Texas Trip!!

While we haven't traveled back to Texas for Christmas in quite a while (and, well, haven't traveled back to Texas to much at all the past two years, due to the pandemic), this year we had a very great reason: Gran Gran's 80th Birthday party on the 27th!  And we decided to make a week of it, arriving the day after Christmas and leaving on New Year's Day - and a busy week it was.

So many pictures and so many Waco excursions, so I'm breaking up the entries: general Texas Trip and then Texas Outings. Here we go!

First, by the grace of God, we didn't hit any flight issues (despite the fact that most airlines cancelled thousands of flights over Christmas).  Our flight to Savannah to Dallas went off without a hitch.

And then we got to Dallas and hit a snag: a 2 hour long line at Avis and the rumor going through the line that they were out of cars. Quick-thinking James got on his phone to grab an Uber (!!!), cancel the rental, and off we went to Waco.  

The morning after our arrival the immediate family enjoyed our family Christmas - which we hadn't done all together in years!  Mother had so many stockings to fill, but did a great job with so many unique and fun finds.

The kiddos had a great time with all their cousins, especially cousin Tori Claire.  This girl has been Numero Uno in my kiddos' books since their births.  I have so many pictures of her cuddling them as babies, and now they still prefer to be in her arms or lap at all times.

Here's some Texas randomness: my dad and JB set out traps each day to see what they could catch.  One day they caught a opossum and it made their morning.

We ate so much good food!!! I didn't capture any of the homemade goodness that Mother, Daddy, Shawntel and Kelly cooked, but some of our outings included all my favorites:

And, of course, annual Poppa Rollo's trip with Uncle Killer and Aunt Shawntel!

My dad had the great idea to take the kids for Dr. Pepper floats.  While they don't get to drink Dr. Pepper at home, this is exactly what Grandparents are for!  And they loooooooooved it. (Well, and Mama and Daddy enjoyed it, too, not gonna lie.)

We had great weather the entire trip - and some gorgeous sunsets. With the warm temps, we spent a lot of time outside.

Since we stayed through New Years, it's meant New Year's Eve out in the country. We visited Shawntel's nephew's stand and loaded up! We had a perfect night of fireworks, and (from their hilltop home) could see fireworks all around Waco and the surrounding communities throughout the evening. 

Texas always does my soul so much good. And to see my kids getting to love on my family and enjoy my home state: just priceless.  

Next entry will include the daily adventures that kept us moving and hitting 15K steps a day... :)