Longview

Saturday we packed up and left. Long drive to Longview for the Great Texas Balloon Race. I found this through an email from Texas Highways. We needed something to do between Galveston and dropping Grace off at Girl Scout camp in Conroe, so instead of going to Scott’s parents’ house, we went to see hot air balloons.

I wanted to go get the Longview row by row before they closed, but I got lost. Our data wasn’t strong in that area and we ended up really lost. I wished we had Tomtom as a back up butwe didn’t.

We got to the motel, then headed out to the festival grounds. We ate, then sat around until it got dark for the balloon glow. Unfortunately, a storm moved through and that part of it was cancelled. Sunday morning we got up super early and drove down to the festival grounds for the Sunday morning competitions. That was totally worth it. And it was free to get in. It was really awesome to see the balloons start out over the horizon then come closer and closer and bigger and bigger. Some tips for next time: bring chairs and blankets. Bring a cooler and stuff to do. Don’t pay for tickets on Saturday; you can sit in the parking lot and watch the glow (I think) and come Sunday morning.

Right after that, we went back to the motel and packed up. I took a nap and Scott and the girls went swimming for a very short time.

We packed up, loaded up and left for Conroe. About 3 hours. Got there at a good time. She’s at Misty Meadows this week at All American Girl theme camp. It was hot hot hot and we were glad to drop her off, leave and get some drinks. We drove out to Montgomery to get their Row, which is too cute!

Then we took 105 home, stopping at Pizza Hut for a pizza to go, which was a great dinner choice.

We finally got home. Only to pack me up for a conference in Fort Worth, the next day.  

Galveston Trip III - Date night

Friday we hung out for awhile, spent some time in the pool then they went to the beach. Scott and I had dinner at Galveston Island Brewery, which was fantastic. They had a flight that you could pick yourself, and really great sandwiches. They had good beer too; not just pale ales or IPAs. I liked 3 out of the 4.

Then we went to on a Ghost Tour. It was ok. Hiking around downtown in the dark with spooky stories was fun.

After that, we went to Mikey’s Ice cream shop, then back to the condo.

Galveston Vacation Part II

My sister and her family also rented a condo in Galveston the week after my parents had their timeshare week, so my mom rented a condo in the same complex for all of us. It was a lot more fun that I had expected.

I was snotty and not feeling well, but we arrived finally. The kids went to the beach, then we went to the Rainforest Cafe to ride the ride and eat dinner. It was really good. As a treat for my girls and birthday presents for the boys, they all got animal build-a-bears. Grace and Millie both got one last year - Grace’s Layla snow leopard and Millie’s Flippy-Go Sea turtle. This year, Grace got an Okapi and Millie got a hippo. Brady got a tiger and Coco got a giraffe.  Brady spent the night with us and he and I cooked breakfast in the morning.

The next day, we went on a Dolphin sight-seeing tour. Coco was totally against is and cried and screamed for 45 mins. We did see some dolphins and it was really fun. Really hot.

We napped for awhile then spent some time at the pool. We got out long enough to make hot dogs for dinner, then spent the rest of the night in the pool.

Galveston Vacation Part I - Grace's birthday!

We started out on Grace’s birthday. For her special treat, we took her to the American Girl store in Houston for lunch at the Bistro. You have to make a reservation, so I did earlier in the month. She’s so into American girls and dolls, etc. Scott’s mom gave her $50 to spend there, which she did, of course.

The people there are really sweet and enthusiastic about their jobs. They have little high chairs that hook onto the tables for dolls. You can borrow a doll to eat with if you didn’t bring yours, which we did for Millie.

Grace was so grown-up. She ordered her drink and her own appetizer and a grown up sandwich. Millie didn’t eat, of course, but my turkey club was good.

She spent her money, then we headed to Galveston.

Houston Farmer's Market

I had a Girl Scout training day in Houston, so I made a plan to go to the super fabulous Urban Harvest Farmer's Market on Richmond. We went a few months ago on our way to visit Scott's parents and I loved it. I love Farmer's Markets. I like to go alone or with one of the girls. Scott is not fun. He doesn't enjoy it. 

My favorite so far was the one in Des Moines, Iowa last summer. It was huge and there was so much to see and try. I love ones that have premade food to eat. The one in Beaumont doesn't have that. It has some pastries and breads, but nothing pre-made. 

The Houston market has several food trucks/stands. I got a vegan tamale with diablo sauce for breakfast. I picked up some naan, goat cheese and hummus for lunch during my training, some Kombucha and potatoes for later. 

Galveston Vacation

My parents have had a timeshare in Galveston for several years. It's small, but they like it. They go every year in the summer and usually take the girls. Millie went on Friday but Grace had some other commitments, so she went up with my sister and her kids on Monday.

That weekend, Grace and I went to the annual Midnight Garage Sale at a local church. It's a hassle - you have to get there early and stand in line. We get good stuff and it's fun, but line skippers are irritating. Saturday we had quilting at church. I had made a vegetable soup and had plenty left, so we brought some to share. Then we had a girl scout event to try to introduce girl scouting to girls in Port Arthur. It was fun, but not too productive. Grace and I were the only ones from our troop, which is fine.

I worked in the mornings on that week, so Scott and I weren't able to come up until Thursday evening.

Waiting on the Ferry

Finally get to see my babies

Millie was banned from the beach until we got there because she doesn't listen. She loves to jump in the waves and play in the water. She builds sand castles and doesn't like to leave. 

They checked out Friday, so we drove around and walked the Strand. We stopped at La King's to watch them make Taffy and try some sweets before lunch.

A lot of stores along the Strand have photo ops to bring customers in.

First night at Grandma's and Grand pa's was a water balloon/water gun fight. 

Grace's 10th Birthday

This lovely lady is turning 10. I'm so glad she's ours and we get to see her grow up. I can't wait to see how she'll turn out. She's the best parts and better than both of us. I love the way she thinks through things and solves problems. She's becoming more independent but still comes and runs ideas and plans by me. She got commended on all 3 of her STAAR tests this year.