Our Spontaneous Vacation
As we were sitting around the table eating lunch one day, trying to figure out how our schedule could accommodate a vacation, we came to the realization that it would have to be now or never. Literally! We finished lunch and went to packing. By dinner time we were on the road headed to Texas. Ryan has two sisters living there and we thought we could surprise them.
Our adventures along the way:
Mel & the boys at the state Line.
Ryan & the boys at the state line.
We watched an incredible lightning storm during our night drive through Texas.
Preston & Parker were excited to see an intersection in Texas, where both streets carried their names.
We spent a lot of time on the road and the boys were in urgent need of a bathroom break.
No Bathroom, No Problem! We're in the middle of nowhere, just go fellas!
But why is dad getting out? Oh no, he's got a camera!
Like always, Mom's behind the wheel. She gets carsick when Daddy drives.
We spent so much time in the car, the boys were getting stir crazy!
First stop: Austin, TX - To visit the Estradas
We drove to Austin first to visit John & Angela Estrada. We had fun swimming in their pool and playing with cousins. Their son Austin is an incredible swimmer. We enjoyed watching his swim meet. We also went to San Antonio and visited the Alamo and the River walk. The boys enjoyed the boat ride on the river. While we were there at the river walk mall, we enjoyed an Imax show with them as well. Before we left town, we found a river with a smooth rock bottom to play in. We enjoyed sharing father’s day with the Estradas.
Preston swimming under water in the Estrada's Pool.
Parker swimming under water in the Estrada's Pool.
Austin, Preston & Parker watching a movie together at the Estrada's house.
All the boys climbing on the toys at the park in Lakeway, TX.
Preston & Parker with cousin Austin after his swim meet. He won! Congratulations Austin.
The whole family worked together to make us a great father's day breakfast. Thanks gang!
We found an incredible swimming spot in Austin. This river had a smooth limestone bottom that kept the water clear. In some areas it got deep to form swimming holes. Preston jumped over a 10' waterfall to a deep pool below. We all had fun playing & swimming for hours.
Our day trip to San Antonio:
Our family in front of the Alamo.
Melanie & the boys at the Alamo.
Preston got a whistle and a stern look from security for sitting on the chains in line. He has such sensitive feelings, he took it very hard. He'll remember the Alamo for certain.
Preston & Parker on the tour boat at the San Antonio River Walk.
Stop 2: Roanoke, TX - To visit the Luna-Llanes Family
After we left Austin we headed north to Roanoke. It’s a nice little suburb of Fort Worth. We rolled in late to Emily and Roberto’s house and went right to bed so we could start early. All of Emily’s kids were surprised to awake to a house full of relatives. We all decided to head north to Oklahoma and spend the day swimming at Turner Falls. The water was perfect and we spent the day swimming, diving, sliding, catching crawdads and splashing Mama. All the cousins enjoyed hanging out together.
Turner Falls - Oklahoma
Dad convinced Preston that the crawdad was harmless so he would hold it, then gave him a little scare from behind.
Parker didn't mind holding the crawdad. (After he saw big brother do it)
Melanie was suited up and ready to swim but felt the water was a bit too chilly for her taste. She spent the day on shore chatting with Emily. She and Emily get along swimmingly.
Here's some fat guy going down the slide at Turner Falls. Oh wait, that's daddy!
On day two of our North Texas trip we went to Woodbine to visit where Daddy grew up. The place hasn’t changed much. Ryan was eager to show the boys around the woods he played in as a boy but after a few minutes of being eaten alive by bugs we decided to see the abridged version. We headed back to Emily's house to find something else to do. We found a Cabelas and we all spent some time walking through it together. We said our goodbyes to the Luna-Llanes family and headed out to get started on the road home.We drove through Gainesville and saw the zoo and park that Ryan remembered as a child. The boys enjoyed the fancy new play area the park recently installed.
Woodbine, TX
Our family in front of the house that Ryan grew up in.
Daddy had told the boys about peeing through the lattice onto the bushes beside the porch.
They had to give it a try.
This is the play equipment that Ryan's dad built (grandpa Jack) for them as kids. Now years later, our boys are swinging on it too.
Cabelas with the Cousins
All the cousins had fun looking at all the animal mounts at Cabelas in Ft. Worth, TX.
They all tested their aim at the shooting gallery in Cabelas.
At the Gainesville Park
We stopped by the park in Gainesville where Ryan came as a child.
Ryan & Melanie got in on the action at the Park.
Preston & Parker enjoying the new play equipment at the Gainesville Park.
Our journey home
On our travel home we stopped at Mount Capulin Volcano in New Mexico and walked the entire rim of that. It was enjoyable and a welcome break from the car.
Mt. Capulin Volcano
Melanie & the boys atop Mt. Capulin volcano in Capulin, New Mexico.
Ryan and the boys found a cool spot in the shade to rest as we climbed to the top of Mt. Capulin.
Again we find the boys needing to go when there's no toilet in site. Good thing they're not bashful.
At Grandma Jan's
We also enjoyed stopping by Ryan’s Grandma Jan’s house for a brief visit. She is looking healthy but lonely. She does have two big dogs that keep her company. They were very friendly and the boys enjoyed playing with them.
Parker gets a little embarrassed when Great Grandma Jan's dog gives him the once over sniff.
Preston enjoyed petting and playing with the dogs.
Here's the whole gang with Grandma Jan at her house. Mel and I enjoyed seeing her and the boys enjoyed meeting her.
Headin' down the road to go find a nice stream to fish. 
We're heading to the stream to go fishin'.
Preston is quite the fisherman. He loves to catch fish, but he's patient through the slow times too. 
Parker loves fishing! He loves the outdoors and loves to hike these streams.
Daddy loves the beautiful scenery when we hike these little mountain streams. It's fun to catch fish but even more fun to soak up our surroundings.
Mom! Dad! Look! I got another one!
This is a great little fishing hole. Look Mom, we got another one. Is it a keeper Dad?
Oops, I dropped it. I'll get it. It's floppin' around here in the grass.
It's dirty but I got it. Slippery little sucker!
We had to pick up the pace a bit after that afternoon downpour. The boys are drenched from head to toe. 
This mountain stream has a few spots with tricky terrain, but for the most part, it's a nice little hike.
Another fish in hand. Preston just can't stop catching them. This one looks like a keeper.
They found a great little fishing hole here. Parker got another one! Every fish Parker catches he thinks it's a keeper. He only catches big ones!
The boys love it out here!
Preston sits on a rock relaxing in the sun while he fishes.
Daddy & the boys found a cave up in the side of this canyon wall. They had to climb up to explore it.
Parker's ready to eat them all right now. 
Melanie & Granddad Howie cross on a fallen log.
Daddy shootin' his .300 Win Mag! 
Momma shootin' her .270! She's pretty handy with her rifle.
Daddy gives him a quick lesson in safety.
He's still just a bit small for this gun, but he get's it under control.
Preston looks to see how he did while Parker gets set up for his shot.
Parker's ready, just pull the trigger.
Granddad Howie watches as Parker throws sticks into the fire.
Preston tries to warm up.
Melanie relaxes by the fire.
Ryan warms up by the fire swapping stories with the family.
The campfire is mesmerizing. 
The boys are out almost instantly after the long day.
A big buck, hiding in the trees.
A little buck not hiding at all. 
A little black bear hiding in the trees.
