What a Trip!!!

Wow - what a trip!!  So I am sitting here in my (newly married) sister's house thinking back on the wonderful trip that we have had and wishing that it wasn't all over tomorrow.

Don't get me wrong...I am ready to be back in my own house, in my own bed, with all my clothes, with all of Collin's toys...and I have been missing Son terribly since he left yesterday...but I am still not ready for it to end.

A summary of our vacation.

Thursday - The day didn't start out so well with a trip to the Dr. and a diagnosis of bronchalitis (sp?) and ear infection - poor baby!  Collin & I arrived in DFW and were picked up by Becca & Warren & Addie (their puppy) to make the drive to Tyler.  It was a pretty funny sight - Becca's car was loaded down with every one's luggage and other items for the weekend so the only place the stroller would fit was in the front seat - so that meant that me, Becca, Collin, and Addie all road in the backseat together...too funny!

Friday - Bridesmaids luncheon!  Yay!  The wedding festivities began!  The food was so yummy & I really enjoyed spending time with Becca's sweet friends who I haven't seen in a while.  Son arrived in Tyler (along with Beau) and stayed home with Collin while I went with the rest of the family to the rehearsal...let me just say that the location Becca picked out for her wedding was breathtaking.  So Beautiful!!  I promise pictures as soon as I get home & get them from my camera!  That night some sweet friends of my parents (Celia & Tom Ridley) kept Collin for us so that Son & I could enjoy the rehearsal dinner.  Yummy BBQ at a new place in Tyler hosted by the Steplers.  When we picked Collin up it was so funny because he apparently LOVED Mr. Tom and wouldn't let him go the whole time.  Collin even fell asleep in his arms - awwww!

Saturday - THE BIG DAY!!!!!  All the girls met at the hair salon at 11:00 for a day of pampering with hair & make-up.  So much fun!  Then we had to be at the location by 4:00 for pictures. ***A HUGE shout-out goes to my sweet hubby Son who single handedly managed a sick baby Collin all day & night so that I could enjoy everything with my sister.***  The wedding was beautiful - the weather was perfect & the reception was so much fun!!

Sunday - Collin was still a little under the weather so we skipped church and hung out around the house.  Becca & Warren came over for lunch before they had to head back to Dallas.

Monday - Zoo Day!!  Collin had so much fun at the Zoo with us, my parents, and my cousins.  I think his favorite part was either the petting zoo or feeding the ducks :)  That night was also DATE NIGHT!!!!!  We had a great dinner at Mercado's and then went to see Inception.  I know, that movie has been out for like several months but we have been dying to see it...and the last move we saw in the theatre was Blind Side.  I would have to say that it was "ok" but not as good as everyone kept telling us it was.

Tuesday - My dad took Son & I to a friend's house where they had an outdoor gun range set up & we spent about 3 hours shooting all different types of guns!  It was so much fun!  I wanted to go just to shoot a gun since we own one now I wanted to know how to use it in an emergency...but I had no idea how much fun it would be!  My dad's friend was so nice & gave me several lessons & kept pulling out different guns for me to try.  That afternoon my mom & I took Collin to the Discovery Science Place Children's Museum in Tyler.  He loved it!  There were so many things for him to touch, climb on, push around, and throw that he had a great time.

Wednesday - We "attempted" Family Pictures but Collin just wasn't feeling it that day.  I guess I can't complain because we have done it several times in Tyler but this was the first time that he really didn't want to cooperate.

Thursday - DATE NIGHT again!!!   This time we went to Olive Garden (I know...boring, but hey - we had a gift card so it was free!)  Then we stopped and got ice cream and a present for Collin in the way home.

Friday - We took Collin to a cool Tiger Rescue place outside of town where he got to see several tigers, lions, and other big cats.  They even had 2 tigers formerly owned by Michael Jackson!

Saturday - Son left to go the New Orelans to visit friends & my dad & I went to Dallas to see Becca & Warren.

Sunday (Today) - Went swimming at the Stepler's house (Warren's parents) and had a great dinner cooked by Becca & Warren tonight.

I know that I am missing out on so much that we did but it is late, I am tired, and this post is already way too long.  If you are still reading this then you are either related to me or really bored :)

Other highlights that I don't want to forget:

*Collin now eats with a fork!  He loves it but the only problem is that every time he gets a bite in his mouth he looks at you and waits for you to clap for him before he will put another bite in.

*Schlotzky's, Mercado's, Luby's, Pei Wei, my mom's pasta salad, my dad's smoked bbq, my nana's new potatoes, tons of home made cookies - need I say more?

*Collin's favorite new word is "Stay".  He learned it by watching uncle Warren talk to Addie girl & he loves pointing his finger at you and telling you to "Stay".

Okay, night night!

Julie