Grandma & Grandpa Hodge

Grandma and Grandpa Hodge had been planning a visit since back in November when Frankie was born, but circumstances kept them from being able to until this May. It worked out well anyway because they were here for another important day; Frankie's baptism on mother's day! It felt like we were busy the whole 10 days they were her, but I didn't get as many photos as I should have :( With each kid I am getting more forgetful!

 I thought this one was cute--Frankie was eyeing grandpa's beer :)
Honestly we did some fun things, but what was most memorable was all the good food we had every night! We barbecued, crock-potted, and catered some awesome meals, and the leftovers were just as good.

 On one of their first nights here, Norman found this snake on our front porch, and it was very aggressively vibrating it's tail. John caught it and we researched it. I found out it was a Texas Rat Snake. They are not poisonous and their tail is not like the rattlesnake's but still scary. They can still bite of course. So John released it down the road where it's more rural.

 The next day we went to the city to check out the JFK museum. It was pretty interesting to learn about that time, and to be able to see from exactly where the (alleged) shooter was. I just felt bad for poor Jackie :( After reading about the horndogs that are the Kennedy's, I know she already had a tough time, what with the Marilyn Monroe's etc. And also to have lost their infant son. But then to witness her husband's murder. So sad. We weren't allowed to photograph in the exhibit so we took some outside.

 Down there is where JFK was shot--there are 2 x's marking the spots.

 Upstairs had some artwork and better views.

 Then we went down to the grassy knoll and tried to avoid being pressured into buying memorabilia.

 I don't know how much of this guy's policies I would've supported but his speeches were really good.

 My 'always happy baby' :)

 Another Dallas museum:

John took his parents to the newly opened Bush Library the next morning--I stayed home with the kids, since they would've been bored. I'll have to go another time. Gma & gpa also got to go with the kids to gymnastics. They are really enjoying it and Lucas is almost capable of a cartwheel by himself. The coach was proud too!

 On one of the last days, we met up at Tim & Teresa's house for a barbecue. I don't even want to calculate how much weight I gained lol. We had Tim's delicious salmon, Stan grilled bacon-wrapped fillets, and we had candied carrots, grilled vegetables, rice, and coleslaw. Oh and sausage--I really liked the sausage Louise & Stan brought from CA.

 The big kid table:

 The bigger kid table:

 The kids immediately go to the toy room :)

 We should have checked out the new gun club in Frisco, but we didn't think of it. We were going to go to a gun show in Mesquite on the last day, but everyone sorta changed their minds. Here's Stan showing John how NOT to hold a gun lol. Next time we will go shoot some targets.

 Susan had to check it out too :)

I forgot we also celebrated Stan's 69th birthday---for the past 4 decades or so, he has had the same birthday meal--a simple sauce spaghetti recipe that his mom started, and now Louise took over. It was delicious and full of mushrooms! The kids ate it too---and it was gone the next day. We did a good job eating leftovers throughout the week. Hey, it's a difficult task!

Next to come is all the baptism pics!