Downtown San Antonio

Today is Saturday - the temperature is 88 degrees.  San Antonio is the 7th largest city in the US!  And we made it to the Alamo this morning before it got too hot! 

 The girls stopped for a second for a photo in front of a giant cactus. 

 The cactus was in bloom -

 Ceci standing in front of the Alamo.

 Come on Grami - they're leaving us behind!

 After the complete tour we stopped for a minute to catch the family so we will always remember the Alamo!

 We next checked into the Visitor's Center to find the way to the RiverWalk.

 Ceci and Elle thought we should ride bicycles around the city.  Self serve bikes were available for rent. 

 Waiting for our turn to ride on the Riverwalk Cruise. 

Here we are ready to go!

 Baylor was ready for the boat to start.

 Our skipper was very entertaining.  Lots of information relating to the history of downtown San Antonio. 

 Baylor telling everyone he could cruise forever!  Until he got hungry~

 The Tower of the America's. 

 Lunch at the Lone Star - Gia tried out the napkin on the head trick. 

 Okay, how about the "Happy Girl" face.  Gia was in rare form - super silly!

 Poor guy with the glasses made the mistake of giving the Mariachi Band a tip!  Someone else did that before ~

 Sophie was a little freaked out by Forest Gump until Mom came and sat down beside him..... we had somebody trying to get into the picture. 

 Kimmie!

 Baylor continues to have a great time -

And we are checking out the local cuisine.

Change of plans - we can be flexible!

 This morning Gia and Grami had their morning milk/coffee on the sun porch. 

Baylor woke up in his new bed.  After breakfast we headed to the Alamo... after sitting in stopped traffic for a very long time watching Texan drivers use the ditches for exit ramps we finally came upon a reader board telling us the freeway was closed because of a major accident up ahead.  (Checked the TV news tonight and it really was major - a semi-truck took out the huge overhead sign boards around 5:30 am.) We got off at the next exit ramp and headed back the way we came.  Outlet shopping made it to the top of the list!  Lunch at Kip's BBQ was fantastic - very authentic right down to the galvanized wash tub filled with pickles, peppers and onions. 

 The afternoon included playing in the backyard, and resting.

  Gia was super hot after going down the slide a million times.  I gave her a cool wash cloth and she happily wore it on her head. 

 Wes, Ceci and Sophie resting and watching Puss n' Boots.  Everyone was still a little tired from yesterday's big day at Sea World.

 Elle and Gia stopped by to watch for a minute and were off again.  They play together so well!  Just finished covering their tummies with Dora stickers. 

 Kimmie chopped the veggies for a fajita dinner before Baylor needed attention.  Tracy took over ...

 Colby jumped in to help. 

First to the table - super good!

Tomorrow we will give the Alamo another try.  Plan to leave early.....  best thing about a vacation, no schedule! 

PS: Our house is in a residential neighborhood.  This morning the guy next door was working in his yard.  He was in his patchwork shorts, pulled up socks, wife beater shirt with a cigar in his mouth.  Looked like someone off of the Reality TV -  Ye Haw!  They also have a huge bird in a cage that is out on the porch all day.  And I did see my first cockroach this morning - oh my, it was huge!  Tracy flushed him down the toilet for me.  I was a little freaked out!  Bugs are definitely bigger in Texas!!!! 

Texas Adventure

 Blurry eyes!  We got up at 4:30 am this morning to start our adventure. Obviously my camera didn't focus any better than my eyes. Elle's suitcase caught a lot of attention. 

Baylor was such a great traveler.

Auntie Tracy was on hand to greet the flight.  Baylor started to shed his winter clothes immediately. 

The cousins got reacquainted before heading to the house we rented in New Braunfels outside of San Antonio. 

The house lived up to its expectations - this is my room.

The sun porch.

The kitchen.

Love the built-in's in the dining room.  Lots of books to read.  There is plenty of space for everyone. 

This morning before we left for the day Ceci and Elle helped sweep the dining room floor.  Such good helpers!

Today's adventure is Sea World.  All I can say is "WOW"!!

Sophie and Ceci -

The ride guide -=- Poor Gia didn't fit even the smallest ride. 

Pink Flamingo's-

Getting excited to watch the Shamu show - who's more excited Grami or the Grandkids? 

Alligators!

The Cannery Road show featured Seals, an Otter and a giant Walrus.  Super fun!

Elle wanted to get as close as possible.  We all decided outside of the splash zone was probably best.  It was very hot today - the water felt pretty good!

After the penguin exhibit Gia thought she might need a giant penguin to take home.  Good thing she didn't have any cash on her.

Kimmie, Colby, Sophie and Wes rode on a crazy ride - this is coming back into the station.  We could hear Sophie screaming the whole way.  Ceci was an inch too small to get on. 

Dolphin feeding - Elle was ready to swim!

Sophie and Ceci each fed the dolphins some fish -

Ceci didn't get as close as Sophie until her fish basket was empty. 

I was a little concerned when the trainers explained the dolphin's teeth are like velcro - not any place you want to get your hand stuck. 

On the way back to the car Sophie caught a ride on Baylor's stroller and entertained him with a game of peek-a-boo.  I think her feet might just of been tired.  What a great day - we arrived right after the park opened and stayed until closing.  There is so much to see and do at Sea World.  I'm ready to go back again already. 

 This is the outside of the house we are staying in.  This photo was taken as soon as we got back from Sea World  - tired happy campers!

For dinner tonight we had Costco rotisserie chicken, broccoli salad, and a cute little sourdough teddy bear I picked up at the San Francisco airport.  Tomorrow is the Alamo!