Houston: Day 1

Today Jonas and I flew to Houston for the week! Yup...just me and an almost-eight-month old on a plane for 3 hours. Good thing Jonas is such an easy going baby! He loves being in new places with new people. He would be entertained forever if his environment was always changing. Actually, he would probably never sleep or eat because he'd be so busy taking it all in...so maybe we'll just stick with the routine most days. In any case, it is Spring Break in Arizona. I usually fly to Arizona during this week to visit with my parents. However, this year we all decided to make our way to Texas to visit my sister, Krystle, and her little family. So while I was flying for 3 hours, my parents, Nichole, and Kate had been driving for 16! I think I'll take my flight...even with a seven month old baby. We had an early flight. Jeff dropped us off and helped me check my bag and car seat. Then I was on my own. Jonas did such an amazing job! I think I've found my new traveling buddy.

Watching the planes on the tarmac

Waiting in the terminal

In our seat on the plane. We were lucky enough to have the row to ourselves.

He slept for only about a half hour...but something is something!

He loved looking out the window.

Once we landed, the party began! Nichole, Jordan, Nolan and Kate picked us up from the airport. First stop was Torchy's Tacos. Evidently, it is a pretty popular taco place. Mom had been before so they wanted to introduce the rest of us to the delectable cuisine. It was really good! (They use another word for "really".)

Mom, Jonas, Me and Dad

Krystle, Nolan, Jordan, Nichole, Camden and Kate

Yum! I got the green chile pork and the "democrat" taco. (Not kidding!)

Once we filled our bellies, we headed to the zoo to walk it all off. Houston is a pretty big city (the 4th largest in the nation!) and right in the middle of the medical district is a zoo. I have to admit it was a little strange to hear the life flight helicopters coming and going, but the zoo was really nice. It is not as big as other zoos I've been too, but it had all the animals so what more do you need? Jonas slept through half of it. The other half he seemed to enjoy, but I think he was looking more at the humans rather than the animals. Still, the orangutans did appear to catch his attention for a little while.

Kate can never pass up a chance to try to hold a chicken!

Jonas and Camden! Only three months apart. 

We spent a few hours wandering around the zoo before starting to make our way to Krystle's house in the Houston suburb of Cypress. But, prior to leaving the Houston area, we made one more stop at the water wall. I'm really not sure what it's called, but it's a giant monument-esque wall of water nestled in the heart of tall apartment buildings in a higher end shopping district. I'd seen Krystle take pictures of this wall, and I wanted to see it. It did not disappoint. It was so cool! It almost made you feel a little motion sick when you got close to it, but it was a pretty unique sight to behold. We snapped a few pictures then drove to Krystle's where we all crashed for the evening. It was a long day, but a good one. I love my family! I love spending time with them. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be with them...and even more grateful for Jeff, who helps make this happen every year.