Family Visit in Dallas

This past weekend we went to Dallas to visit my Aunt Karen and Uncle Dan. We had the best time ever, even if it was a very short trip!

I was hoping to take a half day on Friday but we had several other managers out on vacation so didn't feel right leaving early. Of course, I ended up stuck in the office till 5:30! I got home and hurriedly packed my stuff. Luckily, I had packed Gracyn up the night before. Janaca met us, then we headed to Van Buren to pick up Kaeleigh. We got to Sallisaw and decided it was time to eat. We finally made it into Dallas about 1:00am. I'm actually glad we got there when we did. There was a lot of construction going on and no one on the road at that time. Perfect!

We woke up the next morning to Aunt Karen making us breakfast burritos! Clint decided he wanted to go look for a Texas Rangers shirt so Janaca, Clint, and I headed to do a little shopping. We found them both a Rangers shirt and Gracyn a cute Rangers dress! I had packed a navy and white dress for her to wear to the game, but Clint just couldn't pass up the Rangers dress. Of course, I wasn't going to say no! We got back to the house and everyone was waiting on us to change into our bathing suits. We then headed to NRH2O Water Park. Aunt Karen kept telling us it wasn't "that big of a deal kinda park." Um....yeah right! This place was amazing! Take a look at the aerial view!

This place had several huge slides, a tadpole pool for tots, a bigger kid area, a wave pool, and a lazy river. I would totally drive 6 hours again just to spend a day at this water park.

Piper, Avery, Gracyn, Kaeleigh, and Zoe ready to go swimming!



Once we got into the park, we set up our little sitting area. We all headed to the wave pool. Once the waves started, we were all slinging back and forth and screaming and laughing. Gracyn was not a fan of this. So, her and I headed up to the tadpole pool. There were three little slides that Gracyn loved to go down. She went down it several times then we decided to go find Clint to show him what she could do. We ended up exploring other parts of the tadpole pool, including the lily pads. She loved jumping from one to the other. I wish I had pictures of this, but obviously not taking my Iphone in the pool.

It wasn't too much later that we headed over to the science center. It has an actual name, but I can't remember it. I assumed Gracyn was leading Clint up to ride the little yellow slides in the front. Wrong! She wanted to ride a big slide! Clint let her take him wherever she wanted to go and she walked up the stairs and right up to the big pink slide! We were both very apprehensive on letting her go down it, but she was not taking no for an answer. So I went to the bottom to meet her. It was HILARIOUS watching her come down the slide. She was half sitting half laying down with her arms and legs flailing about!This area of the park has constant water falling from it so as she came down the slide water was just pouring on her face. Poor kid....I don't think she knew what she was getting herself into!

How fun is this kid area?!!!!

The pink slide Gracyn insisted on going down!

Taking a little break at the wave pool.

After a couple of hours of fun in the sun, we headed back to the house. Uncle Dan was grilling out burgers while the rest of us got ready for the game. While I was packing Friday, I had Janaca steam my shirt I was going to wear to the game. Clint told me to just pack the steamer and steam the shirt before the game. So what did I do? I packed the steamer, but not my shirt! So after we ate, Clint and I headed to Academy to find me a shirt to wear to the game!

So about the game....the Rangers played the White Sox. It was hot. That's about it. No really, we had a lot of fun. When we were walking in Gracyn said she wanted to see the Pig Soiee's play. Then when we were in the stadium she started calling the Hogs. I guess she is ready for some football!

Aunt Janaca and Gracyn headed into the stadium!

Cheese!

Little snow cone eaters!

Silly cousins!

The photographer finally gets her picture made!

What a long day!

We had a great time and hope to go back next year! We got to see family that we don't get to see very often. Aunt Karen and Uncle Dan definately treated us all to a fabulous weekend and we thank them very much!

Ok I found this hilarious. We stopped at a QT (my favorite!) on the way out of Dallas to get donuts and coffee. We pulled right in front of a SafePlace sign! I thought only hospitals and firehouses were SafePlaces! I told Gracyn I was going to leave her there. She looks so sad! Haha!!!!

Funny Girl

Gracyn said the funniest thing today on the way to school. I always think, "Oh I will remember that!" then it takes all I can to remember to tell Clint what she said just a couple hours later! So I decided to put them on the blog. So beware, every once in awhile there might be a blog post with just one or two things Gracyn said. Doesn't matter though...it's a way for me to remember!

When Gracyn wakes up in the morning she is always freezing. She wants her blanket. I can usually get her out of the house without one. Today she did her typical, "I'm cold" fit. When we got to the car I put the heater on in the back so it would warm her up. She said, " I just want to be comfy!" This just cracked me up!

Then she started singing, "Tonight.....we are young. nah na na nah...spaghetti." "Momma...I want chicken spaghetti!" Yes that is right....she made up her own words to Fun's song, "We are Young," added spaghetti to the lyrics, then decided she wanted chicken spaghetti. That girl is a mess!

Too Hot to do Anything!

It has been so hot lately! Poor kids at daycare haven't even been able to play outside because it has been so hot! We pretty much haven't done anything this month, however that is all about to change. The past few weekends have been weekends spent at home in the nice AC and just resting for what's to come. Next weekend we are going to Dallas to visit my aunt, then the weekend after will be Clint's side of the family's reunion, then the weekend after we are headed to the BEACH!!! Gracyn has been talking about going to the beach for at least the last 3 months. Not a day goes by that there isn't some reference to the beach. I can't wait for her to experience it! Til then...here are a couple of pictures from the last couple of weeks.

Fireworks!!!

Practicing a little gymnastics!

Yummy Ice Cream!!!

Modeling her alligator top after waking up. Not happy!

Better back away from my taco!

And practicing a little more gymnastics. This is a nightly event.

Caroline's Kitchen!

Last Saturday was Miss Caroline's third birthday! Not sure how she is already three years old! Katie did another fabulous job on her birthday party. The theme was Caroline's Kitchen! Katie had two of the cutest aprons made for the girls. She also had two small cakes made for the girls to decorate! I don't think they will be winning Food Network Challenge anytime soon, but everyone had fun watching them decorate their cakes. Leave it to my child to take a bite out of the wax number 2!

When we first arrived Gracyn had to give her bestie a great big birthday hug!!!

Eating a little dinner before the FUN begins!

Caroline's masterpiece!

Gracyn working hard at smoothing those sides!

After the cake decorating we all sang Happy Birthday to Carolione (twice) then she opened presents. Gracyn got her a charm bracelet and a Friends charm. Katie and I are already thinking of which charm we can get them when we go to the beach. Of course, we will have to get ourselves a Pandora charm when we go as well! Caroline's big present from Katie and Eric was a kitchen set! It's super cute and the girls loved playing with it!

The girls played so hard that evening. We put their pj's on, which just so happened they had a matching pair, then set them on the couch to watch a little TV and relax. Caroline crashed on the couch and Gracyn decided to go to the play room and do a little reading. After I put her to bed, us grown ups just enjoyed sitting around the kitchen table and telling funny stories.
 
The next morning the girls up bright and early. They played with ballons and then decided they wanted to go outside and blow bubbles. There seemed to be less blowing and more stepping in them. So we took them in to wash their feet, then they decided they would just rather have a bath.
 

Playing with Caroline's musical card!

Time to wash our feet!

We've Come a Long Way!

It has been one year since Gracyn started gymnastics! Her first day was terrible to say the least!!! She didn't understand she needed to stand in line and do whatever the rotation was. All she wanted to do is play on the slide! I'd set her down and she'd run to the slide. I'd grab and take her back in line and she would just fight and struggle. It was miserable. I just remember one of the moms telling me that it would get better in about 4-6 weeks. I jut remember thinking I wasn't going to make it that long! On the 4th week, it was like something in her clicked and she knew exactly what to do! Sure, she still has her moments when she might throw a fit, especially if she isn't first in line or if another kid takes her turn. I simply take her out of the room and calm her down. Overall, she is a shining star in gymnastics! She absolutely loves it! She is always wanting to practice at home. I picked her up from daycare one day while they were on the playground. I went out to see her walking on a railroad tie with her arms out as if she was practicing her balance beam routine! HAHA! I love it! She has come so far in a years time. I can't wait to see where she is at come this time next year!

Modeling her very first leotard before he first gymastics class!

1st Class - The Infamous Slide!

Look at her working that bridge!

Crab Crawl on the beams. Miss Nicole was very impressed!

The bars are her favorite!!!

My Little Twinkle Tot!!!

Gracyn started dance class on June 5! It's just a summer class that last 5 weeks. I thought we would give it a try and see if it was something we wanted to do long term. I have to say...Gracyn loves it! I think she loves that fact that she is a ballerina like Aunt KK more than anything. She is the youngest in her class, but one of the most well behaved. I chalk this up to her already being use to these types of activities due to gymnastics. She comes in and stands on her green dot waiting for class to start. I have to go in the other room and watch her thru the glass. I don't like not being able to be in there, but I better get used to it. Once Gracyn moves up to the three year old class in gymnastics, I will have to watch from upstairs. Anyway, she stands on her dot while some of the other girls run  squirm around. Then class starts and they do their little dances! I was little upset after the first week that they didn't work on technique. Then I had to tell myself that it was a class of 2 and 3 year olds! I can't expect too much! Tomorrow is the day we can sign up for the fall classes. I have to say, I don't enjoy dance as much as gymnastics but she LOVES it so she will be an official Twinkle Tot in the fall!!! ** sorry got the quality of the pictures. I had to take them thru the glass in the other room!

Look at the tondu! If you notice, she is a lille behind since the teachers are already on to the plie! But at least it's a good tondu!!!

What a teacher's pet! She made sure she was the first over to sit by Miss Miranda! Isn't she the cutest little dancer?!

Cousin Myla's 2nd Birthday!

So I'm almost a month behind on blogging. I figured I better get some of June's activities in before the month was over! June 3 was Myla's 2nd birthday! We headed down to Fort Smith for cake and ice cream! Gracyn insisted on getting Myla a yello duck, so she got her a princess rubber ducky and some bubbles. Clint and I got her a broom set. I know how much Gracyn loves sweeping when I am so I figured it would be a good gift! The girls had a lot of fun playing. They don't get to see each other as often as we would like!

Myla opening gifts with help from Aunt KK!

          

                                                                      

Silly girls!!!

Birthday Girl! Hard to believe she was less than 2 lbs when she was born!

Grandpa Peevy and his little princesses!!!