Our time in Texas

Every year we spend several weeks at our home base in Texas. We use my parents address so all our mail goes to them and they are kind enough to sort and forward it. Our vehicles get inspected and registered there and our eye doctors, physicians, ect are all there as well. So everytime we go, we have a long to do list. Happily, this time we got all the necessary things done in good time and still had plenty of time to spend with them.

"Grandpa, let's pretend to sleep!"

Puzzle time with grandma!

Mom made scrumptious cupcakes for Valentine's Day.

The children wanted to make a surprise for the adults. It ended up being fruit with dip made of random ingredients they kept adding but turned out delicious!

   

     Saturday afternoon when we got home from the Mayborn Museum, we were shocked to find my sister and family at dad's. They were on their way home to Colorado from Haiti and had mechanical issues in Dallas so their flight was delayed overnight. What a pleasant surprise! We talked fast and had a good time.

Playing games.

The younger children played and talked faster then ever since time was short :).

     My parents take care of our mail and let us keep our storage shed on their property. In return, we make sure to be there each time his chickens go out so that we can help clean the barn and get the new flock settled. It's a win-win for both of us! It's hard, dirty work and results in backaches and major allergy issues but it's got to be done.

The black things to the left are called slats and we have almost 800 in this barn. They have to all be moved to the right. The next job is dad and Eldon both using their tractors and hauling chicken litter to the mountain outside for a good 6 hours each. Once it's cleaned out well, the 800 slats get moved back (this is where the backaches come in). Dad is quick to offer the chicken catchers or any other young man loitering around quick cash if they help for awhile, lol.

The children did a phenomenal job of helping. They caught chickens, hauled dead chickens, did lots of odd jobs, and ran errands.

     A trip to Texas fit in well with Eldon's parents travel plans and we were pleased to have them! Dad helped the guys clean-out the barn so they got it done in basically 2 days. Which was a very good thing because the chickens left Monday noon and the new flock came early Thursday morning! Mom helped me bake massive amounts of grape nuts and granola. Of course we had time to play games too, which the children especially enjoyed.

The children with Grandpa Kings

     It's been a blessing having friends scattered all over and random meet-ups tend to feel like a gift from God. The children and I enjoyed a few hours with the Tellish family (minus the Mr.) one afternoon. The day was perfect for being at the park so we spent a few hours there. The children did what children do and Natalie and I caught up on each other's lives.

The climbing towers were a hit with the boys.

We were hungry but not done being together so we headed to McDonald's for lunch and more time together :)

     Eldon and I thoroughly enjoyed an evening out while my little sisters babysat. We've obviously been married awhile since our activities included going to a UPS store, Goodwill, Lowe's, and Aldi, in addition to Olive Garden and Braum's. We were able to attend an all day marriage seminar at my parents church with them as well. We loved it! Aside from the great speakers and discussion, the food was fabulous too!

     This sums our Texas trip up and we're thankful for the productive and upbuilding time we had. The next job is Montana. But......we're going by way of Florida and Pennsylvania so it will be a few weeks.