Sister, Sister :-)

Every summer my sis and I get together for a few days and play, talk, shop, talk, eat, talk, watch The Bachelorette, talk,...you get the idea!!!  So, of course this summer was no different!  Don't get me wrong...we see each other a few times throughout the year...but this trip is special!  I always make the trip to their house in the Metroplex because there are SO many more fun things to do, fun places to eat at, etc.  I guess this year was a little different because Cody went with me and we went over the weekend instead of me just going by myself and during the week.  The malls are far less crowded during the week...so Amie and I usually have Northpark all to ourselves when we go shopping!  This year, we had to share the mall with tons of other mall-goers on Saturday.  But...it didn't stop us from shopping all day long!!!  In fact, we went to a different mall everyday I was there this year!  We shopped till we dropped, caught-up, played with Gavin...and Stella too, laughed, ate, and just enjoyed each other's company for two and a half days...it was bliss!!!

Cody and I got up early on a Saturday morning to head that way.  Before we left town, we met Cody's sister, her husband, and their three kiddos at Cracker Barrel for a yummy breakfast.  They were in Abilene for Airicka's 16th birthday.  Which, by the way, I can't believe she's 16!!!  We wanted to be able to see them, so we met for breakfast before we headed out of town.  It was good to see them and visit.  It's crazy how fast those kids have grown up!  When we got on the road, I texted Amie and told her we were on our way.  We had plans to meet at BJ's Brewhouse for lunch.  There's one 5 minutes from their house...lucky!  That's one of our favorites...so we always make it a priority to eat there when I come visit her!  We definitely have our staples when I visit.  Where to eat, where to shop, what we watch on TV...it's our little annual tradition...and we both look forward to it every single year!  We pulled into Lewisville right around lunch time and met Amie, Ryan, and Gavin at BJ's for some delicious food.  The boys were going golfing and us girls were heading to Northpark after lunch...so we all needed some energy!!!  After lunch, we headed out in separate directions so the real fun could begin!  One of Amie's friends, Kirsten, from school was going to be meeting us at the mall...her husband was meeting the boys for golf...so it was fun to have another girl come and join the shopping fun!  I first met Kirsten at Amie's shower last summer and we hit if off right away.  All three of us are pretty similar when it comes to things we like to do...and we all get along like we've known each other forever...so it was a blast!  Gavin, of course, was with us!  He is so much fun to be around.  I swear, he is the best little guy and just goes with the flow.  For most of the time we were at the mall, he just chilled in his stroller.  The other part of the time, he was loved on by three girls that just couldn't get enough of him!  Kirsten was pregnant at the time with a little boy.  So, it was fun getting to shop for little boy things and love on her cute baby belly!  Cute pregnant lady I tell you!  She's had her little boy now...and he's just as cute as he can be!!!  We shopped, and we shopped, and we shopped some more that day!  Usually, Amie and I get to Northpark around lunchtime and close the mall down.  It was so busy when were there this year, and Gavin was ready to get out of his stroller and play around, so we left just a little after 6:00.  On our way home, we grabbed some sandwiches for us and the boys from Which Wich and headed back to Amie and Ryan's.  After dinner, Amie and I crawled into their bed and watched The Bachelorette while the boys watched ESPN.  I love it!!!  We have SO much fun together!!!

On Sunday, we woke up late, so we wound up not making it to church.  I guess staying up until the wee hours of the morning gabbing don't allow you to just pop right out of bed super early in the morning!  Even Gavin slept until 10:00 in the morning!  So, once we were all up and moving, we headed to McAlister's for some lunch.  After we ate, we headed over to The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano.  The boys were with us this time...but only for a couple of hours.  They just can't hang with us...we are serious business when it comes to us and our shopping!  After awhile, they were ready to head back to the house and watch the Rangers game.  Gavin went with the boys this time so he could spend the afternoon playing and getting some rest!  We wore him out on Saturday!  As the boys were driving off, Amie and I sprinted back into the mall, giggling and laughing the whole way in.  See...now...we could really go shopping!  Not just do the whole window shop thing...but REALLY shop!!!  On our way back in, we hit up Starbuck's...another one of our staples.  For a caffeine boost and snack.  Since it was Sunday, the mall closed at 6:00...and we more than closed it down!  We probably went in nearly every store.  We shopped, and talked, and tried on, and just had a blast together!  Because we left at dinnertime, we started talking about what to do for supper.  Grilling out seemed like a fabulous idea...so that's just what we did!  On the way home, we stopped at Central Market and picked up the stuff for burgers, sweet potato fries, and beer-ritas.  When we got home, we played with Gavin for a bit, then Amie started getting him ready for bed.  While she was doing that, I made the sweet potato fries and beer-ritas while Ryan made the burgers.  Cody kept us company while we were getting dinner ready and Amie soon joined us after putting Gavin down.  He was pooped...bless his little heart!  I love that little boy.  He is just so sweet and seriously...so much fun!  When dinner was ready, we sat down to eat and spent the rest of the night just talking and laughing.  We all have so much fun together...and I hate it when we have to leave each other. 

But, unfortunately, all good things come to an end.  On Monday, we were heading back home.  When I woke up, Amie was already up with Gavin.  So, I made some coffee and we sat at the table and talked while she fed him and drank her coffee.  A little while later, Cody woke up and came downstairs.  Ryan was working that day.  He got a job over the summer doing some landscaping...so he headed out long before we even woke up.  We sat around for a little while longer and visited before heading back home.  We knew the dogs would be ready to see us...and we didn't want to be driving through busy traffic...so our annual trip was coming to an end.  Amie and I had so much fun...and the boys did too.  It was fun Cody being there this year.  We got to do fun things with our friends separately while still getting to spend a weekend out of town together.  I love Amie to pieces and I always look forward to spending quality time with her and her sweet little family.  I can't wait to see how much trouble we can get ourselves into next summer.  Until next year!!!  XOXO