Travels are over

Last weekend concluded our big travels for the summer.  We took a trip to Houston, by way of Dallas - yeah, where it is even hotter than it is here:) We had wanted to go to Houston for the Zach Hamm Don't Sweat It Golf Classic benefiting the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED).  The Hamms are good friends of ours that we met 5 years ago at the national conference in St. Louis and Zach has EEC also. The only way the trip was possible was because we also set up doctor appointments for both Tyler and Grant to see an eye specialist in Houston (the doctor was highly recommended by an ophthamologist we respect alot that is associated with the NFED).

We were planning to drive to Dallas Thursday to stay with a high school friend of mine.  She has twin boys one year younger than Ryan, so I knew the boys would want to be able to see each other.  To make a long story short, the only way we would get there in time to actually see them at all was to leave in the morning - and Chris was going to have to work until at least 3. So, we did a crazy thing and decided to have him fly.  What made it crazier was that the only way to get him a reasonably priced ticket was to fly him one way to Orlando, FL by way of Houston!  So, that's what we did, and he got off the plane in Houston and told them he would not be able to complete his trip.  What this really meant was that I was going to get to drive with 4 children to Dallas by myself.

.When Tyler heard we were going to Dallas he instantly said, "Can we go to Cowboy Stadium?"  I decided that would be great!  Here we are at Cowboy Stadium --- we didn't get the tour because the tours ended earlier that day, but a nice person felt sorry for how far we had driven and let us in to at least see the stadium.  What an amazing place!!!

Then we drove over to Texas Ranger stadium and looked around the outside.  We weren't able to go in, but saw a little from the outside.

Friday morning I was privileged enough to drive on to Houston with 4 children all by myself.  I have to say, the kids traveled GREAT - I couldn't have asked for a better 10 hours in the car with them.  Chris flew in to Houston at 9:30 that morning, and we arrived there around noon.  Our friends kept Ryan and Andrew at the house with them and we went into the city for the doctor appointments at Baylor College of Medicine.

Chris with Tyler and Grant outside the Baylor College of Medicine after the appointments.

We spent lots of relaxing time at the Hamm's house swimming and just enjoying spending time together.

The boys all had a great time with Zach.

The golf tournament took place on Sunday and Chris and I both played in it.  It was a beautiful course and we had a great time.  We played with a father and son that we did not know, but they were a good match for us. 

After the tournament, the kids were having a great time with the beverage carrier.  In fact, they were enjoying dunking each other in it.  Here Chris gave Tyler his turn - it was very cool and refreshing.

We all drove home together on Monday, in time for Chris to work the evening and night shift at work.  Now, back to reality and preparations for the upcoming school year.  But the weekend adventure was very enjoyable.