The trip started much later than usual as Pam was driving the girls from Midland and I was driving my rental car out of Houston. The plan was to meet up at the rendezvous point in Dallas late Friday evening for another fun-filled fambam adventure. The last two weeks have been a grind for the entire family. So when our good friend Leslie asked Pam if we would like tickets to watch Oklahoma State take on the mighty Wildcats from Kansas State, it was a no-brainer!
Pam and the girl part of the fambam were running a little late coming to Dallas as they stopped in Abilene to see Daddy Bill, Pam's great uncle. Daddy Bill is an extraordinary man and someone we treasure dearly. Unfortunately, he is in the hospital and would appreciate any prayers. Pam and the girls went in to see him and give him some love and a few hugs to help with his spirits. AK reported that despite not feeling well, Daddy Bill was still himself and filled the room with stories and laughter that only Daddy Bill can do!
After a quick bite with more stories and humor from cousin Hayli, the girls loaded up for the last stretch and rode into Dallas around 10:30 at night. Since I arrived earlier, I had already checked us into the Doubletree hotel which would serve as our sleeping quarters for the evening. It was a beautiful reunion to get the fambam back together in one place as I had been in Houston for most of the week. We enjoyed catching up, but soon realized that it was late and time to turn as we had another four-hour drive ahead of us in the morning to Oklahoma for the game.
We got up early and enjoyed our usual free Doubletree breakfast and found ourselves on the road. AK turned 15 this year and had jumped through the hoops to acquire the proper documents to get her driver's permit. Pam and I decided early on that our daughters were going to learn to drive well before they turned fifteen in parking lots and back roads. So now that she has her permit, AK has come along nicely and is learning to drive rather well. Pam’s simple rule of thumb is If we are going somewhere and AK is with us, then she is driving! The rule also pertains to long distant trips. We strongly feel that our girls need every opportunity to learn and we have to be comfortable with allowing this to happen and not just "do everything for them". The hardest part of the whole kids driving thing is giving complete and total control over to kid!
Pam and the girl part of the fambam were running a little late coming to Dallas as they stopped in Abilene to see Daddy Bill, Pam's great uncle. Daddy Bill is an extraordinary man and someone we treasure dearly. Unfortunately, he is in the hospital and would appreciate any prayers. Pam and the girls went in to see him and give him some love and a few hugs to help with his spirits. AK reported that despite not feeling well, Daddy Bill was still himself and filled the room with stories and laughter that only Daddy Bill can do!
After a quick bite with more stories and humor from cousin Hayli, the girls loaded up for the last stretch and rode into Dallas around 10:30 at night. Since I arrived earlier, I had already checked us into the Doubletree hotel which would serve as our sleeping quarters for the evening. It was a beautiful reunion to get the fambam back together in one place as I had been in Houston for most of the week. We enjoyed catching up, but soon realized that it was late and time to turn as we had another four-hour drive ahead of us in the morning to Oklahoma for the game.
We got up early and enjoyed our usual free Doubletree breakfast and found ourselves on the road. AK turned 15 this year and had jumped through the hoops to acquire the proper documents to get her driver's permit. Pam and I decided early on that our daughters were going to learn to drive well before they turned fifteen in parking lots and back roads. So now that she has her permit, AK has come along nicely and is learning to drive rather well. Pam’s simple rule of thumb is If we are going somewhere and AK is with us, then she is driving! The rule also pertains to long distant trips. We strongly feel that our girls need every opportunity to learn and we have to be comfortable with allowing this to happen and not just "do everything for them". The hardest part of the whole kids driving thing is giving complete and total control over to kid!
Pam's stomach started to growl and I remembered that I stopped at to pick up the much sought after Beaver Nuggets the day before on my trip from Houston at the worlds largest convenience store called Buc-ees's. To avoid a "hangry" Pam, I pulled out the southeastern Texas delicacy and fed them to my wife and Little D so peace would be kept in the back seat of the road warrior!
With it being our first time to eat Beaver Nuggets, we honestly don't know what all the hype is. As a family of four, we only ate a quarter of the bag leaving lots of beaver morsels left in the bag. We all agreed that Rigo had it right when he claimed that Allsups fried burritos with taco sauce are the only way to go on a road trip!
We soon arrived at Boone Pickens stadium and met up with Leslie. The tickets were in a great spot, and the girls were eager to take in some college football.
Little D was eager to see the stadium, so we snuck off and found our way to the stadium store. Like most sports stadiums we visit, Little D had her sights on a game ball. Little D is well known for playing catch regardless of the sport. She is kinda like a puppy dog. You just cannot throw it to her enough. She just keeps coming back for more until your arm is ready to fall off!
We once again loaded up and headed to Oklahoma City to find rest for the night. The girls were starving and we sought refuge for their hunger pains at Waffle House. Many families have dirty secrets they keep hidden away for no one to know. Ours is the pure pleasure of the greasy cafe food from Waffle House. I can't exactly tell you why we like it so much, be we do and we are proud to say it could be a Top Ten spot for us when it is available.
After stuffing our faces full of sweet waffles, biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon and their world famous hash browns we found ourselves ready for a long food-induced coma and settled in at the local Hilton Garden Inn.
It didn't take long for the girls to pass out and Pam to take control and declare that we would be in no hurry to return home. She decided the girls were needed some rest for the long journey back and was going to allow them to catch up on some much-needed teenager sleep.
As usual, I was up early the next morning and enjoying my free Hilton morning coffee when Pam came down to join me. We spent several hours just drinking coffee and enjoying some time to ourselves. We are so busy with work and the girl's activities that we appreciated a simple cup of coffee together.
Little D woke up and decided to join Pam and I for our free complimentary Hilton breakfast while AK opted to snooze longer. Little D was eager to get some pool time in and try out her new football. I loosened up my arm and Pam dragged AK out of the bed so we could all go to the pool together. We had a good time playing catch and having chicken fights. The girls may be getting big, but are still not match for their parents in a good old fashion chicken fight.
We soon checked out and headed to lunch at Braum's for lunch. Pam and the girls had never had eaten there and thoroughly enjoyed their first trip while scarfing down Braum's burger, french fries and washing it down with the delicious Braum's shake!
Before heading home, Pam and I participated in a friendly game of rock-paper-scissors to see who would have to play parent and sit up front with AK as she navigated the way home while she drove. I won and Pam had to sit in the pressure seat while I enjoy a leisurely ride home watching Wonder Woman and Spider-Man with my best buddy, Little D.
After spending over 13 hours in the car, one college football game, trying out some unimpressive beaver nuggets, a picture opportunity with a Cowboy, and two different hotels, Pam officially declared the weekend over as we arrived home at our little zoo filled with roue dogs and two cats.
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