Trip to San Antone

We decided to make a trip down to San Antonio for the weekend (which helped us avoid Halloween craziness and still give Lowery something fun to do). We had a blast and love that city. Old, historic and lots of charm, San Antonio is one of my favorite places to visit. Ever since Lowery got a Disney CD with the Davy Crockett song on it, she has been fascinated with Davy and his history (why who knows). We told her about the Alamo and she has wanted to go. Add in a little Sea World and Riverwalk and you've got the makings of a great weekend. And after swine flu survival we all needed a pick-me-up so it was a great time to go.

We went to Sea World on Friday and Saturday. Friday was excellent because we literally had the place to ourselves - I honestly think we were one of 15 people there, kind of bizarre. We were able to do everything on Friday, we just went back for half a day on Saturday to repeat our favorite things. It was a ton of fun and the weather was beautiful so it was great just to be outside. The dolphins were our favorite, along with the Viva show (which has divers, acrobats, synchronized swimmers, dolphins, whales - the works). Lowery got to ask a ton of questions to all of the workers since it was so deserted - they even took us back to see a new baby sea lion. They had a fun trick or treat event for the kids at night so that worked out perfectly. We also had a great time at the beautiful Clydesdale horse exhibit. Our family picture in front of Bud the horse was excellent and was prime Christmas Card material, except for the whole beer thing so we culled the idea.

We did the Riverwalk boat tour and had a great dinner Halloween night. Sunday we had an outstanding breakfast at an old Mansion in the King William District (the house belonged to Guenther, the man who opened a mill which became Pioneer flour). Lowery made lots of friends with the locals. Then we moved on to the Alamo. We stayed for an hour and a half and Lowery intently listened to the entire guide. Every exhibit, every bit of it. Needless to say I think she is going to be a history nerd, she was fascinated. The highlight of the Alamo experience for her? Her tie-dyed, Peace Love and The Alamo t-shirt she chose at the end of the tour.

All in all it was one of our most favorite little trips together and we had lots of fun!

Cheerleader Debut

Lowery had an awesome first game today cheering for the Jets (who won, by the way).  She really had a good time and all of the girls did great.  She was not shy (shocker) and gave those cheers 100%.  After watching the coaches and parents of the 9 year olds we were cheering on, we were very glad to have a girl cheering instead of a boy playing.  Intense!  Way to cheer the Jets on to victory, girls!  

More Texas Wildlife in the Backyard

Okay, for those of you who haven't visited us in Dallas yet, please note before you read this that we do not live in the slums.  It will be hard to convince yourself of that after reading this post, but please believe.

So Steve and I have been homeowners for 7 years now.  And in the past 3 weeks we've had to deal with things we've NEVER had to deal with before.  And it's not even our own home. Everyone's telling us that it's just Texas and the summer.  I don't care what it is, I'm ready to move back to Springdale TODAY.  Our first visitor, if you remember the post a couple of months ago, was a snake in the pool.  It was gross, creepy - but I got over it, that happens in pools.  Next was the ant invasion.  Started a couple of weeks ago.  They were everywhere. Inside the house.  We've had the pest control people out multiple times - today was the 5th.  We're bff with the service man now.  One night I was laying there in bed and felt my hand hurting.  Turns out the fire ants were in our BED, on MY side - lots of them.  I haven't gotten over that yet.

Then, construction began on a new home right behind us.  Always count on that to stir things up.  We've got a great colony of ear wigs outside among the rocks, but that I can handle as long as they're outside.  Then on Saturday Lowery and Steve were swimming in the pool - I heard him yelling for Lowery to get out "NOW" - I assumed it was another snake.  Wrong.  Way wrong.  Just take a little look at the pic.  I can't handle it.  I'm done.  Packing up and moving back today.  See you all soon.  

And just in case you want to tell yourself it's a cute raccoon, it's not.   Positively, 100% RAT.