The Louis Family Visit

Last weekend we were thrilled to have the Louis' come and visit us- our first official weekend house guests!  They arrived late Friday afternoon so the kids had plenty of time to play and get adjusted before heading to bed.  Henry and Margaret were planning to sleep on a pallet, but when Brinley got wind of this, she wanted to do the same.  So, we took a chance, gave stern warnings, and let all the big kids sleep in Brinley's room together. 

We jammied, brushed and read some books, then they went to bed and did amazing!  They slept together all weekend, naps and nighttimes, and were perfect.  Brinley ended up sleeping later than she has in a long time- I'm telling you, those Louis kids have magical sleeping powers!

Saturday morning we were up bright and early to show them the sights of Abilene.  First stop was AM Donuts, which I didn't get a picture of because I was too much in awe of their still warm and straight from the fryer donuts and fresh baked cinnamon rolls.  This pregnant girl's heart still skips a beat when I think of them!  After we filled our bellies, we headed "downtown" to a little park.

There isn't much to this park except a few statues but I thought Rebekah would enjoy seeing this statue from the book "Santa Calls" by William Joyce because he is a Shreveport native.  I envisioned adorable pictures of the kids- and we got a few, but Margaret and Brinley each took a turn being uncooperative.

The pointing pic- 

A good group shot!

And Brin's turn to buck the group shot

 

She did not want to pose for pictures on statues, she wanted to jump off of them!

After the park, we headed to the NCCIL- National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature.  It is a small museum that features an author and their artwork.  Right now they were featuring Dr. Seuss and The Lorax.  Here is a rare moment of stillness when Rocky was reading a little of the Lorax to the kids, but it didn't last too long.  Who wants to sit and read when there's a big room to run around in?

Brin hung in a little longer since it was a story she knew and her daddy reading it- but needless to say, Rocky was left alone after about page 6.

 

The kids took about 5 minutes browsing the artwork then they enjoyed the kids reading area and each snagging a new book from the gift shop. 

After the museum, the Daddies snuck away for some golf and we Mommies took the kids to another Abilene attraction- Prairie Dog park.  It's really called Redbud park, but they have a walled in prairie dog habitat where you can watch and feed the prairie dogs.  Riveting I tell ya!

We took a little time to play (and I took a lot of time looking incredibly pregnant) on the swings, then we headed home for lunch and naps.

Unfortunately, that is where the photo taking ends!  We got a babysitter that night and took Tom and Rebekah out for steaks at a local landmark- Perini Ranch Steakhouse.  If you are coming to West Texas, you gotta have steaks, and Perinis are hands down the best! 

We enjoyed the food and adult conversation, then headed home and wrapped up our evening on the couch.  Then it was time for them to go home on Sunday after breakfast. It was an amazing 3 days and we feel so special that our precious friends would travel all this way to come see us and spend the weekend.  We had so much fun and cannot wait for them to come back soon.  We love you Louis family!!!