s'mores and family pics {san antonio}

The resort had a nightly s'mores activity from 6-8pm. One evening, we finished dinner quickly and high-tailed it over to make our own s'mores at the fire pits!

 s'mores with the golf course in the background

 all the cousins! G and C with Olive and Isla

 then we decided to snap a few family pics on the golf course while the sun was setting

 #troublerighthere

 David, Dad, and Brett

#twinning

 me, Aunt Laura, Kristen, Claire, Mom

the original Buchanan five :)

schlitterbahn {new braunfels}

During our San Antonio trip, we took one day and ventured over to the original Schlitterbahn. It is in New Braunfels, TX which was about a 30 min drive from our resort. 

Schlitterbahn is divided up into two different parks -- the West and East sides -- which are connected via trams. The West side is the original park, with mostly tube rides, and is fed by the Comal River. The water felt at least 15 degrees colder there! It was chilly and refreshing on our 100 degree day. The East side is the newer side, and is full of chlorinated water. ;) It is home to the Master Blaster, an enormous water coaster that has been ranked as the "best waterpark ride in the USA" for several years running.

 standing towards the front of the east side, the Master Blaster is directly behind the boys, along with the Black Knight

 on the west side -- a tube ride is right behind the boys

 (not a huge fan of wet selfies, but we have to document that we were there, right?!?)

 Grayson speeding down a slide!

 at the bottom -- so fun!!

 G shooting off a water cannon

 we closed the place down! we were there from 10a-8p!! the next day, Jerry and I both said that we were sore... :)

also, the amazing Torrent River circles around the big slides -- think lazy river with rapids and waves -- we all loved it!

 the original Schlitterbahn is one year younger than me ;)

 the boys loved this treehouse with cannons and slides!

Grayson and Carter zipping down the slides!

hill country water fun!! {san antonio}

During the first week of August, my entire extended family (all 13!) met up at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort outside of San Antonio for several days. The resort is known for being in the hill country, but also for its pools, waterslides, and lazy river!

 Every morning, our family of four had breakfast on our balcony. I brought granola bars, cereal, milk, and fruit...

 The boys on the balcony, and {below} was the view we got to see every morning!

 Now, on to the slides!! Here's the fam headed down...

 Jerry

 G & C

 they loved it ;)

 me

 Grayson, Olive, Carter in one of the pools

 Aunt Laura

 Mom

 Grayson and Uncle Brentley in the lazy river

Carter, Uncle Dave, Aunt Claire, me all in the lazy river

chip, joanna, and the bears

We drove to Waco, TX last Saturday as the first leg of our trip down to San Antonio. This past year, we have become big fans of the show "Fixer Upper" and the couple who stars in the show, Chip and Joanna Gaines.

 Cue... "Look how STRONG he is!!"

So our first stop in Waco was at the now-famous Magnolia Market. It was so fun to see, even though it was super-crowded. They are planning to move the store and their offices to the silos in Waco in just a few weeks.

 myself, AL, and Mom at Magnolia -- we kept hoping we would see a glimpse of Chip or Jojo, but no such luck ;)

 After a yummy dinner at a great BBQ place called Viteks, we set out to find the official Baylor Bears. They are sisters, and they live right on campus!

 AL with a bear

 we've got to show Baylor Nation the REAL team here -- Rock Chalk, baby!! :)

chicago with nana and gramps

Nana and Gramps have started a tradition with the grandkids that when they turn 10, they get to go on a special trip together. Grayson had never been to Chicago, and that is where Gramps grew up, so they decided it would be a great long weekend for the three of them!

I asked Grayson to pick out his favorite pictures for the blog... :)

 Grayson and Nana at "The Bean" in Centennial Park

 Grayson and Gramps on a boat tour of all the locks close to downtown Chicago

 enjoying a sliced beef sandwich

 All three had lots of fun at the Museum of Science and Industry!!

 and later that evening, they attended a White Sox vs KC Royals game at Comiskey Park

 Grayson laying on the Sky Deck at the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower :)

 they took an EXTREME boat ride on the "Sea Dog" where they all got soaked, but loved it!!

 On Sunday morning, they visited the Shedd Aquarium and had a special shark feeding time. So cool!

 And while they flew from Wichita to Chicago, they took the TRAIN home! Gramps used to work on the train while he was in college, and was pumped!

 Gramps had one sleeper car, and Grayson and Nana shared one! What a fun, action-packed weekend together! Grayson had an AMAZING time!

Thanks so much, Nana and Gramps! :)