Texas

On Christmas Day we packed up our family and started the drive to Texas. We were excited to be going to visit Dan's sister and her family. I had a terrible cough (so bad that my ribs ached) and I wasn't looking forward to an 18 hour drive but I knew that we would all have fun once we got there. The kids did great. We stopped in the middle of the night and got a hotel room (due mostly to my whining) and caught a few hours of sleep before Dan had us up and going again. Upon arrival, my older two children disappear....and I have to say that I really didn't see much of them the entire week we were there! They really enjoyed spending time with their cousins. Lauren was in her glory. She LOVES animals and the Texas clan has 4 dogs, 2 cats, and 4 degus (small rodents) in the house and 4 goats outside! Will was constantly asking to hold the degu and climbing into the goat pen. Alec had fun on the trampoline and he played the Wii every chance he got!

Chris took the adults to see some of the devastation from Hurricane Ike. You would not believe how bad it is, and it has been 3 months since the hurricane hit. There is garbage along the streets that was washed in and people's houses are completely unlivable....still. It makes you wonder where the help from the government is. There was much more to see, but unfortunately for everyone else, I had a migraine and ended up yakking alongside the road. How embarrassing.

Tuesday night we got to go to the Texas Bowl at the Reliant Stadium. It was a cool experience for the kids. I enjoyed watching the marching bands that performed before the game and at half-time. The Texas Rice team was kicking poor Western Michigan's butt and William was getting restless, so we ended up leaving early.

The kids really enjoyed the day that we went to Brazos Bend State Park. They got to see alligators in their natural habitat. They even got to pet a baby alligator in the nature center! We walked and talked and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Oh, and the kids climbed lots of trees! I learned that my kids aren't the only monkeys in the family!!!

It was sad when we had to pack up to leave. Lauren and Alec kept asking if we could stay longer. I was so happy to have had a chance to reconnect with a part of our family that we rarely see. I wish we all lived closer! A big thanks to Chris and Jeff for opening their home to us and thanks to the kids for giving up or sharing their bedrooms! We love those barefoot Texas hillbillies!!!!!