Okay, so maybe it is a little strong to say that we heart Odessa. What we really heart is the people who live there, namely, Grumps, Grandma Becky, Becky's daughter Jamie, her husband Quade and their daughter (and Reli's cousin), Jalie. We were really longing to visit our Odessa kin and I know Grumps really (REALLY) wanted us to come stay a while, but something always prevented us from making the journey. Last week, Jonathan took off work early on Thursday and took off all day Friday so we would venture out west for some family fun.
We had such a fabulous time relaxing as a family. We went swimming, we napped, swam some more, ate copious amounts of West Texas fare, got in the hot tub, and just enjoyed each other's company. It was a vacation. Thank you to dad and Becky, who made us feel so welcome in their home and who cooked for us and let us just be ourselves. Spectacular way to spend a weekend, I must say!
Aurelia felt comfortable from the moment we arrived. She cooed, she giggled, she wore bows and a bikini. I think her favorite part of the trip was sitting poolside with her Grumps. In the mornings, Dad would take her outside and let her splash her hands and feet in the water. She even started trying to step up to the water for a dip.
Here are some photos of our trip.
Aurelia loved being in the water, showing off with her daddy in her bikini from Ella and her hat from Jake and Pam. (Grumps is blowing up a floatie in the background).
She had fun in the shaded floatie she borrowed from Koruna.
Reli got to meet her cousin Jalie for the first time, and man, does Reli have some things to learn from Jalie. She is so fast on her feet it is unbelievable that she is only 1 year old!
The girls, in Becky and Jamie's arms, meeting for the first time.
Here is Jalie riding her Rody horse.
Jamie with Reli and her bowed pigtails
All smiles and pretty in pink with Grumps and Momma
And, last but not least, Reli got to meet her great-grandmother, my Mimi, in Crane, Texas. Unfortunately, she slept through their first encounter.
Hopefully she will be awake next time!
West Texas has heart. Aurlelia's first visit was incredible. Her growth and advancement in just 4 weeks is amazing. She is such a beautiful doll. Her next visit is greatly anticipated. I love the picture of her and Shelly together. She is favoring her more and more. Reli, you have my heart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun visit for all the West Texas connection! And Jamie and Jalie are gorgeous as well; thanks for sharing those photos with the rest of us. Jerry and Becky - looks like heaven!
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Honey
What a beautiful and precious family, all the way around. And MiMi's shirt is to die for, as are those boot earrings she's wearing. I can't take my eyes off Aurelia's lower teeth, she worked so hard to bring them up, and here they are ready to go to work for her. Watching the water shimmer in the pool somehow cooled me off all these miles away. Grumps' "West Texas Has Heart" ranks up there with Honey's "Texas, land of excessive everything." ALL of you are so gifted with language, humor, and brains. Let me have some too, please! Love to you all....
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