Our Trip to Texas

At Short Pump Mall in Glen Allen, VA


We got a bunch of new clothes for Molly at Kid to Kid. We love that store.



My mom came to visit us from Texas a couple weeks ago. She stayed for a week and then Molly and I rode back with her so Molly could meet her great-grandma Pauline for the first time. We wanted it to be a surprise.


Molly slept a lot on the road.



North Carolina had the nicest rest areas!


Here we are in Tennessee.


Arkansas is so beautiful.


What state do you suppose we are in here? This was near the end of our trip as we went to meet Emily in Weatherford on our way to Dallas.

After two days on the road, we showed up at Mom's house in Haskell just after midnight last Saturday. Grandma Pauline woke up and came in to meet little Molly for the first time, hardly believing that she was really there in person.


Four generations.

We stayed there for nearly a week and got to visit with my cousin Robert and his wife Christy and their little girl Trinity. We also got to visit with my Aunt Andrea and Uncle Bobby. I was also able to meet my mom's dear friend Tommy Joe Clark who was the first one to see me after I was born and she was the one to tell Mom she had a girl. Molly took to everyone right away and loved playing and exploring all over Mom's house.


Me, Grandma Pauline, Christy, Trinity, Robert, Molly and Mom.


Playing with Grandma Pauline.


Sitting in a little Chippendale chair.


In the backyard with Grandma Pauline.


Helping Mom hit those high notes.


Our baby food prep area. It was so nice to have our own place for this stuff.


Playing with her toys in the living room with Grandma Pauline.


Aunt Andrea and Uncle Bobby after dinner playing with the phones. She liked the ring tone with the child's laughter best.

We even took an afternoon to visit my Grandpa Raymond's grave at the cemetery nearby. He has been gone now 21 years on September 2nd. We miss him very much. He would have loved to see Molly too. He loved little girls and was so sweet to his grandkids.

At my Grandpa Raymond's grave. We miss him and love him so much.


At Mom's church during choir practice.


In the playroom at the church.

On the last couple days there, we met up with my cousin Emily and stayed with her in Dallas so it would be easier to get to DFW without much trouble. It was nice to visit with her and her husband Brent and their little boy Atti. We really want to thank them all for letting us take over their home for a day and for getting us to the airport without any trouble at all. That was the easiest trip to DFW I have ever experienced. I am in your debt Miss Em!


With cousin Emily in Dallas.

While in Dallas, Molly was able to play with her cousin Atti who is about a year older than Molly and a neighbor boy named Stone who is 6 months older. We think she was quite smitten with Stone since she followed him around and wanted to touch his face and hair. He didn't seem to mind. He let her use his tricycle once. Atti was so sweet to lend his crib and toys (and changing table) to us while we were there!


Stone, Molly and Atti.

Playing with the boys in front of Emily's house.


Tickle time with Brent, Atti and Emily.


There was so much giggling and jumping around!


At the park with Emily and Atti.


On Emily's front porch just before leaving for the airport.

Miss Molly grew in so many ways in just these last couple weeks. She barely fit in her portable crib by the end of our stay with Mom. She's also learned the words "hi" and "no." Her world and mind are expanding day by day....she's growing so fast.


A little cramped, but evidently comfortable enough for some good sleepin'!


Atti's crib was much more comfortable once she finally decided to go to sleep.

The flight back to Richmond went as expected...struggling with Molly, the stroller and diaper bag. Luckily the car seat and my bag were checked in without complication right at the curb, so I didn't have to deal with that. Molly slept the whole way from Dallas to Charlotte. We had a short layover then a really nice easy flight from there to Richmond.


On the plane in Charlotte...one more flight until we're home to see Daddy!!

We had such a wonderful time seeing everyone, but our hearts and thoughts were home here with Dan as he prepared for a job interview in Atlanta. He flew there and got back in time to pick us up the next day. The interview went well...we will keep you posted on that later.

~To Mom, Grandma, Emily, Brent, Atti....thank you so very much for having us and for everything you did to make our visit comfortable and fun. We enjoyed seeing you and we already miss you all.