The Lonestar State - Part 1

We were off! The kids loved their first "real" flight. They were SO excited. All the people around us were thoroughly enjoying their raw excitement. They couldn't contain it. Caleb was shouting (literally shouting!) "When are we going to BLAST off???" Alayna said, "This is just like an airplane ride at Disneyland, except it's actually real and not a ride!" Jake, was just content and totally thrilled. Ben did great, he didn't seem to mind at all.

Waiting to blast off!

Caleb realizing that he can kick the seat in front of him...yeah, pretty much the grandpa in front of us totally loved Caleb. (just kidding) Don't worry we threatened him with his life!

This was my favorite part of the flight. Jake was listening to the stewardess and was looking at the emergency guide and said with tons of questioning and excitement in his voice, "Mom...Is THIS how WE get down from the airplane????" I just cracked up laughing and smiling....he saw the BIG yellow slide and thought how FUN! I then explained how fun that would be but that would be because only in case of an emergency. Then I realized he hadn't even thought that anything scary could happen. So I quickly changed the subject and he was back to thinking about the excitement of the airplane!

Here is Jake spending his two hours on the plane. He built a plane and tower. Mr. Mellow Jake was so great to play and entertain himself while Caleb and Alayna watched Toy Story. That is something else I adore about him, he is completely temperate. Good little boy.

Landing in Dallas Texas.

Being welcomed with excitement from Uncle Brian, Aunt Ashley and Baby Mikey....AND Eating delicious BBQ at Hard Eight. YUM.

The next morning brought a little running for the adults, then a stop at a donut shop for the kids! They were in HEAVEN.

 

This is the ONLY "mountain" in Texas...It's a hill up to a really neat plantation house.

Jared found this local hamburger joint. Ok folks, if you know me well you know there has yet to be a hamburger I even like. Yeah, pretty much this was DELICIOUS! I'm serious, from the homemade bun, toasted with butter, cheesy cheesy cheesy, YUM. Seriously, I think we might have to go again. But this joint opens at 11am and closes whenever they want to end or run out of food. It's in the middle of this backwoods neighborhood. This picture doesn't even do justice for how random and back woods this was. Just trust me. Hilarious. But oh so good. Diners Drive-ins and Dives NEEDS to document this place....yum.

Lake Ray Hubbard. We went to the harbor and walked around.

After a little walk, a hamburger we were off for more totally healthy food. Brian loves these cheese fries. As for me, so far the hamburger was the only thing I enjoyed. Jared was laughing because I don't care for donuts, hamburgers or fries...all three things were being eaten in one day...I passed on the donut, ate the hamburger, and passed on the fries. But besides me they were a HUGE success. Pretty much I decided I would have LOVED them to be cheese nachos instead....Until, the next place.

Wishing at the fountains in Rockwall, TX.

Enjoying the view.

The kids can only stay away from water for a short time! They were in heaven...and getting soaking wet yet again.

It was time to let the kids actually go swim in their swimming suits instead of their clothes for the second day in a row!

This cute little store we found on the way out. Jake thought it was perfect.

Swimming....Yeah for the cutest pictures of adorable little kids swimming up a storm. Oh, speaking of storm. Last night we went to bed at about midnight and we woke up about an hour or two later to the WILDEST THUNDER and LIGHTENING storm ever!!!! It was INSANE. I seriously multiple times grabbed Jared and screamed. It was unreal. I was SHOCKED that the kids slept through it. With the wind, lights and SUPER loud thunder it was crazy!!! We are hoping that a storm hits around 10pm one of these nights so we can enjoy it when we are awake. Either way it was crazy and we loved every second of it!

After a LONG day, these kids fell asleep while on the floor while we were finishing dinner. I think that they are living it up on vacation??? What do you think??? We are having a great time!