Texas Trip!

Over Labor Day weekend we headed south to deliver John & Lindsey's household goods. Seth and Noah accompanied us. They were a bit nervous because Uncle John had warned them that just any old boots may not get them across the state line but they would definately need a 'Texas' hat. Before we left Jeff & Steph took the boys to the local farm store to get them ready for the trip. It is important to fit in when you are visiting new places. To commemorate this historic crossing we woke them up about 2 a.m. (make that we woke Seth up - just like his Mom Noah was bound and determined to stay awake) to take their picture by this subtle stateline marker.
We stopped outside of Hempstead to get the boys outfitted in both the hats and boots. Pat had rehearsed a "Texas swagger" with them, since Wisconsin boys know how to do that sort of thing, but Noah lost all composure at seeing his girl Lindsey.


John and Lindsey were very impressed with the hats and boots in spite of the comfy sweats the boys were wearing. The farmhouse John & Lindsey live in is located on acerage that has been in John's family for some time. It was used as a country retreat by John's grandparents, especially his much loved 'Pops' whose picture hangs over the fireplace. The hats located in the corner were also his. As you can see the house has a character all its own and it fits it perfectly.

This is the living room with the photo taken from the dining area. Directly behind the photographer and the dining area is the kitchen.

Here is a picture of Lindsey's Texas guys.
And, once they figured out the timer on the camera one with Lindsey also!

This picture is just too cute - it should be on a stamp or something .....

John proved his worth as an uncle when he pulled out two huge rubbermaid bins of Lego toys. I believe he also had a huge bag of some others. Countless battles were won and lost in the sun room - also known as the 'new room' since it was built in the 70s! Here is a video of the most epic battle which turned into a lego bath once the stuffed animals got involved. They just look warm and fuzzy.

On Saturday morning we went with Tom & Kay (John's folks), and John & Lindsey to met with Aunt Ann and John's brother, Rob. We had a wonderful breakfast at a favorite local breakfast place called "The Snowflake". Besides great doughnuts they had something called a Kalachi (am I right John?) which is a flaky dough wrapped around a sausage. Lots of coffee, conversation and calories.

This picture was taken Sunday morning before church on Tom & Kay's front patio. They built a lovely new home just a stone's throw from John & Lindsey.

Surpise!! We found airplanes! After church we went to the Brenham airport where they have a fifties diner complete with girls in poodle skirts and saddle shoes. John's Uncle Charlie, Pat and Noah were checking out the airplane they were selling $50 chances to.

The boys posed for us in their cowboy best - we had been warned by their Mom not to come back without a proper Texas picture in proper Texas attire.

Tom has a full-time job in the fall feeding hummingbirds. We didn't realize they migrate through Texas towards the Gulf and actually fly across the Gulf to South America. At times there were up to 20 or more literally diving for food. One of the best airshows I've seen.

Remember when you were a kid and summer vacation or Christmas or something made you so happy and excited you could NOT contain yourself?? Well, here it is on film. You may think the video is about Seth but watch Noah. We would like to point out he did not actually go down the slide but the possibility of it made him dance and, ummm, apparently cool off.

Can you sing with me? He ain't heavy, he's my brother . . . . .

Sometimes a cowboy just has to take time to walk and think about . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . being in Texas!

Thank you John & Lindsey, Tom & Kay, Charlie & Ann - we had a wonderful time!