Anderegg Adventure: Trip to Texas and Oklahoma

Disclaimer 1: There are a lot of pictures in this post! I don't know how to make them different sizes or arrange them differently so have fun scrolling all the way through.

Disclaimer 2: Isaiah is still in his phase of not smiling on demand :) so there are not many of him doing something other than staring.

This past week we spent time in Tyler Texas with Adam's sister Lindy and her husband Ryan. We left on Wednesday to head down there. Isaiah did great. He did nap in the car for a while. Then he and Adam hung out, played, read books, colored, and watched movies (thank you to the inventor of the portable DVD player!). Even when we took breaks, he would get back in the car with minimal fuss. The trip was a lot better than expected.

When we arrived, Isaiah was not a fan of the dogs, so he clung to us most of those first few hours. But he did find something he liked- playing on Uncle Ryan's pool table.

On Thursday we went to the Tyler Zoo.

Here is our little explorer.

Adam, Lindy, and Isaiah.

They have a nice place to view the elephants and giraffes.

Lots of neat animals.

Isaiah's favorite part of was the rocking chairs at the end!

That afternoon we took a dip in Lindy and Ryan's pool. It was a little chilly so it took Isaiah a while to get into the water and enjoy himself.

Got to love that little white belly :)

Towards the end he got more adventerous.

To the point he even walked around in the water.

Friday morning we went to this museum and park.

They had a lot of very big and scary animals. Isaiah actually seemed to enjoy it saying "animals" over and over. He would also pose for us though still no smiles.

The park had an old firetruck and an old caboose as well as regular play equipment.

Awww...a smile.

"choo-choo"

That afternoon we went bowling.

Isaiah enjoyed running all over rather than bowling.

He and Daddy won a toy from the claw machine.

Here is Isaiah, Aunt Lindy, and Uncle Ryan before we left to head home on Saturday morning.

We stopped in Oklahoma City on our way home to stay the night. Saturday was Adam's birthday so I didn't want him to have to spend the whole day driving. We found this new park. Though the equipment was fun for Isaiah, there were no trees so it was very hot and there were no bathrooms! Consequently we didn't stay long but it was nice for Isaiah to have some time to run around.

That night we went to a place called Incredible Pizza. It was a huge buffet and then had lots of games and activities. Happy Birthday Daddy.

Adam taught Isaiah to play mini golf.

Then he had to try on his own!

Adam and I then took turns. I won :)

Isaiah got to ride on the kiddy rides. He didn't freak out but he wasn't sure what to make of them.

We finished the evening with some adult video games.

Sunday morning we hung out in our hotel and slowly got ready. Isaiah watched some movies and took it easy.

Then we went to the OKC National Memorial. Adam and I had never been down to see it. It was beautiful and quite moving. I can't believe it has been almost 15 years.

"We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived, and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope, and serenity."

This is the survivor wall.

This is a piece of the original building.

Field of Empty Chairs, representing those lives that were lost.

This brought tears to my eyes as I think of all the mommies and daddies whose son or daughter is no longer here with them.

They have chalkboards were kids can leave messages.

Here is a wall of artwork that children sent in during the weeks after the blast.

Isaiah helping to navigate.

The survivor tree (90 years old) "The spirit of this city and nation will not be defeated; our deeply rooted faith sustains us."

The Reflection Pool. The door ways on either end have 9:01 and 9:03 on them, representing a minute before and a minute after the blast.

After the memorial, Isaiah fell asleep in the car. So we drove around for a while before heading to the Science Museum. Here is the Oklahoma Capital Building.