Easter in East Texas- My Hometown Post 1 of 2

This year we had a lovely invitation to go back to my hometown of Tyler, Texas for Easter weekend.  My parents friends invited us to stay at their Bed & Breakfast and enjoy an amazing Easter Lunch and Egg Hunt!  Since Tyler isn't too far away, we thought it would be a perfect weekend get-away.  

I have only been back to Tyler once since we moved and it was for a very quick trip...so it has been 18 years since I have gone back and visited the area where I grew up.  What a neat experience to see things again after so long!  Our first stop was the Rosevine Inn Bed & Breakfast to get unpacked and settled into our room.  It is just how I remembered it as a kid!  

The only difference is that they have expanded and purchased the properties on the street behind the B&B.  They have designed each house to have a special theme for their guests!  

We got to stay in the Sherlock Holmes Cottage.  

This home was built in the 1930’s and a woman by the name of Mrs. Watkins lived there her entire life.  Most of the interior furnishings and décor are original to the home.  

It really felt like we were going back in time during our stay.  We didn’t have internet access and we never turned on a TV.  I enjoyed the simple life.  I wish I had taken pictures of inside the house, but we were always on the go and I never had the chance.  This is the backyard...look at all those trees!  My heart was at home here!

 I remember visiting the Rosevine Inn as a kid and playing in their beautiful yard with towering trees.  I came across this picture of me running around their yard. I am in the red sweater.  This was taken in 1993. 

And here is the same barn today, in 2012.  Pardon the big tent in the picture that is being set up for the Easter Lunch!

Here are the tables all set up under the tent in preparation for the Easter Lunch!  More pics to come of that in the next post.

 Just like the good ol' days, we enjoyed visiting outside and the amazing hospitality of Bert & Becca.

Claire with Becca! 

Claire enjoyed playing in front of the barn.

Her hair is getting so curly these days..

This was a special day as we went to visit the house I grew up in and our next door neighbors who were like grandparents to me and still live in the same house!  I have soooo many wonderful memories of growing up in East Texas with the tall trees, swimming in the neighbors pool with my friends Callie & Brittany, picking wildflowers in the front yard, our “club” in woods and so many more.

This was my house in 1992.

This is my house today.  

It has changed a lot on the outside and in the inside in the past 18 years!  I can’t believe it, but the current homeowner actually invited us in to look around.  They have done a major renovation and updated everything.  I can’t believe I got to walk back into my childhood bedroom!  It was such a neat experience.  One thing that didn’t change was the view…oh how I LOVE this view.  Our house overlooked Lake Palestine and there wasn’t a day that went by that we didn’t enjoy this view!

These are the trees that I miss so much!  They are so tall!

An old photo of me playing in front of the home I grew up in with my dad washing the car in the background.

Our front yard in 1994...

And another picture of me (much older), doing my favorite thing...reading in my tree!  Check out that Saved by the Bell book!  Did I mention how much I miss the trees, haha!

After touring our old house we went to visit the best neighbors you could ever ask for...my "Aunt" Barbara and "Uncle" Bob!  Sitting in their living room and visiting with them took me right back to my childhood.  It was like nothing had changed and no time had passed.  "Aunt" Barbara was feeding us delicious homemade croissants and offering iced-tea!  If that weren't enough, she even kept one of my favorite childhood toys...my telephone car!

As you can see, even after all these years, it still doesn't disappoint!  Claire loved it!

After some time spent talking and catching up we went outside to enjoy the beautiful view and peacefulness that only East Texas can offer!

Claire was right at home in Aunt Barbara's lap!

 We all agreed this girl loves the country and she loves her Great Aunt Barbara!

Before we knew it, it was time for Claire's nap and we had to say good-bye.  It was hard to leave when I felt so at home again.  I sure do love these people!  I snapped a quick pic as we drove away.

After Claire's nap we did some exploring around the B&B.

Then we all hung out in the barn and enjoyed the hammocks...

the boys played a few games of pool...

and my mom, Claire and I visited with Bert.

That was Saturday!  Whew...we were BUSY!  Since I've already posted 100 pictures just for today, I'll save Easter Sunday for the next post!   See you soon!