Our Texas Trip Part 2: Hanging at Rita's and Jack's Graduation

One of the reasons we went to TX so early was because Jack graduated (with honors he didn't even know he had!) on Saturday the 18th.  So, after arriving to Rita's late Thursday night we had Friday to hang out, spent Saturday doing the graduation thing, hung out on Sunday, went to Houston on Monday and Tuesday and then got to hang out at Rita's some more on Wednesday and Thursday before driving to my dad's and mom's on Friday.  It was a hectic week but we made the most of it. 

Rita had bought all kinds of things she thought Kayla would enjoy - giant coloring books, stickers, crayons, a tent, her very own table and chairs, etc. 

Really went all out for this trip!  And while Kayla can't express how happy she was (b/c she doesn't know any different) we sure are thankful for everything Rita did.  Kayla and Tyler had a ton of fun... though you'll notice in the pics that she would have been perfectly happy playing outside every day (which she basically did - the weather was generally very good!) 

There was a lot of playing and a lot of reading going on all week ... and Eric's 2nd favorite sport (if you can call it that!) bowling!

We squeezed in a trip to Santa at the local newspaper's office but Kayla wouldn't go near him. Tyler didn't know the difference. I don't have the picture yet but as soon as I do I'll add it to the web album and here. Kayla would talk about Santa but don't ask her to go near a stranger with a beard! Maybe next year.

Eric, Jack, and I were able to hang out with our friends the Wells' and meet their sweet little girl, Avery and hang out with their son Cason.  Cason was so good with Kayla, trying to play catch with her.  It was so cute to watch!

Jack's graduation was quite, um, chaotic. The boys went up the night before, while Rita, the kids and I drove up the next morning. We knew the kids wouldn't make it through the ceremony so I stayed with them in Jack's house, getting all of us dressed and watching Dora. I was going to do a tour around SFA since I hadn't been there in a while but ran out of time. Insert sad face here. I was really looking forward to it too!

Anyway, as the ceremony ended I headed to the restaurant but it took over an hour and multiple car rides to get everyone in the same place at the same time so by the time we ate we were all starving and there are very few pictures. We ended up taking Jack's pics outside of the restaurant, which turned out nice but blame Eric and Kayla for the blown out pictures. :-)   But aren't we a happy family - Jack finally graduated!

Oh man, I just realized I don't think we got any pictures of Jack by himself! Oops! Oh well, at least he knows he's surrounded by a loving, if forgetful, family!

I'm just glad the kids (and the parents) got to spend some time with Rita and Jack (Gabby and Uncle Jack).  It doesn't happen often but Kayla loves her Gabby (so named because she can't say Gammy) and had a great time playing with her (and sleeping in the same bed as her - I think she got spoiled having someone to cuddle with.).  And mom and dad loved all the food she was always making!  That woman cooks up a storm!  None of us can wait until we see them again!  And we were so glad to help Jack celebrate such a great accomplishment!  Congratulations, Jack!  What's next???