Texas!

Ryan had work trips scheduled for all over Texas, so we decided to make a family trip out of it and spend Thanksgiving with our families.  It was just so nice to see both of our families again and yet two weeks was not enough time to see all of our friends and see all the sights too!  It really was like going back home and I realized how much I truly miss Austin.  However, it felt good to come back home to Florida.  It's really starting to grow on us. 

Some of the highlights included spending the week with Kristina and her kids, Cole and Lyla.  We were also able to spend time with my dad and my sister Shae.  It was the first time seeing them since we have moved!  I could tell that Cannon still had a bit of a homesick feeling for Texas and our family and I think this trip filled him up.  My dad is amazing with Cannon and it hurts my heart that we don't get to see him as often as we want to.  But we savor each moment with him!

We were also able to spend time with both of the families I used to nanny for.  Their kids are growing fast and I am so proud of all of them!  They were so nice and loving towards Cannon and I love that he can know them too.  I think I will always have a special bond with them. 

We hardly saw Ryan when we were there.  He had work up near the Oklahoma border to all the way near the Mexico border, plus everywhere in between.  He drove a total of 1670 miles in his rental car!  We were able to sneak away one night to see Skyfall and another night to eat at Torchy's Tacos.

Kylene went above and beyond to pamper me this trip!  She waxed me and did a 24 hour chemical peel on my face to remove the sun damage.  And let me say how nice my skin is now!  I also got my hair done at the store and got stocked up on all my skin care and makeup products!  I felt like a whole new woman when I left!

We spent lots of time with family and soaked in every minute!  Me, Ky, and Kristina were able to see the new Twilight one night.  I was so excited to be hanging out with the girls again!  But we just needed Bev there!  Aunt Barbara and Uncle Lynn came for Thanksgiving, along with their boys.  Their boys are super awesome because they play with the little kids which gives the parents a break.  Cannon had the best time wrestling and playing with the big boys. 

So fun to watch the kids play together!



We finally got to meet Lucy!

Ky and Jeff

Riding the train with Papa Smith and Sophia

And the carousel too 

 

Cousin love!

We went to this super awesome park in Round Rock called the Play for all Abilities Park.  It was organized into sensory pods and the whole park was completely fenced in.  There was even a swing to accommodate a wheelchair.  I think we were there for four hours and Cannon could have stayed longer!  The park wasn't complete until after we moved to Florida, so I have been waiting a long time to take Cannon!  



All sorts of things to climb

Tunnels

Swings, although they need more

A super fun tube tunnel thingy

Cannon said he was luggage going through

Rock the boat!

Things for spinning

Lots of sand and "tractors" for digging

Rock band

Cannon was so proud of himself for completing those weird blue things hanging to the left

Super cool village!  Cannon could have spend hours just in this area!  It had a store, library, school, hospital, car repair shop, fire station and lots of other buildings too.  They made it look like a real street with signs and markings.

A real car in the repair shop

We also got to spend "Christmas" with my dad.  He asked if I wanted our gifts mailed or if we wanted to open them.  I knew Cannon would enjoy opening them with my dad.  And it was a miracle that we were able to get this thing on the plane back with us!  I can believe I didn't get a picture with Shae!  She got Cannon a Tigger stuffed animal because she knows that he likes Winnie-the-Pooh right now.  He sleeps with it every night. 

I was also able to see my friend Melanie and her two boys Jordan (same age as Cannon) and Luke (two months).  Jordan and Cannon played well together since they are both into trains.  Melanie brought Cannon this adorable cowboy costume and a Texas book to remember our Texas friends.  Cannon loves the book and wears the outfit almost every day!  It makes me miss Texas even more!

 

Cannon was a champ during the trip and saved up all his tantrums for after we got home (not sure how I feel about that!).  This trip was so good for him and it really filled me up as well.  We have the best friends and family.  I am thankful for everyone's love and generosity.  Within your family is truly where you will find the most happiness.