A week in Dallas and San Antonio

We just got back from an incredible visit to Dallas and San Antonio. It was truly a wonderful visit in every respect and such a treat to spend so much quality time with the family. We did so many fun things during our visit that it's impossible to list them all.

While we were in Dallas, Karen took us to Legoland for a day which the boys loved. They got to build things out of lego, play in the coolest play structure I've ever seen, and got to see their first 4D movie which was a very cool experience for all of us. Tanner's been dreaming of building a whole world made out of lego, and at Legoland there was a whole Dallas made out of lego which which we all thought was pretty amazing and inspiring.

Another day in Dallas, Grandma (Mom) took us all to the zoo, and we had an absolutely fantastic day there. It was a quiet Tuesday and it felt like we had the zoo pretty much to ourselves. The weather was warm (not too hot) and perfect for us northerners! The boys loved feeding the giraffes and having birds come and sit on their heads. It was such a quiet day we were able to speak to the zoo keepers a bit and learn some new things which was also really great. One thing that was not so popular that day: Cam got charged by the ornary male gorilla called Patrick while I was trying to take his picture by the gorilla pen! Poor Cammy doesn't thing much of gorillas anymore. It is a great story though.

That same day was a somewhat historic day in Dallas. A huge number of storms and an even more impressive number of tornados swept through the city that day setting records for the number of tornados logged in one day in the area. When we left the zoo the tornados were all around the area of "home" and we headed the other direction towards a Cabelas that Mike wanted to visit anyways. Shortly after we arrived, the staff ushered us all into a back room (aka the bargain cave) as the tornadoes had moved into the area. We were kept in the bargain cave for almost 2 hours. It was an adventure for us - they fed us fudge and skittles, and we entertained ourselves by trying on silly hats and looking at the tornado radars. It's definetely an experience we'll never forget. Eventually all the tornados passed through and thankfully no lives were lost that day despite the incredible destruction in some areas of the city.

Mom (Cheryl) had planned a trip to San Antonio for us, and it was so much fun and so special to have the whole family together on an adventure. Mom and Dad rented a huge SUV and we all (the Dallas contingent) travelled together. Jenny (who is in College Station TX) met us in San Antonio. We stayed in an incredibly beautiful (and comfortable) hotel on the River Walk which was such a treat. We would get up with the boys in the early morning and go exploring along the river walk. We played with the rolly pollys which the boys loved, and got to watch some Night Herons work on their nests in their rookery by the river. The boys loved running along the loop of the river walk. We loved it too - it really is incredibly magical down there under the huge old cypress trees.

We celebrated Mike's birthday while we were in San Antonio, and Mike found a fantastic Mexican restaurant for us all to go out to, complete with mariaches, delicious Mexican food and a tres leches birthday cake that Mike had to eat without his hands! It was really special for Mike (and all of us) to be surrounded by the family on his birthday and it was a huge treat for Mike and I to go out with Karen, Jen and lance in the evenings after the kids were in bed.

Mom had planned a day at Sea World for us all. The boys loved Sea World. Jenny is a fund of knowledge on all things related to the sea, and she spent a few summers a Sea World camp in San Antonio. It was incredible to get a taste of Sea World through her eyes. Cam was amazed by the Killer Whales and kept asking if they were real. We all loved the Balugas and white dolphins. In fact all shows were amazing and have inspired both boys in so many ways - to learn to swim underwater (they've already been practicing), to learn to open their eyes under water. The boys were also treated to their very first dip 'n dots (kindess of Grandma) which was a huge treat.

We had an incredible visit and we all felt so sad to say goodbye to everyone. We really miss you all and love you so much.