Halvorson San Antonio Weekend

I'm a little behind on my postings, but as Facebook photos have advertised, we did have the Halvorson family down here to visit a couple weekends ago. Grandma, The Dude and Aunt Schming flew in for a 3 day weekend. They forgot to tell Uncle Bobo until it was too late - woops. Sorry, Uncle Bobo - you were missed!

Anyhoodles, our journey began in San Antonio which is about a 2.5 hour drive from Kingsville. Of course the majority of the weekend was spent meandering around the River Walk, reviewing menus and slumping into chairs, ordering crisp beers to battle exhaustion. It was a great time and after a chilly morning, the sun came out and graced us with its presence. It worked out well there was the Texas Independence celebration (in the form of reenactments at The Alamo) and also Mardi Grad weekend (in the form of beads pelting us on the river bank).

Staying classy with Bud Light tall boys.

Staying classy with copious amounts of Mardi Gras beads

The grandparents promptly bought Landon some San Antonio accessories while we were out visiting all the little shops along the way. The only thing missing was a mini gun holster.

"Why am I the only one in this get-up, Mom?"

All in all, Landon did a great job keeping up with the shenanigans. It doesn't hurt when you are super portable and can be carried everywhere.


The last day was spent relaxing back in good ol' Kingsville. We visited the King Ranch museum (beautiful black and white photos of ranch life - me likey and want to go back!) and ate some simple soup to allow our tummies to adjust back to normalcy.

The house felt really empty after everyone left... more visitors please!!!!

Give a Warm Fuzzy Hug to Someone You Love

Today would have been my mom's 65th birthday. It is hard to articulate the emotions that linger. It was only a little over two months ago that she passed, but at the same time it feels so long ago. I ache horribly sometimes when I look at Landon laughing and smiling; I'm not a religious individual, but it helps to toy with the idea that she can look down and watch us play. I keep looking at Landon as if it was my mom looking at me as a baby 30 years ago and I feel so connected to the raw emotion that comes with that.


Although you always wish there was another five million chances to say "I love you", there are other random "if I had more time..." thoughts that pervade everyday life. Like breakfast potatoes: For the life of me, I can't make my breakfast potatoes taste like my mom's. I wish I could just call her up and ask what I am doing wrong with these spuds in a pan. I'm pretty sure the answer is to add more butter and that I have the pan too hot. I don't know - I guess I can figure things out on my own, I just rather hear my mom's voice deliver the answer. The irony doesn't escape me - for all the times I rolled my eyes and said "I knooow, Mom" when she was sitting in the peanut gallery, I now have a mirrored amount of "I don't know, Mom" questions.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - my mom gave THE best hugs in the world. It was a cozy, warm, pull you in and hang on kind of hug. Please dole out some extra fuzzy hugs today to help us celebrate her life.

Happy Father's Day!

It was nice to be at home for Father's Day this year, which always seems to fall around my parent's anniversary, as well. Plus the beautiful rolling green hills and wildflowers of Pennsylvania never disappoint. I had plenty of moments driving down the back roads, loving the scenery, and then am humorously brought back to the present day when a large bug splats against the windshield or I have to swerve to avoid possum roadkill. Aaah yes, the circle of life.

Anyhoodles, for their anniversary, I escorted Jim and Babs to the Charles Town Slots and Racing. Just for slots, though - no horsies on a weekday. We enjoyed the buffet and then my mom proceeded to find a good machine where they made about $75. I think dad was more thrilled than mom.

Father's day was spent in Lancaster, meeting Jamesy at his place and then going to the Olive Garden. Which doesn't sound fancy or anything, granted, but it was a really nice time and I finally got a big ol' hunk of tiramisu that I've been craving for quite a while now.

Here is a picture of Dad and I before I packed up and headed back to TX.


He promises to work on the front patch of missing landscaping before my next visit.

Happy Mother's Day!