2 Weeks of Family Fun

This posting is a little out of order but it's taken me a little while to collect photos from everyone's phones.  Apparently we don't travel with a big camera anymore so cell phones pics are all we have from our 2 weeks of family vacation.  

Savannah, Walker, and I left on Wednesday August 28th for Texas to spend a week with Grams and Grandaddy out on the farm.  I'm always amazed that when I think there is so little to do Savannah tends to be the busiest.  She woke up earlier than usual everyday and stayed up way too late every night.  I'm not sure what she thought she was going to miss by sleeping.  One of her favorite things to do was to collect the eggs from the chicken coop.  She loved it so much that she did it twice a day.  It's things like that that make me wonder if she's really my offspring :)  Immediately after collecting the eggs she would rush home to carefully wash each egg with soap and water.  And of course every morning she had to make scrambled eggs for breakfast.  Surprisingly she actually ate some one day.  

When she wasn't busy with the chickens she was either fishing, helping Grandaddy work in the yard, playing with Maci, putting on puppet shows, coloring, or visiting with Nanny and Pa.  Walker, of course, was just along for the ride but he loved all the attention from everyone.  My Little Man definitely becomes spoiled with all the hands on attention.  I know my back sure appreciated the extra help holding him :)  

It was so great to spend so much time with everyone.  Harlan even came and spent the long holiday weekend with us.  And Rachel joined us in Houston for a visit to the American Girl store and Cafe.

feeding the chickens

grabbing Pa's cigar--either Pa's reflexes are slowing down or Little Man faster than past grandkids

Grandaddy's first visit to an American Girl store---he's very excited

Harlan's first visit, too

our lunch group---wish Michael had been there, too

making a crown---always in princess mode

can't believe these two just now met each other

the trip into the city just wore these two out

first time riding Grandaddy's motorcycle

the view from my morning runs

I definitely enjoyed the break from pushing the jogger.

Savannah fishing

Savannah's first fish

Walker, Nanny and Pa

Walker driving Grams and Maci on the mule

At the end of our week on the farm we flew to California to meet up with the rest of the Alvarez family.   We stayed at our usual hotel, The Langham, just down the street from Obie's house.  I LOVE that hotel!  The rooms are huge, our patio opens right up to the pool, the facilities are beautiful, and it's nestled in a lovely neighborhood that's great for running.  I tried really hard to keep the kids on east coast time especially since Savannah was going to be starting school the day after we returned home.  For the most part I was successful.  We woke up every morning around 4:30/5:00, went for a run outside around 7:30, had lunch by 10:30, dinner at 4:30, and bed for Walker by 5:30.  Even Savannah and I typically passed out by 7:00 pm.  Thank goodness for large, thick, heavy, hotel drapes.  The bad part of maintaining our time zone was that we didn't get to spend as much time with the family but we made do as best as possible.  Savannah had a blast playing in the pool with her cousins, aunt, and uncle.

touring the hotel grounds bright and early in the morning

quick pic in front of Grams' favorite flower

the beautiful Langham Hotel

having the whole pool to ourselves---no one else is awake and playing at 8:00 am??

lounging poolside

group photo minus Carter

first time meeting Uncle Obie

She LOVED playing Obie's drums

fun time poolside

Walker, Nono, and Nana

Oscar and Emilie

Walker briefly meeting Carter---wish there had been more time

Savannah explaining the finer points of coloring to Nana

Two weeks was a loooooonnnnngggggg time to be away from home and I was definitely ready to get back to a normal routine but we had so much fun and made sooooo many great memories with all the family.  It's unfortunate that we all live so far away from one another but I guess that's what makes our times together that much more special.