Different........But Fun!

Last week Aidan and Christopher and I went to Temple to visit "Grandma" and "Uncle Jim" for Thanksgiving week.  It was the first holiday spent apart from Lori, and it was certainly a different feeling.

Because we are following the Texas Standard Possession Code for holidays, I had the kids from Friday the 22nd, through Sunday the 1st at 6:00pm.  It was my year for Thanksgiving, and yep.....if your Lori, 9 days is a long time to be away from the kids.  Too long in fact, so I decided to give her Sunday the 24th, and most of Monday the 25th.  It just didn't feel right to keep them away from her all that time.

I got the boys back on Monday night, and we left Little Elm at 9:00am Tuesday morning.   Traffic was great, and we rolled into Temple just in time for lunch at 11:30am.  Did I say lunch?  Well.....first time in Temple in a while, so there was no doubt about where I would be going to pick up lunch.  Clem Mikeska's BBQ baby!!!!   Mmmmmm......best brisket ever!!!

We had a wonderful time visiting with Grandma.  Uncle Jim had to work on Tuesday and Wednesday, but we filled our days with hikes, and playing in the back yard, and Indiana Jones movies.   Lots of fun indeed.

Thanksgiving was Thursday, and lots of eating, playing, and football watching was on the menu.

Dinner was delicious, and everybody had no problem clearing their plates!  The rest of the day was spent playing outside, playing the board game SORRY and just having fun.  It was great spending time with my family.  They have been so supportive of me, and I just can't thank them enough. 

On Friday, Christopher decided he had a bit of structural engineering stuck inside of him that just needed to come out.  So, no better way to scratch that itch than Lincoln Logs!  Yep, I know that anyone of you that is reading this blog, remembers those.  Been around forever, and still fun!

I know his Nana would be proud of him.  He built her house!  Way to go buddy!!!

We stay in Temple all the way until Saturday night.  Saturday was spent playing outside again, and watching Aggie football ( grrrr....).  While outside, I got a few last pictures.

After watching the Aggies get beat, we left for Little Elm at 10:30 on Saturday night.  As you can imagine, traffic was light, and we made good time.  My two little buddies tried to stay awake to help dad not get tired, but that lasted about 30 miles for Christopher, and 75 miles for Aidan.  The last 85 was spent quietly reflecting on the week.

It was certainly great to get to visit for 5 days.  That is the longest visit we have ever had to see Grandma and Jim.  Thanks for everything.  We had a blast.

While it was fun, I couldn't help but feel the void left by Lori's absence.  I guess holiday's will never be the same, and for that I am sad.  Lori's light always shined brightest during holidays. 

I can't wait for the next adventure with the boys of Camelot. 

William