Texas, Our Texas!!

I know...us Texans often get accused of having a smidgen too much state pride.

But at least we're open and honest about it. Cuz, our state really is the coolest state.

:)

ok ok...I digress.

But really, lets discuss an interesting tidbit.

Are there versions of cars out there with other State editions? Is there an Ohio Minivan? Probably not. Who would buy one?

Wait! Don't go. I'm not being all down on your state. Promise.

I'm just fully Texan. And proud of it. I've got nothing against your state. :) Even if it's not shaped as cool as my state.

Yes this is a "My state is cooler than your state" blog post.

I digress......again.

So we spent the past week back in Texas with family and friends, letting them get well acquainted with Salem and catch up with Eden.

We took loads of pictures, which I'll soon post to our shutterfly link for you all to peruse through at whim...and to save us all the bother of looking through 37 pictures in one post.

So to make it snappy...

While in Texas...

...we ate some real Texas BBQ and loved every minute of it.

...we ate yummy Tex-Mex and filled our bellies with melted cheese.

(we saw family too, but we all know food is important in my life)

...we had Aunt Terri's mint brownies, which are absolutely heavenly.

(there, that one combined family and food!)

...we went swimming in Aunt Jeri's pool where Brandon cannonballed and got Gigi (April's grandmother) soaking wet. woops!

...Eden golfed 18 holes with Brandon and BonBon and Pops (brandon's parents).

...Salem experienced his first time of sleeping 5 and a half hours at night. woohoo!

...we saw loads of family (on both mine and Brandon's side) and were reminded again of how convenient it would be to live closer to them all one day. (sniff, sniff) We love you all!!!

...we visited the local zoo which was surprisingly cool! The best lion exhibit I've ever seen! Sadly, I was more enthralled than either of my children.

...had Donut Stop donuts twice. I could have had them a third time but the scale is not friendly to me in Texas. mmmm Donut Stop, I love you forever.

...we gained weight. :)

...Brandon preached his first Sunday morning sermon. He did fantastic! And only suffered mild retina damage from the blinding stage lights.

We arrived late yesterday evening, exhausted and thankful we don't have to fly again for several months. Turns out, Salem isn't so airplane savvy. He hated the descent, and wanted to let everyone on board know by screaming at the top of his lungs. And everyone around me chose to pass along their not-so-welcome advice and made snide remarks. oh well...I took it in stride. Because well, I had to, or I'd have gotten kicked off the plane if I'd responded the way I wanted to.

So we're back in NC (where there aren't any specially made state editions) :)

Brandon had his first day of class today for the Fall semester...just one year to go!