Road Trip...er, Not Really

Last week we, along with my parents, brothers and their girlfriends flew down to Dallas for my cousin's wedding.  Our flights were uneventful, smooth and no one (meaning Drue) even got sick.  We arrived in Texas about 2:30 and met up with Steve & Lisa who arrived just shortly before us.  Mom & Dad rented a big van and we all headed straight for the Kennedy Memorial at Dealey Plaza and the book depository downtown Dallas. The Balvanzes have seen it before, but our significant others hadn't.  Mom and Dad paid for all of us to take the audio tour in the Depository... It was quite the experience being in the exact spot where Oswald shot President Kennedy.  We saw the 'X' in the road were the shots hit him.  Lisa noticed that cars would swerve not to run over the 'X' as a sign of respect. 

Ry & Dig looking at the window Kennedy was shot from. 

The 'X' is directly behind them.

Pa reading the memorial to DD.

Uncle Steve, Uncle Shawn & KK behind.

Dig is always trying to be funny.

After an ice-cream treat and sandwiches for the kids, we headed to check in to our hotel.  Oh my, how Southlake, TX has changed!  I lived with my aunt & uncle, Aimee & Mike for a summer and Southlake was just a new, small little town.  Not anymore!  Shops galore! We met up with my grandparents, uncles, aunts & cousins, as well as many of Aimee's family. Oh, and of course, we hit the pool!

Friday morning we went to Fort Worth to see the Stockyards.  Can't imagine what that place looked like 100 years ago!  They run a dozen Longhorns down the main street twice a day.  Those were some big 'ol steers.  Mom rode a mechanical bull.  Yes, you read correctly.  Dad eagerly handed over the cash to see that!  Her ride ended like most do...falling off.  She has a big bruise on her arm to prove it!

The smiling horse with his cowboy.

I told you! Don't worry...there will be an entire post

dedicated to this 8 second ride!

The Cattle Drive

Just in case you're wondering...yes, Pa will pay $6

to watch his DD ride a pony, even though she

could do it for free at home.

Dig checking out a Longhorn.

We also took a stagecoach ride.  Should've made DD take the Dramamine.  She got "stagecoach sick" and we had to have the driver stop and let her and her daddy off.  Ryan carried her all the way back to the drop off site. 

Now don't go & tell me that I'm the only woman that watches

Superior Auctions on t.v. What? I am?

 Honestly, this was a highlight of my day!

We even went inside!

We ate lunch at Billy Bob's and watched Mom & Dad dance under the mirrored saddle.  Just like in the movie.  After lunch we went back to the hotel to get ready for Lindsay & Jordan's wedding.

Too cute.

Waiting for my brisket at Billy Bob's!

Uncle Steve teaching Dig to play his favorite arcade game, Daytona, USA.

Flash back to Happy Joes!  Notice my cousin, Scott's foot on the gas!  ha!

The Luiken bunch on the dance floor.

New purchase:  armadillos!

Outside our hotel.

Checking out the beautiful rocks they got at the General Store!

I think I'll end there and post about the rest of our weekend later, lots of pictures to come...stay tuned!

The Big D

We are back from Dallas.  We are tired and we are tan. 

 I have lots of pictures to post but this one will have to do for now...

Hey, You Two!

Hands to Yourselves!!

thankyouverymuch!

White Buns on the Kitchen Counter

Ladies and Gentlemen...we're not talking bread.

When your sister is watching one of 'her' shows...

you find another place to watch one of yours.

WANTED...

Tomorrow is the first day of the Hardin County Fair!

Drue is remembering that there are usually a few horses for sale at the fair. Drue L.O.V.E.S. horses. In years past she has grabbed her Pa's hand and led him to the Horse Barn where she points up to the printed off signs...Horse for Sale!  Other times she'll just tear off the contact number and hand it to her Pa.  Let's just say, he's got the picture!  DD's wanted a horse for a long time.  She has voiced her disgust..."WHY is it so hard to find a horse!" She just can't understand why, if there is a horse farm on the edge of town, and the owner is a friend of Pa's...why doesn't she have a horse yet?!  We have to find a 'good' one.  Old.  Tame.  Old. Gentle.  Old.

Uncle Shawn has two.  That hardly seems fair. He kindly lets her ride whenever she asks...or at least after a little begging.  He's offered to 'give' her one of his horses.  She says she'll take it... IF she can't find one at the Fair. 

But, this year...Drue's taking things in to her own hands!

Isn't that just asking to get over charged, or what!!

 Infact, Pa is trying to think of a sign to post himself.

He's thinking maybe something like...

 {A picture of DD} Cutest Grandaughter in the World + {A picture of PA}Grandpa  = Needs a horse. 

Will Pay Top Dollar...Maybe Higher!  

Isn't he too much!  =) 

Goggles

Fishies!

 Drue and Lane couldn't figure out why, if I was a former lifeguard, that I just couldn't be their swim teacher.  "Well, because I don't think you'd listen to me...that's why."  I believe they realized that was probably the truth because I was informed by the kids that "if" they had to take lessons, the lessons had to be private (not group) and they had to be together or they wouldn't go...

And so...DD & Dig took private lessons... together.

They would have it no other way.

But, while they were working hard on learning how to swim, I was working hard on my tan.  We're not to the point in our lives where I can sit (nor do I want to) in a chair at the side of the pool while the kids swim, so doing so during their half-hour lessons was a real treat!

What a successful and FUN week of lessons!! Today, Lane passed Level I and Drue passed Level II! Both kids had been pretty hesitant at the pool, not wanting to go all the way under when jumping in or diving for dive sticks.  But, by the middle of the week both were able to swim on their own and even jump off the diving board!  Who woulda' thunk!?  Drue jumped off every day and today, did it with no life preserver or life-guard in the water!  Lane jumped off all but the first day, he wears a little styrofoam backpack and today did it without anyone in the water to catch him.  He just popped back up, a little nervous, and doggy paddled to the side.

Every day, the kids would be so excited to call their Daddy and share their accomplishments with him.  Ryan and I are so proud of both of them! They have really enjoyed the afternoons at the pool this week because of all they've learned in lessons!  Drue is going deeper and can swim in the Lazy River.  Lane loves wearing goggles to go under water and see everyone's toes and is really working hard on swimming.

I just realized I took 35 pictures today, so I'll have to pick a few and use some in other posts...

Off the board with Ms. Dee supervising.

Swimming to the side without any help!

This would have been impossible last week!

Dig being brave and jumping off without

someone having to lower him down.

This took a lot of courage for our little man

and he did it!

Swimming all the way to the other side, all by himself!