Wichita

I had a quick overnight work trip to Wichita last night. I flew down yesterday and came back tonight, so it wasn't too bad. It was my first time to the exciting town of Wichita! :P

Luckily I was all checked in and settled in at my hotel by 5:30pm. The news showed some big storm systems rolling into the area and it was getting quite cloudy outside. Then (as I watched Young & the Restless on my laptop), the tv lost its satellite signal. No big deal I thought. Then the tornado sirens go off. I had already noticed it was hailing in addition to some major rain. I didn't really know what to do because I was on the 8th floor out of 14. After calling Michael and trying to figure out what to do, the sirens turned off. I felt relieved but when they came on the second time about 20 minutes later, I decided it was time for dinner in the restaurant that was on the ground floor - just in case. :P No one else was doing anything or freaking out so I didn't want to be this crazy woman running around looking for shelter. :P

This morning when I woke up, the news was constantly showing all the reports of hail in the area as well as a couple of tornados. Turns out it was a pretty bad storm afterall! At my meeting this morning, someone else who was visiting from out of town said their rental car had the window busted out because of the hail - eek! There was a reported piece of hail that was close to 7 INCHES in diameter -they were measuring it to see if it set the new state record. That's some serious hail people.

So my meetings were with people in the Cargill Meats groups which are headquartered in Wichita. I also sat in on their monthly leadership team meeting that also had lots of other "guests" attending. At the end, the president of the business unit asked for my feedback on the meeting (in front of everyone - awkward), and someone at my table mentioned I was an Aggie. I ended up meeting a couple of other Aggies there at the meeting. One even found me after the meeting just to introduce himself. Of course both these guys were class of 1971 and 76, but still neat to meet other Ags! :) Gotta love that Aggie network!

Tour de Texas!

We are back from our super fun trip to Texas - what a trip! We were there for 9 days and got to go to so many places and see so many wonderful people. I'll tell the story along with the pictures so that it doesn't get too long and wordy.

As you know, we went with our friends Heather & Jim from here in Minneapolis to Houston Friday night. Saturday morning we left for A&M to tour the campus and go to the A&M game that night. Michael and I hadn't been to College Station in so long and we were shocked by just how much it had changed!

Me and Michael in front of the Academic Building

At the G. Bush Library

Heather, Jim and Michael under the Century Tree

Watching the Aggie Band march - whoop!

In our new maroon shirts :)

After the game, they allowed everyone to go onto Kyle Field which was really neat! Michael was in heaven!

The next morning, we headed to Austin for lunch on 6th Street.

At a gas station on the way to Austin that had a mini Bonfire

Then we headed to San Antonio. Ironically, some other friends of ours from MN that used to be in our church group just moved to Victoria a little over a month ago. So, they drove up and joined us Sunday evening and we toured the Alamo and Riverwalk a little before they had to leave. (See the first picture at the very top.)

We had a great rest of the time in San Antonio too - we went through the Alamo in more depth, watched the Alamo movie at the iMax, toured did the Riverwalk boat tour, and had lots of good eats at all the outdoor dining areas on the Riverwalk - so fun!

Alamo

Michael and Jim having fun at the Alamo - they were so excited to finally find some coon-skin hats to try on.

Dinner on the Riverwalk

Tuesday, Heather & Jim headed back to MN, and Michael and I headed back to Houston to continue our whirlwind tour. We spend the night with Lauren & Luke (Michael's sister and her husband). We also got to have a very special dinner with our good friend Chris and got to meet his new fiance Katie. It was so fun to see them and to get to meet Katie. Unfortunately I don't have pics from that night though.

The next day, we drove by our old house in Humble where we had so many special memories. Then we headed to see our good friends Stephanie and Ryan. It had been a couple of years since we had seen them (way too long) so we stayed up until 12:30 just talking - such a special time!

Michael holding little Jack, Ryan and Stephanie

Me and Stephanie

Us and our little Godson Luke

The next morning, we headed to Temple. Again, I don't have pictures from that day unfortunately. But, we got to see a lot of people. We went to see Grandpa Springer who has been in the hospital for a few weeks. We were so glad to see him and hug him and let him know we are praying for him. That night we had dinner with Michael's brother and his wife, and then the next day we went to see Grandpa Zajicek. He is 92 and still cute and funny as ever.

Friday morning, we drove to Dallas and spent the weekend at my sister Katherine's house. My parents and my other sister and her family drove in for the weekend too so it was really great seeing everyone again.

Michael and our brother in law Jim - setting up the ultimate tailgating scene while BBQing outside.

We finally got to meet our newest niece - Sarah Katherine. She is absolutely adorable and I enjoyed lots of cuddle time with her!

Also on Saturday, my good friend Misty came over with her husband for a visit. I hadn't seen her in a couple of years either so it was so great being together in person once again. We email every day at work, but being in person is so much more fun!

Me and my nephew Jacob taking pictures together :)

Me and my sweet sisters

Us with my parents - so great to see them. My mom is doing great and is getting so much hair back - she is a survivor and is truly beautiful.

Then we headed back on Sunday night. We had a beautiful sunset from the plane on the flight back so Michael caught a good picture. It was the perfect site to such a wonderful trip!!