We headed straight to the airport after finishing up City Meet with the boys. They were pretty excited for the plane ride and love being treated like royalty. Doesn't get much better than this!
A walking, talking Jimmy John's commercial!
Ready for take off, they were going nuts.
We just hung out and let the boys swim that afternoon once we arrived as everyone was a bit tired from the swim meet. The next day, we took the boys to the Astros game. It's definitely one of our favorite parts of our trips home as of late. The boys are really into the team and love the whole experience.
The candy bar may be the highlight of their time there!
Loading up on all the goodies.
Free sugar makes everyone happy, haha!
Settling into our seats
As if the candy bar wasn't enough, let's add cotton candy to the menu for the day.
And I just love the red, sticky, gooey mess that comes along with it; said no mom ever!
But it's hard to resist that precious grin!
Love him more than words
Our seats were split 4 and 2, so the boys took turns sitting with Poppy and having their 4th course of popcorn!
Our attendant was so sweet. As soon as Charlie saw the bling on his finger, he had to comment as he loves all things shiny. Well, it was of course, his World Series ring from last season, but was so kind to take it off and let Charlie try it on. He was ecstatic!
The kids have a love/hate when it comes to Orbit. He comes down to our section around the 7th inning, so there was a lot of hype and questions regarding him.
He came over to let us take a pic with him, and this was the best we could get. B decided at the last second, he would stay with CoCo. It was such a fun game and we can't wait to go back next season!
That evening, we finally got to see Harris! The boys were pretty excited to see him again.
We headed to Lupe Tortilla for our inaugural Mexican meal of the trip!
The trip involved a LOT of swimming. The kids found CoCo and Poppy's snorkel gear and immediately became a huge fan of it!
The next day we started with a visit to see MiMi. The boys were really into her wheelchair.
So good to see her. I swear she seemed 5 years younger this visit. She was in great spirits, looked good and had fun chatting with the boys.
We headed over to Dave & Busters to play some games afterward. The boys love a good arcade and this is the mecca of arcades compared to what we have in Alabama. Buzz loves a good game of air hockey.
Charlie just loves pulling all the levers and pushing all the buttons.
We all had an awesome time as arcades have come a long way since when we were little. I actually enjoyed playing the different games with them!
We wrapped up the day with a big Hicks family dinner on the Ciro's patio and green space. Charlie showing Porter a book.
Most all of the Hicks great grandbabies were present. Two more little girls joined just a few short days and weeks later.
My boys love getting together with the kids and they always have the best time together!
We headed to MaMaw's the following day to catch up with her. She's looking pretty good for almost being 99!!!
Another thing the kids like to do when we come visit, is take a trip to the mall. I find it so funny because when we lived in Houston, I couldn't have cared less about going to a mall, but I guess when you don't have one it becomes a lot more exciting. They love to ride the carousel anytime we go.
Love that he can still have a good time doing these sorts of activities with his little brothers!
We walked around, went to Target, ate cookies and played in their play space. I think it was an A+ day for the boys.
The next two days, the boys spent playing at GiGi's which was such a nice break for me. I got to catch up with some friends and have a girls lunch with Jill!
Love picking right back up where we left off!
After a nice little two day vacation with girls nights and hanging with my mom, Wes got into town and we went to meet up with the Correas for lunch with the kiddos. Love seeing these two grow up together since birth!
B's tooth had been loose for a couple of weeks. Well, apparently lunch at Goode Co. Taqueria was the right time to lose it!
Wes took a napkin and yanked it out, no problem. B did awesome and was so incredibly excited!
Love getting the gang back together again!
And now he looks like he's about 9 years old. Cue the tears!
Tried for a slightly better shot of the kiddos before we left.
More snorkeling....
Chillin' with Harris. Clearly, Charlie wasn't into the picture
Love these gym rats turned best friends who I still miss daily! Loved getting to catch up with everyone!
After having lunch in Katy, we headed to the Turners house.
The kids had a blast in their new house
Definitely miss our weekly spades games and "bindles" with them!
Trying to get the boys to do the Aggie War Hymn
We definitely indulged in some Shipley's donuts a few mornings while in Texas. There's just no comparison here in Alabama, but maybe it's not the worst thing in the world!
Wes and I had a nice date night one evening with drinks at Hotel ZaZa followed by dinner at Carrabba's, but I am not sure who had more fun - the kids or us. My parents took them to Ciro's where Ciro let them come back in the kitchen and make their own pizzas. He got them hats and shirts and all sorts of goodies. They said that was one of the highlights of the trip!
Having a slow morning with some Paw Patrol!
We decided to take the kids to do something in Houston we never did even while living there. We went to the art car museum and we all loved it. The cars are so neat and the kids had so much fun checking out all of the details and picking out their favorite car.
This was Charlie's!
Here's B with his fave. I think this was mine as well.
and Ryan with his!
We got in a few more family swim days which is always fun and relaxing.
Charlie was proud of this car arrangement he created. He insisted on me taking multiple pics of it!
My little blonde beach bum!
We had one final dinner at Lupe's (my 3rd for the trip!) and loaded up the boys to head to Galveston with the Mock family! Charlie was asleep the minute we hit I-10.
The boys loved their room. The whole house was super cute in Pointe West which is one of our favorite spots to stay in Galveston.
Ricky let the boys shave his beard. Each kid took a turn.
He was pretty brave to let them do this.
They got such a kick out of it!
The many moods of Charlie....
B and sweet Henry!
They love picking out a mid-day treat while at the pool.
My favorite people!
Getting ready for day 2 at the beach and pool with their cuz Henry!
Love taking this shot every time we come. It's fun to compare with years past!
Such a great family shot. We had so much fun just hanging out and relaxing and catching up with one another since it's not too often we can all be together in one place for a long time!
Looking forward to seeing everyone more often next year with the two upcoming weddings for the girls!
Sunday morning we had to pack up and head back into town to the airport. It was such a fun two weeks, and we loved getting to catch up with all of our family and friends and just relax!
Somebody partied a little too hard. This is coincidentally when he decided to drop his naps as well. We were just so busy that we rarely took the time to stop and nap, but when he crashes he crashes hard!
Love this sweet face!
Can't wait for our next trip back over Thanksgiving!
