London

Within 24 hrs of returning to Winnipeg, AA was back on a plane to got to London Ontario for work. A brief and busy morning in the office was then followed by a few hours of travel, first to Toronto and then a short 24 min flight to London. 

Friday was a busy day. Arriving at the customers facility at 830, time was first spent understand the status of the airplane and what the paperwork was looking like. Once convinced that the airplane was ready, work commenced. 

Interior evaluation took longer than usual but this was expected based on this being something new for this customer. 

After lunch (at 2:00) it was time to start testing. This ran until 5 where we were now ready to come back at 9:30pm to do some emergency light testing. 

Back to London and a short nap and dinner. Then back to the facility about 40 mins away, north of London. It is a nice drive, especially in the morning where there isn't a whole lot of traffic. Quite leisurely. 

Back at the hangar we setup and run the test. Not looking good so we redo the setup and go again. By this time, we ran the batteries down too much to have confidence in the test results, plus the results were not favourable. So we will have to try again in a week. 

Dark hangar with only one set of lights on. These were then turned off during the test. 

I'm looking forward to getting home and being home for more than a day. Need to cut some grass today and then have baseball Monday and hockey on Wednesday. It will be nice to get back into the sports routine since I missed two hockey games last week. Hopefully G-Ram didn't get too many penalties in my absence ;)

The journey home.. (Austin to Winnipeg)

We had a pretty good day of travel today. Got up just after 6 to get ready and head to the airport, got dressed, Lola ate breakfast and said goodbye to Mell who got up to wish us well. 

Good bye yard

Good bye house.

Off to get gas... And the silly Canadian visa at the pump makes it sure a hassle. Back and forth, prepaying. Lola was trying to sit paitiently in the van as the clock ticked past 7:30, but AA was as calm as a cucumber. Filled up with gas and headed to return our cool van!

Glad we weren't going the other way, it was backed up because of construction.

Lola in the van at the gas station.

The car rental place was quick and we were on our way. 

Dropped our bag off and through security in about 15 minutes. That means we had over 1 hour to kill before our flight left.

Aa got 2 breakfast tacos, and sat down to wait.

Waiting.. While AA began his work crisis emails and texts... Never fails, always interrupted on vacation with panic. He is just too important to the company and a good problem solver.

Onto the plane and we first sat in the wrong seats, but them moved once we noticed, to sit with an old gentleman that loved to chat. Even woke AA up to ask him if he had been to Rio. He was very nice, and was going back to Denver area to see his oldest grandson gratduate.

Arriving in Denver we had 3 hours to kill so food was found, and more crisis emailing and texting from AA and work.

Good lunch. 

We then walked around so Lola could get her daily goal before getting back on another plane. Also she got a drink too. AA took her on the train to the different gates and we explored and walked.

Walking past our gate, following the 2 pilots..

The cool sky walk to get to the terminal, too bad a plane wasn't taxiing under it.

Lola waiting for a plane that never came.

Back to the gate B by train.

While waiting at the gate to board our final plane, we talked to a guy who was just in Hawaii. He was an interesting fellow who thought we also came from Hawaii, since AA was wearing his north shore shirt. 

Our last leg of the trip was pretty uneventful, a little turbulence and some napping. Landed in Winnipeg to find out it was not too warm and raining.

We got home safely by taxi, to find my front planting beds are looking very good, and our lawn got fertilized and pretty yellow weeds are slowly going away?

Pretty perennials.

Might need to cut the grass soon.

Once at home off to get some groceries and make a good supper. How about curry salmon with rice and stir fried peas.

Well back to work tomorrow, and AA is off to London Ontario for work. He found that out in Denver as well.

Good night, Lola.

Ps missing my Austin friends already.

Austin last day...

Well we have come to the last full day in Austin with Mell, Devin and the twinkies. We are all a little bit sad as the day comes to an end. Here is a recap of our day.

Yes of course it started with Lola waking up with the twinkies in the morning, getting them dressed and feeding them breakfast. While Devin hurried off to work, since he was late. The twinkies were excellent in the am for Lola while AA and Mell slept.

Morning selfie...

Then we played...getting as many snuggles as Lola could.

Once everyone was ready for lunch and Devin came home, we ate a lunch of left overs and ham and grilled cheese sandwiches, outside! The weather was warm today, but in the shade of the umbrella and the light breeze it was very pleasant. We sat around the table and enjoyed dessert after our lunch, well except for Devin, who decided to have an after lunch snooze, yes sounds like an old man.

Enjoying lunch

AA being silly.

Mell enjoying her brownie.

Lola enjoying the rest of her pint of ice cream.

Devin napping.

AA entertained the twinkies while Mell got ready, Lola did the dishes and Devin....slept

Once we could wake up Devin, off to Round Rock to do some more shopping. We were going to try and go swimming, but it seemed pools don't open until June, so I guess it will have to wait till next time.

With AA driving we headed in the mini van for our drive to the outlet mall. Lola sat in the back, admiring the construction as well as all the structures weaving like spaghetti.

We got to the outlet mall, Lola is always excited. It was successful with everyone purchasing a few things. Even the twinkies got some new shoes! They are going to be walking up a storm in these stylish shoes. The lady was very nice and knowledgeable about the shoes as well.

The outlet.

B loveing the purchases Lola made!

Testing out the new shoes!

Tried the first pair on... Sales woman suggested we try out a different pair as this pair had some red marks, but B was sure happy for the attention.

Just checking these things out on her feet!

The twinkies needed some new sleepers, thanks Carters for having some. Lola and Mell have been looking in so many stores and couldn't find any, but Carters had lots!

A good day of shopping, except for not finding a pair of jeans for Devin, and the "small" pee accident through Bs diaper, and a small meltdown to force us to stop shopping from T we all left there wanting to come back as well and a few things in our hands to go home with.

Off to "Salt Lick" which was recommended by many Manitobians. The atmosphere was pretty neat, and the 25 min wait was like 5 so that was convenient too. The Austin folks (Mell and Devin) compared the food to Rudys the other Bbq place they often go to, and think that Rudys is better. I guess AA and Lola will have to come back and try it out, as we ran out of nights. The food was very good.

Using the new shoes to get to the resturant.

The rancher, which allowed you to sample all meats.

Lola's meal of turkey and Brisket. She thought it was very good, and loves smoked turkey.

Family selfie!

Twinkies sharing food.

The outside, which shared the parking lot with the Round Rock EXPRESS, the minor baseball league that is affiliated with the Texas Rangers. It was a nice stadium.

There was also a more rustic sign at the side we entered.

After supper, we ventured home, with a stop at target to get some bigger diapers for B to try, as we seemed to be having more accidents than we wanted to happen. The Twinkies had a good nap on the way there.

We got back to the house, and Devin stopped for the mail, we drove up the driveway... As we park, Devin rushes over to the van, Mell do you have your keys? No... Well someone (Aa), locked both deadbolts to the front door, now we can't get in..

The ladies and T stayed in the van, while the boys tried to break into the house, 5 minutes later, the garage door opens.  I won't tell you how they did it, but thankfully we got in... That could have been a funny reason why AA and Lola would have to delay their flight, as their passports were locked in the house and they couldn't get in.

Bath time for twinkies.... And of course Auntie Lola would love to give them their bath.

Enjoying the bath!

Clean B.

And clean T.

Oatmeal, and bed

Last selfie with the twinkies, as Lola and Aa are leaving early in the Morning, well before they will be awake.

Mell and Lola made some Dole whip, to try and mimic what they ate in Hawaii, but Devin said, no doesn't taste like it but the rest of us didn't think it was so bad.

The boys played a game of crib, and started Mad Max while the ladies made the whip and did some laundry, and Devin said he would turn it off when the ladies were ready, but he didn't follow through.  So Lola packed the suitcase (added the purchases into the suitcase.... Hopefully our tooth brushes still fit), and now writing in the blog. This movie is not Lola's cup of tea, so she is sitting at the kitchen table while everyone else is in the living room watching. Chain saws masks and a lot of sand and killing, not really my favorite.

Lola is pretty sad as this is the last time she will see the twinkies and Mell and Devin in really life for a while, sounds like it might be hard to get in a visit as their calendar is getting filled with others planning a visit. Glad people are going to be coming to experience this great city.  I really do like Austin, the humidity is warm, but I think that is something you get used to, but The shopping and food have been great, and the people as well.  

Lola hopes to be back soon, but texting, photos and maybe some FaceTime will have to be done in the near future to not miss these great people too much.

At least she still has her bruised knee to remember these guys for a little while at least.  Thanks to Mell and Devin for the great hospitality and allowing us to pack up the van full and venture out on the town.

Back to Manitoba tomorrow, back to the grind of work. Hopefully our flights go ok, and Mell remembers she has to wake up when the twinkies do tomorrow.  Time for a snack, and maybe bed, as we can't sleep till 10 tomorrow.

Good night y'all.

Lola 

More beer in day 3 (Austin)

In order to make the boys a little happier with a day of shopping, beer was found as often as they could. But they were very understanding the whole days, and tried to make the ladies happy all day.

Devin went to work this morning, which clearly let all of us sleep in... No we just all slept till 10:30. In the morning Lola also slept pass 10, which meant she didn't have time to blog before she could go get babies, they did sleep in, but not enough time to finish. We had a good morning of breakfast, playing then nap before lunch.

Dressed and ready for breakfast.

Toast and peanut butter, blueberries, avacado and milk!

Turner was a little grumpy today, which could be the massive molars he is trying to grow...but a little recycling kept them entertained for a lot of the play time.

While the babies napped, AA decided to go check out the tree in the backyard, it is pretty amazing! Mell and Lola checked out the backyard, and discussed planting seasons in Texas and her plans to grow in the 3 seasons available to her.

Devin came home and lunch was prepared by Lola and AA. Hamburgers in the bbq. The babies and adults all enjoyed another lunch meal!

My lettuce wrap hamburgers really turned out!

After Devin napped and we got the twinkies ready for the shopping adventure, off to "the domain" lots of shops and development happening there. Mell and Lola got a few things... Even a new laptop! The boys and babies were very patient, even when we spent an hour in one store... 

Excited in the "parkade" or as Americans call it, parking garage!

Lots of construction... Look at the pile of plans!

After successful shopping, with lots of shorts purchased in Banana Republic, it was off to find the Yardhouse! Twinkies had an excellent kids meal to share!

The adults really enjoyed the pizza crusts!

And the drinks.

Half yard of beer each!

Mojito for Mell!

The waitress was very good to us, told us stories, and explained how her brother got married in Hawaii during her senior year in finals,  so she couldn't go, as well as how difficult it was to change her drivers license to Texas, because it borders with Mexico, as well as the resturant only opened 2 weeks ago.

Here is the photos of the food.

Baby corn for B.

T loving his supper.

AAs stacked enchiladas 

 Tacos for Devin

Pineapple Hawaiian chicken thing for Mell

And seared Ahi for Lola!

Oh and don't forget about the dessert beer for the boys!

Double fisting!

Family selfie courtesy of Devin

The girls wanted to go to Whole Foods which was close by so they thought they had a great idea of the boys taking the twinkies and going to get the van while the ladies walk. The ladies got about half way, when Lola asked Mell if the boys should be driving.... Mell quickly pulled out her phone... Moments later the boys made their way walking to meet us. Don't worry while they waited outside, they found beer to drink outside on the patio of Whole Foods.

Selfie they took while ladies bought some food for dole whip and food for Lola to enjoy for the next 2 days.

Lola took this photo as they finished off their 2nd dessert beer.

The ladies tried to get Bs haircut at a place close by, for men, which they would have done but the places was just closing, maybe the next place we find.

after that we made our way back to the van, and traveled home. The rest of the evening consisted of some VR for the boys, laundry for the ladies, and some ice cream and beer, as well a selfie off between the family back in Morden and us here is Austin.

Lastly a movie, and soon bed time.

Sad that tomorrow is our last full day here. I don't really want to leave but that is life. Hope you all had a great long weekend!

lola