Flying to Houston

The Vuyk family invited us down to Houston for an engagement party in honor of their lovely daughter Bethany agreeing to marry our son Alexander. As soon as Becca got home from school, we headed to O'Hare and stopped off a Bub City for some dinner. We were seated and it took a long time for a waitress to come over, probably because the hostess was not supposed to sit us in that section. A manager came by and saw us there and apologized and offered a free appetizer of fried pickles. Although we appreciated his gesture, neither J. R. or Becca likes pickles and Janie was avoiding fried food. But it was the thought that counts.

As usual, our American Airlines flight to Houston was delayed due to a late-arriving aircraft. So we ended up not getting to our hotel until well after midnight.

Saturday morning

We drove over to Chateau Vuyk early Saturday to meet up with Alex, Bethany and the rest of the Vuyk clan. We chatted for awhile then while Janie and Missy did some wedding planning, Alex and J. R. drove back to the airport to pick up Thomas. The ladies of the house went to get their nails done and the boys headed outside for a bags tourney. Alex and Thomas ran out to a big lead but J. R. and Adrian found their stride and pulled out a one-shot victory. Later "Team Georgia" of Thomas and Maddie took out Alex and Becca and "Team Illinois".

Engagement Party

The caterers arrived right after the first bags game and we started prepping the house for the party. Guests began rolling in after seven and we ate and drank and toasted the bride-to-be and her groom-select.

Sunday

The Vuyk's treated us to kolaches and donuts from our favorite Southern spot, Shipley's before Janie and J. R. joined them for Sunday Mass at their Houston church, which will be the site of Bethany and Alex's "Toit Nups" next October. J. R. picked up the tab for the barbecue lunch and then the adults headed downtown to scope out the reception venue while Alex and Becca returned Thomas to the airport before they drove back to San Antonio. We walked to the boardwalk for some Mexican food and conversation. Murphy and Amelia took Rebecca for some nitrogen-fueled ice cream before we walked home and caught the last part of the Astros win over the Yankees.

Johnson Space Center

On Monday, we said goodbye to the Vuyks and drove to the Johnson Space Center before driving back to the airport for our flight home to Chicago. Our flight was again delayed as we sat on the tarmac for an hour, which meant a late night drive home from O'Hare.

Engagement Photos