Spring Break trip 2015

Today brings Spring Break to an end and it has made me long for summer!!

We took a trip this week to South Texas. Our first stop was James' grandparents in Harlingen.

This is James Henry on the drive down, awake and excited!

 The boys love their PawPaw Enos and he scored big points when he took them for a ride on his golf cart! You would have thought James Henry was riding in a race car.

 The boys had a blast driving the golf cart, too!

 We had a wonderful visit with them. We spent most of our time just relaxing and talking. We really enjoyed going to church with them on Sunday. The service was wonderful and everyone was so nice. I know MawMaw enjoyed showing off her family!

MawMaw and Makayla 

 We spent two nights with Betty and Enos and then drove up to New Branufels where James taught a kickboxing class at their location of Extreme Martial Arts. The kids were able to take the class while I was on baby duty.

Our little warriors!

James teaching his class! 

Chris sparring with Mr. Poole the chief instructor in New Branufels.

Chris ready to fight!

 After the kickboxing class we checked into our hotel and had dinner at Montana Mike's.

 The next morning we drove the short distance to San Antonio but first we stopped at the best gas station ever, Buc-ee's. I am really sad I didn't get a picture of that gigantic gas station.
Our first stop in San Antonio was The Alamo. The kids have been studying about it in school and really wanted to go.

The day we were in San Antonio was St Patrick's day.

 It was a really neat experience and a crazy feeling to stand in the same place where something so historic took place. We toured the inside and the grounds surrounding it. Then we hit up the gift shop.

 We had lunch on the Riverwalk at our favorite "travel" spot, Rainforest Cafe.

 We finished the morning walking around the Riverwalk area and doing some shopping. It is pretty neat down there!

 Then we made the drive back to Amarillo. Remember how awake and excited James Henry was at the start of our trip? Here he is on the way home, I think our vacation was a success!

James Henry lost his first tooth

Yesterday morning right before we left for school James Henry lost his first tooth!

 It has been loose for weeks and he has really been wiggling it. He has been filled with anticipation waiting on this tooth to come out!

He took the tooth to school and his teacher gave him a special tooth necklace to keep it in. It's a big deal at school when you lose your first tooth!

This morning he woke up to find the tooth fairy left him $5.00! 

Valentine's 2015

This was the most laid back & fun Valentine's we have had in a long time!

Friday the kids had their parties at school.

This year was so laid back I store bought the class Valentine's instead of making them! (Gasp!)

James came home Friday night after being gone for a month! It is the longest we have all been apart since he was in the Marine Corp and we sure are glad to have him home. 

So Saturday was spent very low key with quality time together! We played outside, James and Chris shot their bow and arrows. We played board games...

and had Cupid floats...

Then we watched a family movie together. It was a day exactly how we wanted it, just spending time together! 

Comic Con

Makayla and I just returned from celebrating her 13th birthday at Comic Con in Dallas.

It was a girl's weekend (well plus a baby boy but he doesn't care yet)!

 What's a road trip without Starbucks?!

 First stop of the trip was to meet my mom in Dallas and then pick up my sister in law Paige from the airport. Then we headed for dinner at The Rainforest Cafe and did some shopping.

 We were at the convention center before it even opened on Saturday morning, we were ready for a jam packed day with the birthday girl.

 First stop of the day was an advanced screening of a Dr.Who web series.

Q & A with the web series cast and crew

 Then we took in a Q & A session with a timelord himself, Colin Baker!

 We had the best time just people watching and taking in all the sights.

 There was so much Dr Who stuff....

 I am so thankful that Makayla has a strong group of women in her life to look up to and that love her!

Girl's trip day 1

Paige and Makayla

 We sat through a Q & A with the fabulously entertaining John Barrowman!

 After a long Saturday at Comic Con we threw in the towel and headed for dinner..

 We were up and at it bright and early again Sunday morning.

 more Dr Who fun.....

Girl's trip day 2 

 On Sunday we walked the entire exhibit hall. We came home with some really cool souvenirs and finds!

 Q & A with the beautiful Alex Kingston!

 Some of our favorite moments from Comic Con were having our picture taken with Alex Kingston and John Barrowman....

 then with David Ramsey and Stephen Amell......

The girls stood in line to get John Barrowman's autograph for Chris!

 I was able to meet and get an autograph from Melissa McBride "Carol" from The Walking Dead.

It was a fabulous weekend full of girl talk, great food, great entertainment and priceless memories. I am so glad I was able to take Makayla on this trip and that we had great company too!