Austin

We have been back over a week already but we had the best time! Max enjoyed swim camp, got a little homesick but it made his Momma happy to know that he still needed her. So he and I texted often at night. He's had his own cell phone for months now and I know sometimes it can be a pain but the texting is something I really enjoy. It's a form of communication with him I am thankful for and I know he texts me things that he often would not tell me in person.

My Dad arranged for us to get a private tour of the capitol with some of his work associates and they were so generous. They spent so much time with us showing us around and we even got to sit in our own State Senator's chair, Tommy Williams. The kids loved all the artifacts and I can honestly say there is not another capitol in the country that is as proud as ours. Every inch was covered in stars, after all we are the Lone Star state.

Mark asked for private lodging during his stay at seminary and while it was nice and private the bed cracked me up. Mark is 6'6" so his tiny little twin bed just did not cut it. I suggested he move the other twin bed horizontally at the foot of his bed but he said he was used to his feet hanging off. Such a trooper, my giant.

The kids and I stayed in the DoubleTree suites downtown. It was FREE because of some air mileage I had converted to Hilton points in case anyone is interested! The pool was fabulous. It was outdoors and the cities high rise buildings were all around us. The kids and I ate the breakfast buffet one morning and we certainly took the return as often you'd like to heart, clearing out the bacon faster than the server could replace it.

I took the kids to the BlueBell Creameries in Brenham on the way to Austin and we had a yummy time. We got to see how they make the ice-cream and learned all about the process. Did you know that it takes the milk of 10,000 cows to produce one days worth of ice cream in the factory? We all chose our favorites scoops at the end of the tour and paid homage to my father, a loyal Blue Bell consumer for years!

So Austin, we will return hopefully soon to visit more of your local gems.