Our Short Trip to Lubbock

 The boys and I went to Lubbock for a few days.  We opted to fly because I get too sleepy while I drive long distances - the boys hadn't been on an plane since our trip to California a couple of years ago.  They did great and Ryan did a good job of taking care of me during take-off and landing (I'm a nervous flier).  We had a very busy trip that was jam-packed with activities the whole time.  We were also able to take dinner over to G-Nanny and Mr. G's our first evening - the kids did great by playing outside in their backyard allowing for a nice adult conversation and dinner.  It was so nice to see Nanny and spend some time catching up.

 

 

 The kids took a glass-fusing class one afternoon.

Luke has taken an intense interest in the Army and asked Grandad to interview him about what he did in the Army.   According to Luke, his friend Henry wants to be in the Army and he wants to be able to tell him all about it.  Some of Luke's questions "did you fight in a jungle, did you fight in a rainforest, did you fight anywhere with meat eaters, like carnivores?"  Grandad and all 4 kids had a great time.

 Dad started the show and tell by going over the quilt that mom made for him when he retired that covers his whole military career.  Luke, Olivia and Ryan attempted to take notes.

All of the kids got to try on his uniforms.

 Luke was very interested in the picture of the tank platoon that dad once commanded.

 Olivia took extensive notes of everything needed to be in the army.  Ryan's notes included what you needed to be in terms of qualities and supplies (black boots and hard-work).  Luke tried to start his notes with "#1 Be a cadet."  but his pencil wouldn't work and he got behind so he took notes later.

On Friday we headed up to Canyon to see the musical "Texas" in Palo Duro Canyon.  I remember seeing it when I was about the boys' age - so I was very excited to take them.  They loved it - especially the horses and the fireworks at the end.

 Before the musical, we went to the Panhandle and Plains Museum - the kids loved it and Olivia really enjoyed playing the teacher.

 On Saturday, we went to Jane and Charlie's for my most favorite dinner ever - Jane's homemade Chicken Fried Steak.  We had a great time and the kids played out in the backyard again - it was wonderful to catch up with 2 of my most favorite people in the world.

The boys have become very interested in death and dying lately.  They have asked a lot of questions about what happens when you die - including cemeteries and being buried.  On Sunday we went to the Lubbock Cemetery so the boys could see where my grandmother was buried, as well as some other relatives.

 Dad and I liked being able to tell them a little bit about my Mee Maw - they really enjoyed looking at all of the headstones.  They also both made it clear that they do not want to be cremated.

And of course, no trip to Lubbock would be complete with Ryan being able to smother every small dog around.  He loves Lucy, but he was so very excited to see Olivia's dog, Macaroni.

We had a great trip and Ryan cried all the way home from the airport and probably asked me a 2 dozen times when we would be going back.