Texas 2017- Day 6 (Last day)

Last night we went to the Yard House and Whole Foods.  AA was overwhelmed by the amount of beer choices (125), and DD went straight for the half yard of Longboard (From Kona Brewing company).

We had a nice meal, then headed to whole foods to get the noodles that Lola loves from there.  Luckily they had 3 boxes.  The boys and B went for another beer in whole foods, while MBMell and Lola bought food for lunch the next day and some treats.  Once the ladies were done shopping they went to go tell the boys that they were ready to leave to finish their beers up.  B wanted to come with them, so she came along, pushed the cart all the way to the till and helped us unload by continuing to push the cart.  The lady at the till offered B a sticker, she immediately asked "can i have one for T".  The lady didn't know who T was, but Lola went on to explain that it was her brother, the lady gave the sticker, and B was very excited to give it to her brother. We went back to the house, and put the twinkies to bed.  Once they were in bed, AA played some VR (virtual Reality) and the other proceeded to clean out DD's closet.  This was something that MBMell and Lola had talked about and Lola was happy to try and help them got through his closet.  After completed in about 30 minutes (with some laughs), DD went back to hang with AA and MBMell and Lola continued to go through MBMell's closet.  We had some more laughs and got rid of clothes that MBMell, just spending some quality time together!

The next morning (May 24th) we had a relaxing morning/afternoon, just spending some quality time together.  Twinkies got up and off to play we went.  Before we went to bed AA decided he would set up the dinosaurs to eat the kitty.  First thing T saw when we went down stairs, was the kitty.... "bad idea kitty, bad idea" as he took the kitty and put it on the couch, then continues to explain how the dinosaurs were having a meeting.

Twinkies, AA and Lola had breakfast, they enjoyed the Prunes (to try and get more regular since we ate not a lot of fruit and vegetables on our small vacation). T decided to misbehave while eating his banana, so he got taken out of his high chair and proceeded to have a little fit.... it was pretty silent, until MBMell came downstairs, he tried to "tell on" Lola, but MBMell didn't give in :)

We played with Duplo, puzzles, and Lola made lunch.  Once lunch was in the oven, the twinkies were excited to finally get some time to watch The Lion King (which they knew was Lola's Favourite). T got comfy beside his best but AA, and Lola and B snuggled up with MBMell.  The movie was great,  T really loved all the animals, talking most of the first half of the movie, and B was just quiet taking it all in.

DD came home for lunch, we enjoyed our finally meal together in the dining room. Lola made quiche, AA made salad, and MbMell picked out some great iced tea.  Lola found this amazing avocado dressing at whole foods, we all enjoyed it.  After lunch we played in the play room, packed our bags, and sad our goodbyes.

Lola and AA headed to the airport, stopping at the most busy gas station in mid afternoon that they have ever been to. We then went to drop off the rental van, which also took a while.  We hustled to get our bags to to the check in point, where we were told we just made the cut off (AA why did we cut it so close says Lola).  Then we headed to security...which took a while, once through we had 5 minutes to board, and AA knew that Lola would need food on the flight (as it was over supper hour).  We got some Salty's bbq and headed on the plane (only one more person got on the plane before us).  Told to keep our seat belts off while they fuel the plane (super weird to be told to not put on the seat belt).  We eventually took off and ate our great bbq.  Both Lola and AA fell asleep on the way to Toronto.

Once in Toronto, we got off the plane, went through customs (with minimal questions), and then headed on our walk to try and get our connection.  Directed towards a bus... security guard opens a locked door for the 2 of us, and onto a bus with 3 others.  The bus drove for at least 5 minutes on the airside (seeing all the baggage trolleys and traveling under the bridges to the aircraft).  The bus stopped and off we went, going through another door opened by a security guard, and wow, we were in the Terminal, Gate D, and didn't have to go through any security again.  Walked around, looking at some open and closed shops (as it was 10 Toronto time), then headed to our gate.  We loaded on the largest plane we had been on in the trip, and headed to Winnipeg.

Lola slept about half the way, and not sure about AA.  The flight was good, we got our luggage and headed home.  The cab driver was very crazy, driving at least 80 km/hr in the 50 zone on Kenaston. Good to sleep in our own bed, but tough to get up for work the next morning. (it was 1 am by the time we got home, and 2 by the time we got to sleep.)

All an all it was a fantastic 6 days, glad we got to spend some time with our Austin friends.  The twinkies are so entertaining and full of so many great stories.  It is amazing how much more they talk and communicate with you, comparing to our trip to Disney only a few months ago.

End of Texas trip.... till next time. Lola.

Texas Day 5

AA here.  I've been told that the first A no longer stands for Arizona but now Auntie...

Today was spent around Austin, more specifically near The Domain. The Domain is a large shopping area near MDBT's house. Things started off relatively slowly with some play time for the Twinkies and some wake up time for the grown ups.

After reading a few books, we loaded into the van and made our way to have some lunch and do some shopping.

Lunch was at Shake Shack, which Lola and AA ate at in NYC and Lola loved the crinkle cut fries.  This time did not disappoint.

Lola even had a gluten free bun with her double burger patty.  The kids enjoyed half a burger each and some fries and milk. MB Mell and AA both enjoyed their burger and milkshake - AA having a salted caramel shake and MBMell having a red velvet shake.  Before we left, T and B got to say hello to a small wiener dog named Saddie.

After lunch, we walked around to do some shopping.  Lola wanted to go to Athleta and MBMell wa looking for shoes for the kids and a new bag for DD.

The first few stores dint have much success for either so we made our way for a tea, coffee and and play rest.

After the break, we continued shopping this time being more successful finding a bag and Lola getting clothes from Athleta.  Lola really wanted to go to Whole Foods but we will do so after supper which will be at Yard House.

On the drive back, we stopped at Kido Shoes to get some new summer outdoor shoes for the kids.  And it was a success, not to mention a hit with T and B to play with the toys.

Once back home, the kiddos went down for a nap and the girls packed up some toys that are no longer being played with. We are now waiting for DD to get home from work and the Twinkies to wake up from their nap - we will see what happens first. 

Texas day 4

Last night the rain was hitting the window so much I thought a chair blew into the patio door on the balcony but when I got out of bed to bring in the swimming gear left out to dry, it was just super windy and raining really hard.

We got up earlier this morning to get out of the hotel around 9, in order to get some breakfast and arrive at the space center with enough time to see all the sights.

Not sure what time we actually got out of the hotel, but it was sure an adventure getting to the van. Windy and raining walk to the van that was in a covered parking area, it was so windy this Bs hat blew off, MBmell dropped and broke her water bottle and we all got unexpectedly wet (damp).

Off we went, to get weather alerts that there was a tornado warning for our current. It was raining hard and Devin was on the look out, but soon the warning was over and it changed to a thunderstorm warning, but we kept driving.  Good thing we didn't plan the beach day for today. Good job MBmell.

To breakfast/lunch we went. Denny's close to Houston space center. Or space station as MBmell kept referring to it as. We ate some good food, and B devoured her kids grand slam and  a whole piece of MBmell toast. She was hungry.

At arriving at the space center we enjoyed a "red tour" of the facility which is like a college campus. We got to go inside to see the training facility. The highlight with the Twinkies was the robonaut (robot astronaut).  

The last stop on the tour was the Saturn V. We had seen one on Florida as well, but this one was on the ground so you  could really see how big it was. B pointed out all the marbles (earth) that she knew from their space book.

We waited for the tram to give us a ride back, B had a minor melt down, Lola couldn't remember the the order of old mcdonalds and tried to entertain and distract B from her thirst and boredom.

We had a snack and drink, potty break then headed to see the space shuttle on the 747.  Just before we headed outside we walked around another exhibit that was about the exploration and saw a real mercury and Gemini capsul.

 The plane and shuttle was pretty cool. Amazing how a shuttle can be carried on top of an aircraft.

After space we headed on the road towards Austin. It involved driving through Houston at rush hour. The backseat passengers all had a nap, while Lola and AA drove though the traffic. We stopped at outback steakhouse for supper. 

Back to Austin we went, and kids to bed. Oh wait the kids both peed on the potty before bed. It was pretty exciting.

Once kids were sleeping the adults watched some tv, and we had a visitor.  DD killed a cockroach.

We had a great time on our mini vacation and many laughs and good times. DD is going back to work tomorrow and we will see what the rest of us do.

Night Lola