Spring Break Fun in Houston

This weekend we adventured to Houston for a Spring Break getaway.  We started the Fun by visiting Patti in her fancy new high rise apartment in downtown Houston.  Grady was so impressed with the 'big city' we were headed to, when we stopped in Waxahachie at a fancy gas station his immediate response was "wow...is this where Aunt Patti lives?"  Perhaps we should take him out and about more?  The kids and I were asleep as we pulled into the parking garage, and stumbled into Aunt Patti walking Tini.  Shocking, but true.  Roadtrip Part I down. 

Saturday, we woke up to breakfast casserole and the plan of a St. Patrick's Day Parade!  After finally finding the parade route, we settled in for quite the show-including some crazy art cars and many, many former parade marshals.  Aunt Patti is working on securing her own float for next year's parade, and if that happens, we'll all be there to ride on it!

After the parade, we walked to a nearby park for some adult beverages, sliding, and sailboat driving-not real sailboats, but some superfun remote control sailboats.  $10 very well spent!  After the sailboats, we splurged on a new book each, and headed back to Patti's apartment for relaxing, napping, dinner, and more sleeping.  We were tired.

Sunday, Todd made a plan to meet his sister to watch Cameron play volleyball-she was in Houston playing in a tournament, which was a very nice coincidence.  We both found it funny that we had to drive all the way to Houston to finally have the chance to see her numchuck volleyball skills. 

While Todd was at the tourney, Patti, the kids and I headed to the Houston Livestock Show.  We walked through the horsebarn, and of course the "Agventure" for the kids to pet a few of those livestock type animals.  Tanner was enthralled in the bee hive and demonstration, and while he was asking the beekeeper question after question, Madison made friends with a rodeo clown.

All of Houston was at the Rodeo grounds that day, which was the only negative.  Otherwise, it was superfun to hang with Patti, have ice cream, and wander through the carnival.  She had to work her rodeo shift at 2 though, so we said our goodbyes and headed to the train to meet Todd downtown, but not before stopping to get an awesome picture by a rodeo barrel.  My mom has one of us going over Niagra Falls, and now I have this one to add to the collection.  :)

I have to admit-mass transit with three kids and a stroller felt a little odd...but we managed, and the boys thought the train was AWESOME.

After we met up with Todd, we headed to Natalie and Chad's house for the night.  They met us with beer and pizza on the back porch, and well...we just had a hard time leaving!  We wound up staying two nights because the weather was so amazing, the kids were having a blast playing outside, the beer was cold, and the company was just too fun! 

Mackenzie and Tanner really hit it off during this visit, to the point of holding hands and blushing, which had all of us laughing.  Chad joked that he needed to monitor the "movie night" situation for any "making out," but if he did that, we'd have to stop playing washers and making plans for a Fredricksburg Winery Field Trip.  Besides, wouldn't it be great if we went from friends to in-laws? 

Then just think of all the fun Spring Breaks we'd have in the future!