we've been doing a fairly good job of keeping to our "travel more" goal recently. today we are packing our bags and heading back home to texas for a week. the excitement of seeing our friends and family who we haven't seen in the past six months is so much that it's hard to contain. we head to houston for a few days and then up to austin for ACL. i will admit, i'm a little nervous though... we are road tripping down there. traveling for thirteen hours in a car filled with six people can be maddening at times. we will also be hauling a little enclosed trailer behind us. aubrey bought a new motorcycle and we're picking it up on the way back. i am looking forward to arriving but also afraid of feeling homesick. i tend to get sentimental when returning to places i have lived before. i miss so many things, routines, people and places. there are memories and chapters of life that you are reminded of and it can become overwhelming. it will be a little emotional i'm sure, but also a lot of fun.
before we hit the road we are stocking the car with plenty of snacks, water, activities and books to read. we'll be loading the ipads with movies and kid friendly apps. we got the little kids some new comfy car seats as sailor had long outgrown his infant seat and birdie hated her last one. we're hoping for a smooth and comfortable ride. i see many rounds of "the quiet game" in our future. the winner gets a dollar bill.
p.s. if you have any trusty apps for kids to recommend, please send them our way. we are growing tired of peekaboo barn.
the photo above of birdie and i was taken last year, while we were in round top, tx.