Goin' down to San Antone

(Before you read this post, please read the prior post, posted a little earlier today)

Last weekend was spent in San Antonio. Buck and Sandra, Mike and Kristen and their little families went down Friday evening and Mary and I took our time and arrived Saturday afternoon. The kids spent Saturday at Sea World and Mary and I visited our little friend Barney Smith at the Toilet Seat Museum.


Barney Smith and his 71st Wedding Anniversary commemoration art (71 years! Wow!)

Once the kids finished up with Sea World, we met for dinner at LuLu's Cafe. Adam Richman (Man v Food on the Travel Channel) had visited the cafe (click here) when taking on the Four Horsemen Challenge at Chunky's Burgers (we have not visited Chunky's yet). Pictures tell the story:


"Is that all?" *snort* Hey, the two sides are on a regular dinner plate!


Dessert...a 3 pound cinnamon roll!


Kristen and Mike


Hayden thinks this is cool! Um, so does Sandra...she likes cinnamon rolls!

I'm not intending to hog the limelight, that's how the pictures turned out...especially since Lulu's Cafe is known for the chicken fried steak (my meal, so...) and the cinnamon roll. The rest of the group enjoyed their meals too! It was all good.

So, things really ARE bigger in Texas! This idea was confirmed the next day.

Mike, Kristen, Buck and Sandra went to a mall to let the kids expend some energy and run around. Then we met for lunch at Big Lou's Pizza:



And what might they be known for?


This!

Adam Richman was here as well!

Our meal (the pictures speak for themselves):







I think we made a dent in it!

Well, after such a filling meal, we went to the River Walk to walk it off.


San Antonio











The kids left for home at this point (long drive with kids) but Mary and I continued on for a bit. We popped up to road level and visited the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum and Texas Ranger Museum (see here). We didn't actually go in to the museum portions, we just looked through the lobby area and the gift shop.








We returned to the Walk.


Mariachis at a restaurant on the Walk


Me and my Sweetheart









What a beautiful place!

We said goodbye to San Antonio and made the 5 hour drive home. It was a great weekend!

Just for those who may wonder...yes we will watch Conference, which we recorded!

Road Trip!

On September 22nd, Mary and I began a long road trip, which we really enjoyed. Many times we will stop along they way to see interesting or novel sites. This time, we didn't stop for sites. Rather, we stopped for people...family.

Our first stop was Durango, Colorado to see daughter Julie and her new daughter Aerybella Ezmay-Ravienyah Maez. Aerybella is a real cutie. I just met her and she's already found a warm place in my heart, along with the rest of my children and grand children. I hope we can get back to see her again soon. Aerybella was born July 24th.

We then drove to Utah and spent a couple nights with my parents. Since the 24th was our anniversary (Mary and I) Mom and Dad threw an impromptu BBQ and invited those who could to come over. We had a very good time and there was p-l-e-n-t-y of delicious food!

Mary and I have to go to 4 places whenever we visit Utah: The Church Distribution Center, Seagull Books, Arctic Circle and The Iceberg. Yeah, I know! So Saturday we got that done and then headed to visit Mary's sister Patti. Her brother Brad was able to come over too, along with his son Manti. Aaron and Ryan, Patti's boys, were able to be there too. We had a great time visiting as well as getting in a mean game of Party Lines. I thought Patti and Mary were going to bust a gut, laughing so hard! We stayed the night at the Oquirrh In in Tooele and it was very nice, clean and very comfortable!

Sunday was Abigail Amy Holt's blessing day. Abigail is another grand daughter, the newest addition to Bruce and Jen's family. Jaden is a cute big brother! Abigail was born August 11th.

The blessing was done by her father, Bruce. He did a wonderful job and you know he loves Abigail because he got a little emotional in the middle of the blessing. BJ and Jen are great parents! Again, Abigail also found a wonderfully warm spot in my heart, with all the rest, and we hope we can return soon for another visit.

We had a fun time after the blessing at BJ and Jen's home. Jen managed the festivities beautifully. The food was delicious and being able to visit with family members we haven't seen in a while was great. Thanks BJ and Jen!

We spent the night again at the Oquirrh Inn and then left Monday for Centerville and a quick visit with DeAnne, Jocelyn, Kal and River. We play Bed Bugs and Hungry Hungry Hippos and had a blast! Such cute kids...and they're growing so fast! I wish we had more time, but we had to move on.

After a bite for lunch at the Arctic Circle (yay!) in Centerville, we headed for Greeley, Colorado. Wyoming was a bit windy (okay, when isn't that I-80 stretch in Wyoming NOT windy???) but I saw a lot of Pronghorn antelope. We arrived in Greeley without incident.

Mary's parents are salt of the earth. I always look forward to visiting with them! They have introduced us to a dining establishment that we now have to visit every time we visit Greeley. It's the Cafe Mexicali. I usually get a quesola with beef and their mild creamy habañero sauce. Deeeeeee-lish! I don't know how they tone down the habañero, but whatever they do, it works!

After a few games of pinochle, hearts and canasta with some good meals between,good conversation and then some restful sleep, it was time to return home. That point always arrives too early!

The drive home was the longest leg of the journey, 855 miles from Greeley to Cedar Hill via Amarillo, mostly along highway 287. It was uneventful but it took a little longer than what it would normally take due to several points of construction. Anyway, we arrived home safe and sound, sometime around midnight.

So, here are a few photos from the trip:


Julie and Aerybella


Grandpa and Aerybella


Grandma and Aerybella


All of us


Aerybella close up


Grandma, Grandpa and Abigail


BJ and Abigail


Jen, BJ and Abigail (we didn't catch Jen alone with Abigail!)


Abigail close up


Abigail, brother Jaden, parents, Holt grandparents, Holt great grandparents


Holt clan (those who remained for pictures)


Four generations

I wish I could post all the pictures I have from the trip, but that would not be prudent here. It was great to visit with family! Unfortunately, we missed getting pictures of some, mostly because we were so involved in "the moment" and forgot to get out the camera! We'll catch you next time...

Lot's of love to all y'all!