Fort Stockton, Texas

After South Padre, we back tracked to San Antonio for a night and then moved on to Fort Stockton, Texas for a night.

We arrived in Fort Stockton on Andrew's 8th birthday so we wanted to swing by a grocery to see if we could find a small cake so it was a proper birthday. We stopped at the local Wal Mart and as we walked through the doors, it was like walking back into the 1950's. This was no supercenter. LOL

This was old school Wal Mart with just a few grocery staples. We tried to pick up cereal but every box looked like it had been run over by the tow motor they unloaded it with. Needless to say, we didn't find a cake cake.

Andrew picked Pizza Hut for dinner and then we went home to bake some brownies while he opened his presents.

Andrew with some of his b-day presents.

South Padre Island, Texas

It isn't actually on our way going West but while we're here we thought South Padre Island, Texas seemed like a nice place to visit so that's where we went next.

It's been a little cloudy and very windy but it is 75 plus degrees outside and it feels wonderful. (Whenever I get a little homesick, I think about the snow and the cold weather.)

We went horseback riding on the beach at the Island Equestrian Center. It was an amazing experience.

Andrew & Spanky, Kelly & Goldie, Tom & Larry, Kaitlyn & Skylar

Andrew has never ridden a horse before and he did great. Although he pretty much just held on for dear life while the guide led his horse for him. Once he figured out he wasn't going to fall off, he seemed to enjoy himself.

Andrew riding along on his horse, Spanky.

Thanks to Kaitlyn's lessons, she was right at home on her horse, Skylar.

Kaitlyn and Skylar.

30 horses on the beach is quite a sight.

We also visited a sea turtle rescue center called Sea Turtles Inc. It's amazing how many turtles they nurse back to health each year. Some are sick from pollution (eating plastic bags or oil spills), some are hit by boats or caught in fishing lines while others are attacked by sharks or other predators.

Each turtles' story is documented so you know where they were found, what they are being treated for and what their prognosis is. Some can be returned to the wild while others cannot be set free again and then they find them a home at an aquarium. Apparently, they just placed a turtle named Buddy at the Columbus Zoo.

One unique turtle living at the rescue center is missing all but one of her flippers so they came up with a prosthetic flipper. Click here to see a video of Allison swimming with her bionic flipper on YouTube.

Allison and her prosthetic flipper attached to her shell.

It would be really exciting to come back in the summer and help with the baby sea turtle release program when they take the hatchling turtles to the beach and watch them crawl to the ocean for the first time!

San Antonio, Texas

We spent the week of Christmas in San Antonio, Texas with Tom's Mom, Sue, and his Aunt and Uncle, Auntie and Graham. It was nice to be able to spend some time with family during the holidays.

We've visited San Antonio with the kids a few times now and our focus is always on the 3 F's - family, food and fun. Usually there is an "approved" list of restaurants we go to but this year we went off grid and tried a new one from Guy Fieri's show on the Food Network, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Guy recommended The Cove which, in addition to being a restaurant, is also a laundromat and a car wash. LOL

Needless to say, Sue was skeptical but she was a good sport and went along with it. Thank goodness the food was good so that made it alright.

Tom with his Mom, Sue, and Kaitlyn outside The Cove.

We also went to Mi Tierra's Restaurant and Bakery. They are always decorated for Christmas but to actually be there on Christmas Eve felt extra special. It's hard to capture it on film but the whole restaurant sparkles.

Some of the decor at Mi Tierra's



Just one little section of Mi Tierra's bakery full of Mexican pastries.



Kaitlyn and her Grandmother.

 On Christmas morning, the kids were relieved to see that Santa found them in the San Antonio. He brought their stockings to the RV and their presents to Grandma's house.

Kait and Andrew with their stockings on Christmas morning.

Santa delivered our presents to Grandma's house.

We opened our presents and enjoyed Christmas dinner with Grandma, Auntie and Graham.

The aftermath of the unwrapping frenzy.

Thankful that the kids didn't break any of the fine china.

Andrew and Auntie.

Andrew spent most of the day putting his Lego's together.

There is a lot to do in San Antonio like the Alamo, the River Walk, the zoo, and the Witte museum just to name a few. We've enjoyed these destinations in the past so it was nice just to hang out with family and enjoy our time together.

Highlands, TX

Our next stop actually led us to just outside of Houston in Highlands, TX. And although there were interesting things to do there, we didn't do a thing. We were bums so there's not much to report from Highlands, TX.

Except Tom's meltdown....which was so funny I have to tell you about it.

It all started when we were finding our way back to the campground after dinner and Texas' confusing highway system. In Tom's defense, we have traveled several hundred miles in the past month and Texas has these parallel road systems called "spurs" shooting off the main highway in several directions.

But after the third time he missed our exit, he got so mad. I tried not to laugh. Really. But eventually I couldn't help myself. And then, of course, the kids started to laugh too.

I'm not sure who was going to get left at the side of the road first, me or GPS Betty for giving Tom confusing directions or the kids for laughing at me laughing at Daddy.

It all worked out. We made it home to the RV and everyone had a good laugh. Even Tom, eventually.