For her 30th birthday, we all got together and gave my sister, Rachel, the one thing she asked for... a trip to see her brother. So we all cleared our schedules, bought a plane ticket, and gave it to her last month. So with her birthday wish granted, Rachel got to visit Texas for the first time. And as an added bonus, our brand new, 7-week old niece, Sophia, got to join her.
Friday was rainy and we spent it relaxing and catching up since it had been a year since we saw each other. As we get older, it seems prolonged absences have sadly become the norm. I realize it's oftentimes my busy schedule that keeps us apart (I couldn't see her while I was in Iraq for a year), but it's usually big events that bring us together. Now that she has her own family and I have mine, we don't just hop in the car and drive over to visit like we could back in the day. Sometimes it stinks growing up!!!
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Cousins hanging out (What you don't see are the three adults
in the background ready to catch Sophia if necessary) |
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| Someone loves his baby cousin |
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| Getting a little quality time with Aunt Karen |
To remind her of one of the great parts of our childhood, we went to Jimmy's Food Store in Dallas... which, by far, has the best Italian meats, cheeses, and desserts in Texas. We got some Genoa salami, imported parmasean and mozzarella cheese, and yummy cannolis for lunch. When I brought Rachel into the store, I asked her what the smell reminded her of. Her one word response said it all... "Home!" Later in the day, after dinner, we went to Braum's for some of the best ice cream Texas has to offer! I've yet to find a non-Texan who disagrees with that statement!
Saturday morning, I made my famous ham, eggs, and cheese along with some biscuits - a favorite of both Karen and Rachel. Todd had his favorite too - eggs and Katelynn ate her banana and a little from everyone's plate. After breakfast, soccer was on tap for the morning. Aunt Rachel has been very excited to see Todd play soccer. He played his heart out for her and left it all out on the field... including his breakfast! (Note to self: A hearty egg breakfast is not the meal your 5 year old should eat 90 minutes before his soccer game).
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| Our little Soccer Star |
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| After the game with Aunt Rachel |
After soccer and naps, we drove to Ennis, Texas for some bluebonnet viewing. The bluebonnets bloomed early this year, so we almost didn't get to see them or take pictures before all the grass and weeds grew up in them. Despite cutting it close, we got some great pictures with the state flower of Texas...
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| A family portrait |
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| Aunt Rachel and baby Sophia |
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| Loving the Bluebonnets |
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| Taking a stroll |
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| The happy couple |
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| What a cute family!!! |
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| She loves to go "WEEEEEEE" |
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| Todd and his baby cousin |
Sunday was a great day of church and resting. Todd insisted Aunt Rachel go to his new favorite restaurant, Souper!Salad! We rested and relaxed and enjoyed Aunt Rachel's last night in the Lone Star State.
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| Hanging out with Aunt Rachel |
All in all, it was a great weekend. Rachel's trip to visit was just as much of a present for her as it was us as we celebrated Texas-style!
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