So long, farewell…

Early this morning we said our goodbyes to Grandmommy and returned home to Daddy and Granddaddy, who have been diligently working on the new living space (more on that soon). We had such a fun trip! Even with the stifling temperatures, we had tons of fun. We were in the pool morning and afternoon most days, played Crazy Eights, took a trip to the library and watched a few movies. Indoors was not all the bad with the fans going full speed. Also, I was born and raised in Arizona, so I am no stranger to hot and dry conditions. While packing, I realized Chase barely wore any clothes! He so enjoys being naked and it was a good time to do it….and his little naked body is so adorable!

Tate said something so cute, I must jot it down before I forget. Last night, in our preparations for this morning, I told Tate we would be leaving early and that I would need to wake him up. He talked about it and sounded a bit worried….don’t forget….if I am sleeping, just touch me and I will wake up….maybe we should wake up at 4 just to make sure! Grandmommy said, “he is a worrier! He needs more of Grandmommy’s genes.” And Tate calmly replied, “But I already have my own clothes!” (thinking Grandmommy said jeans!) We had a hardy laugh.

The airplane ride back was not quite as uneventful as the ride out, but it was still fine enough. Lets just say I was signing a lot towards the end! And I accidently erased all the videos from Chase’s Zune (which I don’t even know HOW to do), so Tate was upset for about 1 minute, forgave me quickly and happily listened to a story on CD. I am debating which time of the day is best to fly now (morning or during nap), but I suppose the cheapest ticket will make that decision.

We didn’t take too many pictures, but I did manage to get one great one the night before we left.

THANKS GRANDMOMMY – we are SOOOO

blessed you are OUR Grandmommy!!!!

Grandmommy’s Pool Mission

During our visit to Texas last year, Tate had a bit of apprehension about the pool. He went in, but didn’t really do cool “boy stuff.” So this year, before we hit the pool Grandmommy had her mission already planned out – get Tate to jump off the side of the pool with the noodles all by himself. I am happy to report, Grandmommy completed her mission. Tate is loving the pool and jumping and jumping and jumping – all by himself even without someone waiting at the bottom! Good job Grandmommy – you deserve a instruction/instilling bravery metal! Here are two videos that captures part of the process. The first step was getting Tate comfortable with the noodle.

Here is the final result!

Texas visit activities

Temperatures out here in Borne are hovering around 100 most days, so it has been hot! Thankfully Grandmommy saved all of Tyler’s toys from when he was a little tyke, so there is plenty to do inside during the hottest parts of the day. Other than that, we have been doing some fun things; swimming at least once a day, bowling on Grandmommy’s Wii (which is surprisingly fun!) and getting in some games of Go Fish.

Here is Chase in his swim diapers ready to head out.

Grandmmommy has worked long and hard to teach Tate how to go out on the noodles and float around on his own.

Chase and I played with some sidewalk chalk out front while Tate skidded around on his big wheel. Both boys looked especially cool with their classes.

Today, Tate got an extra special treat. Grandmommy took him to a 3-D movie, Ice Age 3. Apparently they charge you extra and “give” you these cool 3-D classes now, but Tate had a ball and it was a special time for him and Grandmommy.

First things first…

We’ve arrived! And the airplane trip was quite uneventful, happily so. Some of you may remember the trip back from CA…ug. On that flight Chase needed to sleep, but insisted on moving and playing in our little 5 X8 space and fussed until he got to do exactly what he wanted to do. After that trip, I was less than excited to fly again! :) Emotional reaction, I know. Still, the thought of the same situation WITHOUT my hubby wasn’t high up on my list of things to do. Alas, plans change, memories of the last flight experience began to fade and my MIL realllllllllly wanted us to come out.

After talking with my friend Steph about my flight owes, she gave me some pointers. The best advice she offered was to buy a seat for Chase (even though I didn’t need to because he is still under 2) and lock him in his car seat. Well I am hear to tell you, it made a world of difference! Chase resolved himself to the fact he had to stay put. Although I had to lug the car seat, the reserved seat was worth every penny. Tate was such a big boy, and really did such a nice job, all without a nap. He watched movies on his Zune most of the way, ate his special travel cookies and fruit leathers from Vitamin Cottage and helped with the baby a few times.

We hit Whole Foods right away to load up on our needed supplies and then headed home. Chase held on until about 25 minutes from home and he just couldn’t fight sleep any longer. By the time we arrived at Grandmommy, we were all tired. We unpacked, jumped in the pool for just a few minutes and then tucked the kids in for the night. awwww…everyone slept the whole night through happily.

This morning (Sunday), the first order of business (after breakfast of course) was to procure our raw milk. I spoke with a farmer about an hour away from Susan’s home and he welcomed our visit and had milk to spare. The drive was nice, although the kids would have rather not been on the road again. Seeing and driving next to a train for about 10 minutes on the way back though made the trip worth the effort, for Tate anyway.

Now the kids are napping, I am blogging and thinking about pulling out my crochet project (another market bag) and reading some books I brought along. I miss my hubby, but he and Granddaddy are getting lots of great things done on the house and I am excited for our extra living space!

Happy St. Patties Day!

We are celebrating the day with books about St. Patrick and leg of lamb and cabbage for dinner. I ran out of several of the ingredients for my roll out cookies to cut shamrock shapes, so we will make those tomorrow. At least the boys have their green on! I am thinking about putting together a shamrock treasure hunt, but I may run out of steam and put that together tomorrow too…there is always next year!

And to top off the holiday, Mr. Jim, Mrs. Konda and Miss Jordan sent Tate these totally groovy St. Patties Snoopy stickers. Thanks you guys!

Coming Home Day

Sunday arrived once again and alas it was time for the Allbrittons II to head on home. But before we took off, we sat down for a photo shoot with the family.

Here are the three generation of Allbritton's - Granddaddy on the left, Tyler and the boys and Blake (Tyler's brother) on the right.

 

Here is Grandmommy, Tyler and the boys and Aunt Melissa.

Kids are starting to get squirmy!!!!

I hoped into one.

Then just the bros.

THANK YOU GRANDMOMMY

AND GRANDDADDY!

We had a lovely trip - it was restful, fun and a wonderful time to re-connect with our family! THANK YOU for the special touches - the "Jen" foods you purchased, the pool toys, the extra fridge space, and more.

Texas: days 8 thru 11

On Tuesday, Uncle Blake arrived and things really started rolling. Tate was enamored with his Uncle. The last time they saw each other, Tate was just a wee babe. They played super-man, Uncle Blake taught him how to do a cannon ball into the pool (not that Tate participated, but he filed away the technique for another day) and they just goofed around. Uncle Blake also had a chance to meet Chase for the very first time.

Look at this cutie! I found this "Mr. Happy" shirt (one for Tate too) at Target. That's Chase - Mr. Happy!

Aunt Melissa arrived on Friday and Tate fell in love! He couldn't get enough of his new Aunt. She was the go-to person for bedtime stories, playing cars and hide-and-go-seek.

Texas: days 5 thru 7

Fun abounds in Texas! Lots of family time together, good meals, and lots of time in the pool. Mommy even snuck away for a little shopping spree today...a rare occurrence back at home. Ross and TJMax are my new favorite stores!

Chase cooling off his cuteness of the world naked body on the granite counter top.

Early morning family cuddle.

 

Tate cuddle and kiss on his little brother on the couch.

Grandmommy and Tate playing his new memory game of all the national parks and monuments.

Uncle Blake saying high to his new nephew for the first time. 

The boys playing elephant in the pool.

Tate getting a taxi ride.

Tate climbing one of the live oaks.

Texas: day 3 and 4

Not much going on in Boerne Texas. Here is a brief summary:

Cuddling with the kids.

Swimming in the pool.

Walks around the community and park in the AM of course before it gets too hot that we start to melt! Here Chase hung out in the ergo on Daddy's back and actually fell asleep before we reached home.

Jen has been working on the computer those spare moments when all the boys are sleeping or playing putting together another article for Wise Traditions.

Tate has been busy with playing with Tyler's old toys Susan saved from 30 years ago...a car is a car!

Playing tag around Grandmommy's enormous new house!

Tyler playing basketball with his Dad. Susan told me that she remembers when she used to to tell Slagle to be sure not to hurt the boys and now she is telling Tyler not to hurt Slagle! :)

And sitting outside enjoying the cool breeze and keeping Chase in as few clothes as possible to help him stay cool!

P.S. A funny thing happened (well...not sure I would call it funny, to me more sad than anything). I went into the local supermarket H.E.B. to pick up some goods to keep my family nourished. I went up to the meat counter and asked it they had any hormone-free turkey meat. She looked at me like I was asking for the name of her home planet! I thought she didn't hear me, so I repeated myself. She then proceeds to say, "this is new to me, I have never heard of hormone-free meat!" I was too shocked to even comment!  

Texas: day 2

We spent a lazy, cool morning on the rocking chairs on the front porch along with our friend "stick bug". Then the baby could barely keep his eyes open with the cool breeze and morning sun kissing his face and mommy's rhythmic rocking, so we went inside to put the baby down for nap number one and ate some yummy pancakes mommy brought from home.

 

 

Texas: day 1

The first day at Grandmommy's and Granddaddy's was a bit of a blur. Naps - multiple for some - were much needed and excitement  was in the air. But it didn't take long for the boys to hit the water!