14 years strong and a Dallas staycation!

May 4th 2010 marked our 14th wedding anniversary.  Jeremy always takes the day off work and we usually go out to eat as a family.  This year we decided it would be the first day of his vacation/time off since he had already requested it off anyway.  I was woken with a hot latte from Starbucks, red roses, new cute pj's and CHOCOLATE! yum.  It was a lovely way to start the day, especially since I didn't expect ANY of it.  I do love surprises. 

After enjoying my coffee and getting ready for the day we all headed down to Dallas.  Today we were going to spend exploring and getting a feel for what we wanted to do for the rest of the week.  We drove in to Dallas (which is not even 40 mins from where we live but it always seems SO far to go) and parked under the Big Red Museum and Tourist Info.  We wandered into the tourist info office and found a most helpful worker there who gave us a walking guide and some ideas of what to see and places to eat.  We mentioned we wanted to see the 6th Floor Museum and he informed us we couldnt that day because someone broke in the night before.  They apparently got through two levels of security but he wouldn't divulge if they got away with anything!  How exciting :)  So Tuesday ended up being our walking tour day.

First stop was Fountain Place which is really just a business building but they have fountains surrounding the building.  Finn really loved it.  Soleil slept.  The bigger boys enjoyed it too and Madeleine snapped pictures.

Next we walked by the Dallas Museum of Art and snapped these pictures.  We didn't stop in because we were trying to see things we hadn't seen before.

Then we stopped by The Crowe Collection of Asian Art , in the gardens outside there were various sculptures, all beautiful, here are a few that we saw.

We ate lunch inside the building adjacent to the Crowe Museum and then wandered over to look in there.  They have some really beautiful pieces and the museum has no charge for admission. 

OK well this the first half of our first day, we packed a lot in on the first day so I will save the second half for a second post.  Still have the Dallas skyline, Thanksgiving square, Declaration of Independence and Original Shakespeare and the Pioneer Plaza Cattle Drive. 

Texas Bluebonnets

Bluebonnets are synonymous with Texas.  They are a protected wildflower here and grow for only a few weeks in the spring.  It depends on the spring weather when they grow.  There are websites dedicated to letting you know where they are blooming.  We checked out a couple of hiking trails that were listed as having bluebonnets but couldn't find any so we stopped on a road that had quite a few growing on the median strip.  I was expecting it to be a cloudy day but the sun came out and the clouds burned off so the lighting wasn't as good as I had hoped. 

Soleil loves flowers

My cutie Campbell

Beautiful sisters

My loves

Saying "Hi" to daddy

Another one of those thought bubble pictures, I wonder what this one would have said?!

Finn is such a ham, begged for this picture :)

Studying the flowers

Gorgeous Bluebonnets

Owen in the field of bluebonnets

Last group shot, they were all sick of the camera at this point but were still being good sports

She's kinda done here, but oh so cute!

After this torturous photo shoot we went to braum's for icecream cones.  A fabulous end to a fun family day!

Heard Museum Earth Day

Each year the Heard Museum has an Earth Day celebration.  McKinney residents get free admission and the museum opens it's doors to not only residents but to earth friendly businesses to peddle their wares.  We decided since soccer games were canceled due to overnight rain that soaked the fields that we would go and check things out.  Thanks to the rain the previous night many people decided to avoid the morning and there was plenty of parking.  We put Soleil in the beco (wonderful carrier) and decided to take a hike while she was feeling mellow.  Finn insisted on being the lead the whole way, it was a nice 20 minuteish hike and all of the greenery and trees kept it nice and cool for us.

Campbell at the head of the trail

Soleil hanging out with dad, gosh she's gorgeous!

Reading a plaque about a tree that was struck by lightning, split in half and still growing

My boys

The holes on this tree were made by woodpeckers

Loved this tree

four of my loves

log cabin

After we were done with the trails we went over and checked out the petting zoo.

Finn feeding the ducks

This is a cute bunny

Owen feeding the donkey

Madeleine was the chicken whisperer

They coloured the chicks....what?

Cut bunnies, on closer inspection there is another one under the white and black one, those legs sticking out where attached to a sleeping bunny

Campbell feeding a goat

This piglet was so cute

Next we headed over to where there were some caged animals

This mama lemur had a tiny baby.  So cute!

They also had wallaroos

It was a lovely morning at the Heard, we left just in time to beat the crowds.

Happy Earth Day!

Australian food

I love Australian food.  I think we are definitely in the lead when it comes to lollies, chocolate, chips and snacks!  My opinion is not biased!  Jeremy placed an order with the Australian Catalogue Company .  All I specifically requested was Cherry Ripes, because it had been a long time since I had had one of those and I LOVE them.  I love Turkish Delights more but we can buy those here at World Market .  I was so happy when I got to open the box, even though it arrived as we were running out the door to meet some friends at the park.  I quickly unloaded the box, grabbed a cherry ripe and left, knowing full well while I was gone that piles of delicious food were waiting for my return!  It became a family taste fest as we shared everything and commented on it.  The kids liked everything, even the musk sticks.  Though I know from a friend that tried some and let her family try some that they thought they were gross. Haha.  That's ok with me!  I think people get so worried that they are going to hurt your feelings if they don't like something that you grew up having and like.  It really doesn't bother me, more for me!!

Campbell really liked the Burger Rings.  Actually everybody loved those, how could you not?

Finn loved the Burger Rings and the Chicken Twisties.  He ran off with both bags haha

He looks like he doesn't like the musk stick, but he is really just having trouble with his braces.  He went back for more.

The kids liked the Iced VoVos, except for Campbell.  He doesn't like coconut (gasp)

Eating a Monte Carlo and saying cheese

"I'm not sure I can promote this stuff"

Don't worry honey, with that look on your face no one will want to eat it.  More for me!

This was later the same day, had to add it because I just love it.  Finn loves his sister SO MUCH, it is adorable!