My quick weekend of fun!

Back in January, I got word that my sis, Heather, was flying into Texas for a couple of days to celebrate my dad's birthday.  She'd also decided to try and keep this visit a secret from my mom.  Which is pretty much akin to scaling Everest.  The woman always knows.  Of course, me having the disease I do where there can be no family gathering without me wanting jump in on the fun, placed a call to my father.  He was nice enough to offer to help make it happen with the condition I brought Delaney (who still flies for free).  Consider it a deal Dad and happy birthday to you!  And me!  And my mom who was getting a ridiculously fun surprise!  And oh the drama that we three girls went through trying to keep this a secret from my mom.  One such hiccup was when my mom scheduled herself to substitute teach while we were all planned to be there.  Cue Ashley, saving the day, researching the number to my mom's supervisor and placing the awkward phone call explaining my mom had family flying into town and she would actually not be reporting for work.  After some tense weeks trying not to spill the beans and quite a few lies, we kiddos (and Delaney) walked into the house and gave my mom a little shock.  So fun!  We gave hugs all around and headed where else?  To dinner!  At a fav Tex-Mex restaurant of course.

Yum!  Since Chicago seriously struggles with any and all Mexican food this was some much appreciated goodness.  

Adam and Val made the drive from San Antone to help celebrate my dad's birthday.  So great to see them.  Heather (who started this whole fun weekend) was there too I promise!  I just couldn't find a pic of her.  Sorry H!

Delaney was feeling a bit under the weather and spent much of her weekend snuggling with her Papa.  Which, according to him, was the best present he could have asked for.

Some cousin time in Nana and Papa's bed.

We had a great though very quick weekend.  Right before Delaney and I flew out we headed to Rudy's, my fav barbecue spot.  Heaven help me, they know how to do brisket and bbq sauce right!  And I got my beloved chocolate pudding which as the above pic shows, made me pretty darn happy.

 

Right after this, I headed back to the airport where every airline but Southwest had canceled all flights into Chicago because of an impending blizzard.  Here's where I was crossing my fingers my flight would be canceled so I could stay and bask in the Texas sun and avoid all that wintry nastiness.  Evan, on the other hand, was cheering when I was the very last flight to land in Chicago before they closed the airport.  Sigh.  Thanks, like always, goes to Evan for being oh so supportive of my need for my fam and my Texas fix.  And thanks to my dad for making it happen!