After the beach, we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's farm. We took Grandpa for lunch at Cracker Barrel and shopping for some movies to watch on his big TV. We showed Grandma and Grandpa how much fun the Buzz Lightyear Rocket Blaster sprinkler toy, watched Grandpa show off his vintage tractor, and had a yummy dinner to celebrate Grandpa's 80th birthday. Once while coming back from an errand, Kevin came face-to-face with one of the cows! Kevin and Alan had fun playing with Grandma and watching Cars with Grandpa.
Cows!
Grandma & Alan hang out in the tent
Grandpa and Kevin going shopping
Birthday presents for Grandpa
Grandpa drives the tractor
Rocket blast off!
Grandpa gives Alan a good view while Grandpa makes egg rolls
Chocolate cake for Grandpa's birthday
Kevin loves chocolate cake - so much that he burped "I want more cake please!"
The boys snuggle with Grandpa while they watch Cars
The family went on a trip to Florida to celebrate Grandpa's 80th birthday! We spent a day at the beach in Clearwater, where we got to see sharks, turtles, stingrays and dolphins at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the boys got to splash in the surf. Alan wanted to play with the sand as soon as he stepped on the beach, but took a little coaxing to play in the water. Kevin was happy to romp into the surf right away! Daddy even flew a kite for the boys. Before we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's, we went to the playground at Pier 60.
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?
