The Lonestar State

This last week the kids and I headed back to my home state of Texas. My grandma hasn't been doing too well lately and just had surgery, so we wanted to go and see her. My parents decided that they were going to drive there, since they would be staying for a medical conference as well. I wasn't sure how I was going to get there, but there was no way Raylee would sit in her carseat for 15 hours. My parents decided to take Bradock with them, since he is a really good traveler and Raylee and I would meet up with them by plane. On Wednesday afternoon, I drove to Payson to meet my mom so she could pick up Bradock. He was so excited to go to Grandma and Papa's house all by himself and about driving to Texas in Papa's truck.

Before Raylee and I left on our big trip, we got to have fun at our neighbor Hannah's birthdy party. She wanted a horse party, so Brett decided to suprise her by bringing a real horse to her house. Rusty was the hit of the party.

Raylee just loved Rusty. I wish I had a pic, but she walked right up to him (which put her right under his nose) and just looked up at him and stared into his nostrils. It was so darn cute. I'm glad she is more brave around horses than I am...they scare me to death.

Saturday morning, we woke up early to make our flight at 7am. This was Raylee's first time on an airplane and she did pretty good...thanks to a portable dvd player.

The window did occupy her for a little while too.

Raylee and Nanny meeting for the first time.

Nanny is recouping from surgery really well and will be able to leave the rehabilitation center in a week or two.

Papa feeding Bradock some yummy hotdogs and mac-n-cheese at Texas Road house. My cousins coudn't believe we have a Texas Road house in AZ.

Raylee was loving the mac-n-cheese too. She is definitely my little carnivore, but she detests hot dogs. Bradock could pretty much be a vegetarian, but he loves a good dog.

This is my cousin Jason's little boy, Dillon. Raylee was loving giving him hugs.

Here is Bradock and Raylee having fun on some of the toys in the mall.

Bradock giving Raylee some big hugs before bedtime.

Bradock giving me a big "cheese" on the plane. I wasn't very good at taking pics on this trip. I didn't get any of my cousins or Aunt and Uncle. It was fun to see them, but I am glad to be home. The last day we were in Texas it was the hottest most humid day I have ever felt. It was nice to come home to this beautiful, cool and dry weather we are having. It was also nice to come home to Brett. I don't know what I would do without him. I realized on this trip how much I depend on his help with the kids. He is such a great dad and husband. I have a lot of respect for any single mothers who do it all alone. I feel blessed to know that I have someone to share the load with.