Texas Trip!

This is the story of our Texas trip, November 2009. It all started with several days of preparation and packing. (I do not know why blogger is underlining everything that I write) We shoved off Monday morning e.a.r.l.y. We had to say our sad goodbyes to S, who was staying home to work. We surely would miss him.

Day one we drove and drove, setting up camp late in the evening at a KOA campground in Baton Rouge.

Tuesday morning we were up early again to head to Houston. We arrived around 3:30 at our beloved friends, the Morrisons. They had opened their home up to us, as well as to anyone else who wanted to come and see us while we were in town. We were sad that the Huddles were sick, and so they could not come. But we did have a wonderful time with dear friends that night.

Kristin and I...such good friends!

Girls hugs...

what a great group of chillens!

"Miss Sara" is not "Miss" anymore.

big hug of greeting..it's been so long!

You can't believe the spread of food Kristin made for us...she was indeed "Mrs Hospitality". Thank you so much, Morrisons!

From Houston, we left and got settled in to the campground in San Antonio. We had to get up before dawn (yes, this is me talking), about 5:15, to get ready to head to Air Force Base Camp. For the exciting...
Airman's Run! This was Jonathan's last run at boot camp. It was really impressive to see the guys all running pass singing their airman's cadences or jodies, as they call them! We shouted out his name and he heard us as they sailed past! After that we had to get ready for the...
Coin Ceremony. Jonathan in on the back right there. This is where they get their aimans coin. He looked so handsome in his dress blues. I am so proud of him!

After that we got to spend lots of time with him. He showed us his squadron after the graduation on Friday. The children learned how to roll socks like the military. D started carrying his coins in his socks like Jonathan carried his wallet around. It was fascinating as we were schooled in alot of the military ways. It was all so interesting!

Mom had made us all shirt that said "My son/brother/uncle is an aiman".

We got to take Jonathan off base Friday afternoon and Saturday. We enjoyed walking around the mall, seeing an IMAX, going to Ripley's Believe it or Not, the Wax museum, and walking along the riverwalk.



We also thoughout the trip got to enjoy some of the campground amenities. Late one night, when it was very cool outside, I took the children swimming in the heated pool. We enjoyed a game with Gramps and MamaMo of put-put golf at another campground. The children loved all the playgrounds too!

After we said goodbye to Jonathan we left the following Monday morning to head to Biluxi, Mississipi. We enjoyed a nice time at the beach. The children did not really remember ever visiting the beach before.

We fed the seagulls...

Saw tons of jelly fish (or "jelly beans" as H called them)

found pretty seashells to bring home to show daddy

played in the sand

and enjoyed God's creation

We left Mom in Biloxi with the travel trailer, while my dad brought us home. We had found out last minute that Jonathan had 4 days off in Biloxi (where he was shipped to to begin his air traffic controller training), so Mom and Dad wanted to spend more time with him. Dad drove us home and we arrived home, tired but happy on Wednesday night (after a nine day journey). All in all, it was a great trip!