visiting TEXAS

my mom has been awaiting grandkids for a while. claire and bubba kinda make her really happy. she wanted some one-on-one time with claire, so to texas she went! she flew out with my sister, and i went for a couple days and brought them home. 

we had a blast, every day we wore the kids out completely. although claire stayed true to form, and woke up sometime around 5am everyday. (she always does this when shes away from home. we cant figure out why.) i got some much needed mommy time, a few naps and sleep ins, and some play time with the doggies. (i really tried to bring one back.... i just couldnt carry a dog and a baby in my lap. next time?) sad joe had to work, but getting a ski day kinda made up for it, right? also, some nice warm weather was excellent for this popsicle. utah was kind and has been absolutely freezing since the moment we got back.

anyways, texas has lots and lots to do.... lots of parks and play areas, plenty of ways to wear out the kids :)

my kids are truly SPOILED by grammy, one day she took them to a rain forest cafe for lunch. claire barely had to ask for an elephant drink and she ordered one for each kid. bubba takes his drinks very, very seriously, and downed the entire thing.

typical, anytime we went anywhere.

master piano players and entertainers. they loved the piano, and practiced often.

a fun morning at a blow-up jump and slide place. neither kid wanted to leave!

i spotted a potbelly's not far from my parent's house and decided i had to grab some shakes and a sandwich for old time's sake. (we had one across the  street from us when we lived in dc. so yummy!) he liked his shake as much as i did! and wouldn't let go of it. like i said, takes drinking very seriously.

typical.

grammy's bed is ALWAYS the most comfy.

these poor doggies..... they are SO patient with my kids, even though its painfully obvious they don't want to be. they never once nipped or snapped at them. barked from a distance.... maybe. but never mean.

claire wanted to pick them up all the time, and they just didn't love it. but again, so patient with her. i am sure they are resting peacefully for the next week to recover. 

sharing with the doggies.

my mom has been waiting to bring the kids to this place for a while. LUPE's. or loopy's as she calls it. pretty decent mexcian food, and it has a pretty fun sand box outside for kiddos to play in. the chicklets loved it, naturally. and bubba loved the beans. 

my mom got what she always does- her new fave, fajitas. because the meat is soaked in tequila.wink, wink mom! we decided if we were alcohol drinkers my mom would be a margarita drinker. no question. 

thanks for the trip mother dear! i know the kids LOVED it, and miss you dearly. claire has been asking for you all day :)