Texas Day 3

Today was a relaxing day in Gavelston in our seaside hotel room that is more like a condo. We got up, Lola and AA made breakfast, the Twinkies and their parents got up, we ate and we played. What was on the menu you ask, well fried eggs with avocado toast, bananas, hasbrowns and bacon.

After breakfast we got ready for the long awaited beach. There had been dark clouds earlier in the day, but it had started to clear as we began to apply sunscreen and get our beach toys together.

Off to the beach. It was a perfect time the sun wasn't super hot but it was warm enough for the ladies to get wet in the Gulf of Mexico. We played in the sand, made sand castles, broke sand castles and then it was time to head to the water. The boy's took the kids first , back and forth in and out of the waves. It was so much fun. The ladies joined eventually. After we played in the water we headed back to the room for a some lunch.

What's for lunch you ask? Well sandwiches, and lettuce wraps... don't forget the pickles! 

After lunch it was nap time. The kids napped and adults had some great relaxing time. Crib was played, laughs were had and the kids napped for a long time.

Off to rainforest cafe. It was about a 20minute drive, by Lola. We had a little wait so we headed on to the little rainforest cafe ride. Once completed  We visited cha cha and the gorilla outside and saw the pretty waterfall.

Supper took awhile and Lola the bear made an appearance as it was late and she was hungry. The kids kept entertained with the animals, thunder and lightening and fish.

Back to the hotel we went with a quick stop at Wal-Mart for some beer. Kids went straight to bed and the adults hung out. We stayed up late and Lola was too tired to blog so that is why this is late.

Today was a fantastic day of friends, food and sun.

Lola

Texas 2017 - day 2

We got up this morning ready to head on  an adventure to see outside of Austin and experience the country side while enjoying each others company.  Packing was firsr. We all worked together to get what we needed packed in the van and still have enough room for all of us too. T knew we were heading to the beach, and wouldn't let any of us forget. He was the first to pack his back pack, first to get his shoes and hat on and first loaded into the van.

Once packed and running a little late we headed out to get hot tea and coffee for the adults. Oh forgot to mention it was thundering and lightening all morning with heavy rains off and on, great day to head to the beach, didn't stop T from telling us every chance he could that is where we were going!

In the van the Twinkies were entertained by the scenery,  The company as well as the singing along the way.  T constantly wanted to see cows while B was having fun pointing out MbMells freckles on her arms and pointimg out the water towers (happy faces) as the first one we saw Lola saw the hapoy faces and it stuck.

Stopping at McDonalds for lunch, which was pretty good. We took up three tables and the Twinkies ate amazingly well. No food on the floor and pretty happy. A worker walked by and touched the top of B's head, we heard about that for a while. "Someone touched my head".

On our way to Buc-ees in Texas City.  The biggest convience store we have ever seen. And a big beaver was a hit. Like we actually got to meet Buc-ee! The store is has a variety of things, clothes, suvineres, canned goods, nuts, smokers, art work and on and on. T found a "new emma" he wanted it so badly, a duplicate of the current stuffed dog he takes everywher, good thing I found big buc-ee to distract him, but back in the van, of course he started talking about new emma.

Speaking of T, the entire way, he was trying to convince the ladies in the back that he was taking emma to the beach. Every time, Emma has to stay in the hotel... he was trying to catch us while we weren't listening.

Driving through Houston went pretty good. AA is a very good driver and we could follow the GPS no problem! So the Twinkies have grown and developed so much so much since Disney, pointimg out Ferris Wheels in Houston, singing songs, and telling me colours of cows horses and don't forget the ABCs and 123s.

We made it to Gavelston, over the causeway and into the land of stilts. Not a lot of traces of Hurricane Katrina to the eye. We thought we were checking into our hotel, to be told there are many holiday inns on the island. So the boy's got back in the van and began driving 16miles to the hotel. As we drove farther and farther from the main attractioms, MBMell (the booker) began to apologize. T was sure excited to see cows on our way and B saw kites and more happy faces!

Arriving at the hotel, opening the door to our seaside hotel, MBMell took it all back,  this place is amazing, right on the Gulf of Mexico, 2 bedrooms full kitchen, places to play, hide and sleep.

 

Got a little energy out, played with all the doors and for supper we went. We didn't want to drive another 20 minutes so we found a small restaurant called West end Marina restaurant. The food was alright, and away we went back to the hotel.

A stroll on the beach that ended with sand in the mouths and faces of the Twinkies but it was beautiful and a nice family outing. B found a beach hole and decided it was a cool place to chill. The homes along the coastline are large and beautiful, but they don't look like anyone lives in them.

AA offered to go get groceries so we could chill at our hotel for most of the day so the rest of us went swimming. We had a wonderful time, the Twinkies really enjoyed it and the adults too, the water was just the right temperature!  Sorry no photos as Lola couldn't figure out the go pro Sd card issues, so may be next time.

Twinkies went to bed, AA came back, we are snacks, watched tv chatted and went to bed.

It was a great day of laughs chats and fun!

Lola

Texas 2017 -day 1

Long weekend calls for some weekend travels! We are off to Texas to visit the gang and experience more of texas than just Austin. In Florida MBMell promised AA space in Texas, so heading to Houston and Gaveleston with the texas crew! 

Today's events:

-taxi took us to the airport at about 6:00am

- Winnipeg airport was pretty non busy when we got there, checked our bags, cruised through security in minutes then found the long lime at Tim's

- boarded the plane, taxied to the threshold and waited. First time for everything as we made a u turn to go to deicing.... it's may, who would have thought we would have to de ice. False alarm... back to the runway.

- flight had lots of turbulence,  so beverage service came after we had finished our on board movies. Lola watched Sing with her new headphones won at a social a few weeks back, while AA watched the new XXX movie. 

- then to listen to some music while we wait to decent into Toronto. Lola found the best of rafi! It sure ,made her sing, smile and dance in her seat! What a great playlist

- We landed and headed to the good life that is in Toronto airport. It was great we ran we stretched and showered! It felt good to be active in between our flights.

- Lunch was next, we were starving !! We stopped at Wahlburgers for a pint and some burgers! The food was good but I think AA was a little disappointed with the onion rings.

- on the next flight AA upgraded us to business class. Lola had never experienced it before. We enjoyed our beverages, leg room and Lola got a fantastic fruit plate instead of the meal provided. A little cat nap and 1.5 movies later we had arrived in Austin. 

- rental car and off to see our friends! Some construction slowed us a little but we made it just fine.

- arriving to find MBM waiting for us outside we were so excited to see her while DD hadn't made it home from work yet. It was so nice to catch up. The Twinkies were so excited to show off all their new toys and tricks since the last time we saw them in Flordia. It is amazing how much vocabulary they have learnt  since February as well as how much personality and expression. These next couple of days are going to be fun!



 

- once DD arrived we packed up transferred the car Seats into the van and headed to the famous gas station restaurant Rudy's. The food was great we ordered a little too much but it was awesome!

-The girls caught up while the boy's played video game and later fell asleep.
 

 It's road trip day tomorrow! 

Night Lola

From Montreal to Vancouver to Seattle

It's been a busy few days.  By busy, I mean lots of flights.

I had to be in Montreal for an Interior Eval yesterday evening (my choice, since the airplane I was going to be looking at couldn't go up for a test flight yesterday due to weather, it made sense to zip out and take care of this while it was down).

I left home at 2pm, got into YUL at 5:45 and went straight to do the inspection.  By 7:45 I was done and on my way for dinner.  Then, to the hotel to talk to Lola and get some rest.

This morning was spent in Montreal.  A short 1.5 mile run at the hotel gym, shower and breakfast while I worked.  At 11, I made my way to the mall for a quick haircut, then to get fuel for the car and to the airport.  And into Lounge 1 of 2 for the day.  I quickly scarfed down some salad, a slice of pizza and some soup for lunch, all while answering emails and doing work.

The view from the YUL Lounge

The flight from Montreal to Vancouver went by rather quickly, as quickly as 5 hrs and 45 mins can I guess.  I got lots of work done. And at another lunch-like meal with a chicken wrap and then later some pretzels with hummus.

How many emails when I was on my flight

How many emails once I arrived in Vancouver

 I am now in Lounge 2 of 2 for the day in Vancouver, waiting for my 30 mins flight to Seattle.  From there, it will be a short drive up to Everett for the night.  I have a design review meeting tomorrow morning and then hope to meet some other colleagues to discuss how we can work together (and to see what interesting tools they have for writing reports).

Rainy in Vancouver

Well, hopefully my plane arrives soon so we can get into SEATAC - I'm starting to get tired.  Maybe I should get a coffee with Baileys, that sounds good...