 1 yellow = forever

I was ready to move in!

YUMMY! My hubby thinks of everything!

He Knows My Name by Maranatha Singers

This is a great song! And I love the pictures.

Deana Rose Farm (or something like that in KC)

These are some pictures that I took with my little point and shoot when we went to KC the other wknd. We had such a great time with all my family watching all the kids play and fish! What a great weekend!!!

Ryder has no fear - glad he didn't grab the hook!

Proud of this one - bite size ;-) By the way - don't you love Lane's new haircut??

Mimi playing in the water with Ryder and Olivia. Ryder just wanted to lay down in the water. I think Mimi got just as wet as he did.

The boys love getting their picture with me!

Papa and Campbell

Very pregnant Taylor and Campbell

Cousin Val w/ her daughter

Papa holding Campbell

Luke and Olivia

Me and my brother Chad