Thursday, July 24, 2014

The Little Red Caboose

All Aboard for the Richards Family Red Caboose Adventure! 

We arrived on a Thursday afternoon.  We spent the remainder of the day exploring the caboose and taking in all of the sights on the property belonging to The Antlers Inn ~ neat place!

A few reading selections I brought along for our adventure.  








 I think the bunk beds were Michael's favorite part of the caboose.

















 We brought along some train magnets.  What I thought would be just a little bit of fun turned into an hour long adventure throughout the caboose discovering all the things that were magnetic!  We had to spend about that much time looking for all of the train magnets when it was time to pack up...I think Michael succeeded in discovering all of the magnetic parts on the caboose! ;)


 Picnic area right behind our caboose, includes a grill and lantern.
 We followed the trail down to the lake where you can take a peek inside this very old cabin.  I failed to take a picture of the plaque explaining who it once belonged to.  I know that it was once somewhere else and it was relocated to this location.


We had breakfast one morning and dinner one evening at the restaurant on the property.


 Exploring the old RR crossing and track.









Adam requested close ups of the Railroad Emblems on each caboose.



After breakfast Friday morning we packed up and drove to a neat area on the Llano River that is great for exploring and learning how to skip rocks. :)



 It was all super fun until Momma slipped on this slippery rock and fell in the river. It happened so fast, all I remember is some sort of twist and tumble. I severely sprained my right ankle and could not stand up or put weight on my right foot. Adam couldn't help me since he had to keep Michael and Ella safe, so...911 was called.  I was embarrassed to have the EMT's get me out of the river, but I didn't have any other options.  I was indeed very grateful for their help. And taking an ambulance ride (my first by the way) helped to get me right into the ER...no waiting!  I could not believe Adam was standing there as the ambulance doors opened with my phone ready to take my picture!  

 The ER cleaned my wounds (I had cuts and gashes all down my right side from my elbow to my toe), took X-Rays, hooked me up with pain meds (favorite part), gave me an air cast and crutches with orders to see a doctor once we returned home. 

Adam did a great job giving me lots of TLC at the Red Caboose. 

Saturday morning Adam and Michael continued with our plans while Ella hung out with me in the caboose elevating my foot.  The boys went to a nearby lake water park and had a blast on the BIG water slide.


We had planned on going to a local winery but that wouldn't work with my foot, so for nap time we went on a driving tour of the area...first stop was the winery.  Some day I'm going to stomp some grapes!




 Next stop was a castle that can be viewed from the winery. 
 Adam took lots of scenic routes to get a closer look.


In this area of Texas you can find a lot of granite mining.


And the children indeed enjoyed nap time on the go.


 We packed up Sunday morning and leisurely made our way home.  First thing Monday morning Adam made me call an orthopedic doctor.  He took me that afternoon and the doctor put me in this glorious walking boot!  Hallelujah no more crutches...life changing I tell you.  As I type this I am still in the boot and am very ready to be out of it and able to drive again.  Not a fan of being home bound!  

Aside from my injury this was a fun little trip and The Red Caboose is talked about almost daily!  

Summer Science Experiments

Fun with a little baking soda, vinegar and food coloring.


 Even more fun after it has all soaked in and set a while...



OCEAN DISCOVERY BOTTLE







RAINCLOUDS










MIXING COLORS...the long lasting and no mess way!
Yes, this is Michael trying to make a "booty" design on the paint...ugh, BOYS! And this was the FIRST thing he thought to do too. *sigh*


 After Ella Grace makes a design in the paint she proudly lifts both arms and yells, "YEA!"

 Blue + Red = Purple

 Yellow + Blue = Green

 Red + Yellow = Orange

First Fish

Michael went fishing with his Daddy, Uncle Slavin and cousin Billy. He caught his FIRST FISH!!!!











4th of July

  My All American babies, ready for the 4th of July Parade!







Our Independence Day celebration was pretty low key compared to our usual 4th Festivities.  Michael was in the midst of an asthma flare up and on lots of meds...I know you can't tell from the pictures.  The parade was all we could manage to do.  Adam and Ella went to the Richards Family Reunion that afternoon, while I stayed home with our little guy.  

Cousin Rendezvous

While Elizabeth was attending Cheer Camp at Moody Gardens, we were able to sneak in a little cousin time, short but sweet!  They were all fascinated by the hotel lobby's pond and waterfall full of pennies.  You will see that we all had our hands full trying to get Ella to cooperate for pictures. ;)






 These two adore each other!  Cousin Love!