Thanksgiving: Houston Style

We left for Houston on Tuesday night after Aaron's classes were over. Aaron hit traffic on the way home, I had yet to finish packing, there was an incident with a soda and the clothes Aaron was wearing, and it was late. We almost bagged our departure time since we were about 2 hours behind schedule, but, somehow, we got everything packed in the car and we left. It was late (that is the moon-great picture I know).

Despite our failures getting out the door when we wanted to, our late departure had some perks in that both kids fell asleep within an hour of us leaving. We only stopped once for a quick bathroom break and made really good time.

We arrived safely in Houston a little before midnight and said a few quick hellos, and goodnights.

The next morning we got down to business and introduced Blake and Christian to each other. They were ecstatic, can't you tell.

We had a full house. Stacey, our gracious host, has more patience than any person on the planet.

We dined at Lupe's

Using serious trickeration to get a table for 13 during the most crowded part of the day.

Then spent the rest of the evening playing outside.

 Brooklyn and Christian

This is Grace's version of riding a scooter.

 My kiddos love Uncle Cade

The babies were a big hit with the older kids.

 Brooklyn, Emma, Taylor, and Blake

 Christian, Brooklyn, Carly, and Taylor

We watched the parade, which is a personal favorite of mine. Did anyone see the cheerleader fall right at the beginning? Poor girl.

And of course we got down to business crafting a delicious feast

Cade smoked the turkey this year. Holy moly, I have never had a turkey that tasted so good.

Unfortunately all of the feasting pictures I took were from my sister's camera, so she'll have to share those (get on that Ash).

We spent Friday at a wildlife park, which also serves as a wildlife rescue center. There were deer that were just hanging out when you walked up.

Grace was definitely more afraid of the deer than the deer was afraid of her.

Team Havard ready to ride.

 Ryan and Christian

 Me and Ashby

 Grace, owning it.

These sheep have four horns. Two going up and two going down. It was so strange looking.

The animals knew what was up when we drove by and some ran alongside us knowing that buckets of food were involved.

There was an ostrich who was basically judo-chopping peoples buckets and food was flying everywhere. We all screamed like school children.

 Emma, Grace, Lily, Brooklyn, Landon, and Taylor

There was a "petting zoo" which was a bunch of goats and one absolutely massive pot-bellied pig.

 We had lots of fun, but were pretty tuckered out on the way home.

Saturday we packed up our bags and trekked back to Dallas hoping to fit as much as we could into four days before we left for our five week vacation to Utah.