Great Grandmother & Grandaddy

Here are some pictures from an evening we spent at Great Grandmother and Grandaddy's house.  The boys absolutely loved running circles around their house and playing outside.  We are thankful that the boys are getting to know their great grandparents even though they live so far away.  You can check out our last trip to the Valley (when I was pregnant with Benji) here and here.

Gladys Porter Zoo

While in the Valley we took the boys to Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville.  I was pleasantly surprised with the zoo and I am pretty sure the boys had fun, too!  Considering how cool it was on the beach it was nice and warm inland at the zoo -- crazy how that works! Looking at back at these pictures made me realize that my kids like head cut out boards and bronze statues of animals ;)

Hotel Swimming

Since it was pretty chilly down at the beach we were very thankful the hotel we chose to stay at had a heated pool!  The water was nice and warm, but we were keenly aware of the chill when we had to get out!  The boys love staying at hotels and usually say that is their favorite part of any vacation.  I am pretty sure that this one was no different.  A side note - my kids are fish and LOVE to swim!

 They love riding on the luggage cart!

South Padre Island

Back in May we took the boys down to the Valley to see Andy's Grandmother and Grandaddy.  While we were there we decided to spend a couple of nights at the beach.  When I booked the trip for early May it never dawned on me that it would be cold....  It wasn't freezing by any means, but it definitely was not beach weather!  Although we did not get into the ocean we didn't let that stop us from playing on the beach.  The boys had a great time just playing in the sand.  You can check out Luke's first visit to SPI beach here.

Chicago!

Back in February I was able to take a girls trip to Chicago with a couple of girls from work and one of their mutual friends.  We planned the trip around going to see Phantom of the Opera.  In hindsight we didn't give much it thought that we were going to Chicago in February of one of the coldest winters in recent history.  Regardless, we didn't let the cold stop us!  We got out and saw the city as if it were spring!  It was a great and much needed trip for me.  I am thankful to have friends that knew I was coming off a very hard year and were willing to go an have some fun!  Also, a big thanks to Andy for not caring that I was gone on Valentines weekend ;).

The toilet in the O'Hare airport -- the protector changes to a fresh one with a wave of a hand.  When will Texas get with the times??

 My very first Chicago Dog!  It was all I had imagined and more!

 The Chicago River!  I have never seen a frozen river before.  I hear I need to go back when it is warmer and take the architecture river tour.

Amy, Me, and Shauna -- I am pretty sure my thighs were frozen at this point

 Me, Amy, Shauna and Amy

 Views from the Hancock Building

 Chicago deep dish pizza -- It was delightful! It was worth the mile walk in the 9 degree weather!

 There was a specialty donut shop at our hotel -- this one was the Creme Brulee Donut

 From the bottom of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)

 Views from the top of the Willis Tower

 In the glass observation deck -- 103 stories up!

 The Bean!

 The Nutella Cafe at Eataly Chicago.  This called my name from the moment I knew it existed!

 My Nutella treat

 Navy Pier -- it was even colder than it looks!