The Road to a Friend's House...

is never very long.

For February break, the kids and I headed to upstate New York to visit our dear friends, the Gagnier's.  This was the first time the kids have been on a road trip for more than three hours.  They were great travellers and we had enough snacks, books, electronic devices to last a while.

It was the kids' first time to upstate NY and only my second. 

All of the kids got along great and it was just so amazing to see their friendships grow with each other.  They kids played outside, played inside, made forts, watched movies, painted rocks, and laughed!  We also went to the Musuem of Play in Rochester.  It was crowded, but a really neat place to visit.

We also went to a farm where we met roosters, chickens, rabbits, cows, and goats- lots and lots of goats.  They kids loved it.

It was great to be in the country for awhile and slow down. 

The best part, however, was spending time with Morgan.  There's nothing like good cup of tea and visit with a dear friend.  We miss them a lot, but know that they are were God wants them. 

Texas, Christmas, and More

This year was our time to head to Texas for Thanksgiving.  After running like a mad woman whose backpack spilled open, we finally made it to Lubbock.  This was perhaps one of our most enjoyable trips there.  The weather was great- most days we didn't even need a jacket.  The kids were able to play outside every day and ride their bikes.  We drew with chalk nearly every day on the sidewalk.  The kids loved to torment my parents' little dog.  We played marbles every night, though the ladies didn't do so well.  It was so great to see my kids and my parents connect and really enjoy each other's company.  The kids did some crafts, went geocaching, went to the science musuem,  went to a Texas Tech basketball game, and to the movies. 

I always have these grandiose plans, which work out perfectly in my head, but not so much in reality.  I was furiously sewing pajamas for my kids on Christmas Eve so they could wear them that night.  I was a bit frustrated with myself because I let this happen.  This year it seemed easier to buy gifts for everyone else but our kids.  For some reason, buying presents for Isaac and Isabells seemed difficult.  We just couldn't think of a "big" gift for each of the kids this year.  But, you know, what Isaac's favorite gift was?  A $20 Finn McMissile car from Wal-Mart.  He was so excited!  And Isabella received the doll bassinet that she had her eye on.

The weather this winter has been so warm so far.  I keep waiting for the snow to come, but so far only a dusting.  We did take advantage of this and found some woods to walk in only 10 min from our house.  We had a blast being with each and was able to do a little geocaching as well.

  

So the lesson learned:

Don't sweat the small stuff.  Keep it simple, and don't feel bad if plans go awry.