Texas Summer Adventure 2006

I think it was Bob Wills that sang the song that keeps running around in my head. “I’ve seen miles and miles of Texas.” It’s our usual annual trip back home and we continue our tradition of trying to see something new. It’s as much for me – although raised in Texas-as it is for my kids. There is so many things I haven’t seen. It mainly became an idea for my husband. He enjoys driving and sight seeing, so it adds a little something extra to our trip. Then we also have the need for tradition for our kids. It’s important as they are growing up for them to experience different things and have memories to talk about in their old age! Thus, our family tradition of “an adventure” on our trip to Texas.

I do not have any great stories like those of the Griswalds, just recollections of family times together. After depositing Nana at 5am at Mr. C's restraurant where a friend met us, we arrived at my dad's. One of things I enjoy most is being on the patio or carport in the early morning, before the 100 degree weather kicks in, and enjoying the breeze. The sounds of all the roosters crowing and the barking dog in the distance just adds to the moment. This trip we have no agenda other than: eating lots of Mexican food, eating beef bar-b-que, and jumping in the Frio River!
We had lots of fun. My little brother and his son Rowdy stayed with us. I got to see my best friend Becky and my aunt and uncle as well as good ole "mom". (She's the crazy, gray-headed, best friend of my mom Sallie and who also kept the girls when they were little. She keeps you smiling and holding your breath at the same time because you never know what will come out of her mouth.)
Tim and Brittney found a new local coffee shop with internet access. My mom and the girls and I found some great deals at yard sales and thrift stores. Poppa found the patience of Christmas as he played checker and card game after card game with all the grandkids. A trip to Chalk Bluff found some cool relief to the blistering hot days. Tim and Brittney and Danielle went on a treasure hunt (sshhhh!) without success though. The "bluff" they were supposed to climb was no longer accessible. Hunter got to jump from a rope swing on a tree into the river -just like the kids in the Country Time Lemonaide commercial. He thought that was pretty cool. Another day we went to the river down below my parents house. Again, the water refreshing and cool. Rowdy and Hunter and JT built a dam to make a small swimming area for all. Tim found some white river rocks to add to our aquariums at home. Lots of fun in the sun!

Family pictures

One of the things my mom wanted us to do while home this summer was to take a family picture. Arranging a time for all of us to get together when our photographer could be available was a project in itself. However, it worked out fine. She requested that we all wear jeans and a white shirt. Okay, not a problem, but.....she forgot to mention the "added" charm - a red bandana for all!
We really had a lot of fun dressing up - ironing, well, starching our jeans and then the white shirts - even Walker's onesie got ironed. Tim was the first to agree -wearing it around the collar of his shirt. Sallie did the same. Hunter was skeptical, but eventually wore it like a real cowboy would. Danielle opted for a choker style, while Brittney used it as a headband. Jerry was macho in his application around the neck. Rowdy wanted to wear it as a doo-rag, but his dad eventually won and around his collar it went. And then there was Daddy. He had the last say and absolutely NO bandana would be attached to him in any way. Other than this little glitch in the picture plans, all went well. We had three cameras going at once. The lawn of Vice President John Nance Garner Museum was our background. Afterwards we traveled to a steak house in D'Hanis, Texas. It was wondeful. True Texas size Chicken Fried Steak with all the fixin's was there. We even had our own person playing the guitar and singin' good ole' classic country. We even sang a few lines with him.
The trip back to my dads found an interesting site for Tim -a roadside park that had wireless internet! Go figure! Because it was so late in the day, he was not able to connect.
Guess what else Tim found of interest on the way home? You guessed it- a treasure hunt! (Sshh!) Remember - the secret society of modern day pirates don't like to share the details of the hunt or the treasure! A great day and lots of fun! Did I mention it was 102 while we were taking pictures?

Nana comes to NC

Prior to our trip home this year, my mom "nana" came for a visit. It had been awhile since we had seen her so we were all excited. This was a big deal for nana. She was flying by herself - for only the 2nd time in her life. She also had to rearrange her budget to purchase the ticket, so this was something special. Hunter got dressed up - on his own- for the first time ever. (see above)
We enjoyed 6 days together. She getting to see our new home and play with baby Walker. She helped Brittney get organized and helped me regain sanity when I could finally see the carpet in her room after all summer. She helped do laundry too. Danielle enjoyed just hanging out. Nana endured the long two day drive to Texas with us - being a part of the treasure hunts as well. It was a tearful good-bye, but maybe she'll come back next summer.