We made the trip in two days on the way out (leaving Thursday around 4pm), because Connor fell asleep at 7:15pm, which we had hoped, because that's when he goes to bed, but then he woke back up at 9:20, which we weren't expecting. Jeff and I were feeling good so we kept driving, the whole time expecting Connor to eventually fall back asleep, but he didn't. So at around midnight, we stopped at a hotel in the nearest big town (Norman, Oklahoma) and put Connor to bed. Unfortunately, he was totally confused about what time it was, because when we got him in the room, he was crawling around and giggling, like he thought he had just taken a nap and it was play time. Oh boy. Then when we put him to bed, he was really confused and screamed bloody murder for 10 minutes straight. It was soooo hard not to go to him, since I haven't let him cry it out in months and he was mere feet from where we were sleeping, but I knew it was for the best. Eventually he settled down and slept until 8am the next morning, but it was pretty rough for all of us.
We only had two more hours to go, so we made it to Grandma Margie's home by lunch time, although Connor was not too excited to get back in the car. We tried to put Connor down for a nap after lunch, but he just wasn't ready to settle down, so we let him power through. By dinner time he was losing it, but he made it to bed OK. Again that night he cried for a while, but we kind of assumed some of that was the fact that he still wasn't totally right from the day before, and he was getting ANOTHER molar. This time, it's on the top. Those molars are nasty teeth for Connor.
By Saturday though, Connor was back on track and he took a great nap Saturday afternoon and fell asleep much better Saturday night. Of course both nights we had to wake him up, put him in the car seat, drive 30 minutes to our hotel, take him out of the car seat, walk through a bright hotel, up an elevator, set the pack and play back up, and put him to bed. Some nights he was better at this than others, but we managed.
It was great catching up with Jeff's Dad's side of the family. At Margie's house were Jeff's cousin Kelly and her two daughters Camille (8) and Lauren (6) who came in from Columbus, OH, Jeff's cousin Cinde who came in from San Francisco, CA, Jeff's Aunt Vickie who came in from Phoenix, AZ, and Jeff's parents and sister. Kelly's girls have gotten so big. It's amazing how they grow from year to year. They are really sweet.
Both days we basically did whatever we could to have fun, but not overheat. It was in the upper 90's both days and there is unfortunately not much shade on her property. Jeff and I did bring our awning and a baby pool and those were both a big hit. As you'll see from the pictures, the girls found turtles, so we had turtle races. We also got to ride Smokey the horse. Alot of the time though, we sat on a picnic blanket or inside with some toys for Connor and watched him play. We also watched the dogs run around and sometimes chase the barn cat.
Stacey, was nice enough to drive both her dog and our dog to Oklahoma, so they could get a chance to run free for a change. It seemed like both dogs really took to farm life. They never got too far from any of us, but ran free and enjoyed it. It was nice to see Maizey in her doggy element and luckily she really likes Stacey's dog Max, so they made a great team.
We grilled a yummy meal at home Friday, but we went out to dinner Saturday night. It was this really homey steak place and we had a room all to ourselves. Connor did just fine. On Saturday night we also lit some fireworks.
Sunday, we headed back up to Margie's place for a few hours and then after lunch we started our trek back to Sugar Land. We were hopeful we could make it in just one day this time and luckily Connor cooperated on that front, so by 11pm Sunday night, we were home safe and sound. What a great trip!
A picture of Connor at the beginning of our trip.
We stopped at this place called Woody's Smokehouse on the way up Thursday night for dinner. Connor wasn't a huge fan of the barbeque, but he ate the other stuff we packed in the cooler. Can you see the sign in the back that says "Jerky Capital of the World." How cool.
We couldn't resist buying Connor this miniature cowboy hat and then pose him with this gun shaped grill. Only in Texas.
Cowboy Connor.
Cruising along the table at the Hampton Inn before starting our second day of travel. We tried to get him moving a lot so he wouldn't hate being put back in the car. It kind of worked.
Not a happy camper being back in the car seat.
Yay, we made it. Jeff is pulling down Margie's driveway.
Grandma Margie meeting Connor for the first time.
Setting up our awning and the picnic blanket, which would be our home base.
Maizey and this cat had a very rough relationship. Sometimes Maizey would just pass her by, but other times, she would get Stacey's dog Max to corner it and they would fight. The cat always made it out alive and she kept coming back for more, so we figured she had it coming. It was kind of funny most of the time.
Connor and Gigi playing.
Lauren, Stacey, Connor, and Gigi playing.
Jeff sitting with Max and Maizey, our loyal farm dogs.
Practicing some walking inside with Pagger Don.
Jeff grilling some fabulous pork tenderloin and chicken legs Friday night. Oh and Aunt Vickie is in the front of this picture too.
Farm dog Maizey enjoying her freedom.
The dogs chased the cat up into the car's wheel well.
The moon was gorgeous on the farm. You can see the cows in the distance too.
We hung out on the porch for a while, but we had to move our chairs into the yard eventually, because we were all getting scared of the monster spiders we could see building webs over our heads. Ugh, I have never seen so many spiders and bugs in my life. I guess that's country life for you. It was still fun though.
Connor chowed down each morning at the good breakfast buffet at the hotel.
On Saturday, we stuck Connor's hat back on. I think he was impressing his second cousins Lauren (6) and Camille (8) and their Mom, Kelly.
Cruising all over the living room in his cowboy hat.
A close up of Mr. Chunky Cowboy.
Gigi and Connor watching people ride Smokey the horse. I think she's giving him pointers before it was his turn.
Connor and Pagger Don on Smokey. He seemed to enjoy it.
Yeeeehawww!
They came up near the porch so we could all get a closer look.
Connor got a kick out of touching the cat. I am not sure if the cat felt the same way.
Rehydrating on the porch. It sure was hot.
For Father's Day, I got Jeff a Papa Bear shirt and Connor a Baby Bear shirt. They wore them on Saturday and before Connor's nap they were playing together on the bed, so I took some pics.
Connor loved Great Grandma Margie's bed. Every time he'd get on it, he'd start crawling around and giggling.
Lauren, Aunt Cinde, and Camille showing off their turtles before the turtle race.
And their off. Lauren's turtle was speedy and ran right off. Poor Camille's turtle was kind of scared and stayed in his shell. We got him out, but Lauren's was still much faster.
Camille's finally came out of it's shell, but Lauren's turtle was way ahead.
And we have a winner.
Our set up, complete with a baby pool, that Jeff and I also enjoyed.
Dinner Saturday night was at this place called the Rusty Barrell Supper Club. At the main entrance there was a bell you had to ring. I guess this was a prohibition place back in the day.
Connor made the rounds to everybody before dinner at the Rusty Barrell.
We even got to see Robbyn's sister Shelley and her husband Mike, who were in town for the day. The last time we saw them was at Christmas.
Connor hanging out with Great Grandma Margie on Sunday morning. He looks so big sitting on her. Ha!
After a diaper change, Connor got to play around pantless, so everyone could experience his thunder thighs. They are quite a sight.
We tried to get a picture of 4 generations of Treadways, but Connor just wanted to move or put his hands in his mouth.
We put him down and he was better, but Margie didn't look. Oh well. You get the idea. It's still pretty cool.
We stopped for dinner Sunday night and Connor got to play around his first McDonald's Playplace. There were three little girls playing on it, and he found them very fascinating.
He fell asleep around 8pm and stayed alseep the rest of the trip home. Thank goodness. Thanks for being a good little traveler buddy. He sure is happy to be back in his own bed though, let me tell you.
Connor riding Smokey the horse.
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