Amarillo by Morning

There are many country songs sung about Amarillo, yet Amarillo by Morning or should I say Amarillo by 3:00 in the Morning, fits us best! A week and a half ago, I buckled the three little girls, myself, and our dog in our SUV for a twelve hour adventure across Texas to Amarillo!
Crazy? I agree. There is just one thing in this world that could motivate us to make such a trip......Daddy! We had had enough of seeing him every two weeks and needed some quality time.

The girls were amazingly patient in the LONG car ride and it was fun to see the character in each of the little country towns we passed through. If I ever get the chance I would love to set foot in a few of those small town antique or country boutique's. I was especially intrigued by one called Boy George. Some of these little country towns had the most interesting names. Happy and Star Texas, cute. Watermelon and Raisin Texas, yummy. Ranger and Refugio, Texas,  all I can think of is Walker, Texas Ranger. Study Butte, Texas, close to college station? White Settlement, Negro Crossing, and Uncertain, Texas, Um mm...no comment!

We missed the lightening storm traveling to Amarillo and left hours before NINETEEN tornado's touched down in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle! I am grateful to be safe with my three little ones and even more grateful for the quality family time.

This is the Palo Duro Canyon. It is the second largest in the U.S. It reminds Ryan and I of southern Utah, because of the Red Rock. Isn't it pretty?

The girls walked a two mile hike with us. Not bad for two, two year olds and a four year old! However, this was taken towards the end of the hike and Brielle had had it with pictures. Note the finger scolding daddy, "no,no daddy, no more pictures!"

 Ellie hiked into a mud hole then attempted to take a step and fell hands first in the mud. To top it off, she lost a shoe as daddy pulled her out!

The time seemed to pass so quickly. The girls LOVED Dad's little vegetable garden. We had a great time cheering on the Amarillo Venom (football), but the best part for me was just being with my family and being temporarily relieved of daily responsibilities.

"Wicked" witches and black kitty cats!

This little "wicked" witch refused to be anything else this Halloween. When the question was asked, "what are you going to be for Halloween?", a simple "witch" was not the right answer. Rylie was a wicked, witch. Which, in her mind meant, not a fairy witch, like Glenda, but a witch that cackled and flew around on a broom stick! And that is exactly what she did ALL night long. Each trick or treater received the same greeting, "Hi! Happy Halloween, I am a wicked witch, ah haha haaaaa!" Of course , she did get off of her broom stick to hold her sisters hands or help them pick out the right piece of candy!

Rylie with her witch pumpkin that she picked out and daddy carefully carved.
What is a witch without her black cat or cats?

These three were happy just to dress up. They would have boogied the night away by daddy's fog machine, dancing to the Halloween music playing at our front door, and giving out candy to the trick or treaters!

I love Zoey's 'say cheese' face here. This Halloween was full of sweet moments watching the girls faces light up. Few things bring more joy than watching your little ones experience something new for the first time.