Luke turned 6

Luke, Our sweet, thoughtful, smart, charming little grandson turned 6. His party was during our vacation so Bryan brought him and his brother Roger out for a special birthday celebration with us. I mean what kid would not want another party and more presents. Owen and Mary had other plans.

When Roger was 2 I thought it would be a great idea to quilt his handprints into a quilt. Mary loved the idea so I made one for Owen when he was 2.
I have no idea how I skipped Luke - I really have no excuse - shame on me.
I had the handprints too. I remedied that this year.
Luke got his "Bug quilt" with his handprints quilted in.

Bug quilt

Now this young man is obsessed with Pokémon. I have no clue about any of it.
After a few texts with Bryan from the store I settled on a box filled with assorted things all Pokémon.

Sharing with Roger

I was almost excited as he was (very excited) when he opened it.  I scored him some cards he didn't have. Whew!
It all came in a tin storage box that he was certain would make a great lunch box.

6 already??

I got the connect 4 game out to try and beat Roger. We probably have played this game 200 times and I can say I have won 9. Yes, I know exactly how many. When I beat him the first game (I may have rubbed it in a little too much) I was shocked. He then proceeded to beat me all the rest. And I'm really trying. He can see moves so far ahead, it boggles my mind. Must be why he's so good at chess too.

It was a great afternoon.

Galveston island

When I was planning our February anniversary getaway in September, I wanted to go somewhere I have never been before. Someplace warmer so we could play some golf. Bryan told be about VRBO so I looked and found a house on the ocean in Texas. I've never been there, the price was right, The weather says warm, and Mike loves the ocean so it was a no brainer - and I always wanted to stay on a house on stilts. It was way bigger than we needed, but the location was perfect. 25 minutes south of Galveston and 20 minutes from the golf course.

The house we stayed at

Our 1 sunny day at the beach

The weather was -28 when we left our house and 70 when we got there.
The air was warm, but the ocean was cold so we were fogged in for the first 5 days. We traveled inland to golf where the sun was shining. Really strange weather. I can now add Texas to the list of states I have golfed in.
We took walks on the beach, which was deserted this time of year. The home owners warned us in Capital letters to watch out for rattlesnakes in the dunes. Didn't see any!!!

I loved that the sand was hard

we walked everyday at this state park

On the trip down Mike drove us thru Houston. We both wanted to see the downtown. I suggested to Mike that I drive home and he could navigate us around Houston when we left.
Now I have a fear of height and bridges. I marveled at the way Houston has their interstates up and around the town, But I had no idea and did not see it coming. The rainbow bridge!

Rainbow Bridge

This bridge goes up and over the shipping canals. I have had nightmares about this. I am driving and I see nothing but sky no road. Straight up. I had no choice but to get through it (with some deep breathing). If I was a passenger I could close my eyes, but I didn't have that luxury. I DROVE OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE!!!

We stopped for the night in Vicksburg, MS to visit a Civil War site.
Mike is an expert (He knows a lot) when it comes to the Civil War. I found it very interesting also. I used my national park pass for old people, so admission was free.

Illinois was represented everywhere and also had the biggest monument and the first one built.

Illinois monument

Mike inside at the seal

Then back on the road.
This was also my first trip through Louisiana. the quickest route was on a rural road, 4 lanes, but passing through small towns. The Speed limit was 75. These people drive crazy.

I don't follow anyone with ladders on their roofs or loose crap in the back of their trucks. I don't like to follow trucks hauling cars. Anything that is open and just strapped down is also scary to follow.
So when Mike pulled in behind this guy I screamed "Are you Crazy?" He laughed.

hauling Lumber

In his defense this truck was going pretty fast around others.

When we travel I usually will find the place we go to - I get Mike's approval of course - and Mike will map out our route and stops along the way. He loves maps, paper maps, not a GPS on your phone map.
He always seems to find a Food Network Triple D place to stop at. he found this one right outside Memphis, though it's in MS. Food was really good. Memphis Barbecue Company.

Weather stopped us from visiting the one place I really wanted to see in St. Louis, but we will get back there - Just not in a ice storm.