Texas

   Last week we took a trip down to Texas to see Adam and Jane.  We have been wanting to get down there for a long time.  My work schedule never allowed for it and summer is not the time to go to Texas.  Now that I'm not working, we were finally able to take the time to go visit.  Ashlyn wasn't able to come with.  She is already missing a week of school for Disney World and I didn't want her to miss any more.  She was perfectly happy and very excited to get to stay with her grandparents and auntie and uncle.  I think she had just as much fun as we did.  We missed her like crazy, but I have a feeling she didn't miss us much. 
    We left last Wednesday.  The drive is about 13 hours, but with two young kids, we decided to break it up into two parts each way.  We made it to Amarillo the first day.  The kids both did amazing in the car.  Dawson watched his movies and Graceyn slept most of the way.  Each leg of the drive she had about 20 minutes where she got pretty fussy, but besides that she was an angel.  Not bad for 26 hours in a car!  I was pretty impressed. 
    On the way down, we stopped at the famous Big Texan for a steak dinner.  They have a 72 ounce steak challenge that I forbid Joey from trying.  It is a ton of food! We still had a good dinner there even though we didn't have a 72 ounce steak.  Joey and Dawson went swimming that night at the hotel and we all slept really good that night .
    We got to Adam and Jane's Thursday afternoon.  They made us an amazing meal and we got to watch the Broncos game together.  They next two days we spent at the trade days.  I live for going to the trade days in Canton.  I've been three times before, but I haven't gone for 4 years.  That place is just beyond amazing.  There is so much to look at and shop for.  They have the neatest stuff that you don't see anywhere else.  Dawson was a trooper shopper, and Gracie got lots of new hair bows and other adorable accessories. 
    We spent the rest of our time in Texas visiting with Adam and Jane and eating amazing food.  I swear Texas has some of the best food on the planet.  It's not the healthiest, but boy is it good.  We had some amazing meals.  We had originally planned to leave Sunday around noon and even booked a hotel room for that night.  We were having so much fun, that we cancelled our room and decided to leave Monday morning instead.  On Sunday afternoon, we went to Lake Tyler which was beautiful.
    The trip back was very uneventful which is exactly what I want on a road trip with small children.  We were all very sad to be back at home.  We had such a great time with Adam and Jane and they are always the best hosts and show us such a good time.  We are already talking about when we can plan another trip. 

The Big Texan

Here is all the food you have to eat for the steak challenge.  You have one hour to do so.  If you do, your meal is free and you get a t-shirt.  If you don't succeed, you owe $72!

Gracie loving Texas

This is the special table the steak challenge people have to eat at.  I think they do that so you can't cheat.  When we got there, there was a guy finishing a steak challenge.  He actually was able to do it, but he was hurting when he was done!

Pool time!

He loves to swim

Gracie at the hotel

Such a sweet girl

Texas has really nice rest stops with parks. The weather was nice, so Dawson got to get out and play for a bit and stretch his legs.  It was definitely needed!

Gracie happy to be out of the car

Happy girl

Dawson at the park by his aunt and uncle's house

Gracie relaxing

Gracie on her first swing ride.  She loved it.

Already looks like a pro!

One of the buildings at Canton

Dawson did not ask for one thing the entire time we were shopping.  Until he saw this gun set.  We had to get it for him since he was such a good boy. 

This kind of gives an idea of one of the buildings.  The entire place is huge and I always get lost. 

Gracie and her Aunt Jane. 

They love their aunt and uncle so much!

Dawson dancing

Sweet girl.  Every where we went, so many people would stop and comment on how cute Gracie is.  She gets a lot of compliments.  At Canton, they had these neat swings for kids.  We put her in one to try it out.  She just sat back and relaxed.  At one point there was a small crowd of women around her all exclaiming how cute she is. 

My doll baby