With Spencer's job back, we were able to go on a much needed family vacation. We had planned on going to San Antonio and Sea World for Jake's 7th birthday but that didn't happen because he was "indefinitely suspended" a few days before his birthday.
But we took the kids out of school a few days and we made the drive up to San Antonio.
Our first visit was to the Alamo. It was great to see such an amazing place. Where such COURAGE took place.
I had to get a picture of the kids in front of the Alamo doors.
Jake thought the cannon was cool.
Our little man exploring and stretching his legs.
(Just ONE good group shot is all I ask for. There's always ONE pulling a face or not looking.)
After exploring the Alamo we headed down to the Riverwalk.
Emily wasn't happy about something...
There are actual trees growing out of buildings!! Isn't that cool??
The troops were on the lookout for ducks. There were plenty...
It truly was a happy day when Spencer was reinstated at HFD. It was an unfortunate event that is not yet over with our family. The Union lawyers are still fighting to get the three wrongly accused firemen the back pay. It's so hard to not be angry about what happened and the Mayor of Houston STILL not apologizing for her despicable actions. She is TERRIBLE!!! (That's the nicest I can be right now about that!!)
Anyways, Spencer had his rotation on the firetruck so we jumped at the opportunity to visit Dad at the fire station again. I got all the kids in their HDF shirts and Josh in his Halloween costume fire gear.
The kids loved getting to go into the firetruck and Dad backing it out a few feet. And they love the glove balloons. Kids are so easily amused. Most of the time. Josh talked about this visit for MONTHS about getting to ride in the firetruck. I think he enjoyed it the most!
Josh liked being the E.O. He had that at the Fire Museum too. It was almost a fight to get him out of the drivers seat. Control Freak. I can't imagine where he gets it!
One of the other firefighters plays the bagpipe and played us a song before we left. It was great! The kids were surprised at how LOUD it was. It made them laugh. I love hearing Pipes and Drums. It's guaranteed to make me cry.
I had to include this video of Seattle FD Pipes and Drums playing Amazing Grace.
Our home was built in 1984 and the previous owners took wonderful care of it even if we were able to get it as a HUD foreclosure last year. It was still empty for nearly 7 months. There's a lot of creatures that would love to make a home in it and 7 months is plenty of time to do it.
But there was a TON of things we needed to replace because it was taken either by the previous owners or realtors. Some of the things were really random: some doorknobs & drawer knobs, light fixtures, shower head & faucet, and of course ALL of the appliances.
We were able to do some of the work before we moved in but most of it has been a work in progress. It's been a bit slower than we thought with Spencer's loss of employment and business of four kids. We HAD to purchase appliances and missing fixtures. Spencer found matching doorknobs on clearance and over time drawer knobs too. We've done a lot of painting: kitchen, living room, family room, master bedroom, entry and bathrooms. I've finished painting the boys room and Emily's room. Avery's is next.
Just before Christmas Spencer had Joe put in a half wall at the stairs and tear out the wobbly banister. There was 1/4" of dust on the stairway light fixture! (No joke!! I actually took a picture of the dust layer!)
But the biggest so far has been the removal of the deck and spa. It was nice but we'd never use it and it took up a lot of space. I love having it gone! I'd love having grass there but with things moving the way they tend to do at the Allred home priorities have to be set straight and the backyard can fall pretty low on the list for a bit. But look at all Spencer did in ONE day!! (It was the day before we invited 12 kids to come over for an Easter egg hunt. In the back yard. With a big dirt pile. It was fun anyway!)
(Anyone need bricks? I don't understand the bricks under the deck! We've found pieces of tile and brick under over grown plants. WHO DOES THAT? And WHY? So when Spencer rebuilds the fence that Harley & the kids run past and it wobbles then we're planning on getting rid of the bricks and fence.)
One of our Easter family traditions is to have the Easter bunny visit Saturday. The Easter Bunny leaves baskets and we have our egg hunt which is always so much fun for the kids. It's wonderful to have Sunday to focus on the reason we celebrate Easter. Jesus Christ sacrificed His life for us and was crucified on Friday and three days later was Resurrected. He marked the path for us to follow so we too can be resurrected and have eternal life.
I love this video to remind us the true meaning of Easter
Here are a few of our pictures from our visit from the Easter Bunny:
Saturday morning Easter baskets
I love this picture of two brothers.
Josh was more interested in some breakfast until he saw the chocolate bunny.
That caught his interest.
Unfortunately Spencer had to work but we had such a wonderful time with family. We had an Easter lunch, got all 12 kids fed then let them loose for an egg hunt outside. I didn't get many pictures and those I DID get were NOT very good. Here are a few of the Big Hunt:
Jackson and Joseph looking for eggs but more interested in the big yellow slide.
Josh with his firetruck basket.
Emily hunting......
Cameron finding goodies.....
Brianna found a pack of gum! Yumm!
Zoe hunting....
Grandpa checking the loot from the little men.
Josh playing in the "dirt pile" left from Spencer pulling out the spa and deck--which is another post I'm planning along with other home improvements.
Uncle Andy helping the boys go down the big yellow slide.
