Texas ~ Part 2

Tuesday we went to the George Ranch Historical Park. This was the best day in Texas. The George Ranch is a working ranch but the allow for tours in the stables and through the homes of the George family dating back in the 1800's. They went from a two room shack to a beautiful 2 story home. Each home has a guided tour and it was so interesting to see the progression of the family and to see how they lived. I am fascinated with old homes and hearing the stories of what happened to the families! We rode a tractor to each home. We first visited the stables. We were lucky that on the day we went, there were only a handful of people. I think we got special treatment because it was a slow day. The cowboys were so nice to Hannah. One of them made saddles and he gave Hannah a piece of leather with an "H" & a cross on it. She loved it. She brushed the horses and they taught her and Josh how to rope a calf. Hannah bought a cowgirl hat and now says she wants to be a cowgirl and a doctor when she grows up! :) Unfortuantely I didn't get that great of pictures. I was having major issues with my camera!

Cowgirl Hannah!

Sweet baby Jaiden

Hannah brushing the horse

Roping the calves

This was a tree house in the backyard of one of the George homes.

Hannah & Jaiden enjoyed running around!

Jaiden ate a flower while we were there!

We were so tired that we didn't see mom on Tuesday. The girls were exhausted and so we stopped by Chick-Fil-A to eat dinner. It happened to be family night and Hannah got a balloon animal made. She had lots of kids to play with so she was happy!

Jaiden enjoyed eating her fruit!

Texas

My mom was diagnosed with a rare form of appendix cancer in August. She sought help at MD Anderson Cancer Center. On September 27th, she had a major surgery & chemo wash for treatment. The doctors are optimistic that they got all of the cancer. She is recovering but spent 6 weeks in Houston, TX. We thought about going to Gatlinburg for vacation this year but after mom said she was going to TX, we decided to go to Houston to see her and have a vacation all at the same time. We left on Friday afternoon, September 30th, after Josh got home from work. We drove half way to Houston, stopped to spend the night, then drove the rest of the way on Saturday. Saturday we went to see my mom who was doing good considering the fact that she had a major surgery 4 days before! Sunday we went to church and visited with my mom in between services. For lunch we ate at Saltgrass steakhouse with dad. This was the best steak I have ever put in my mouth! I wish we had one closer home! We sat in front of the fireplace and there was a mounted buffalo above it. Hannah wanted to have her picture made with it...




Monday we went to the Downtown Aquarium. It was a little small but Hannah & Jaiden loved looking at all of the animals. At the end of aquarium they had a tiger exhibit. The tiger was eating when we got there but he kept looking at us like we were lunch. A man knelt down beside the glass and the tiger came up to him staring him in the eye. When the man stood up, the tiger jumped up and lunged at his face. Josh tried his best to get the tiger to do the same thing to him. Even though he was behind the glass, I didn't like it. Visions of the tiger breaking through the glass and eating my husband went through my head but I am a scaredy cat when it comes to things like this! :)

Jaiden loved to point at all the animals. She was pointing at the little alligator that kept coming up to the glass. (I think he wanted to eat us too!)

Hannah is keeping one eye on the tiger!

Hannah loved this statue!

Outside the aquarium they had a carousel, ferris wheel, bouncy house, and a train ride to look at the sharks. We bought an arm band so we got to ride all of these as much as we wanted. We rode the carousel first. It was Jaiden's first time to ride and she loved it!

I did not want to ride the ferris wheel! I had never ridden one but I know myself well enough to know that I would not enjoy it! I let my imagination run wild and the whole time I am thinking about how I (or worse my children) will plummet to our death if it broke! However Josh talked me into riding it. As soon as I got on, I wanted off! The ferris wheel was in the middle of downtown and went over the interstate. Hannah held onto my hand! I am such a wimp but I thought I would throw up before we got off. Hannah loved it!! She rode it with Josh at least 10 times. So Jaiden & I rode the carousel and I let her run around. Then we rode the train to see the sharks and jumped in the bouncy house.

We left the aquarium, ate at a GREAT taco restaurant downtown. It think it was called the Taco Shop. It was so good! Then we went to the zoo. We left the zoo, picked up dad, then ate at the Pappadeaux's seafood. It was pricey but good. Then we visited with mom & crashed in bed!

The eagle at the zoo! It is beautiful!!

Jaiden & Hannah petting the goats! Jaiden was more interested in playing in the dirt!

Texas longhorn ~ these animals are amazing!

Ears pierced!

On September 15th, I took Hannah to get her ears pierced! I always said when they can ask to get it done I would take them.

Holding the teddy bear before they put the dots on her ears.

Here we go!

She is getting a little unsure. I tried to warn her that it would hurt but just for a few seconds. After they did this one ear she screamed and cried for about 10 minutes. I thought she wasn't going to let us do the other ear. I finally got in the chair with her and told her that it was either take the one out and go home or get the other one done. She FINALLY let the lady pierce the other one.

Here we are in the chair after it is over. Look at how red her face is! I know this is a terrible picture. My camera lens doesn't always work right.

Traumatized but happy! :)

Now she is showing them off. She told everyone we saw that day (and the week after) that she got her ears pierced.

Check out the hair bow. I made it and am contemplating selling them.

Just beautiful (don't look too close at the peanut butter on her face!)