Girls (with Kids) Road Trip!

In mid-August, Aaron and Jason headed north for a week to go see four major league games in four ball parks and to go to the Global Leadership Summit, so naturally, Natalie and I decided that was a good excuse for us to go on a little road trip of our own. A few minutes after the guys pulled out of the driveway, we loaded up the kiddos and headed for Houston! The drive there was interesting to say the very least. Five kids ages 3-10, there is no shortage of noise. (I've got a video I'll try to upload. So far, no luck with it.) But with a stop at Buckee's, a movie or two, and the ability only a mom can have to tune out the noise and have a decent conversation, we made it with everyone in one piece.

[Applause.]

We stayed at Anthony's house (Natalie's brother), and when we arrived, Savannah (Natalie's sister) and Carlos (her husband) had pizza waiting for us and we had a great evening just hanging out. Later, we were happy to have Lindsey drive to Houston to spend a couple of days with us too due (sadly) to being let go a week early from her job. But we were happy to have her!

The next day, we took the kids to the  Houston Museum of Natural Science, and fun was had by all. We followed it up by taking them to a downtown splash pad and letting them run around and eat snow cones and be crazy.

The grown ups may or may not have gotten Pink Panther ice creams from the ice cream cart.

Tuesday, we decided it would be fun for us all to go to Galveston for lunch at Shrimp 'n Stuff and then to play at the beach. The first half of the day, we had our doubts that we would make it and that it would turn out to be a good day.

But we did make it, and then when the clouds came and covered up the sun, it made for an absolutely glorious afternoon for all. We finished off the day with burgers that Carlos grilled for us by the pool at their apartment. It was such a nice day!

Carson, Jackson, Madi, Abby, and Reagan in Galveston

Natalie and Madison

Lindsey

The next day we had lunch with Natalie's grandma and aunt at Denny's before we headed back home.

We got back and I decided the kids and I would just stay at Natalie's that night since I'd have all the kids the next day (Nat was going to a conference). Since our family had just been given season passes, we decided to go to Schlitterbahn for a few hours, which was (of course) a blast.

So thankful for such a great family that we can have fun with!

Reagan, Carson, Jackson, Madi, and Abby at Schlitterbahn