This week started with a long drive that took of all Monday, which just happened to be Brittany's birthday, and ended in Waco Texas by Tuesday at 4:00 pm in time for our tour.
At 5:00 P.M., where we toured Chip and Joanna's latest project with the renovation of a hundred and 20 year old castle.
Here's the drive through portico that leads to garages behind.
Here are the other 8 people on our tour.
and our tour guide.
Here we are in the dining room, with a wonderful William Morris wallpaper like the one in our conservatory.
This lovely bathroom was once just a closet.
This little cupboard used to be the space that was once a dumb waiter. Yes, like our house the original kitchen was in the basement, which was connected to the original dining room with a dumb waiter. The original dining room is now the kitchen, sound familiar? Oh, and even better the second parlor was made into the current dining room, just like ours.
This is the prep table in the new butler's pantry. (formerly a main floor library) Joanna paid $100 for the original over sized table. Of course the marble cost a bit more than the table supporting it.
The castle originally had fireplaces in most of the rooms, which were later replaced with radiators.
This stunning bathroom was built into a space that was originally the dressing room of the woman of the house.
This library was built in an over-sized upstairs hall space.
More pictures...
I loved this wall in a large closet. More William Morris paper.
Loved the light through this window.
Dad found the secret passageway in the basement.
We got to Emily's that night around 9, on Tuesday.
That day a couple of our missionaries had their first baby, Cam and Kaitlin Fielding. She was born in Fort Worth, how fun is that. I had hoped a little that they would have their baby the same day as Emily had hers. So close but no cigar ...
Then we spent the day with Emily on Wednesday. In the evening we went over to their church for the activity night. Here Benny plays with another child whose family is involved in other activities.
Benny was in one costume after another all week, its been so fun to watch.
My favorite was of him in a dinosaur head with the fireman costume ... imagine my surprise when Emily showed me a kids show about a dinosaur fireman ... yep.
There was one day when he was wearing a iron-man costume with spider-man slippers and a fire-man coat over it all .... of course loving word play as we do, Emily pointed out that he is actually Benja-man.
In the midst of it all, was this cute picture of another set of our favorite missionaries, who are now married. Just wanted to save it.
Thursday was this girl's birthday.
and we went to lunch with her and Sheila, her mom in law, to celebrate her birthday.
I was sitting with the Dads on the other side of the table.
Loved this iconic picture at the restaurant.
On Friday Morning the kids got to wear their costumes to school. William is a mine craft guy, Bekie's in character as an angel, while Abbie is a witch.
Papa and Benny snuggle with a book.
Later we took off and spent the day at this wonderful antique mall in McKinney. I loved this all white booth, and was surprised to see that the name of the booth was 'Paula's House'.
I thought this wreath was unusual.
On the way back to Emily's we stopped at Buc-ees so we could be cool like Jeff and Robin.
How about this Buc-ees Santa Suit.
Then it was pedicure time with the girls.
Emily can enjoy her fancy toenails when she in labor later this week.
We got home in time for me to go over and help Emily's and her other members of the Primary Presidency as they set up for the Trunk of Treat the next evening.
On Saturday I spent the morning at the Good Will outlet. Lots of good junk, which Dad says is an oxymoron.
Another cute picture I found on line. Perfect for the week of Halloween.
All set up for a Halloween tea party.
Even boys could come.
Then it was time for the ward trunk or treat.
Cutest photo booth ever.
The whole gang ... Sam was home nursing a flu shot kick back ... sorry Sam.
Hmmmm
There were a few duplicate costumes, like this small choir of angels.
Today it was off to church, and then sushi in the afternoon. I watched Emily closely this time and learned some things. Abby's her biggest sushi eater. She ate 3 custom rolls.
Then it was time for the pinata we had brought.
Some Talley cousins came too.
It was also Titan's birthday today. Its just hard to believe that the last of the so called triplets has turned 12.
Its been a great week with a lot of the things I love. Touring a beautifully restored house. Time with grand kids, who snuggle. Junking every day. Anticipating another grand baby. And watching new shows with Emily. Catching up with Sam's career and getting to dress up, and enjoy the costumes of others. Hope you had just as much fun.
