Family Vacation 2012

Last week Joe and I were able to get off from work for a week of vacation. We were not really sure where we wanted to go. My mom took off for the week also and said she would watch Kylie while we went somewhere. We thought about going back to Seattle or trying Chicago, but figured we took a big trip last year and would do something smaller this year. Plus, we didn't want to leave Kylie behind. We decided on a trip to Galveston about a week before vacation started. We told Kylie we were going to the beach and she was really excited. Every morning the week before she would say "going to the beach" and we had to tell her only a few more days. She couldn't wait. I couldn't put all of our vacation pictures on the blog so the rest are on Facebook.
We headed out last Tuesday morning. Our first stop was Kemah, Texas. We went to a restaurant that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (T-Bone Tom's BBQ). I was delicious. I had a sliced sausage sandwich and potato salad and Joe had a sandwich with three different meats (pulled pork, sliced brisket, and sliced sausage). We will definately go back the next time we are there.
After lunch, we headed a block over to the Kemah Boardwalk. Kylie rode the double decker carousel and we all rode a train that goes around the boardwalk. After the rides, we let Kylie run around the small playground they have so she could run off some energy after the four hour car ride. Then it was time to head to Galveston. Thankfully Kemah is only a short drive to Galveston. Once we got the hotel we checked in and headed to our room. As soon as we got to the room, we all took a nap. We were a little tired from the drive. After our nice nap, we took Kylie to the beach for a few minutes. We played in the sand and let Kylie put her feet in the water for a second. We then headed for dinner. Dinner was delicious. We went to a restaurant we had been to before (Salsas). After dinner we headed back to the hotel and went to bed.



The next morning (Wednesday) we decided to go for a run along the seawall. It was a nice run and the weather was perfect. It was a nice change of scenery from running in Waco/Hewitt/Lacy Lakeview. After running and having breakfast at the hotel (or as Kylie called it the "hi-is-tel) we got ready for the day. We decided to take a Duck Tour (http://www.galvestonducks.com/). We have been on the Duck Tour before, but thought Kylie would enjoy it. The last time we were in Galveston, she was little and didn't know what was going on. At first she was having a good time, but then it got a little windy and cold. She spent the most of the time on one of our laps while we tried to keep her warm. After the Duck Tour we headed for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. We thought she would love it, but I think it scared her a little. She didn't mind the monkeys coming to life every ten minutes, but she didn't like the thunderstorm that came every thirty minutes or so. After lunch we had planned on Kylie taking a nap, but she had other plans. As soon as lunch was over she said "Go to the beach?". We couldn't say no, so we headed to the hotel and got changed for the beach. We found a parking spot along the seawall and had to walk a little bit to get to a spot to walk down to the beach. We found a good spot and set up our chairs. From the moment we stepped on the beach Kylie had a huge smile on her face. She had a blast. She started by playing in the sand. She then darted off for the water. Of course Joe chased after her because she would want to go farther into the water than she could. We spent the next hour and a half playing in the sand, chasing Kylie as she ran towards the water, playing in the water, and enjoying the nice weather.

KJ and Daddy flying her kite

Playing in the water

KJ's sandy toes

 

After the beach we went back to the hotel and cleaned up. After playing at the beach, we were hungry, but we didn't know where to eat dinner. We drove up and down the seawall looking for somewhere to eat. We finally decided on a greek restaurant called the Olympia Grill. After we sat down for dinner and looked at the menu, we were starting to regret stopping there. It was a little pricier than we like to spend on dinner ($30 for a plate of roasted lamb). We finally decided on some cheaper options. I tried the moussaka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moussaka) with a side or roasted potatoes. Kylie had a grilled cheese pita (basically a grilled cheese sandwich on pita bread). Joe decided to try the grilled pork chops. Joe's meal came with soup and he ordered Avgolemono ( a lemon chicken soup). He liked it, but started getting full about halfway through. He gave Kylie a bite and she loved it. She took over the rest of the bowl and ate the entire thing. She sat there like a big girl and ate with a spoon without dropping one bit of soup on her or the table. Once our food got to the table we were shocked at the portions. They were huge. I ordered the light plate and it looked like a full size plate to me. Joe had three grilled pork chops and a ton of roasted potatoes. Kylie's plate was full too. Joe cleaned his plate and I ate most of mine. I think Kylie was a little full from the soup so we took most of her grilled cheese and the rest of my potatoes as leftovers. Even though we were full we thought we would stop for a special treat since Kylie ate so good at dinner. We stopped for ice cream at Sonic and went back to the hotel to eat it. We were really full after ice cream and it didn't take long for all of us to fall asleep.
The next morning we ate breakfast again at the hotel and then went back to the room to pack up. We checked out of the hotel and headed to the Strand District to do a little shopping before heading home. I guess we were a little early because none of the shops were open. We decided to go to Moody Gardens and wait until the shops opened. We just walked around Moody Gardens and looked at the flowers. There was a field trip going on and we didn't want to fight the crowd of kids to see the aquarium (even though Kylie said she wanted to go with the kids). We took a few pictures in a photo booth. All of the pictures are of Kylie looking up and us laughing because Kylie was looking at herself on the monitor instead of at the camera. After Moody Gardens we went back to the Strand. We walked around a few minutes and decided to go in the candy shop. We picked up a few goodies and then decided we would eat lunch before heading back home. We picked a restaurant called Yaga's. It was pretty good. After lunch we filled up the gas tank and headed for Waco. The drive back seemed to take longer than the drive there. We finally got home and unpacked the car. We were tired from the trip and neither of us wanted to cook dinner so we grabbed burgers and brought them home. We spent the rest of the night just hanging out and watching tv.

Friday was spent watching a movie ( a very boring movie) for a paper that Joe has to write for school.
Saturday we went to the zoo. We were invited to the zoo because McLennan County 911 was celebrating its 25th anniversary. Joe and I each received a nice goodie bag for being a police officer and dispatcher. We walked around the zoo and then ate hamburgers provided by the event. We found a few of our co-workers and were able to enjoy a nice lunch with them. After the zoo it was nap time for Kylie and homework time for Joe. I was able to get away for a little while and go to Practically Pikasso with my mom. We had a great time painting and hanging out. After painting we went shopping for a little while and then I headed home. Joe, Kylie and I went to dinner, went shopping a little, and then headed home. The next day was our first day back to work after vacation.
We had a great vacation and enjoyed being together without having to worry about going to work.

Easter 2012

We had a great Easter. I was able to be off from work on Easter and go to church with Kylie. Joe unfortunately had to work. Our Easter weekend started Friday night. Kylie helped Joe and I dye eggs. She had a great time and was very proud of her eggs.

On Saturday morning we headed up to church to help decorate with Easter lilies. After helping decorate we went to the Resurrection Celebration and Egg hunt. Thankfully my mom stayed with me and helped. Kylie did crafts, went to music, had a lesson, and then got to hunt for eggs. She had a blast. After the egg hunt we released balloons with a special message for whoever found them. Kylie then had practice for the songs her class (2 year olds) and the Kindergarten class were going to sing on Sunday. She didn't really want to practice. She just sat there for most of the time. Who could blame her? She had already had a long morning and you can't expect a 2 year old to want to participate after that. After practice we headed to my Grandma and PaPa's house. My mom and I helped my grandma, aunt, and cousin dye eggs (about 3 dozen). Kylie ran around and played with my aunt's dog, Roxie. We then headed to Wal-Mart to get stuff for broccoli salad that we were taking to lunch on Sunday. The rest of the day was spent napping a little and playing.

Sunday morning Kylie and I got up and went to church. After the service we waited until it was time for her to sing. I dropped her off with her Sunday school class and went to the Family Center to wait for her program to start. She walked in with her class and got up on stage. She stood up when the first song started, but sat down about a minute into it. She didn't stand up again after that. She spent the program covering her eyes and showing everyone her shoes. She didn't sing, but she stayed up there and didn't cry. That is an accomplishment. Maybe next year she will actually sing. She knows the songs and sings them in the car. I guess she got a little stage fright. After church we headed home and Kylie took a short nap. We then headed to my mom's and rode with her to my godmother's house. We had a great time with my family. We had fun just hanging out and eating. We had a great lunch and a little dessert. We then watched my cousins play wiffle ball. Kylie had a blast just running around and being crazy. Then it was time for the egg hunt. I helped "hide" the eggs, then we let the kids go. Kylie stayed in one area and picked up a few eggs. She was more interested in seeing what was inside of each egg before putting it in her basket. My brother helped her out and by the end of the hunt, her basket was full. After the kid's hunt, it was time for the adult egg hunt. My godmother had the kids hide the eggs for the adults. We counted down and the adults took off faster than the kids had. Everyone raced around picking up eggs. We then counted up our findings and however many eggs we had, we received that many scratch off lotto tickets! I found four. I scratched all of my tickets and won two dollars. We had a great time with the family. I love when my entire family gets together. There is always great food and fun times.
We headed home about 4. When we got home Kylie was out. She was ready for a nap. I took a little nap in my chair while Joe enjoyed his plate I had made him at lunch. After our naps, we headed to my aunt and uncle's house. They had planned on having a bonfire and roast hot dogs, but the weather had another idea. We ate inside and just had fun hanging out and talking. We headed home around 9 and gave KJ a bath. Then it was time for bed. We were all exhausted.

Ready to hunt eggs at church