Welcome Back Colorado Boys - Days 14 & 15

Dang, it's our last full day together.  Well dang it anyway.  Let's make it a good one.  After a little discussion, we've decided to zip over to the Fort Worth Stockyards and then Raef and I have a second stop in mind.  Hello Fort Worth.

Within moments of our arrival the maze has been located and they are off to find the stops and then their way out.

Once the maze is conquered, I do a quick watch check and discover that the cattle drive is about to start.  However, before we can take up a good viewing spot, the 100 degrees has gotten to us and we need fluids.  Across the street we go to satisfy the need AND take pictures with a lovely horse.

It's cattle drive time.  Hahahahaha -- anyone who has attended this knows why I am laughing BUT the longhorns are indeed real and fun to see up close.

The lengthy drive (5 minutes) passes and we're done.  The heat is draining us and it's unanimous that we need to head for the car.  On the way back, I remember the overlook to the stables and even though the sun is crazy hot, we make a quick detour.

This overlook goes out over the actual stockyards and the boys make a quick dash out to the end and back.

As the sweat drips down on our faces, we are not letting anymore detours distract and finally find the car.  Ahhhh A/C.  Divine.  Okay -- now off to our fun extra.

It's been a couple of years since I have been out here and really do enjoy the tour and the opportunity to learn more about our money.  We are not allowed cameras inside so I'll just share a few stories.  After viewing the movie, we take our spot along the tour route and I encourage the boys to hang back and let everyone else go ahead.  With our audio guides, we get started and take our time with each stop.  The workers down on the plant floor notice and start trying to communicate with us.  It's great and we get some extra information via hand signals and some great lip reading.  The boys get a kick out of it all and feel a little special.  Icing on the top of an already superb tour.

There is only one item left on the boys "wanna do" list and that is sugar cookies.  Before dinner, we get the dough made so that it can chill overnight.  Fresh cookies will be going home via air mail.

Of course, the beater licking is the favorite part.  They divide the beater into parts and lick away.

After dinner Grandpa treats everyone to one last movie.  Despicable Me 3 with popcorn and soda as an extra piece of fun

Oh dang, I forgot that there had been one more request.  Earlier in the week, Raef had researched and located a shop that might have one of the collection cards he has been wanting.  After the movie, we zip down there real quick and I stay in the car with Caleb and Ryan while Grandpa and Raef do their thing.  The choice is made and Grandpa even helps out with a book to hold his cards.  Way to go Grandpa.

8th - (tears) The day has finally arrived.  We have laundry going, bags being packed and cookies being baked.  Yep, it's a busy morning.

Cookies and hot chocolate for breakfast.  Yep, the perfect grandparents strike again.

A wee bit of time to kill and Grandpa takes complete advantage.

Soon, way too soon, it's time to make the trek to Love Field.  WE have to give them back to their parents and neither one of us are any too happy about it.  We are held up a bit in checking in so have only a few minutes at the gate to say our good-byes.  Yes, I'm smiling here but hugs bring tears again.

Off they go and I am once again able to watch as they go down the jet bridge.  I'm not leaving the airport until they are actually in the air.

We are able to follow the plane as it leaves the gate all the way until it is on the runway and ready for take-off.  Pretty cool.  Bye boys.  We'll miss you and can't wait to see ya'll again.