Spring Break 2009

Abby at Kemah

Brad, Alex, and Abby waiting for the rocket movie at NASA

Brad and Alex at Nassau Bay Park

Alex and our former neighbor, Anna, at the Bay Glen park. He spent many an afternoon there with Anna when they were little.

Alex and our former neighbors' son, Daniel. This was our first time meeting baby Daniel.

Alex, Mommy, and Abby at the Rocket Park.

Brad, being Brad

Alex by the seashore

Abby and Baby John Gordon, Robbie and Margie's 2 week old son.

The beautiful weather we returned to in Chicago on Sunday.

Alex was on Spring Break from preschool last week so we headed down to Houston, TX to show Alex around his birthplace. We have several friends who had had new babies since we'd last seen them and we were pleased to be able to meet them all. While it did rain a few days, it was so warm that we didn't seem to mind the weather. Saturday it was actually "chilly" by Texas standards but we were still very comfortable.

Both Abby and Alex were superstar little travelers, sleeping much of the flight home in fact. I'm pretty sure we exhausted Abby most days as she slept through the night a few nights we were there! She has yet to replicate this behavior at home :( On a side note, she slept her first night in her crib in her own room last night without incident. I'll wait a week or so before I take down the bassinet though.

I think it took an actual trip to Houston to make us realize the devastation this region suffered following Hurricane Ike last fall. As we flew in over the city, we saw so many blue tarps covering roofs and structures, even 7 months after the storm! There are boats at the bottom of Clear Lake and only their masts are visible sticking out of the water. We drove by many homes along the water that are complete losses and will need to be torn down. It was all incredible to see and our hearts go out to our friends who are still dealing with the rebuilding process.

Alex LOVED Space Center Houston and probably would have spent all day there if we'd let him. He has already asked to go back there! The Kemah Boardwalk area is back up and running and Alex enjoyed the rides with his friends and playing in the water fountains there. Many thanks to all of our friends who hosted us, cooked for us, and entertained us during our visit. We had such a great time!