Virginia comes to Texas

So as luck would have it my sister, Heather, was starting a new job. And between leaving the old job and starting the new job she had a 10 day vacation...so she decided to come from Virginia and see our new place in Texas and hang out for awhile. (Let me just ask "how brave is it to be 5 months pregnant and apply for a job with a new company....hello it's obvious she'll be taking maternity leave soon". She really needed a change and I am stoked that it worked out for her. That took mega courage!)

Anyway, we were so excited about Heather coming that when she got here we hadn't really made any definite plans. Yeah, we live dangerously- on the edge- just winging it.  We picked her up from the airport and by Miles suggestion and with no coercing at all, we headed to Rudy's for lunch.  Poor Heather had only been in Texas for 45 minutes before we had her seated in a gas station convenience store eating BBQ (that's normal right?).  As I recall she didn't really mind. 

The next afternoon we headed to one of my friend's house for a totally awesome jewelry party...did you read that Tricia...awesome jewelry party. (If anyone's interested in ordering some Premier Designs Jewelry let me know and I'll pass you along to her). 

Monday found us hanging out in Kerrville at the Guadalupe River.  We were pretty much the only ones there.  We had a nice picnic, did some tubing and then headed to a local spot for some ice cream.

Aunt Heather and Brooke hanging out tubing and chit chatting...so sweet!

Tuesday we celebrated Coast Guard Day.  It was the official birthday of the US Coast Guard and it marks Charlie's last year as an active duty member of this branch of the military, as he is retiring October 1.  Heather and I used the Cricut to make this snazzy poster for Charlie and it also served as a Cricut lesson for her since she received one for Christmas but hasn't really used it.

To celebrate we headed to Mamacitas for dinner and for my fix of green dip. Can there ever be enough green dip?

As you can see Heather looks delighted to be trying it for the first time. Also, for the first time in all our visits to Mamacitas there was this....

the mariachi band.  It was VERY festive and they seemed to hover around the tables near us so it was perfect entertainment and we didn't have to pay....see... perfect.

Wednesday we headed into San Antonio. Brooke and Charlie took the lead...

and we headed to.....

As usual with our guests, it was great to go to the Alamo. It's always fun to watch people and see the surprise when they see its actual location and realize how small it really is when they see it for the first time.  You could potentially miss it if you aren't aware or paying attention.

I loved making Heather pose for the typical tourist shot. Hey look at me...I'm at the Alamo. Ahhh she's a good sport.

Now for those who don't know, Heather has been talking about going to Sea World since she found out we were moving here.  She is an animal lover...believe me...you'll soon see how much....****big hint....we are no longer a petless family****

Thursday was designated as a girl's day....Heather, Brooke and I headed to Sea World to see all the animals we could see on a 108+ degree day.  We headed to the Beluga Show....which was a very nice Cirque De Soleil-ish show with a few moments of Beluga whales...

Now I don't do roller coasters....repeat DO NOT do roller coasters.  I am afraid of heights...afraid of speed...afraid of dying...afraid of the dark.....and pretty much afraid of life. I've come to terms with this but it tends to create problems when your daughter is an adrenaline junkie and she REALLY wants to ride the Journey to Atlantis and your sister who loves riding these things is conveniently pregnant and unable to ride.  I'm pretty sure she planned this pregnancy so I would have to ride this horrendous, heart stopping ride with my own child.

I was forced to ride the Shamu Express (which is a child's coaster) with Brooke and my niece last month because my other pregnant sister couldn't ride...it's a conspiracy I tell you).

Anyway, here I am with my eyes glued shut, my heart in my throat, and my stomach in a knot riding this blessed ride.  Truly I was sure I was going to die. 

(I'm second row, all the way to the left, face all screwed up in a panic.)

We had a great day and while it was hell-a-hot we managed to keep ourselves cool with frozen lemonades and shamu sundaes. We also took a dip in the wave pool but high tailed it out of there when they announced a reminder that all diaper wearing children should be in swimmer diapers....an announcement like that comes after only one thing.....an incident....no thank you and please pass the giant bottle of hand sanitizer.

Brooke and Aunt Heather after our girls day at Sea World.

On Friday Heather and I headed up to San Marcos to meet up with a good friend of Heather's who used to live down the street from us in Virginia.  We had lunch and then Heather and I hit the prime outlets there.  I found some great treasures there at the outlets...a pair of pants at J Crew for only $11...score! and I tried a new drink at Starbucks (previously I would only drink a mocha frap)...I know I'm contributing to all that's wrong in the world by drinking things from them but it was hot and who knew I would love iced chai so much!!

Saturday was interesting...it's the day that made us a home that was no longer pet free....it's all down hill from here.  Just for the record we have had fish,  two different hamsters, a snake, and a dog in the past. Most died or got given away or bit people and had to go away and we've been pet free for a few years....but Heather and I went to Market Days in town on Saturday afternoon and Aunt Heather bought my kids some new pets.  We are now the proud owners of these....

Can you see the joy on my family's face.  I think that probably makes up for the trouble they will probably cause me.  Do you see Charlie's face...I think he knows he'll be in charge of tank cleaning....or at least I hope he will.

Oh Brooke is in all her glory.  All the kids love animals but Brooke is the biggest pet lover.  So here's a few things to note about these red eared slider turtles....

• they live between 50-70 YEARS
• they can get up to one FOOT each
• they were possibly sold to us illegally (though the person...allegedly...had a permit)...just saying they may have been a bit undersized...if that's true then the person you want to interrogate is AUNT HEATHER
• that they are totally cute 
• while trying another new drink at Starbucks....a shaken lemonade green tea sweet...the drive thru girl agreed that they were adorable...sorry it was hot outside 
• hopefully we will do a better job than we did with our hamsters, may they rest in peace.
• Amen

Saturday night, Aunt Heather played a rousing game of Wii Bowling with the kids..see her excitement as she sits on the couch dozing...oh I kid, she was taking a break...she's growing a person for goodness sake, cut her a break.

She also had the opportunity to referee the "after party"...that would be the result of Miles and Zach playing Wii boxing then attempting to argue and come to fisticuffs (don't you love that word) about who was a winner.  I just love teen/preteen children.  They are so cool, calm and collected when things don't go their way.  No worries - they went the way of their separate rooms and gave us all some much needed peace and quiet. 

If ever there was a time Heather considered making sure this first child was an only child this trip may have done it. I think summer vacation is coming to an end at just the right time..boredom equals trouble people...you heard it here first!!!

Sunday we took Heather to Panera and then to the airport.  There were tears and hugs and I'm pretty sure I heard Heather let out a sigh and a YIPPEEE as she hit the security gate but we loved having her here.  It was a treat for me to have hosted both of my sisters this summer!! Now if I could just get my parents out here.....geeez it's not like I live in Alaska....did you hear that parents??????  It's just Texas, y'all need to come see us!!!!