My Lucky Labor Day Weekend

Saturday I finally wandered over the Houston Zoo with my family. This place has been on my To-Visit list for QUITE a while. I'm so grateful that I waited to spend this experience with my parents, aunts, sister-in-law and NEPHEWS!!!! And a special SHOUT-OUT to Matt in Iraq for who I posted so many pictures! Hope you like these and don't forget the videos at the bottom!!!
Peetty colors :D

So, it was a very bright Saturday afternoon when we got to the zoo. We immediately stopped in the train station and got some hats and shades for the boys. Choo, choo!

Now, if that doesn't make you say "awwwwww" your heartless...

He is just the cutest thing in the entire WORLD.

So, Grandpa had Lucas and...

Grandma had her Roo...

and we were off to the animals!!!!!!

We first got our stoller. Luckily, Lucas and Reuban were quite comfy and Big Brother made sure Little Brother was ready to go.

First stop...some interesting birds...or pajaros for those Spanish students.

Sam, I want my Fruit loops!

This is how we roll...

God has a sense of humor :)

Marital troubles.....

and Roo got sweeeepy....

so we stopped at the water station and Lucas had some fun in the water...(see more at the video below!)

Then we were off to the petting zoo. The kids are given brushes instead of food. But Lucas wasn't really diggin' it.

Say hi to Ashley...

a melaphant!

So, I'm putting my picture out there.....he he he I took Roo on a carousel ride! He was such a great sport! I thought I had that was stable/not moving up and down since it was on the outside. But we both held on tight and made it through with smiles.

Sweeepy bear

Lamkin Leopards!!!!

And a different kind of leopard (:/ I forgot!)

And another funny looking bird/vulture.

And a baby melaphant!!!

And G-pa and Lucas in front of the melaphants.

And the baby and mama (or daddy) giraffe.

And mama's black tongue!

And a sweeepy cheetah!

We were so hot and so tired after a while that we had to stop and rest. Look at all that burnt orange. (We were probably the reason for UT's victory Sat. night)

My new favorite picture of Lucas and his Great Aunt B. Isn't that adorable?!?!

SSSSSSSSSSSSNNNNNNNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

And then the monkeys

Matt, is that you? :D JK!

Roo was just as happy as could be!

And finally we had enough and took some advice from my orangatang friend and took a nap! Just kidding, we headed home after a great trip. We went back and cooked out some burgers and hotdogs. Great day!

The Video Section:


Grandma and Roo dancing outside the zoo while waiting for brother to go potty.

Okay, so this would be the Imperial Palace (or IP) Casino and Resort we stayed at in Biloxi, Mississippi....

This would be .... The Brick Pit we ate at. I think this is called a "dive." Poor Dad didn't enjoy it whatsoever.

But the inside had so much flavor, personality, and history. The walls are covered with testaments of people's journeys, Alabama football, and pictures. And the people were so nice!

And this would be the naval base Ashley is staying at. But because we didn't have a military id we couldn't get in... Hopefully next time I won't forget my camera!

Spur of the Moment Trip

So, things weren't working out with Lucas/Reuban's arrangments so Dad and I left Tuesday morning for Pensacola, Florida. We drove to Biloxi, Mississippi yesterday since we learned Ashley had not yet left. We stayed at the Imperial Palace, now know simply as IP Resort and Spa. We had a fun time playing blackjack and video poker, although we lost money. However, the hotel stay was only $65 a night, so I got two rooms and they were wonderful. I heard Dad talking to a friend on the phone today saying we'd have to go back. Sign me up!!

Today we drove from Biloxi to Mobile, Alabama to try The Brick Pit known for its BBQ. So, we didn't like it but the place definitely had character. There were only three options to pick from though: pulled pork, pork ribs, or bbq. We both chose the ribs and it was a bit too much. I liked the small business, homey feel, and the people were really nice. However, the food wouldn't bring us back. But it's another place in my book that I've visited!!! Only 9,990 more places to see :)

Tonight Ashley is expected to get to Pensacola and the boys will sleep with us. Then I have to get back to Houston asap so I can teach on Friday. After that a three day weekend full of family and NEPHEWS! Yeehaw!

***Will post pictures when I get home....I always forget my phone uploader at home when I leave for impromptu trips!

Pictures of San Antonio!

So here are my pictures from this past few days! In the middle of downtown is this sculpture, and is in all the travel books. Welcome to SA!

There were lots of ducks in the water! They made me happy. Yippee :)

On my own I decided to visit the four missions around downtown. The first one was lalalala Mission Concepcion. It really has a long name but the sign says it all. It's very interesting, though, because there's a barrio/ghetto just beside it.

Closer up..... So, if you don't know much. The taller area is the church. The arches beside it occupied the library, the mill, etc. No ac in a Texas summer? God must have REALLY been with them...

Then I went to the largest mission, Mission San Jose. This picture was taken when I entered the area. The SMALL rooms along the outside were where the Native American families slept. The Native Americans took refuge here because of the Apache Indian massacres and European disease both wiping out their hunter/gatherer tribes.

A further away view of San Jose as I was walking along the Native American houses.

Up close to the church...

The Native Americans usually began their days with prayer. Then the Spanish friars would give them work to do. One of their MARVELS was building aqueducts. They built them all the way San Antonio river to all four missions. It really is amazing to think of how they did this.

This was my favorite picture because it captured the church and arches and also part of the garden. I love colors...

I had like 5 travel books with me and one of them told me this was the best BBQ in San Antonio. Although San Antonio is not known for BBQ, hello!!!! We're still in Texas, home of the best bbq. This place was very weird. The signs all talk about their breakfast and their fried chicken. Last time I checked when you BBQ you cook meat without any coating. I got a chopped beef sandwich, which was waaay cheap. It was more like a sloppy joes but it worked. Everyone else in the restaurant had chicken fingers so it was just weird....

Then a short distance away was the Mission Espada Dam. Pretty area huh? Except it's in the middle of nowhere and I was kind of worried my body would never be found.

Then I traveled to the DESERTED Mission San Juan. There weren't even park rangers there. I was too nervous to go into the church alone. It was just kind of spooky. However, the land was a sacred burial ground back in the day so maybe it just didn't have a good vibe.

While on the way to Mission Espada I passed by its aqueduct. Just....amazing to think of how much work and brains this must have taken.

And last there was Mission Espada. A very small church, and not as deserted. There was a cute sign inside the church, though, that asked to keep the door close so that dirt and CATS didn't come in....supposedly it has been a problem...awwwwww meow!

Then Shanna was done with her conference so I met her back for some shopping and the talent show. Then we ate at Cafe Ole on the River Walk....boy, was it a bit warm. But the margarita helped :)

So did the mariachi band :)

This morning we woke up (late) and just had enough time for Market Square. We did some more shopping (I am so good at shopping...I wish it was my job.)

This was the indoor market. Many Mexican goods...clothes, sombreros, sculptures, etc. I got some mini sombreros, those colorful robe-thingys, and this fun game kind of like the Dreidel game. I thought the kids would like it when we celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

In the other indoor market was a traditional dancing performance group. Pretty good. The audience was a drag, so quiet. It was a little dancers birthday (like 7 years old) and she was all dressed up in the pretty dress and she danced with her mom, dad, and other dancers. It was cute (and free...whoop whoop)

We tried to eat at Mi Tierra (in THE BOOK) but it was a 45 minute wait so I decided I'll eat there some other time. And now I'm safe at home once again. I have meetings Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday so travelling with have to wait until after then. Til next time!!

Adios :D