Final Trip to Indy

This summer we went to see my Mom and Bill in Indy.  This will be our last trip there, as they just moved to Austin!!!!  So exciting.  We are thrilled we will get to see them more when we are home for the summers.  As usual, Nana's wheelchair and the Children's Museum were the big fun of the trip.  We will really miss their awesome Children's Museum.  It is truly an amazing place.

 Flying again!  The kids were amazed at how quick the flight was.  No food, no sleeping and only 1 movie?!!

 The always fun, electric wheelchair.  Eliza did fall out and get a little road rash soon after this photo...not too fun.

 Digging for "dinosaur bones" at the Children's Museum

Olivia could have stayed here for hours.  She loved it!

 Hanging with her friend, the Terracotta Solider.  Last time we went, the special event country was Egypt.  This time it was China.  You got on an "airplane" and "flew" to China.  These exhibits are so well done.  This was their favorite part:

They got to turn themselves into a Chinese opera character.  Too funny!

 Exploring a "shipwreck" with their diving gear on.

 Measuring their findings

 Eliza loved the water area of the newly renovated small tot area

 My girls, so sweet 

 Papa Bill showing them pictures of me and my mom from years ago

We had quite the flight delay on our way to Dallas.  Both of our flights were delayed and we didn't arrive until Midnight in Dallas, 5 hours late.  My trooper girls are the best.  This portable DVD player is the greatest purchase we have EVER made!  It kept Eliza from doing this anymore:

Arriving in Dallas with a stroller, a carry-on, 2 bags, 2 car seats, 2 sleeping kids and NO CASH was interesting, to say the least.  I just looked at all I had and laughed.  Thanks to Uncle Chris for coming to get us from the airport so late!

Dinner with The Wrights

That night we had dinner with our sweet neighbors in Houston, The Wrights.  Olivia and Eliza talk about Mrs. Pam and Amanda all the time.  They loved going over to play with them.  Hopefully next year we will have more time to visit with them when we are home, as this was the only night that worked out for all of us.  The girls had a ball with their big girl friend :)

 

They just love her!

Then the girls got the camera! Pam and Kip

 SSR and Aunt Carrie

 Head shot of Amanda :)

 Silly girl was in RARE form this night!

Fun with Nonna!

After Rockport, Mike left to go back to Abu Dhabi.  We went and had fun with Nonna!

 Getting fitted for ballet slippers...a dream come true for Eliza!

 We went to the Natural Science Museum and saw the IMAX about Pandas.  They both loved it!

 Next, we went to the butterfly center.  

 Olivia loved looking at the card that shows pictures of the various butterflies in the center and trying to find them. 

Then we ran into this guy!  She wasn't afraid to touch him!

Sweet Sweet Friends

Of anyone back in Texas, Olivia was most excited to see her friend Katherine.  She couldn't wait!  They invited us over for a play date and dinner that they turned in to a little surprise birthday celebration for Olivia.  So very sweet.  Not only did she have a fantastic time playing with her friend, she also felt very special.  So thoughtful!  It was so fun seeing the entire Hayes family!

 Love this sweet photo: Eliza, Samantha, Olivia and Katherine

 Opening a fun gift!

 Sweet friends!

They also got Eliza a fun book with a character named, "Eliza"!  So so thoughtful!!

Fun in Austin!

Mike finally arrived in Texas!  After a few days in Katy, we rented a car and hit the road to Austin.  We love all the fun we have at the Rhodes house!

 Eliza and Elizabeth with dueling iPhones :)

Hilarious!  Mike taking all three girls on a walk :-)

Chaser showing the ladies a good time ;)

 Fife and Courtney graciously offered to host a swim party at their house for all of our Austin friends.  It was so great to have a one stop shop to see everyone.  Sadly, I didn't take hardly any pictures! Here is one with me, Claire, and Maggie...both just had super sweet baby boys!

 Olivia, Margo and Eliza.  My girls were so excited to see their friend, Margo!  We sure missed David and Erin.

Jennifer, SSR, Maggie, Maggie's Dylan and only 10 day old Hayden, Jennifer's Channing

 We went out to Steiner to go see Maggie and brand new Baby Hayden.  Olivia was IN LOVE!  She loves babies and was more than thrilled to hold and feed him!  He is adorable.  I am so glad we got to meet him before we left.

 Best baby with the best view!

 Jake and Olivia, only 6 weeks apart.

Eliza's turn to hold him!

I adore this photo!  We stopped by the bakery and got to see my cousin, Ian and Uncle Jimmy.  So great to see them!