We took a trip to Brenham, home of Blue Bell Ice Cream, to attend a wedding. We got in the day before the wedding so we could take a tour of the ice cream factory. We met up with old playgroup friends Gavin and Gwendolyn and their Mommy and had a great time watching ice cream being filled into cartons from 1 pint to 3 gallons! Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos during the tour, but from the parking lot we could see the massive tanks shown below.
The next day we attended the wedding of the daughter of Daddy's neighbors back in Abilene - Ashley was a lovely bride! Her big brother Alan was tickled to meet our little Alan - poor Big Alan kept turning around when we told Little Alan to stop, come back, don't touch, etc.! We had a lovely time catching up with old friends and sharing in this special day for their family.
We enjoyed a quiet weekend at our hotel, and the boys loved the pool. We went swimming all three days, and Alan became so attached to his swim ring that he carried it around in and out of the pool.
These tanks were filled with granulated sugar and ice cream mix.
These even bigger tanks were filled with water, condensed milk, and raw milk.
The whole family in front of a vintage Blue Bell auto
Kevin and Alan with the cow and girl from the logo
Kevin and Gwendolyn waiting for the tour to start
Miss Kathy loves holding a little Alan
Kevin gives the bride Ashley a kiss!
Daddy gives Alan a ride on his shoulders to keep him from running wild through the reception
Big Alan holds Little Alan
Alan loved swimming with his ring so much he wouldn't put it down
Today, Daddy flew his final sortie in the Air Force and had his retirement ceremony. Kevin and Alan were dressed in flight suits and patches just like Daddy. Kevin was so excited to see Daddy in his plane and Alan climbed up on stage during the ceremony to sit on Daddy's lap.
We were happy to celebrate Daddy's service and so honored by those who came out to observe the occasion with us.
Daddy getting ready
Kevin with the T-38 at 3's Inn
The whole family after Daddy's flight
Alan climbs into Daddy's lap during his retirement ceremony
Daddy had two T-38s for the boys - Alan decided to roam the halls partway through the ceremony, but Kevin was pretty thrilled!
In an early Mother's Day outing, we went to Wildseed Farms today to explore and shop. We were too late in the season for bluebonnets, but the poppies were in full bloom! Mommy looked around for flowers she wanted in the backyard while Kevin brushed his cheek on the pretty blooms.
After wandering around the fields of wildflowers, we went to the butterfly house where Kevin got to see a caterpillar up close, hold a butterfly and even see a butterfly emerge from the cocoon! Alan was happy walking back and forth on the bridge and didn't see many butterflies until he got a ride on Daddy's shoulders.
After lunch, Mommy picked out some seeds to plant this fall. Hopefully next spring, we'll have wildflowers in our own backyard!
Kevin loved brushing the poppies against his cheek and he ended up with a face full of pollen!
Alan explored through the fields a little but was happy to ride in the stroller most of the time.
A rare moment sitting still.
Kevin and the hungry caterpillar. One day this will be a Monarch butterfly!
Alan had fun going up and down the bridge.
Kevin gets to hold a butterfly!
Alan gets a great view of all the flying butterflies from Daddy's shoulders.
Kevin enjoys some Fredericksburg peach soft serve ice cream. This was the first ice cream he ever had when he came to Wildseed Farms with Mommy four years ago.
It was a beautiful weekend, so we decided to take the boys and the wagon for a walk to our neighbourhood athletic field for some kite-flying and bubbles.
Alan liked being out in the open...
... and watching Daddy fly a kite.
Daddy shows Kevin how to fly a kite.
"Up in the air!"
Alan was uncharacteristically snuggly - probably because Mommy had all the snacks!
Now it's time for bubbles!
Bye-bye bubbles!
The wagon is a nice ride with the canopy up!
Why can't we ever get a picture of both boys looking at the camera at the same time?
A few years ago I read an article "A Vacation from Vacations" in the magazine Wondertime and it sounded like a lot of fun. Instead of the hassles of travelling out of town and rushing around to see all the sights of the destination, this kind of vacation was about spending time together as a family with minimal distractions and stress. We certainly needed a break after the last year, and not having to travel with two little ones was certainly appealing. So when a new resort opened up in town and I saw they had special rates for their Grand Opening, we decided to cash in some points and take a break!
Like the article suggested, we left the laptops at home and the TV off. We just brought some books to read while the kids were asleep. Part of the appeal of this resort was an amazing water park and pool, complete with a lazy river to float in and a great children's area. We stayed two nights and managed to hit the pool three times, thanks to a late check-out time on our last day.
Cool lounge chairs right in the pool - a handy perch for the boys!
Alan wanders while Kevin checks out the pouring water.
We had gone to the main pool the first afternoon, setting ourselves up by the beach entrance so Alan would have easy access. This boy knows no fear! Rather than staying in the shallows, he kept heading into deeper water until he started to float. Poor Daddy had quite a time trying to keep his head above water! Mommy and Kevin did some swimming and then did a circuit on the lazy river before rejoining Daddy and Alan for some pool-side snacks.
The next two days we went to the children's pool which was full of fountains, sprayers, little slides and a squirting fish. Since the deepest this pool got was only two feet, we didn't need to worry about Alan heading out into deep water!
The boys LOVED the arching fountain!
Kevin pumps to spray the water.
A ride on the spitting fish!
Since he couldn't head into deep water, Alan decided the next best way to drive us crazy would be to walk in front of the slides and confront the rushing water. He is going to drive us bonkers!!!
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The resort also had a fun kids activity program. Kevin and Alan were too young to be left with them, but there was still plenty to take part in like decorating t-shirts, s'mores at the pool-side fire pit, and a rubber duck race on the lazy river! But even better were all the open areas to explore! There were lots of water features, paths and expansive lawns - including one that led right onto the golf club's fairway. Daddy had to call Kevin back from the greens before he got bopped by a golf ball!
Kevin admires the waterfall behind the lobby patio.
The boys explore the lawn - Kevin heads for the green.
Kevin and Mommy roast the marshmallows.
Kevin had his first s'more, but Alan declined to taste.
On Saturday morning, we went to see the Rubber Duck race on the lazy river. They do this every weekend, but since this was the Easter holiday weekend, the rubber ducks were dressed up as bunnies, lambs and Easter eggs. We stood on the bridge by the finish line and waited for the boys' ducks to come down the river. Who knew that Kevin's duck would be the winner!
Here they come! Go #17 and #19!
The lifeguard captures the winners!
Kevin and #19, his winning duck!
Back in our room, the boys enjoyed the balcony and the view of a pond with fountains. On our first night, after watching the fountains for a while, Kevin asked Daddy "Water up please?". The fountains had cycled to a lower height and Kevin wanted them back up. Sorry sweetie! Unlike the shower head in the bathtub, Mommy and Daddy don't have any control over this water flow!
The boys loved the view from the balcony!
The view from our balcony!
Before we left the resort, we went to one more activity - Zoomagination had a presentation on the lobby patio. They had a lizard, a scorpion, a pair of hissing beetles, a baby wallaby, a snake, a cockatoo and a two-toed sloth! At the end of the presentation, Kevin had the chance to pet Sheila, the baby wallaby.
Kevin pets the baby wallaby!
What fun getaway! We look forward to doing it again! ==========================
Just a quick post from our staycation at the new JW Marriott. This place is awesome! Here is Kevin having a blast at their water park. We'll post the full story later!
