San Antonio

We had a great long weekend in San Antonio is this weekend. Leland had a journalism convention to attend so we tagged along. We traveled down Friday evening after school. Had Cracker Barrel in Waco for supper. Arrived at the hotel at around 10. A long but good evening.

Saturday we rose to head to Sea World. The kids were super excited. It was beautiful weather for Sea World. We had a small frustration with the all day eating wristbands we had prepaid for, but once that was fixed, the day was great. We saw all the shows and looks at all the animal exhibits. We had intended to stay for the trick or treating, but the crowds were much larger than we had anticipated, so we talked the kids out of it. A great day for sure.

We enjoyed the alligators. They looked so fake just laying around.

This bird was ready for Reese to feed him.

Before the dolphin show. Reese isn't fond of pictures, so we had to force her to look at the camera.

While waiting on the show to begin, Reese fell off the bench and hit her head VERY hard on the bench in front of us. The entire place looked to see if she was ok. It was a nasty goose egg immediately. It's looking better now.

They loved the show.

Ry & Ray loved the penguins. They stayed for a long time.

Shamu!

Waiting on the sea lion show.

Funny girls.

Sea lion & walrus show.

This sea lion hung around probably wanting food. It looked like he was visiting with Ryland.

Checking out the Clydesdale's.

Sunday Leland went to the convention for most of the day. We hung out at the hotel during the morning and then began our adventures. The kids and I went to the children's museum first. They loved it. It was a great museum with lots of different stations. They were sad when it was time to leave.

Raylee "driving" the train.

Ryland "driving" the train.

Reese "driving" the train.

Making a giant bubble all around him.

Raylee trying.

Creating a path in the water station.

Going excavating.

Milking a cow.

Playing on the pin board.

Seeing how a stationary bike works.

Their favorite station was the ball area.

Raylee loved having the balls fall on her.

Shopping in the HEB area.

Doing a craft.

The aquifer area. Ryland is starting the rain and thunder while the girls slide down the slide showing where the water goes.

Sitting in the "sitting room."

"Flying" the plane.

Captain Ryland.

Ryland & I built the arch. We were impressed it worked.

Reese enjoyed the aquarium.

When we were finished at the children's museum, Leland joined us and we headed to the Buckhorn/Texas Ranger Museum. It was a little pricey, but worth it. We learned a lot about the Texas Rangers and saw lots of their history. The Buckhorn section had LOTS of animal mounts. They were divided into sections by continent. Ryland really enjoyed seeing what animals belongs on each continent. There were also a small history of Texas area that was very informative. A great museum for sure.

In jail in the Ranger city.

Sitting at the bar in the saloon.

Checking out the longhorn in the Texas area.

Looking the large animal heads.

A large moose in the Alaska section.

After the Buckhorn museum, we headed to the riverwalk to eat at the Rainforest Cafe. The kids enjoyed eating there of course. We then walked up to the Alamo area. Leland, Ryland and Raylee went through the mirror maze and then we headed to the car. It was a wonderful evening out.

We stopped to take pics by the water at the Hyatt. Reese surprisingly decided to cooperate and smile and pose. We snapped lots of pictures since that doesn't happen often.

Today we slept in and began driving. We stopped in San Marcos to eat lunch with one of Leland's former students from Big Spring. We finally got home at around 5. Such a great mini-vacation for our family. Now back to work tomorrow.