The Gwilliam Family: A Little Lubbock Getaway

January 16-18, 2026

A quick weekend trip to Lubbock turned into the perfect family getaway. Everyone purchased tickets to the BYU-Texas Tech basketball game, and Brian and I found a nice three bedroom Airbnb to rent. Parker had just started his internship in Carlsbad, NM and was not 100% sure he would be able to make it. I'm so glad it worked out. It made it feel more like a vacation.

We trickled in on Friday night. Brian and I got there pretty early in the evening and settled into our cute house, grabbed dinner and then picked up a few breakfast supplies and snacks from the grocery store. Tanner and fam met u,p with one of Erin's best friends for dinner, and Parker arrive until after 9:00 pm.

Saturday morning, Brian, Parker and I went to the temple. We haven't had many opportunities to go with our Parker Bryce. I loved that he wanted to go, and I loved being there together.

Kaide's sendoff: "Have fun singing at the temple."

Tanner, Erin and Kaide went to an indoor playground. Kaide was a fan, but Tanner and Erin were a little disappointed. We met up for lunch at Chuy's and then headed to Main Event in Lubbock for some glow- in-the-dark mini golf.

Erin Noel, Kaide, Tanner & Papa

I had to bow out early from this fun family game because the lights were giving me an awful headache. I wasn't expecting that reaction. Maybe I'm just getting more sensitive with age.

After mini-golf, for the first. time. ever. in our marriage, Brian wanted to go to the mall. I was stunned. Seriously. He was on the search for more comfortable shoes to wear to work. I was more than happy to made that detour. I found a casual pair of tennis shoes and got an hour massage while he and Parker shopped. Sweet!

Later that evening, we were excited to go to the big game. Tech was our only loss in football this year, and we were pretty sure we could beat them in basketball. We also have the number one recruit: AJ Dybantsa. Kaide went to the BYU-Tech football game a few months earlier and has been talking about how "B.I.U. did not win the big game. Texas Tech won the big game" ever since.

We needed redemption.

Because Brian and I bought our tickets a few days after the boys did, we were sitting a couple of sections away from each other. My nephew Adam and two of his boys were a few more sections over. But we were all united in the nose bleeds! I walked a few laps during halftime and never returned to our seats. I stood and watched from a much closer section until some seats opened up and Brian joined me.

My nephew Adam with two of his boys: Lincoln & Christian

The best part of this picture is a used ChatGPT to add a baseball hat on my head. I didn't ever have time after the temple to properly get ready for the day. My hair was looking rough!

Me and my man

Tan Man

Sadly, "B.I.U." did not win this big game either, (71-84), and Kaide will probably be shaking his head and telling the sad news to anyone who will listen.

On to happier topics. Our Airbnb was newly remodeled and decorated so beautifully. We actually didn't have a ton of time there, but it was pretty comfortable with one small issue. Tanner & Erin had the master suite, but the heater was out. It was a freezing weekend in Lubbock and their room and bathroom was icy cold. Darn it.

I think Erin and I were especially impressed with the remodel. These pictures don't quite do it justice--it honestly looked like something straight out of a magazine.

When we were home, we squeezed in some games with Kaide (nobody else would humor me). We played some UNO, follow the leader, and a few really fun games of hide-and-seek throughout the whole house. He also asked, "should we have Family Home Evening?" on Sunday morning. Of course we should, and we did. We sang Primary songs. Erin whipped out a quick lesson on the Creation, and we all joined in a final round of hide and seek.