Texas

So we are back in Boise and freezing our butts off. We really enjoyed our time in Texas and are already planning our next trip since we didn't get enough of the warm weather, sights and of course...the Bolanders.
The trip start with a new experience for both Mike and I. We both flew for the first time. I found that I am easily put to sleep by riding in a plane. Mike realized he really didn't need the Dramamine. It was an experience and nothing too exciting happened with that but it is something we can now say that we have done.
We arrived in Texas Tuesday night around 10 pm (Dec 30th). Cory picked us up and we went to the house and then they were wonderful enough to let us use their car to commute between their place and the hotel. We said hi to Terrie and then went back to the hotel. The plan was to come over in the morning, maybe call the kids from the cell while in the driveway and surprise them by showing up at the door while on the phone with them. Well, we pulled up Wednesday morning and all was going well til we realized one of the kids was outside in the vacant house next doors yard. It was Drake and he saw us pull up. We were able to quiet him before he let the cat out of the bag. We had him go inside and tell the kids he found something cool and he brought them all to see us. YEAH! It was a lot of fun.
That night we were able to go to Fiesta Texas (Six Flags) and rode the few rides that were open. It was fun. Unfortunately, the cold I thought I had gotten rid of started coming back and I had an awful sore throat so we called it an early night on New Years. I did wake up at midnight for a moment to text those in the mountain time zone and tell them how last year they were.
I didn't sleep well that night so Thursday we just hung out at the house. (Part of the reason we didn't get to do everything we wanted to.)
Friday was my favorite day. We went to the Alamo, downtown, La Villita and Riverwalk. I have already written and posted about that.
Saturday we sweated the 80+ degree weather and super humid day out at the zoo. It wasn't too awful except when the wind stopped blowing. It was a lot of fun. While the zoo there doesn't have too many different animals it has a gorgeous setup and landscaping.
Sunday we went to church with the Bolanders and began packing. We did find time to go to the Japanese Tea (Sunken) Gardens. It was very pretty and I hope to be able to go there sometime warmer when EVERYTHING is in bloom.
Monday came all too soon and we headed home. We hope that next time we can stay for a longer period of time and really get to spend time in some of the same places and a few we didn't get to. We touched down in Boise to a lot of snow and cold weather. Missing the sun and can't wait for spring. If it wasn't that I love Idaho I would be already looking for a job in a warmer climate.