We set off on our wedding adventure to Texas on Tuesday morning. Our plane was delayed for five hours which was good and bad. Good because at least the airline called us hours before so we could plan. Bad because we got to Texas late and got a late start on seeing people and going sneaker shopping (priorities). I should note that this was also the final journey for my backpack that I've had since high school. It still has my initials with my maiden name. My new bag was waiting for me in Texas. I chose not to have my married initials embroidered. Let's say that my old initials are ASP and my married last name begins with an S. That's not a good situation for things with initials. Goodbye backpack. You've had a great life.
The trip. Okay, while I love ElAl because they are the national airline, and the food is kosher, I was not a fan of the ancient plane we took. Suffice it to say that you know your airplane is past it's prime when the armrests have ashtrays in them. My kids have never seen such a thing. We eventually made it to Boston and then Dallas to see cousins.
We arrive safely in Boston and then take a comparatively luxurious plane to Dallas. Land in Dallas, all is well, minus one suitcase. (not mine, but hubby's, phew). Anyway, since we were delayed, we decided to meet our cousins at the restaurant instead of their house. The adults had fun, half of the kids were basically asleep on the table. We spent a fun night at our cousin's house in Dallas, our kids and their kids got to spend some time together, my kids' dream of rice krispies was realized, and all was well. It was a short but nice visit.
Now we had the prospect of driving from Dallas to Austin. After a fairly quick stop at the airport to pick up our missing bag, we were off. Okay, I admit that while living in the USA, I was a slight HGTV fan. I didn't have a problem, really. I could have stopped anytime I wanted.
One of the HGTV shows has a shop on the way from Dallas to Austin. It's a shop where they sell their housewares that are featured on the show. So of course, I planned that into our trip. We basically jumped out of the car, walked around the outdoor area that we've seen on the show, snapped a few pics and hopped back in the car. Dreams are easily fulfilled in this family!
Eventually, we made it to Austin, tired but in one piece. One supermarket trip later, one surprise visit from uncle Jon in the supermarket and all was good. Checked into our airbnb and got some sleep.
Thursday : we go shoes shopping for my still shoeless girls. After I faint from the price of Italian sandals, which shockingly we didn't purchase, we go to this neat looking toy shop next door. We are all wandering around and having fun. It's one of those shops that has so many interesting and random toys. So as I'm walking by the register, I hear one of the cashiers say to a customer, "A square is a rectangle, but a rectangle is not a square." This freaked me out because my littlest child, Aka Mr. Wizard, says this all of the time. So about 20 minutes later, we are ready to pay and I ask the cashier if he is the one that said that (there were several people working) and he says yes. I told him that my son (points to son) says that all of the time. And then, as though scripted, both the cashier and my son turn to me and say, "well, it's true." OMG, it was like seeing the future. I can totally see my kid working in a funky store like this just for fun, as a side job from whatever scientist he becomes.
Friday we finally get to see my sister and her kids. All of the girls had our nails done and then Starbucks! That's a good start to any day. Than mall trip success to find shoes! We finished Friday off with a great shabbat dinner with everyone!
Shabbat day was relaxing since we were alone, but then the kids were bored. Luckily my sister and her kids stopped over for lunch and cousin shenanigans. Fast forward to after shabbat, we had a mad rush to get ready and arrive at the wedding. We made it! I've learned over the years how to get a biggish family ready in a very short period of time.
The wedding itself was beautiful. My baby brother is married. Eek!!! I'll have pictures once they get them from the photographer. I didn't even bring my phone to the wedding to take pictures. I needed my hands free to drink margaritas. Priorities!!! The big wedding party finale was awesome. We all lined up to form a path outside and we had these enormous sparklers that were lit, that the bride and groom walked through. Super cool ending!
Okay, another fast forward. Great Sunday brunch, more hanging out, shopping, hair cuts, cousin and family time, more eating, first time for root beer floats, bat bridge, etc.... Loads of fun for all!
The rest of the family left on Monday and we came home on Tuesday (well, we didn't arrive home until Wednesday). That's right. Home. Because that's what Israel is. As fun as it was to see everyone and to celebrate as a family, Israel is our home now.
Some pictures from a mini reunion at JFK Airport with one side of the family. Good thing we had a long layover. They brought us delicious pizza and treats and it was loads of fun seeing everyone.
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