the 4th, spur style!

We did it! Ryan, Elliott, and I embarked on the five hour trek west to Spur, the tiny hometown of Ryan's parents (and where my dear husband grew up.) Meeting us there were Ryan's brother Steve's family of five (plus niece Skyler). The ride was loooong, but fortunately Ellie slept most of the time and we only had to stop once each way to nurse and change her (once in a charming park, and once in a creepy parking lot.)

It was totally worth any trouble getting there to have all five grandchildren together in Granny and Grandpa's house.

All the grand kids: Alex, Rylan, Skyler, Ellie, and Chas

We also met up with Ryan's friend Scott and his family an hour west near Lubbock. It was so cute to see the two boys with their very own baby girls!

Scott & Ryan with their daughters (Ellie was a mess here!)

On the Fourth, we celebrated Texas style and set off our own fireworks in the backyard (even I lit one!) This of course doesn't happen much where I'm from, so it was both fun and terrifying. Somehow, Elliott slept through almost every glorious explosion!

Wanna see lots more pictures from our trip? Check out the slideshow below (or click on a pic to visit the Picasa album itself.)