Video Clips

Powderly, Texas

Another perk of living in Texas is that we are only two hours from my Aunt Patsy, Uncle Ron, and cousin Jeff. Aunt Patsy is my Dad's sister and we figured out that we last saw each other ten years ago in Houston. Needless to say, it had been way too long and I wanted Lucas and Sam to meet them and to spend some time together before baby boy #3 arrives. The boys had a blast playing at their house and even warmed up to their cute dog, Izzy. (For those of you who know Lucas, this is a huge deal.)



We got to hang out with Jeff and his girlfriend, Gayla, and daughter, Sydney (who the boys adored!):


Lucas took his first ride on a 4-wheeler:




And Uncle Ron and Jeff showed the boys how to fish:






It was a perfect day. We cannot wait to go visit again! Uncle Ron and Aunt Patsy, thank you for your wonderful hospitality and the delicious home-cooked meal. We enjoyed spending the day with you all. The boys also loved their "goodie bags" and can't wait to come back and go fishing again. Sam was sad on the way home because he wanted to "bring Izzy home with us to our house."

Gilmer, Texas

Lucas had a few days off of school so we decided to go see my Mema in east Texas. My grandmother, who I call Mema, lives in Kelsey, Texas, but the nearest town on the map is Gilmer. She lives in a very rural area where the boys can roam free. My childhood was filled with memories of exploring around her house. I want my boys to have the same experiences:


Four generations of hands - Sam, Mackenzie, Great Mema, Mema (my mom), and Lucas:


We had a great time playing at Great Mema's house:



She let the boys help her build the fire and roast marshmallows on it:



She bought donuts for the boys in colors they had never seen:



The boys played with her toys, many of which I played with as a child. It was fun for them since they were toys my boys had never seen:



We played on her porch swing, where I spent a lot of time as a child:


My mom got to look through some of her father's belongings. Ray died when my mom was a teenager.


This was a Hershey box from World War 1:



This is my Mema's bathroom. That license plate and wall paper have been there for as long as I can remember:


Great Mema took the boys out to saw wood for the fire:



We visited with Uncle Ronald (my mother's brother) across the street:




The boys played in this hamper, which I played in as a kid too:



I wanted to go to the Kelsey Cemetery and see some of the headstones from relatives. The boys have never been to a cemetery before. Lucas had a lot of questions and at first was pretty uncomfortable, but after awhile, the boys went and explored on their own:


Lucas found a headstone with his middle name on it:





We visited with Aunt Lana (my mother's sister):


Then we went to her house to see all of her chickens, guineas, and peacocks:




My cousins - Brian and Nathan (Lana's sons):


The Heaps met us at Mema's and that was so exciting. Lucas and Alex were inseparable as usual:


Cheryl (another cousin) came to see us too with her darling daughters:


We all took a trip up to the old schoolhouse that Great Mema owns:





Great Mema has made the inside of the schoolhouse into a museum, all about the history of Kelsey, Texas. The history there is pretty amazing. Kelsey was home to the first Mormon settlers of Texas and many pioneers in my family:


We visited with Aunt Linda (mother's sister) and her daughters, Summer (pictured) and Misty:


Aunt Linda made her famous cobbler:


All of the kids played for hours (Lucas, Layla, Aiden, Sam, Rocco, Alex, Aiden, Kasie):



Sunshine (another of Linda's daughters) came to visit with her family:




Sam was worn out:


We spent the last day at Mema's house:






Lucas and I played this game, which we played at home when I was younger. It's a question/answer game and it was very fun:


My cousin, Toye, came to visit us as well. I hadn't seen her in a long time!


We said our goodbyes and drove home.


It was a wonderful trip. I am so glad we were able to make it there before the baby arrives. Doug was working, so he stayed home, but my mom went and helped me with the boys (since I am supposed to be resting). We made some priceless memories while we were there. I hope we can visit often and I hope my boys will love it as much as I do!