***TEXAS***

Our trip began with an airplane ride, of course.


Both boys were really great and even napped at the same time on one of the flights:



We connected through Chicago (that's how we got the really great fare). It was actually nice because the Chicago Airport has some great things to see, including a really great kid play area:


Finally we arrived in San Antonio. This is something you would only see in an airport in Texas:


We spent Saturday night and Sunday morning with Grandpa, Grandma Jo, and the Eastons:







The porch swing was an instant favorite (even in the 105 degree heat):



******
On Sunday, we went to Schlitterbahn with my family. We all stayed in one big house in the middle of the water park. We did this three years ago when Lucas was 6 months old and it was so much fun.


Mom & Steve had matching T-shirts made for all of us. They all said, "I'm the favorite" on the front:




The three year olds (Owen, Lucas, Alex, & Madison) had a blast together.
(Click here to see what they looked like on the last trip three years ago.)








All of the kids decorated door hangers for our rooms and tote bags for treasure hunts:



They also colored Easter eggs for an egg hunt:


And did lots of other fun stuff together:






Aunt Linda brought cobbler (which was devoured in a few minutes):


And she also brought Great Mema:



Mom (Mema) had a store where she let the Grandkids "shop":


PopPop read to the kids:


We spent a lot of time in the water:






We spent time with our dear friends, the Kotts:





And with dear family, too:




And we had a lot of fun just hanging out:















There was always someone cooking or eating in the kitchen:






We stayed up too late playing games and singing songs:



We spent a little time with just Mom and us kids:



This is what my kids look like first thing in the morning:

We had a WONDERFUL time. It was so great to see everyone. We also hired a photographer, Rebecca-Linh, to take some professional photos of our family. We will have those soon.

*****
After our Schlitterbahn trip ended, we spent a day with Grandad & Nai Nai at the San Antonio Children's Museum.




We also saw Aunt Lyn (Dad's sister) and Uncle Gene:


Then we went back to Dad & Caihong's hotel for an early dinner:



*****
We then returned to Burton & Jolene's house for a few more days of porch swinging and good eats.






Lucas is in this picture (well, his arm is), but he slept the whole time we were there and then popped up just as we were leaving and wanted some ice cream:


This is what Sam did almost the entire time we were there:


We enjoyed some time just hanging out. Grandpa let Lucas play with his Mini Cooper. Lucas LOVES Mini Coopers and points out every one that he sees in New York:





We visited Grandma Jo's work and had lunch with her:





We decided to go back to the Children's Museum one more time with all of Luc's cousins:











We walked back along the Riverwalk:



Doug had to return to New York before me and the boys. I flew on two flights and rode the bus into the city with both boys and our luggage by myself...and survived to tell the story. And I managed to take a photo too.


So long Texas...we had a great time! Thanks to all of you who made it great!

Texas, here we come...

Luc's paper chain is at the end.


And Sam is ready too.

Dinosaur Park & the underground train station

We had another play date with Gavin today before we leave for Texas tomorrow. We went to Dinosaur Park and then we had a picnic at the underground train station. It was great (even if it was super hot and humid outside).




We saw this on our way. Interesting...


Afterward, Lucas fell asleep on the couch. I tried to keep him awake, but he was SO tired.


Sam was thrilled to have the car toy all to himself. Look at the glee on that face:

Conversations with Lucas

Two conversation with Lucas left me laughing today (I am still giggling just thinking about them).

Me: Lucas, move! (I hollered this over the sound of the vacuum.)
Lucas: Well, I am waiting to hear the magic word.
Me: I am the Mom and when I tell you to do something, you do it, even if I don't say the magic word.
Lucas: Well (long pause), then I want to be the mom.

Later, when I was brushing Luc's teeth, he was wiggling around like crazy:
Me: Lucas, be still so I can brush your teeth.
Lucas: I want to tell you something.
Me: What?
Lucas: That's not a very nice face.

Looks like I need to make happier faces and use the magic word!

And ANOTHER splash park...

Today we went back to a park that we love so much, but last time we went the water was not on. Lucas has been begging to go back ever since. Today was the day, and we met our friends, The Copes, there. Thanks Kendra, Lexi, & Ella!



And later in the day we ran into old friends. It's been awhile since we got together, and today was fun! Thanks, Sophie, Sela, & Leif!

A new splash park (for us)

Today we went to the American Museum of Natural History and played in the water on The Arthur Ross Terrace. Again, one of the many reasons I love New York - it was a day of free fun, outside, with water and lots of other kids.






And later at home, Lucas and Sam played together.



And another update on the twins...every few days Lucas remembers "the twins" and gets them out to take care of them. We spent yesterday afternoon playing with the twins. Yesterday, their names were Thomas and Emily (and later Thomas and Mavis). But basically, the twins whispered into Luc's ear that they wanted to take the elevator to each floor in our building and see how they were different and the same as the other floors. On one floor, we saw a bear and had to make a run for it, at which time Lucas declared it was time for lunch and we came back home.

Uncle Scott

Scott came by last night. Thanks, Scott! It's always great to see you.

Mama & Pop-Pop in New York

Mama and Pop-Pop were in town this week for their anniversary. We made a few trips out to Queens to swim at their hotel and they came into the city a few times to hang out at our place. We had a wonderful time. Thanks, guys - and we'll see you in Texas!


There are a few ways to get out to Queens. On one of the trips we took a bus to the airport and then took the airport shuttle. Lucas thought we were going to be riding a space shuttle and was a little disappointed that it was "just a van."



At the hotel:



We hung out on the roof deck of our building for dinner one night. And I should add that even though it's mid-July, our weather feels more like late May. It has been beautiful and not hot at all.





And today (Sunday) we took a family scooter ride. Here are some things I never get tired of seeing:

Swimming in Queens

Lucas is obsessed with trains. Whenever he hears of one he has not ridden yet, he begs to go and ride it. Yesterday we rode the 7 train to Queens to see Mama and Pop-pop at their hotel...and swim!

Sunday stuff

On Sunday, I substitute taught a Primary class. The lesson was about missionaries, so I printed out badges for the members of the class. Lucas wanted one too - and he wore it all day.


The big boys reading...


This week I gave Lucas a harmonica, which he has enjoyed playing:

My boys love to swing...together

For Steven

Steven passed away last week on June 28th at the young age of 21. I babysat him from the time he was 3 weeks old. I babysat his siblings, Jeffrey and Jennifer, too. Two summers ago, their family came to Utah (I happened to be in town for a wedding) and we got to see each other. I love their family - we grew up as neighbors and they still live a few blocks from the house I grew up in. They are like family. Steven was so young and I felt devastated by the news. So I did something I haven't done in over 10 years. I wrote a poem for Steven's family:

a soul so young
when called back Home
we cannot comprehend

the pain, the longing
endless grief
it seems will never end

we long to see him
touch his face
once more, hold his hand

why, oh why
is this the way
we cannot understand

but God looks down
from heaven above
he knows what we can't see

he whispers
to our broken hearts
"your child is now with me"

Gav

Lucas loves his friend Gavin. We went to the Children's Museum last week for a few hours and had so much fun. Afterward, we played at Gav's house. All four kids were playing with one toy - happily. It's quite an age range but they were all interested in a different part of the toy.

What is Sam up to?

Sam hopes to one day ride Luc's scooter by himself:


Sam loves to stand up and hold on things (though he is unstable and falls over):


He has also started crawling with his belly off the floor:


He also loves Luc's Thomas computer. This is how kids become more technologically advanced than their parents:


I love his chubby, sleepy face:

Sam loves sand

Some of you may remember that Lucas hated the sand and would not touch it for any reason. Even though I go faithfully to the beach every summer, it was not until last summer (age 2 1/2) that Lucas would touch the sand without crying. Sam, however, LOVES it and even let Lucas bury his hands.

Happy 4th of July!

We heart America.

Oh, the joys of stand-by travel

We never made it to California yesterday. Yes, we were at the airport with all of our stuff...ALL day. The flight was delayed, then delayed again, then finally canceled. So, we trekked back home. Thankfully my mom was there helping me all day. I am sad we don't get to see my sister and her kids. But at least we had fun at the airport:






The bus ride home:


The airport bus goes through Harlem, where the famous Apollo Theater is located. There was a tribute going on for Michael Jackson yesterday, so on our way to and from the airport, this is what we saw.