Texas

I don't even know where to begin... Texas was alot of fun but completely exhausting at the same time. Traveling for 17days with two small children is enough to drive anyone a little crazy. But as exhausting as it was I am SO VERY glad that we went.

We drove to Sacramento, where we stayed with my great friend and fellow Dave Matthews Band partner in crime. It was great to visit with her even if it was only for a few hours. The next morning we took off for Austin, TX. Both kids did wonderful on the airplane. Zerrell was very amused by geting her own small glass of ginger ale and using the tray. Harper slept most of the way. Shari meet us in Austin and we hung out with ted's brother and girlfriend. We had a great time sight seeing and just hanging out. Zerrell fell inlove with her Uncle Joey and was always by his side or telling him to come with her.

We then went to see my cousin Autumn and her husband Chris in Plano, TX(just outside Dallas) but along the way there we stopped in Waco, TX at the Dr. Pepper Museum. It was small but alot of fun to see, for those of you that don't know, I LOVE Dr. Pepper. I have one everyday! The highlight of Waco was getting an old fashioned, hand made Dr. Pepper at the foutain. It was the BEST Dr. Pepper I have ever had! We had a wonderful time with Autumn. We got to enjoy her new home, we went into Dallas and saw where JFK was shot and we went into the sweetest little town about 10miles away called McKinney. Zerrell enjoyed herself at Autumns house and made herself right at home, runing around and hiding behind their couch cushions.

Next we drove to Katy, TX( just outside Houston) where we stayed with SHari's sister, Marti. We got to visit and swim( which made zerrell very happy). Marti's 2 granddaughters ( Zerrell's second cousins) came over for they and they all played togther. I got to take a few naps that day! Which was MUCH needed. I can't tell you the last time I took a nap! It was nice to be with Marti and be in the house that Shari's mom lived (she passed away the end of march).

Then we were on to Corpus Christi, TX. This was the most relaxing part for me. It was so wonderful to be in Dan and Shari's home with the kids. Dan had time off and played with Zerrell and Harper alot, which gave me a nice break. We went to the aquariam on day. Zerrell is still talks about seeing the scary sharks, nemo and dori. We went to San Padre Island( about 20mins away) where we played on the beach. Zerrell just LOVED this. She loved the sand and the water, which was warm! She and i played in the waves for about an hour. It was alot of fun to see her enjoying herself and i was enjoying myself too. Dan and Shari have park behind their house and they dont have a fence in their back yard, so you can just walk out their back door and your in the park in a few yards. Dan would take both kids every morning outside and with Zerrells perswation they would end up at the swings. After a few days i realized that both kids each day were in just a diaper and t-shirt, no shoes, because we had just woken up, but to anyone else at the park, they didn't know that Dan and Shari's back yard IS the park, so it looked like my kids were white trash at the park in just tshirt and diapers no shoes, oh well they had fun and i got to eat breakfast. the park had a community pool and i took Zerrell there one day. It was gross, we all took shower the minute we walked back to get all the cooties off.
We meet several of Dan and Shari's friends, which was fun.

Finally we drove to San Antonio. It is a beautiful city! But it was SO hot. We tried to see as much as we could but Zerrell wasnt having it, so we took her swimng at the hotel pool where my little social butterfly made friends with everyone there. She went right up to a small group of preteen girls and learned their names and was giving them high fives and playing with them, totally uaware that she herself was only 2. She talked to all the waiters too, telling them what she wanted to drink.

We flew out of San Antonio. Both kids did pretty well on the flight home. Zerrell was being VERY socail on the airplane, saying "hi" to everyone we passed and playing for along time with a few kids that were sitting behind us. We made it home safe and sound. We stayed at Erika;s house that night and drove back to Fresno the next morning. Home Sweet Home.

OK.., THE FOOD:
The BBQ was wonderful everywhere we went. By far the best place was when we were in Austin. We went to this great resatruant about 30min away called The Salt Lick(rachel ray has been here). The menu is simple, brisket, sausage or ribs.(or a combo of all three) You get cole slaw, potato salad and beans. Water or iced tea. Take it or leave it! The place has been in buisness for over 50 years and has had the same menu.
We had wonderful BBQ in Dallas, Corpus Christi and San Antonio. We had great mexican food too in Austin, Plano, and San Antonio. Aunt Marti made wonderful chili!

Here are a TON of photo's
http://picasaweb.google.com/brig.dmb/Texas2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCMjBt8v3yoHGsAE#