We had a blast for New Year's. We drove down to Cedar Park (Austin area) to spend time with my sister Cheri and her family. My parents and another sister Kaylene were there as well. The kids were driving Dave and I nuts with excitement to be with cousins again. Alyson and Rebecca are like two peas in a pod when they get together; their energy seems to grow exponentially the longer they're together.
It was fun visiting, going for long walks, shopping at the outlet malls, watching movies, playing games, etc. Grandma was content to watch the kids as they played outside. Kaylene, Cheri, and I got away for a special sister's lunch at a Mexican restaurant called "Chuy's". I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a good restaurant in the Austin area. On a different day, Dave, Dave T., Brooke, Holly, and Rachel went out for BBQ. They said their meals were to die for! I'll have to try this other place next time we go down there.
I didn't take as many pictures as I had planned. I kept forgetting to get the camera out. It would have been nice to have some pictures of my mother so everyone could see her wonderful nose job (I'm being facecious)! For those who don't know, my mother had to have some cancerous tissue removed from her nose. She had the procedure done right before she went on the trip; she still had all the stitches and was quite swollen and red. We warned the kids not to tease Grandma about her run-in with Rudolf!
I think the best part of all was just being with family. I wish the vacation didn't have to end. We are all back to the normal routines of life. Work wasn't too bad getting back into things. I was pleased to return and find my promotion FINALLY went through. The kids are back to school with homework and the normal weekday stuff. I think Dave is glad to have some time to himself each day while everyone else is gone! I won't complain...the house was super clean when I got home today.
Have a great week and a happy new year!