it was a long 19 hours of driving to GET there
BUT the girls were GREAT & the drive was GORGEOUS!
i am always amazed by West Texas... the Lone Star state actually has MOUNTAINS!
The drive back was... UGH... i just keep reminding myself that we MADE it...
took us FOREVER... but we MADE it...
there were travelers that had to stay in Red Cross shelters due to the storm we passed through!
The Vail pass can be HAIRRRRY...
long hairy hair...
white knuckle...
hold your breathe...
please Lord get us through this...
hairy...
no matter how you slice it...
no matter HOW great of a snow driver you are...
snow is ICE...
and ice is HAIRY!
:)
Thank you Lord for your protection!
we were off... early enough to just stay in jammies
seen on our drive among all the energy windmills in New Mexico
we knew we had made it when there were more ANIMALS in the room than people... LOVE YOU dad
straight to the trampoline...
mind you... this is a trampoline WE had as kids... REALLY...
new springs & pads every so often... good as new
my sister had us over for dinner one night to her precious home in New Braunfels...
this is a peek of her new OUTDOOR shower... she's fun like that
just a cute llama i love... in my sister's home
doors to her barn... workshop... awesome space
just what you FEEL in her home... LOVE & PEACE
my dad... laughing his head off... soooo funny
nonny (my step-mom) with the grandkids
sweet & silly cousins
we didn't want to say goodbye
next... Kerrville... granmama & granpapa's home (my mama & step-dad)
cheers
oh YES... Flying Saucer Pie Company... THANK YOU Billy for waiting in the LONG line
the cherry was THE BEST EVER
thank you Lord for cooks who know what they're doing...
ALL the food was INCREDIBLE... i should have had a SECOND helping... oh wait i DID :)
some of the colorful goodness
my VERY neat cousin Pam
i don't know WHO they are... :)
my cute aunt Suzi... my ultra-talented uncle Hut... my flipping awesome cousin Libbye
40 people in all... FAMILY... loved ones... gathered at my mom's home
the chairs were set...
oh YES... some turkeys played musical chairs... hokey pokey too
THANK YOU Tio for ALL the fun... you're THE best...
Melinda & her sassy fishnets
true HAPPINESS
she got a chair
LOADS of hugs for granmama's pockets...
she "stores" them up to pull them out later when we're gone
aunt Julie (my sister) & Riley
the day was BEAUTIFUL...
take off your shoes kind & REALLY enjoy...
football on the GOLF course
could he be ANY cuter...
my cousin's little boy... ALWAYS has a smile on his face... ALWAYS
i'll race you...
gotta love it... no dress by this point
my FAVORITE uncle again... HUT
LOVED this... i think he was watching the Dog Whisperer... gotta love that Cesar
Gretel even got sugar... my sis again... is she not SO pretty
we ALL had moments of plain silliness
campbell's art AND my thoughts EXACTLY...
we miss you ALL already!
It went by in a FLASH... just too fast!
Once on the road & heading back my heart always seems to sink a bit...
i can FEEL us leaving all the LOVE...
FAMILY behind!
I am SO thankful for the time we share...
i just don't want it to end!
i stored up some of the goodness in my pockets though...
plan on pulling it out here & there...
to remind me of ALL we have to be thankful!
I sure hope YOUR week was special too...
we was SO close to SO many of you on our trip...
sure thought about you ALL a ton & and am so VERY thankful for your friendship!
26 comments:
where is your sisters blog:)?
i love an outdoor shower!
and that is one good lookin family you got there....this post must have taken you FOREVER. i can see why you miss them so.
I really appreciated reading this. I have lived in Texas for almost 11 years now and still feel like I am "adjusting" to it. I grew up in Alaska and Washington state and when we are driving back from visiting in the northwest (we have done this drive 4 times now with our little ones) I get the same feeling as I see those evergreen trees disapering in my rear view mirror and my heart sinks a little when we cross that Texas state line and make the VERY long drive down I 10 into south Texas. For you, it is a home coming and you feel the same way in Texas that I do in Washington. It helps me to hear your perspective on this, my adopted home of Texas, thanks.
P.S. Wanna trade, I'll give you Texas, you give me Colorado!?
so many wonderful photos.
The girls did well for that drive.
I would have no clue what to do with an outdorr shoer. hahaha
Your dad needs me to hug him :)
I love all those pics. You were always a great photog - but you are really getting awesome - like super talented at photography!
Your family is soo beautiful and I bet they are nearly as sweet as you are!
Glad you had a wonderful time and glad you made it to CO safely!
could you fill me in on what camera you use again? I always wonder about these things. when I have kids I am def. going to buy a nice camera!
such beauty in ALL the photos. how special for you. i strive to be like you carissa. capturing the moments - all of them - i need to carry my camera with me more and just take a minute, once in a while.....you inspire me. thank you.
I was completely absorbed by your pictures. Was just checking in for a second and down I sat .... the house work can wait. What a beautiful family you have. your words to your family are beautiful, have a lovely day... I love great memories. We keep them in our pocket for days when you have to get your stuff done and it makes the work so much better.
xo,
LuLu
YOu can truly feel the love and happiness in your photos - love it. Thanks for sharing and so glad you all had such a fabulous time!
Wow! What a great celebration! Thanks for sharing.
Yep...you were THIS close to us...but family is what it's all about. What a tremendous blessing that you have SO many to love and to love you back.
You are SUCH a good photographer!
this was AN aMazing post!! Your family is beautiful, you can see they're love in every smile, every glimmer in their eyes...
We MISSED you, I missed you and am so grateful for you!! WelCoMe HoMe!!
The pictures are amazing too...
lOve and BiG hUgS too YoU!!!
Ooooh what great photos Carissa! Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip with us. Makes me miss my (so far away) family all the more:) xoxox...jenn
you always document everything so beautifully! love the details you capture in your pictures : ) you can just see the love in your family
Amazing photographs capturing beautiful moments.
CARISSA!!! these pics are AMAZING!! I am SO IMPRESSED! INSPIRED! LOVED how each one told a story...kudos, kudos, kudos.
Carissa i loved seeing all the family. miss you so much and julie! can't wait to see you can you believe in 1 month!! love ya
Oh that was a great visit with your wonderful family. How neat!! Julie's hair has gotten so long. Libby looks great too!! Everyone looks awesome!! What a beautiful family!! Love the new header... ~Jill :)
what a beautiful family :) don't you just love the holidays? (except the icy roads part-I've totally been there, but praying helps!)
i feel like i was there with you all week! you are an awesome storyteller w/your pics! i learned so much about you...especially that you REALLY were that close to us! next time!!!!
so glad you got to see them all & they got to enjoy your beautiful girls!! are they all driving to see you at christmas??? all is fair...
So many beautiful people in that family of yours Carissa.....that post made me all cozy...thanks for sharing !!
All these pictures are sooooooo GREAT.......I could say something about each one of them but that would take up to much space so I will just say......YOU are a talented women and your family looks like a great one to be a part of!
I meant to say woman......
What amazing pictures!
So glad you had a great time!
these pictures are so great! i knew before i even saw that you must have a fabulous family! so much fun.
great pictures!!!!
Wow! It looks like you had a great time and have a great family!
Happy (late) turkey day!
Jen
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