I report to Provo's Missionary Training Center Wednesday January 27-- that is
exactly one week before a certain love of my life turns 21... So we celebrated things early this year, and MLK Day gave us the perfect opportunity to do it!
It began at
5:00 in the am when we left my house (each in our own cars) to road trip it the two hours down to "Waco" to "celebrate" his birth {or so he thought!}. Once we got to Waco, we dropped his car off, got back in mine, and kept on driving down I-35.
Lance had no idea where we were going... Which is funny, because he was the one driving! 
Ready to hit the road!
After two more hours, we arrived in
Schertz, Texas and took exit #175 when we arrived at
Natural Bridge Caverns, just outside San Antonio.
Lance hadn't ever been to a cave (which is ironic because his mom's great-great-uncle discovered Carlsbad Caverns) so he was
super excited!
The tour was excellent, and
everything was so beautiful! We also learned a lot about caves and limestone... Pretty much,
we're experts now!
If you ever get confused... just remember:
Stalactites cling
tight to the ceiling and
stalagmites might reach the ceiling!
There were these
great dinos there for playing on... but they also made
the perfect photo-op!
The baby was my favorite :)
...and so was the gift shop!
We felt like we were five again!Once we departed from the caverns, we headed down to the real San Antonio... or rather, the tourist-y part. But first, we had to stop at the
San Antonio Temple. Since it was Monday, we couldn't go inside because it was closed. But we got some great pictures!
One of the neat things about this temple, is
it's at the top of a hill. So, driving up from the valley, you see its
simple beauty from just about anywhere!
"You are never lost when you can see the temple!" came to mind... and it made me want to move to San Antonio
just a bit :)
This is the edge of the temple grounds-- you can see
the valley down below.
The rest of the day was simply wonderful as well!
We walked
up and down the riverwalk-- despite the gross water, it's really
a beautiful area!
See Daddy?! Jackalopes DO exist!
Apparently this hotel is
super haunted-- so we got a picture!
Going to the Alamo was a wonderful experience, indeed. I hadn't been since I was little, and Lance and I are both big ol' history dorks. It was very humbling to know a gigantic part of Texas history and a big part of US history, which took place February 23- March 6, 1836, was made up by these 180 men who fought for what they believed in and died honorably for their Texas.
This plaque is fixed to the Alamo's chapel, and after hearing the story of the Alamo reenacted by a tour guide,
I just about cried when I read it. 
"Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word"- John Steinbeck
My sense of
Texas pride was re-heightened after relearning more about our amazing republic... er, state :)
After we were
worn out, we began the two hour (for Lance) and four and a half hour (for me) drive home, but not before
we stopped at Ghengis Grill for some dinner. About a year ago, Lance swore up and down that he would not like 'Mongolian Barbecue'... but
he begrudgingly tried it anyway. The result? It's pretty much
his favorite place ever now.
San Antonio was
a blast-- especially being there with Lance! Thanks for making these last
four years so much fun :)Happy {early} birthday, hunny!
It's getting full... I love it!
Lance gave me this puzzle piece charm for two reasons.
Cam, Kevin, and Audrey gave me the Dutch snowflake charm. It's to help me remember that underneath the snow, are the flowers that will eventually come up, because winter always gives way to spring :)
And Mom, Dad, and Trevor gave me this Texas charm, because my heart does, and always will belong to Texas!
