We celebrated our Thanksgiving this year with the Whaley side in Austin, TX. It should have been an easy trip. Fly out Wed and fly home Sat, allowing for most of the weekend to recoup and get ready for school again. However, since Alyssa had the flu the week of and Megan awoke with an ear infection the night before the 8am flight, we had to change plans. After a little disappointment, we decided to just cancel the flight and spend the holiday at home. But with all the family getting together, we didn’t want to miss it. So we packed up the car for the 14 hour trip. I feel like we are pros at this by now, so it wasn’t too bad.

We enjoyed a few days with Ethan’s family and his grandpa, aunt, uncle and cousins. It was definitely worth it. The best part was putting the kids in bed and playing games with the family. If we weren’t playing, we were at least all sitting together playing on iPhones.

Only a few from the family missing.

Grandpa’s 80th and Audrey’s 1st.

All the Whaley cousins

Oma visited us this last week and we were so lucky to have her. She entertains, she cooks, she paints, she reads, she teaches us things we never thought we needed to know. She tried to clean-up but Ethan kept shoving her outside to play with the girls. They really enjoyed having her around and I know she loved it too. Oma and Alyssa camped out (in a real tent) in the living room one night with popcorn, books and smores…then I don’t think Oma was too disappointed when Alyssa wanted her own bed. Thanks for a good week Oma. Thanks for giving the girls extra attention and giving Mommy some quiet time.

We enjoyed the Williamson County Fair again this year. I am sure we went to the Ft Bend one as kids, but I don’t remember, so this is as fun for me as the kids. Plus both girls are so different than last year, so it was like a new experience. They rode most of the kid rides together and had so much fun we didn’t want to leave. Megan liked the Dumbo ride and the mini-rollercoaster. She also wanted on the ferris wheel and the pirate ship that swings back and forth. Alyssa on the other hand, said she certainly didn’t want to ride those. On the little roller coaster, Megan was screaming with excitment and Alyssa was laughing — just like her daddy does when he rides roller coasters. We missed having little sister with us, but enjoyed our evening out with the big girls.

We headed to Abilene last week. Ethan had a conference in Dallas, so we spent one night in Dallas with the Reeses, then the girls and I went on to Abilene to see my brother and family. Ethan decided the night before we left that I needed a GPS. I hesitated spending the money, but I am not sure where I would have been without it. I lack directional skills anyway, and then trying to navigate out and then back into Dallas would have been impossible. I just obeyed my little tech-buddy and she got me exactly where I needed to go.

We spent a few days with cousins and just enjoyed family time. Crazy, dis-obedient children are always easier when your with your family. Jen did a great job feeding us and Steve even gave up his bed for his sister. The girls played like they always do, then get mad at each other, then decide they can get over it to play again. They stayed up till at least 10pm each night talking in bed. The boys tend to play on their own, but Jackson just loved Audrey. He would build her towers and let her come knock them over. Thanks for a good visit Abilene-Ellers.

We got to visit with some good friends back in Dallas, then to break up the drive home, we stayed the night in Texarkana. And guess who we “bumped” into? My parents and Fregias were headed up to Hot Springs and the trips worked perfect for us to meet for one night.

The weather has been so nice around here lately. I really think that this is normal, and of course, it still makes Ethan say “I love Tennessee.” We have enjoyed many evening in the yard playing with each other and whatever friends happen to walk by. I think the phrase I repeat constantly is, “I love this neighborhood.” We could have had a better house, a bigger yard, but I wouldn’t trade it in for the great neighbors we have.

Later evenings with the kids, means later bed times for everyone, which means Daddy is around for breakfast sometimes. And when he is, he does this type of fun stuff for the girls:

and even for me:

This afternoon we painted a bit while waiting for Daddy to get home.

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That is what they call it around here…Louil ?? Personally, I would pronouce Louisville…well, the way it is spelled – Louis, but you are quickly corrected. However you pronounce it, we went for a quick trip last weekend. Ethan and Alyssa dressed up and went to a co-workers wedding. She was so excited to get to go with Daddy and of course in the rush of checking in the hotel and getting her dressed, I didn’t take any pictures. The little girls and I played in the hotel room for a few hours until they returned. We spent one night (thank goodness) and enjoyed the zoo on Sunday. It was a remarkable day for any outdoor activity and we enjoyed the day together.

We enjoyed the annual parade this year without rain. Megan was still not ready to pedal herself, maybe next year. We had a blast with new friends, and I always enjoy an occasion to make my girls cute. The pool, a little rest and then we are scheduled for a cookout in the neighborhood and some fireworks from the porch.

More photos, mostly for Daddy since he is missing his girls. There is a lot of swimming going on around here. I think Oma was suckered into the pool at least 3 different times in the last 2 days. I know they are having fun.We have another week of swim lessons and cousin camp starts tomorrow. So I will have at least 1.5 days without the big girls, a mini vacation for me…well, except for this web project I cannot get myself to finish.