Fall Break... TEXAS Style!

Fall Break snuck up on me this year... It seems like I was just dropping Larger Child off for his first day of school.  But, nevertheless, it came and went.  We love having a few days off from school, and we usually spend them visiting my adorable parents in Frisco, Texas.

Larger Child calls it a "vacation."  I would have to agree.  They know how to treat us right! I feel like quite a special guest at their house.  We usually do something super fun, get treated to awesome food, and share in some of the best company around.  This trip was no exception!

We left Wednesday morning, and the drive was more or less uneventful. We left that morning, and after two stops, (one for a potty break, and one for lunch) we made it to GeeGee and Grandpa's house mid afternoon.  Smaller Child has learned to be an excellent passenger, sleeping most of the trip, and Larger Child is pretty content as long as he has a well charged DS nearby.

After a good deal of welcome hugs and cuddles, and some unpacking, we went to dinner at Tupee's, a mexican restaurant.  I had a delicious Mexican style steak, Larger Child had chips with cheese, with a side of chips and cheese.  Smaller Child exerted his independence by insisting he feed himself, and partook in chips, pretzels, and tortillas.  (Apparently he was carbo-loading??)

Thursday, we all packed up and headed to Ray Robert's Lake for a little picnic-ing and day camping.  As we were pulling out of the driveway, it started to sprinkle... we considered nixing the whole idea, but decided to be adventurous knowing some of the very best family camping trips have been in the rain!

The day started with a little playing on the playground.  The weather was GORGEOUS.  It was overcast, but that kept the temps down.  The wind also helped.

SC played in the rocks with Grandpa

LC played on the swings with GeeGee

I got to float in between and soak up the love!

Then LC got the idea that SC needed to go down the slide with him... This is how THAT went...

SUCCESS!!

After a good time playing, we had a picnic.  It was delicious! Maybe too delicious, the buzzards started swarming.  I had never seen so many together like that. In fact, I kept arguing that they weren't buzzards, but crows or something, because SURELY there couldn't be that many! It was pretty surreal. Like something out of a Hitchcock movie.

LC couldn't stand it any longer, and HAD to get to the beach... so we followed.  It wasn't but a second or two out there that he asked if he could take his shoes off and splash around.  Had I known it was going to be nearly ninety during fall break, I would have just packed bathing suits! Both the boys loved being in the water! (I loved it too.)

But, to be honest, I preferred laying in the sand better.

do you blame me??

The boys rather enjoyed the sand as well! (And the sand was EVERYWHERE!)

One of my favorite pictures... EVER.

this one too!

After a change for SC, and a shower rinse for LC, we headed home.  Mom cooked a delicious dinner that night, and the boys chiseled the filth off of them, and thoroughly exhausted, went to bed.

Friday morning, Grandpa and LC went fishing.  They caught several, and LC learned that if you catch teeny ones, you can use them as bait for larger ones.  I could tell he was pretty fascinated by that, since I got to hear the story of the giant hook and how they put it right in the fish! Apparently, LC also got a scare with the hook himself... it grazed the back of his ear.  But overall, our little fisherman had a great time.

I'm not sure if this is the "catch" or the "bait." But he seems excited either way!

That afternoon, we went to lunch and to a city park for a bit. Then came home for some very serious chess.  It was a laid back and lovely day.

hard at work on a word find

hmm... who do you think is winning?? 

Friday evening, my brother and his family came over for a hotdog cookout.  It was so nice to see all of them, and spend some time together.  It was great having all of the cousins together too! It sure made the house full though!!  Smaller Child didn't quite recognize his aunt and uncle, and it took him a minute to warm up to them.  But, once he did, he and Uncle Eric were pals for sure!

Saturday, we went to lunch, then visited a Nickel Arcade (yes they still have those!).  It was surprisingly entertaining! Both the boys enjoyed it.  (I MAY have had some fun too.)

That night we got into a rousing game of Chutes and Ladders.  LC wiped the floor with us (damn chutes).  Followed by couple of rounds of UNO.  A PERFECT way to end the trip.

It was yet another LOVELY Texas trip.... over all too soon.  It is hard saying goodbye,  but I am so grateful for the relationship I have with my parents, and the amazing bonds they have with my children as well.  How lucky are we?!?!