Maria & the San Antonio Rose

Not once, but TWICE I made the long trek from east Texas down to the amazing city of  San Antonio in the month of January!!  Once again I am reminded of the diversity and literal large-ness of our great state during the drive south (about 5 hours from my house) and the cultural uniqueness of one of the US' largest modern cities doused with Hispanic influence and Texan history.  Between the 2 visits I got to see a bit of it all! (Pardon all the pictures!)

First trip was a belated Christmas celebration of my mom's side of the family.  Normally we celebrate at New Year's but delayed 2 weeks so we could meet the newest member of our family - the 7th great-grandchild born to the extended family!  The new parents are my cousin & his wife who both live and teach in San Antonio along with my aunt and other cousin, so they all graciously hosted so we could make sure to see the 4-week old baby.  The weather did not cooperate and it was cold and rainy the whole weekend, but this never daunts our family.  We bring joy and laughter wherever we go - some say too loudly(!) - so fortunately there weren't many others in the hotel lobby we monopolized at breakfasts and other times during the weekend!  We also made the trek downtown to Mi Tierra to eat at Me-Ma's favorite spot and to shop a little in the Mexican Market.  We were only missing one family member and we got to have the newest fiance with us, too.  The weekend included lots of eating, chaotic gift opening, and a sweet time of family worship together on Sunday morning.  I am grateful for and do not take for granted a family that enjoys being together and makes our gatherings a priority. 

We spend a lot of time sitting around tables and rooms - TALKING :) 
Notice my sweet aunt even left her Christmas decorations up until MLK weekend so we could feel "in the spirit" again!

Baby Elijah with his Anya and Me-Ma

The decorations inside & out of the restaurant were so festive -
even on a rainy day you couldn't help but be happy!



The mariachi music just makes the food taste better, right?  Thanks to cousin Tim who had them sing.




Little Holt got the full family treatment for the first time, too.  His fellow great-grands just couldn't get enough of him - but who can blame them?!  He was a trooper and we can't wait for him to be running around with them all :)



My sweet girl cousins

Our annual group pic (we started adding the date last year to help us keep track!)

Trip two was my first TCCTA (Texas Community College Teachers Association) conference - shared with my mom!  The timing was regretable (only 2 weeks after the last trip!) but we enjoyed it.  Spent one night in the beautiful Marriot Riverwalk (for those of you who have visited in the last 20 years and remember the South American pan flute players right outside the mall - we could look down and see & hear them from our room!)  The weather was gorgeous this time and while downtown we made the most of being a tourist (while still attending many sessions, of course.)  We also spent 2 nights at my aunt's house and got to see the new baby again!

My favorite Riverwalk restaurant - I ate there twice in two days!!

Happy to share this experience with my mother (and dinner with my aunt who took the pic!)

I hadn't been to the Alamo in years and the history geek in me couldn't resist a quick walk-thru. 
Thankful for the Texas WOMEN who fought to keep this piece of history open & free to the public.  Yes, it's across the street from the mall and a wax museum, but when you walk in, you feel the stories of our collected past. 

Mom & I splurged on a Riverwalk boat ride - when you pass this little stage (which doesn't usually have that screen) they announce "this is where @Sandra Bullock filmed M_ss Coneniality!"  - This is for you, Leanne :)

Tower of the Americas stands next to the Institute of Texan Cultures - an Amazing museum if you've never been.  The cultures that have lived and made their mark on Texan soil are numerous and their stories are told here.  The hour we spent there just melted!

So thankful to have more time with cousins and baby.  My cousin Michael teaches/coaches at a high school and they were putting on "West Side Story" Sat night.  Have I mentioned my mother and her sister are the ones who led me to my love of musicals???? :)   Michael said we didn't have to go - I just looked at him and said - "look who you're talking to!"  They did a great job and we sang along (in our heads!)

p.s. Of course, "Maria" is from West Side Story.  My cousin's wife didn't know the musical - which we figured out while discussing it over dinner and happening to mention the male lead dies in the end!  Whoops!! :)  We forget not everyone knows these things.  The second part of the post title seems to come from a fairly obscure part of my musical knowledge, but I'm happy to give credit to my parents for having a tape from Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys that we listened to growing up.  This was one of the classics.  For a sing-along version, check out this link.