San Antonio-Part 1

After months of training and running at least four days a week, Thomas qualified for the Cross Country Junior Olympics in San Antonio!  We got the kids out of school early on Friday, December 13 to travel I-10 west!  

We stopped at a rest stop somewhere between here and there.  Gosh, I love these five.

Look who made the trip to San Antonio with us!  You better watch out.  You better not cry!

We stayed at the Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch in a condo, and loved it!

 We made it to San Antonio just in time for Thomas to walk the course with Coach Homer, and then head to the pasta dinner at Sea World.  We met up with Mimi and Papa just in time for the Opening Ceremonies.  Sea World was decorated for Christmas, and it was just lovely.

 Shamu had a baby seven days before we arrived.  So the Shamu Miracles of Christmas show for the Opening Ceremonies turned into us watching Mama Killer Whale swim in circles with Baby Killer Whale for the length of the evening.

See the baby dorsal fin?

 They announced the kids by regions, and every region in the entire country was represented.  There were 3400 athletes ages 7-18.  It was such a spectacular experience.  Leo Manzano, the 2008 Olympic Silver medalist in the 1500 (and Longhorn alum) was the keynote speaker.

We were bundled up for the evening!

 We didn't let a little trip to San Antonio spoil Rose's Halfy birthday.  I made cookies and popcorn in our condo, and we ended the night celebrating Rose turning 7 1/2!