Juli & Co.

Day 3...

We decided to visit The Natural Bridge Caverns. After standing in line for over an hour, we finally reached the ticket counter (with our e-tickets) only to be redirected to another counter with NO LINE. Apparently, you do not need to wait in line if you already purchased tickets online. However, that is not what the teenage workers will tell you when you enter the park. In fact, they will tell you the exact opposite. So consider this your public service announcement. Buy your tickets online, and then walk right into the park. Ignore any teenagers that try to divert you to the back of the hour long line. ;)

The caves are always so fascinating. My hair may not agree, but I love seeing these beautiful, natural creations...it really is just amazing.







In this picture you can see the natural bridge in the background that gave it it's name. Pretty cool.

After that, we needed a refreshing, sweet treat. They have an ice cream shop there where they make their own waffle cones and they smelled too good to pass up. And they were HUGE. Emi's was bigger than her face! We found a shady spot and enjoyed every last bite.

Next, we did the maze. It was so much fun! Emi and I were a team, Nick and Sis, and then Luke was on his own. You had a little punch card and you had to find several treasures before you could exit and punch out. It took us about 30 minutes to complete. The kids thought it was great.

For lunch, we ate at my ALL TIME MOST FAVORITIST PLACE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. Hula Hut. It was divine. And pssst...we're getting one in Little Elm this summer! CAN NOT WAIT.



 

After grubbing down, we ran through the San Macros Outlets so we could hit up the Pottery Barn Outlet and the Vans Outlet. We found some great deals and ended up getting Luke a new duvet cover and lamp for his room.

Then it was time to go see PawPaw. We spent the night at PawPaw's house (Grandma was still in Kentucky) and were able to get cleaned up and recharged for a trip to Fort Hood.

Day 4...

We made the long drive out to the base but before we went in we decided to grab a bite to eat.  Our options were limited so Sonic it was.  My tummy does not agree with vacation food, so I decided not to participate. Instead, I took pictures.









We toured the museums, looked at all the old army tanks, and enjoyed the sunshine.



After snagging a few souvenirs, we said goodbye to PawPaw and started the long trek home. SPRING BREAK = SUCCESS

This Spring Break we decided to take a little trip down to San Antonio.  We contemplated going somewhere different and new, but in the end, our total lack of planning left us with few other options.  And, it would be all new to Emi since she was just a teeny tiny baby the last time we went.

On the drive down, we decided to make a stop in Gruene, TX to have dinner at the Gristmill.  It was a really pretty evening and we were able to watch the sunset and enjoy a delicious dinner on the river.





I'm not exactly sure why Emi was so upset in this picture, but I'm guessing it had something to do with her wanting to pour salt and pepper on the table. ;) And, did you notice the empty chips and queso?? We were all starved and it was like a feeding frenzy just before we snapped this pic. One of Luke's "goals in life" is to eat chips and queso around the world. Haha. I think this is just his clever way of getting us to order it when we are on vacation. But, whatev, who doesn't enjoy a little C & Q every once in a while. I know I sure do!



And since Olivia got a picture with Daddy, Emi wanted a picture with just her and Daddy, too. I was happy to oblige.

After dinner, we walked around the little town center of Gruene and checked out some of the local shops. It's such a neat place.

We got to our hotel pretty late, so Emi got a bath and went straight to bed. Meanwhile, the big kids and I went up to check out the rooftop pool. They were able to get a quick swim in before hitting the sack.

The next morning, we woke up bright and early and headed to Sea World for the day. We watched lots of shows, ate junk food, and just enjoyed a beautiful day in the sunshine.





We took way too many #seaworldseflies because what else is there to do while you are waiting for a show to start?





Wait time for the mini ferris wheel = 1 hour

Time ride was actually in motion = > 30 seconds

Wait time to get off the ferris wheel = 15 minutes

Excitement on their sweet little faces as they went around and around = PRICELESS :)





Luke and I opted out of the Loco River Ride...for obvious reasons (see below).  So we waited and waited and waited outside the ride...and more #seaworldselfies took place.



They were soaking wet!  Apparently, there were other people on their raft that did get a drop of water on them.  Lucky for them, they were drenched.  So glad they have a Daddy who will do these things with them so that I can stay nice and dry.

After this...it was time to go.  The sun was setting and it was getting colder outside and so we headed back to the hotel.  We got cleaned up and then enjoyed one of the best Italian dinners on the Riverwalk.  We were all so tired from the long day that it might have been one of the quietest dinners in Evans' family history.

Day 3 and 4 recap tomorrow...

Do you guys ever feel this way?? Like all you really want to be doing is sitting on the couch watching 'Terra's Little Family' (am I the only one who loves this show??) but instead you have three kids to take to the dentist (yes, I said THREE!), homework to help with, dinner to make, soccer games to cheer at, bills to pay...you know, grown up stuff. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being a mom, I ADORE my children, and I EXPLODE with pride watching them play sports. But...dentist appointments, grocery shopping, dinner making...sometimes I just need a DAY OFF!

I am going on just about 6 hours of sleep (compared to my usual minimum 8 hours) and I'm definitely feeling it. My mood is just off. My sweet Sissy Monster "couldn't sleep" last night. So at midnight, I found myself being spooned by my very cuddly, affectionate 6 year old. And while I couldn't sleep a wink, it only took about 2 minutes in this position before she was breathing heavy and sweaty and I knew it would be safe to escape slip out quietly. As I laid there last night, I realized these moments with her are getting further and further apart. She is needing me less and less and becoming more and more of a big girl. And this makes me all sad and happy at the same time. Being a mom is such a roller coaster of emotions. Sigh.

Okay so back to life lately... We are on the home stretch of school and the countdown to summer has officially begun! I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. This will be the first summer we have a pool in the backyard and I can already hear the giggles and splashing and smell the hamburgers grilling. CAN NOT WAIT.

Luke is enjoying his first season of lacrosse. It's such a fun game to watch and we've all enjoyed learning the rules. Olivia is in the middle of her second season of soccer with the Sparks. She is consistently getting "a foot on the ball" and gets in there and fights with the other girls. She has come so far since last season. Emily is doing swim class once a week to prepare her for summer and she is doing so well. In the last two weeks, I noticed a big difference in her ability and she even goes under and swims for several seconds by herself. She has two little friends doing the class with her which makes it even better.

And finally, the last and probably BIGGEST update as of late...OLIVIA GOT HER EARS PIERCED!!! I'll do an entire post on how that went down later, but I will say I was quite impressed with this little girl.

New grill and refrigerator.



Another view of patio.



Pool and trash.



Decking.

So they started the week of Thanksgiving and are finishing up. They still need to do the pre-plaster inspection and cleanup, plaster, mastic, gas hook-up to grill, and power wash the decking. We are so close!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!




A quick Christmas update...

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day here, as usual. Pawpaw made the drive all the way from Austin to be with us while Grandma spent Christmas with G Mummaw. We started the evening off by opening presents from G & P. They were so excited and kept asking if it was 4 o'clock yet as that's the time we told them they could start opening. Luke got a pair of brand new Vans, a gum ball machine, and a shooting game. Olivia got clothes, a gum ball machine, and a set of Neverland Girls books. Emi got a tiny gum ball machine, a backpack with cute little disney princesses, and clothes.

Next, we went to a beautiful, candle-lit Christmas service at our church. They had glow sticks for the little kids, but you know that just wasn't good enough for Em. She insisted on holding my candle and insisted that I not touch it at all. She kept swatting my hand away, threatening to scream at any moment, wax running down the sides and a huge flame dancing around as she waved it excited. I'm just glad we didn't catch anyone's hair on fire. :)

After church, we headed over to Nana and Papa's for goodies and a gift exchange. Emily fell asleep on the way over, but woke up ready to go once we arrived. We ate way too many cookies and snacks and then when the kids couldn't stand it for a minute longer, we passed out gifts and let them go. Luke's gift from N & P this year was a skateboard ramp, skateboard shirt, and a skateboard rack for his room. Olivia got a pink tumbling mat, clothes, a "this is my handstand shirt" t-shirt, bath stuff, pjs and an Olaf necklace. Emi got the cutest hanging puppet theater, puppets, clothes, bath stuff, Frozen necklace, snow globe, and pjs.

We got back home about 11 o'clock and the kids were eager to get to bed. They didn't want to miss Santa! Christmas morning started about 5:30am with Luke waking up first, of course. :) Luke's big gift from Santa was an electric guitar, amp, and headphones. Olivia's big gift was an octagon back handspring mat, and Emi got her very own American Girl doll and closet.



STINKER!