Texas, part 2

Sunday

Sunday was a full day!

David and Rachel treated us to some Daylight Donuts before heading to church.

Nolan was like, "I'll take one of those and one of those and one of those and one of those..."

Attempting to get a pic of the Perez family. Poor Anna wasn't feeling it.

Home for lunch (this scene happened a lot)...

... and a little bull riding.  (I feel like this is the classic dad/uncle activity!)

The hair twins!

Okay, this is random, but this squirrel on one of my mom's bird feeders was cracking me up!

After the kids' naps, Nikye and DJ headed out on a very fancy date...

...while the rest of us played in the sprinkler!

Nolan went around and mooched off of everyone's drinks...

Then Rachel found a roley-poley!  Eliza was less interested, but Nolan was totally intrigued!

Rachel is a brave science teacher and an awesome mom and aunt, and she does things like hold bugs for her nephew to inspect for gazillion minutes.  I'm not as cool as she.

I don't remember for sure why Nolan ended up nekkidy at this point.  I can only say it is becoming his typical, outdoor, water-play modus operandi.  That's an AZ kid for you.

*****

Monday

Today David, Jonathan and Anna headed to Houston, so we had to soak up as many hugs and cuddles as possible before saying "see you later".

I love this picture

Precious blue eyed girl!

I am a blessed mom and aunt :)

Snagged a picture with DJ and Eliza for fun :)

Sometimes I can't believe my little brother is a dad.  And has been a dad longer than I've been a mom!  So proud of him for many reasons -- his role as a great dad and husband, his hard work in school, his fitness pursuits, his dedication to multiple jobs.  He's an awesome guy all around.  I admire you, David!

It was such a fun week watching these two be buds.

Nolan's little hand on Jonathan's arm kills me!

Jonathan, you are a great role model and pal for Nolan.  Thank you!

This group shot is laughable -- it is so incomplete!  But it was who was home/available at the given moment.  Oh well!  *Almost* got all of the greats, grandparents and grandkids -- just needed Eliza, but I don't think she was home!

4 generations on one side

and 4 generations on the other

After the Houston crew pulled out and Nolan and Eliza went down for naps, Rachel, Nikye and I got to sneak away for pedicures.

That afternoon was a real treat: The new children's museum in Austin (called The Thinkery) recently opened, and Nikye and Eliza treated Nolan and me to a visit.  Nikye even had a little Thinkery shirt for Nolan.  So kind!

This massive LiteBrite was a hit.

... But I think the painting wall was the overall favorite.  (I feel so sorry for whoever is responsible for cleaning up this area at the end of every day.)

Lefty all the way.  Sorry, Grandma.

Her smile says it all!

On to the chicken coop and the farmers' market...

Of course, Nolan got a whole basket of bananas.

The chef at work!

oops!

And finally, the little kid room --

Nolan's favorites were these floor vaults, each of which which held a different bug/animal/scene and were activated by a nearby button

SO fun!  The Thinkery did its job and wore the kids out.  Nolan was in bed by 6:15!  Which was good because we were up bright and early the next morning, heading home to Phoenix.

*****

Can't wait for next time!