Thankful for the Hardins

The kids playing a game together with Kate

Nerf gun wars

We left San Diego on a Friday night at 10:00pm PST.  Ashley had a birthday party for her friend that night, so we let her go while the rest of us prepped the minivan for our long awaited road trip.  After driving straight-through from San Diego to Austin, we were so thankful that we made it safely to Austin (albeit after a really long white-knuckle drive) to see the Hardin family before Thanksgiving.  We were bummed that we got in so late at midnight, but due to the traffic re-routes near the border checkpoint outside of El Paso, the weather conditions we endured in Arizona, New Mexico, and throughout I-10 in Texas of heavy winds, blinding rain, and winter weather of sleet/snow, Kevin and I were just relieved to make it there safely and questioned each other as to if we would ever do this again.  I'd say that currently the verdict is negative for one any time soon, but time may help us forget this less than fun drive.

Funny face pose
(left to right): Brandon, Alex, Conleigh, Ashley & Campbell

Peter and Kate had a party to attend on Saturday night that one of their friends from the neighborhood was throwing.  We planned to attend but those plans changed and after crashing on the beds Saturday night, we woke up rested and ready to spend some quality time with them.  It was going to be one of the best Sunday's ever!

The Hardin family watching
The Amazing Race Season 23

Our first stop was to Rudy's BBQ for brisket and good food.  Peter and Kate got the kids excited by letting them pick their own glass soda drinks from the iced stack and it was Fanta Orange soda pretty much for all of them.  The adults stuck with the meat and sides as our focus and then we all went bowling!  It was so much fun watching everyone and was a nice casual afternoon.  Kate wanted to make a quick stop after that and treated Conleigh, Campbell, Ashley and I to a special stop: the Goodwill Store.  At first Ashley was a little skeptical, but it didn't take long for her to join the ranks of having fun with Campbell as they scoped out items that had potential.  It was actually a good experience to learn about being more green while helping people, although all three girls thought that the store smelled funny.  Kate and I just laughed.

Brandon & Alex inside the K'nex Expanding Sphere

Campbell & Ashley with their Rainbow Loom craft

The kids then went back to the Hardin's house and continued to play out their little hearts while Peter whipped up dinner for us of Frito pie.  I was shocked that Kevin, Ashley and Brandon had not had this Texas tradition before, but it was good and everything was devoured quickly along with the cornbread.  We then followed it up with The Amazing Race (season 23) as both families were watching it.  After dessert, it was bedtime which took another 30 minutes to an hour to herd the kids.  The girls bunked together and the boys had their fun.  Conleigh was gracious to let Kevin and I borrow her bed which we were very thankful for.

Since Monday was a regular school day for Conleigh, Alex, and Campbell, we decided that if the weather cooperated, we would head out and start our trek up to Fort Worth to see Karri's side of the family.  None of us really wanted to leave as we LOVE being around the Hardins.  It's casual, the kids get along, and there are no expectations of perfection.  Just friends hanging out and enjoying each other's company and catching up.  We really wished that we lived closer to them, but I've learned to enjoy these times and hold onto them - that's what memories are for and makes them so special.