Our trip to Texas

 At the end of April we drove on down to Texas. It was a trip of many new experiences for the kids... "so many firsts" as Dominic noticed. The kids traveled really well, as Tom did a lot of driving at night. Trips like this one make us think we can do it again. The weather even cooperated! Thanks be to God for a safe and happy trip!

First stop: Oklahoma City
We went to the Very cool Science Museum.

Xavier was the only one who could get that vortex to go. I don't know how he did it. 

We stayed the night in Norman and then headed to Aunt Ann and Uncle Milo's. They have some land in Doss and are wonderful to visit.

The next morning we left early and drove to Sea World where we met my cousin and her family.

My cousin also homeschools her five kids and they are about the same ages as ours. Just like family or best friends, we pick up right where we last left off.

 This killer whale show was the overall favorite. Though it is tough competition.

 My mom got matching shirts for all the kids to wear to Sea World.. makes it obvious that we're together.

 I improvised and made a hat with Mena's bloomers and headband. She got a few compliments, little did they know.

Saturday we went to the Mission San Jose. This was festival time in San Antonio and there was an art show/sale going on at the same time. We got to see some Tejano painters in action.

 Original fresco .. or what's left of it.

 After the mission we went swimming and then had dinner at the cousins.'
Again, we feel the warm hospitality of Texas.

 Followed by a campfire (the masks were brought out to keep out the smoke :)

Sunday, after Mass, we drove to Corpus Christi. We got there about 4pm. Found out that the bag I had meticulously packed was left in the condo. We did have our swim stuff so we went swimming then got dressed and went shopping for some t-shirts. It worked out. 

I guess we didn't need all that stuff after all. lol

Anyway, It was fun to see a lot of the stores and houses on stilts... another first 

 Dinner after shopping. 

 We ate outside and, yes, that is an actual aircraft carrier next to us.

 Then we took a walk on the pier. What troopers we have!

View from our balcony

 On the shuttle to see "Lady Lex" This aircraft carrier has a lot of history as it's the oldest aircraft carrier in the world. It was fun to watch to the kids get excited about something so historical. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Lexington_(CV-16)

"And this is the room where they did their art" --Xavier :)

Engine room

 Easter Sunday Mass 1944

 After spending 6 hours aboard, we got in the van to drive around the bay and see the Gulf. On the way we drove on to a ferry to go to the next island and saw DOLPHINS jumping in the water!

 The Gulf of Mexico...

 Blue jellyfish! Don't touch. Needless to say we didn't really get in the water more than just our feet.

Dominic spent some of the time just watching the waves and the birds...

They all were excited to find the waves depositing seashells. The seagulls had some competition. However, once the boys realized the shells were alive & trying to find wet sand, they decided to put them all back. It was fun to watch the clams come out and scamper under the sand. And  it was nice for us to see the boys have compassion for a clam.

 Tuesday we met up with our cousins for a day in downtown San Antonio.

First stop: The Alamo

 Next: The River Walk

We saw a live example of the food chain between some birds. Didn't expect that on this walk!

We had lunch in a restaurant on the river walk then went to "El Mercado"

 Dinner and swimming at "our place"

 Zachary got a guitar from the market

"Cascaron" or Mexican confetti eggs

 When in Rome..

 Our god daughters

 And we adopted a little baby and her stroller. Mena will take good care of her.

I like this picture my aunt took so much I'm putting it in twice. 

They do look ready for adventure don't they? 

Still, there's no place like home.