Thursday

Horses and lambs were the big attractions at Elm Creek Stables Thursday morning. Nat riding Macho and Kat on Dumplin were happy cowgirls. Newborn lambs snuggled up and encouraged girls to hold them.

(I will add to this post later but must also work on current trip.)

Wednesday Afternoon

Games, relaxation, and water fun kept us down at the river.

Wednesday

Big decision of the day was whether to return to Mama Chole's for lunch or go to Neal's. The homemade rolls with honey tipped hungry girls to Neal's. Of course we had to take photos on the deck after the meal.

Tuesday Fun

The two dads golfed in Utopia in the morning while we had breakfast of sausage egg tacos. By afternoon we were ready to relax at the river.

For our first evening with a cloudy sky, we prepared for a colorful sunset. Girls settled down on the porch to wait, and adults lounged in chairs lined up on the sidewalk. What a gorgeous end to the day!

Monday Activities

As promised, we had lunch at Mama Chole's in Leakey. Delicious Mexican food is always a great way to begin a week in Texas. The homemade chips and salsa were a big hit.

Later in the day girls set up their outdoor art studio and painted rocks, a traditional project and fun for all.

Kitchen Crew

These three guys quickly cleaned up and put everything in order after our steak dinner. Best of all, they are taking us out to eat lunch the next day when we will let Mama Chole's take care of kitchen duties.

Steak Night

Sunday night we celebrated our traditional steak night with piles of rib-eyes, grilled zucchini, and smashed red potatoes. The two plates pictured show the difference between an eater going for maximum beef and one for maximum veggies. No one left the table hungry.

Choir Cantata

Sunday our church choir presented our Easter Cantata at the regular service. After weeks of practice, we wanted our program to succeed spiritually and musically. My joy was having daughter and granddaughters attend and stay for refreshments afterward. Her friend and her daughters helped husband to fill the pew. For a while I felt like a normal family on a normal Sunday filled with anything but normal love.

Four courses

The six of us did our best but brought home containers for what we couldn't manage at the table. Granddaughters were a pleasure with their wonderful behavior and hearty appetites. Gardens and greenhouse gave us an excuse to walk around the grounds. The surrounding fields were just starting to bloom with red poppies and guaranteed a return trip to see them at their peak.

Laurel Tree

MN family arrived at San Antonio airport last night ready for some Frio time. We picked them up and drove to Concan to dig into our stash of Blue Bell and to get rest for River activities.

Saturday we drove to Utopia for lunch at the Laurel Tree and our first official meal together. What a feast! Laurel and her husband are in France buying for the store, but her mom and staff represented her well.