Trip tales part 2

It was a long drive, especially on the way there. We used to drive Abilene-Stoon, but not with kids. Now we live 3 hours closer, but were headed to Houston, 6 hours farther. We did it in 2 days, which we decided to never do again. It was a bit much, but at the same time, there are not many good places to stop to stay the night. There is a ton of road, but not many big centers. We drove the first day from 6am until 9pm and stayed the night in North Platte, Nebraska. It was a nice hotel, but we were too tired to try the pool, so we were sad at missing that. But we were able to get up the next day and be out by 7:30 on the road. Dominique was reading the signs as we were coming in and kept thinking that North Platte was actually the North Pole. She was so excited that we were going to sleep the night at the North Pole!

Emora had the best travel quote though. Brian had some of his music and was listening to Bob Dylan. Emora said "this is Spanish. Is this Spanish?" If you are not sure why she said that, type Bob Dylan into Youtube and listen for about 10 seconds and you'll soon find out.



From the looks of it, it may seem that they were delightful angels on the trip. Actually they were really, really great, but mostly when the dvd player was on and they were all really good about getting out and going to the potty on command for every stop so that we didn't have to make unscheduled stops.



In Houston, the kids went with Nana and Papa to the Nutcracker, the children's museum, the zoo and a park (over the week).

Brian and I enjoyed our own museum excursions and walk in the park. This park is not far from Nana's and his old neighborhood. You do have to drive to get there, but it's worth getting out. There are some animals there and we have memories with the kids here through the years.















Once in Abilene, we went to our favorite restaurant our first night into town and look who got to come too? My bestest friend Tighe, her hubby and kids dropped all plans (or non plans) and joined us for the evening.



The kids and I stopped by our old library the next day and went to the kid's program. It was fun to say hi to Miss Darla who remembers when I first started going when Ivan was a baby and the library in our old neighborhood was not even built yet. It was fun to hear the kids say over and over "that was a good memory". Ivan and Dominique both remember the grand opening of the Mockingbird branch library. Emora was just one or a few weeks old (the time line is a little sketchy in my memory).

Ivan's other "this was a good memory" was making sausage biscuits in the morning. Tighe loaded us up with food and brought us the makings for sausage biscuits TWICE! I had very happy boys. This was a morning food staple for us in Texas and we have either not found it here or balked at the price. I may look some more, because the joy they had making and eating them was priceless.

It's been a while!

Happy New Year to you... I've been to Texas and back since I last posted, so lots to update...

We left the day after our 13th anniversary, which we celebrated by packing and attending the kid's school Christmas concert- it was great, if not a little unromantic, besides, we were going back to the land where we met, what could be more romantic than that? We passed by the city where we had our first real date- York Nebraska. We'd each driving 12 hours to get there and here we were on the road again, now with 3 kids in tow!

Nana and Papa gave us plenty of time to revisit and rekindle times sans kids. While they took them to the children's museum, we went to the museum district to look at exhibits at our leisure.
I love the way nature captures it's own fun- like this ivy climbing over everything.

Our favorite was the photography museum.



Here's the house where Brian "grew up" on Weatherhill, so he likes to go by it and point out where his room used to be.


This was in front of the map store. Yep, he's a nerd, but he got us there and back, so I'm not complaining. Apparently there are other people who like to look at maps too, in fact he's reading a book about them- doubly weird if you ask me.




The kids were totally looking forward to going to the nutcracker which they went to Christmas eve with Nana and Papa.




We got to see an old friend of Brian's in Houston and spend the evening together, petting their guinea pigs and playing dance something or other on their wii, which we ironically now own.

Dominique was recreating a monkey she saw on the cover of her drawing pad. She loves to draw.

I have about 100 more pictures to post!! So I hope to get on here regularly to tell you all about it. But I can't be tucked away too much, the weather here is gorgeous!! Right at freezing or sometimes a bit above. This is really warm for here, so we are just going to have to be out and about some while it's nice.


And we are still in recovery mode. The house is not yet clean or orderly, but we will get there some day, maybe ;) We got back late Fri. and the next day, I drove to Saskatoon, saw my parents, sister and her kids briefly, drove back and stopped in Regina for a huge grocery shop to make it home after another long day on the road. I want to stay right where I am for a while now ;) It's always good to get away and gain some perspective.

my little performers

Last year at the Christmas concert, Ivan looked terrified, but this year, he looked terrific!


He performed in a play that he performed for his classmates. He was supposed to do it for the school Wed., but we won't be here, so the teacher is going to take his place. But Brian, Emora and I got to watch it and we were so proud of him. He worked hard at it and did really well.
I was a little surprised to see that Dominique was a bit scared looking on stage. She is always performing for us at home with gusto, but I guess it's different with 500 people watching and big lights (I really have no idea how many people were there, but it was packed).







Emora had lots of fun watching the performances and hanging out with auntie and uncle and cousins. I think in the pic with Mike, she has her best ever smile for the camera. Usually she makes a fake looking smile, but I took the picture on the sly while they were having fun and the true delight was all over her face!

we wish you a Merry Christmas

May the peace that passes understanding fill your heart and home. May the Lover of our souls inhabit your day. May you have grace and not fretting, love and not anxiousness, appreciation and not frustration. May you hug, kiss, laugh and enjoy today... as the world pauses, may peace reign.

Merry Christmas!

Eenie meanie miney moe

I didn't teach her this. It amazes me how she picks up these rhymes who knows where!

It's like I'm not gone

I like how blogger lets me post things to appear later. When you read this, we will be in Texas, but I'm actually typing it before I've even packed our bags! I wish facebook did that too so that I could post here first and there after. Otherwise everyone will see them on facebook first, unless I save them ;)


Here are some more sweet moments from our short stop in Saskatoon. Imogen and I got to do a name puzzle together that I'd made for her.


Andrea had made personalized cookies for the kids. She put a word on them that described them. So cool Andrea! I love personalized things.



Andrea also did some German traditions with them like lighting the insense burner, and candles and putting out decorations- even though it wasn't the 24th! (when she used to celebrate Christmas in Germany).

Here's a full view of the puzzle. Under the flaps 1,2,3,4 are pictures of her at those ages. It was so fun!


I had to get a pic of my brother and his wife in the spot where he proposed to her at Christmas time 5 years ago. They get the patience or stick to it award for sure. They dated for years, most of which was long distance (like, very long distance, across an ocean long distance), had a years long engagement and spent their first married year apart since they had to wait on immigration and Andrea wanted to finish her studies. We are all so glad all that waiting was finally over about the time we arrived in Canada, but I'm sure not near as glad as my brother was!

Some more pics from Saskatoon

Baggett trio: Ivan, Dominique and Emora (in red) with Wallace duo: Imogen in skirt and Isaac on the end. They sang for us ;)



A couple of fairy princesses helping grandpa with his computer.


Brian and my nephew chilling out.





waiting not so patiently to open presents.

Watch out Justin Beiber, here comes Ivan!

Happy Anniversary babe!

We had a whirlwind trip to Saskatoon this weekend. We left after school and arrived late, then came back Sun. morning. Sat. we decorated mom's Christmas tree, took some pics and went to Imogen's 4th birthday party.

I think this was the first party we've made it to, so that was fun. She had a swim party and then we were in a room with jumpy castles, a craft, snacks, cake and face paint! The kids had a blast and I was so glad Dominique had gotten over being sick just in time. She'd been running a fever a bit right up until that morning. She really wanted to go swimming!









We left Saba with the grands who will take such good care of her.


Happy Anniversary Brian! The day will be hectic with trying to get ready to leave early in the morning and with all the last minute running around, not to mention a dress rehearsal for the play Ivan was supposed to be in, the Christmas program and packing... but maybe we can celebrate in Texas ;)