It's always fun for everyone when grandpa and grandma come!
We had them in the state of Texas for 2 weeks! Unheard of. They did a little traveling around the state on their own a few days but most of the time we received their undivided attention:)
They were able to take in two of Leighton and Jackson's football games. They are almost taller than Grandpa Vard. It won't be long.
I toured the Houston Space Center with them. It was surreal to spend the day as an only child, something I only dreamed about when I was younger. I was kind of a selfish thing and sometimes wished it was only my old sister and I. Of course, that was short lived but I did go through a phase. I truly love being part of a large family. Notice how my dad is pointing to "Control Center?" He thought that was fitting for her.
Eric and I went spent one day with my parents in Austin. We drove the 3 1/2 hours there and came upon this amazing antique store. I am convinced it's where Joanna (from the show Fixer Upper) gets her goods. This place went on and on. We could've loaded a truck in no time and I would've gone home a happy lady. Eric said we needed to think about it. We're still thinking...
We took in the city of Austin by eating barbecue and frozen custard and retreated soon enough to the quaint town of Gruene (pronounced Green). It's a German village with the oldest dance hall in Texas (I've referred to this in a previous post).
The antique shop in Gruene provided the entertainment for the evening.
Vard and Verdene enjoying a little cuddle time on the couch. That couch had quite the effect on my dad. It seems every time he sat on it, he went to sleep. It might have been the talk news stations he frequented.
We drove to Brenham, Texas, one day to tour the Blue Bell Creamery and take in the town. My sister Shannon served her mission in this area about 25 years ago. My dad grew up on a dairy and would prefer never to milk a cow again. This is strictly for reenactment for yester year.
We toured the facility and were treated to a yummy cup of ice cream. We all chose different kinds but decided mine was the best - Christmas peppermint. I highly recommend it if it shows up in your local stores.
Kennedy's district cross country meet fell perfectly with my parents travel schedule. She did an awesome job and passed up quite a few girls in the end to get an awesome time. She has come so far this year.
This is the lovely bay of Kemah, Texas. To the left of my mom over yonder is the cruise port out of Bay Town. We are hoping to be able to take advantage of the cruise port being 30 minutes from our house sooner than later.
Leighton and his buddy built this "Red Neck Air Conditioner" and were proud as could be. It legitimately works! I see a future engineer.
One night we decided to venture down town Houston. The Houston Rockets were playing the San Antonio Spurs. We didn't have tickets so Eric and my dad scalped some. They scored big time with this suite! It was a little more expensive but so worth it. The guy told Eric is came with food but lied. That was a bit disappointing because the food in these venues is always an arm and a leg. Oh and it was supposed to have its own bathroom. For some reason, that excited Jackson the most. Wouldn't you know it, no personal bathroom. It was however, just outside our door.
I will say it was pretty cool to enjoy the space and not feel cramped. We even received a personal visit from the Rocket's cheerleaders. We took a few pictures but I cannot find them. The cheerleaders weren't wearing much so it's probably a good thing. It was a fun, memorable night.
Boston played in a breast cancer awareness tournament one of the weekends my parents were here. He loves a cheering section. The parents on the team said my mom sounded just like me when she cheered/yelled. I guess that means I sound like her. I often wonder what I sound like and now I know. No one can top Eric's yell though. He shouts from the roof top for all to hear. Boston's coaches joke about only being able to hear Eric amongst the crowd. At least it's all encouraging in baseball. Football is another story.
These two sure clean up nicely. They are loving their choir and performing. They really get into it.
Clowns. Boston is deathly afraid of them. The ironic thing is that he saw this mask at Target and wanted to try it on. I took a picture of him in it and he asked me to delete it. It was too scary. Fast forward to our ward trunk or treat...
Babe Ruth was running from a clown and ran full speed into a brick wall.
The morning after.
We called the high school trainer and asked her if she would take a look at it and give us her opinion. She said come on in. (I just love this small town we live in.) After a pep talk and some prodding and poking, she suggested we go get an x-ray. She wrapped it with an ace bandage and gave him crutches and we were on our way. Boston was pretty scared at this point.
Through lots of tears, prayers and heavy breathing, we managed to get an x-ray and were told it was a fractured patella - broken knee cap. The doc wrapped it with the ace bandage and gave him a brace and an ice pack and told him to see an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible. In my mind, I am thinking, "why didn't I go to an orthopedic doctor in the first place?" Then I reminded myself that I didn't really think it was broken, maybe just badly bruised. This is our first broken bone. The good news is no surgery, just crutches for 3-6 weeks.
These two were greasers for the trunk or treat and almost too cute to be called greasers.
Leighton created his own costume and didn't spend a penny of our money (used $3 worth of his friend Landon's duct tape). He calls it "astronaut robot." I was pretty impressed.
Even Kennedy wanted to give him a hug.
Halloween day brought out the greaser, Franz, Hermoine and the robot. One piecers are a thing of the past. I told the kids I didn't want to spend money this year on costumes and I got away with $10 for this grey sweat suit for Boston's. I went again as a 41 year old crabby mom.
Boston made himself comfortable at Dr. Meeks office (Orthopedic doc). This is two days after the ER diagnosis. As the doctor was bending and pushing on Boston's leg and asking him what hurt, I could tell he was in a lot of pain but not wanting to say anything because he was so afraid he'd have to have surgery. He face would turn red and he'd hold his breath. I, in the mean time, was getting sick to my stomach just watching him in pain. I felt myself get pale and looked at the sink and considered my options. Under my breath I told Eric I was sick and he gave me a look only Eric can give. It's a look of "what the hell is wrong with you." I remembered I had some peppermint beads in my purse and immediately popped those in and magically the nausea went away. Crazy how seeing your child in pain makes you sick.
The doctor decided he wasn't sure if it really was fractured but had his concerns about ligament tears and cartilage damage. He ordered an MRI. Great. That would have to wait. Eric was taking me to the airport to catch a flight to spend time with Eric's mom in Henderson.
It was the first time I've spent one-on-one time with my mother-in-law, ever. We had a great time talking late into the evening and reminiscing. Her memory of the olden days is vivid. It had been a couple weeks since Tom's passing and the timing was needed. I was grateful to spend a couple days just her and I. We even took Sonia's (mom) first selfie. She was a good sport. I'm excited to see her in a week or so in Santa Barbara for dad's service.
I saw this handmade Valentine card on the wall in the office when I was there. 55 years they were married! I was touched by the detail in the card and its meaning. True love. Doesn't get much better than that.
(We did get the MRI done and it showed only a broken knee cap, no other damage. Good news but was told 4 more weeks on the crutches. Boston and crutches equal boredom which equals driving me crazy.)
