April Fools?

March 30-April 2, 2018

Doug and Sara came to visit us in Texas

 March 30th arrival!

The kids threw coins into the fountain

at the Harlingen airport.

We showed them this "dumb" sign

down the street from our park.

 and bought grapefruit and oranges at Granny's Citrus.

 Sara found the "Wolford 1800 miles" sign

that Bob put on the pole

 and they checked out the orchard

 Anyone need a job--

You could drive for the Cane Sugar plant

If you're brave enough to unload the truck!

 R.J. and Julia loved feeding the turtles

at the La Feria Nature Park

 The turtles love popcorn...

and bread

We headed to the pool while Doug was working

He joined us later!

After supper on Friday, 
we celebrated Sara's birthday--a day late

Saturday morning we walked/ran in a local fundraiser.
The kids ran first:  R.J. (6) got 3rd in the 13 & under race.
Then we all walked the one mile:  R.J., Sara, Bob, and I got first
in our age categories.  Doug got 2nd in his, and Julia (3) got 3rd.
The kids each earned two medals; the adults got one apiece.
We all got a nice tee shirt! :-)

After the race and lunch on Saturday, we headed to Mexico

R.J. and Julia liked the roosters

R.J. and Julia in two countries at the same time..
Doug and Sara are a country apart  :-)
The Rio Grande River is in the background.

Native dancers in Nuevo Progreso

Alfonso has painted four TV "dishes" for us.

Now he is doing "spray art" for R.J. and Julia

The kids chose an "outer space" theme.

Alfonso uses spray paints, crumpled paper, toothpicks, etc...

The picture takes shape...

An amazing artist

Easter Vigil celebration at the
Basilica of San Juan
(a very long ceremony!)

 First stop on Easter Sunday 
was the lighthouse at Port Isabel

 Stairway to the top--almost 70 steps

"Hi" you all!

 Enjoying the view

R.J. views the Laguna Madre 
and the Causeway to South Padre Island

"Family Tree" :-)
Next, we headed to Pirate's Landing

for a pirate ship "experience"

 Friends at the bar on the dock

 The kids met this "mean" pirate

The pirates shot the cannon to announce their arrival.

 R.J. gets "shooting" instructions from a pirate.

We all got (squirt) guns for the "fight,"

 learned how to be pirates,

and even looked like pirates!

 Monday was a beach day

 We stayed at a hotel on South Padre Island

Sunday and Monday.

 Doug and R.J. were in the Gulf waves.

Julia and I were not so brave.

The Island is famous for its sand castles.  
These giant castles were partially destroyed 
by drunk kids during their Spring Break

 R.J. wanted to play in the sand, too.

On Tuesday, we visited the turtle rescue place,
learned about injured turtles and their life cycle,
and saw some of the rescued turtles.
We went back to our RV park before heading
to the airport for the ride home.

We flew back into cold country (Minneapolis) on April 5th.
The temp. was 18 (above zero), and it was windy.
The next morning we drive to Iowa
for Annika's First Communion.

 The kitchen table was the "gathering place."
Jimmy, Andrew, Kelly, Luke, and Ari

 Annika with her Godparents

 Fun photo for the kids....
Jimmy and Kelly with Jett, Matthew, Annika, Grace, and Ariana

 Annika with gramma and grampa

 Family photo after the ceremony.
Looks like Trina is getting shorter. :-)

 Tom, Bob, Josh, and Jimmy solving the world's problems

When we left Iowa, we spent a night in Buffalo.

Bison at the motel in Buffalo (duh!)
The girls came to swim at the motel,
and then we all feasted at the new A & W!