Round Up: day 06...remainder of reunion

I didn't get any pictures inside these Natural Bridge Caverns because I forgot my camera. Ya, I know, me the picture and blogger addict. Yup. But it was a fun adventure and all the kids seemed to enjoy  hiking underground and seeing all of the caverns. On this day after the Cavern tour we went out for some Chinese buffet and swam at Bryce's hotel pool.

The next day was the day Mark & Mike's families were heading home. Mark & Laura had their crew get up early and get on the road home. We had a fabulous time with them and miss spending each day with them. Mike's crew didn't fly out until later that evening so we headed down to Barton Springs pool.

Everyone enjoyed the refreshing dip in the pool and then we headed to the Hula Hut for a yummy lunch. Mike's family headed to the airport after lunch, we were sad to see them go.

On the next day we joined Bryce & Brenda's family for their last day and took them tubing on the San Marcos river. Brenda and Chloe weren't here yet when we did it the weekend before.

We had a relaxing time. It was a bit overcast that day, so it was a little cool out on the water.

But we still enjoyed the tube ride.

Unfortunately this was the day our kid's raft broke, had a hole in it. We've had it for several years, so we got a lot of river rides out of it. We rented Madeline a tube, so she was happy about that.

Bryce enjoying some float time with Chloe. After this they headed to the airport (almost missing their flight) and made it home safe and sound.

Mom and Dad stayed with us a few more days after everyone left. We took them to the Oasis on Lake Travis and this is where I saw this map. Too funny!

Last photos of this fun reunion. Thanks to everyone that came and pitched in and helped. Y'all made it a wonderful time and we were thankful to spend it with y'all. 

Okay Spence Reunion 2013...

I think we all decided a cruise to the Caribbeans :)

Stay tuned.

Round Up: day 06

On day 06 we decided to head down to San Antonio to see the sites. After I got Madeline dressed that morning Laura said to me Ella had the same shirt. So I had to get a photo of the girls all matching. Aren't they adorable!?

While everyone was walking around all the Alamo exhibits the kids and I sat out in the courtyard waiting (we've seen it all several times). James was wearing all his new Quicksilver gear from the Fujii's - he just looked so cute.

Here are all the Spence guys in front of the Alamo!

Part of the group with all the kids.

The Spence little girls in front of the Alamo.

While in the Alamo courtyard some of the kids saw other kids posing behind this fence like they were in jail. Had to get a shot of the Spence kids!

We had lunch on the riverwalk at the Republic of Texas restaurant. It was pretty tasty. During lunch Ella came to show me her new cowgirl gun. :)

That evening after we returned home from San Antonio my gracious neighbor offered to watch all the kids for us so we can go out for an adult dinner. We went to the Salt Grass in San Marcos. It was a nice dinner. Here are Mark and Laura holding up their appetizer.

Round Up: day 05

Day 05 of the reunion...3 words....Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort. The kids were super excited!

We've only been once before in the summer of 2008 when James was just 1. So this time he really enjoyed the water and the slides!

Here is Madeline sliding down the pirate ship.

We stopped by the swim up bar to have a drink with Mike and Jacki while Eli, Madeline and James swam around us.

James first time on the big kid waterslide...he loved it! Him and I went down these several times.

Afterwards James said he was ready for the big black waterslide (see in first photo) called the Black Knight. Okay. While we climbed up all those stairs and were waiting in line we saw Tanny and Ethan get in line behind us. So I had to take a pic of them at the bottom - so cute! And by the way, James loved this waterslide in the dark. So we went again and raced Tanny and Ethan - they won. :)

Madeline spent most of her day going around the Torrent River (like the lazy river, but not so lazy and with an occasional wave). I think at one point in the day her and Poppi went around it 15 times! Here are Stephen, Madeline, Mike and Jacki going around.

Aunt Anne and Dad found their inner kid to go on the water rides. Here they are taking a break.

James floating on the Torrent River. I didn't get much pics of all the other nephews because they were all over the place going on all the rides. But everyone had a blast! When we got home Laura and the girls had some dinner ready for us.

P.S. This is what a day at Schlitterbahn does to you on the car ride home.

Round Up: day 04

On day 04 we headed over to the Blue Hole swimming hole in Wimberley, TX. It was perfect because it was Monday and there was hardly anyone there. We were able to get a couple of the picnic tables in the shade. And the kids (& Laura :) had a ton of fun with the tree rope swings.

Here is one of the boys on the rope swing, Mark is below in the water with his blue floatie. :) This swimming hole is great because it's shaded by tons of trees.

Madeline, James, Nathaniel and I went out to the middle of the hole on our floaties to watch all the rope swing jumpers. This tree trunk came right out of the middle of the water. Tanny climbed up it and found a good resting spot.

Tanny took this pic of the kids and I.

On this day the Fujii's came back from their Houston trip and spent the day with all of us again. Here are Stephen and Jon with all the kids in the background on the dock waiting for a turn on the rope swing.

Here are Brenda with her boys. Brenda said she remembers swimming in swimming holes in Ireland, but she thought this hole was really beautiful.

Bryce and Brenda's youngest, Chloe and oldest, Jacob.

Later that evening we headed to downtown Austin at Lady Bird Lake to go on the Bat Watching Cruise. Here are Stephen and Wyatt on the pontoon boat waiting to depart.

It was a lovely cruise on the lake. Not too hot. And all the kids and adults seemed to really be enjoying it. Here are Laura and Mark with their girls.

The nephews hanging out in the back by the boat driver.

Madeline, Aunt Anne, Dad, Mom, Jacki and Mike enjoying the sites from the boat.

We could see the bats really well. There are 1.5 million in this bridge colony.

The kids and I looking for the bats.

Wyatt and Madeline enjoying their cousin time.

Jacki and Mike.

Uncle Steve and Carol.

Brenda and Bryce with Chole and Jacob. The Austin skyline behind them.

Jacob and William.

The kids asked the driver lots of questions.

And here is Congress bridge from the view of our boat. Notice all the people watching from the bridge. The bats take off every evening!