Last week -our Spring Break

I know I've been kinda absent the past week -it was a busy Spring Break for us!
Generally we don't have any big vacation plans just do things around here like go to the zoo-etc. But, this spring break we took a trip to Texas! It all started a few mo's ago when I won a trip to Arlington -but, at the time we had no extra $ for gas and food-etc. Most of the tickets we had -expired by now (Texas Rangers game-etc.) But, the free hotel night was still good until May -So, we planned a Spring Break trip. We planned to leave Sun. use the free hotel night then and pay for an extra night and come back Tues. But, my son was sick on Sat. -my husband took him to minor care -got him some medicine and even though we was feeling better -we pushed the trip back a day. We left Mon. -on the road to TX - and made it -woohoo- See:It seems around the Dallas area there are quite a few suburbs that all kind of run together -Ft. Worth,Grand Prairie, and where we stayed -Arlington. Here's some pics of the hotel:

It was ok -It had it's pros and cons. Like no free breakfast or even room service you could pay for -breakfast anyway. The pool area was pretty cool-it had both an outside and inside pool area-it was too cold for the outside though. The staff was nice. Also a plus it was very close to the attractions we were going to see. 1st we went to Ripley's Believe it or Not -even though it was down the street it was in Grand Prairie: We saw the Palace of Wax -Seeing wax figures of celebs,presidents, and other famous people. And then we saw Ripley's "odditorium" -With all kinds of cool/interesting items. I also thought it was cool how outside there were these huge dinosaur statues. After that we ate at the hotel restaurant for dinner -which wasn't that great. And then got settled in for bed.

The next day -Tuesday we spent most of the day at Six Flags which was also near the hotel -They even offered a Trolley that we took there:We spent all day riding rides, taking a couple of breaks to eat -1 of the places we ate was Johnny Rockets -it was ok -of course somewhat overpriced being in an amusement park though. My daughter and I rode the big red,black, and yellow ride -it was fun but, we waited over an hour in the line to ride it. While we did that my husband took our son to see some of the "Justice League" -He thought that was pretty cool. It was a fun time -we actually ate dinner there at a Panda Express (better priced) before heading back to the trolley and back to the hotel. Then we tried the inside pool -it was ok -kinda crowded so we didn't stay long. Then we again settled in and once we all woke up in the morning we got ready and headed home -Wednesday.

Thursday -St. Patrick's day! I'd like to think wearing my "lucky" irish jewelry helped us find a car for the hubby -So, now he has a car to drive to work and back-Yay! Also while we were out and about Thursday -I cooked Corn Beef n Cabbage with potatoes and carrots in the crock pot -So, we had a nice St. Pat's dinner including some cookies I picked up for dessert:I also went to friend's for a potato party. Friday- my dad came over to help cut a tree down at the side of our house -it was rubbing against the house so much -the paint has come off there! We also did our grocery shopping and other things too. Saturday we had another fun day -we saw Gnomeo and Juliet and ate dinner at Incredible Pizza. And then Sunday we cleaned and got geared up for school and our normal schedule. And that was our spring break!

Last days of Summer

The end of summer is here and it's always so bittersweet! I've noticed the different ways I see it when I was working and now a Stay-at-home mom. When I was working it was like -Yay! Back to a schedule/not having to worry about finding summer childcare. Now being at home -it's like -Ugh! Back to a schedule/Having to get up early again =D So here we are again and going to have to get up even earlier now that middle school starts earlier.

And thinking about what all has or has not been accomplished during the summer. I always have big plans to do a lot of Crafty things and get organized but, it rarely happens like that. And I think about all we DID accomplish -Like finally taking a good family vacation-Yay! (see Atlanta vacation back in June),some fun food experiments making our own popsicles-etc,making Amish friendship bread, Cooking more in general as in "Real" breakfasts-etc.,going around town experiencing new things,going swimming a few times,and general summer hanging out. All in all not too bad. But now it's the Last days of Summer *Sigh*

Atlanta Vacation Part 3!

So where I left off- The next day (last Tues)-Guess what we did?! If you guessed climbed another mountain you'd be correct! We went to the Kennesaw mountain-Which is technically where my BIL and his family live -Not the mountain,Just Kennesaw ;) Well,I guess you can say they kinda do live at mountains though =D

But, seriously we did walk up the trail to the top of the mountain and saw cannons-etc. Then when we got back down we went thru the small civil war museum there-That was about it for that day.

Then last wednesday we went to Atlanta again to the World of Coca-Cola Museum! It was cool seeing all the Coke memorabilia,taking a pic with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear,and going to the room where you taste all different kinds of Coke products from around the world. I heard about the Beverly from Italy so had to try it-It was true: Bitter-Yuck! There was a few that were ok I liked 1-called Sunfill from Africa -It was kinda minty!

Then Thursday we headed out- back home! Before we left we visited a Gone With the Wind Museum. That was also pretty cool-Seeing all the memorabilia and all. Good thing it was pretty small so we get back on the road.

Again we fit in about 13hr. drive in 1 day! Do you ever find yourself doing strange things to pass the time on a long trip? I know I love to take pictures-everywhere. So of course I did some of that but, I also found myself getting the grass out of our blanket we used to lay on the lawn to watch the Lasershow. I had my own little technique going that I like to call -Lint n Pick-I would use a lint-roller we had in our van then pick more out that the lint roller wouldn't get-I know -weird! =D

Anyways, so we finally got home technically early Fri. and that was about it! Now enjoy some scenic pics I took on the way there and back:

Gah! Sorry the pics are in a bit of a weird position-IDK I always have a hard time getting them the way I want =)~

Atlanta Vacation- Part 2 !

Ok so I know everyone is dying to know what all we did on our vacation -Right?! =D

Well, last Monday we we went to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History -I like the dinosaur exhibits and the hands on learning section. It was all pretty cool -I also liked how even the floor tiles had fossils in them!

Then we were on our way to Stone Mountain Park -They have all kinds of different things to do there. 1 of the coolest things is a carving into the mountain of southern heroes of the Civil War-Jefferson Davis,Robert E. Lee, & Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. It's the largest relief sculpture in the world measuring 90 by 190 feet,surrounded by a carved surface that is larger than a football field-No wonder it took over 66 years to complete!

The crew we were with are very active/athletic type people and LOVE to climb mountains! So we climbed up the mountain-But, some of us only went part way up. Then we decided we'd better go to the plantation part before we all met for dinner at 1 of the restaurants at Stone Mountain. (I have a fondness for houses/architecture-Especially love plantation houses!) Once we all met up again we staked our claim on the lawn in front of the mountain where they have a Lasershow Spectacular. Then ate dinner;came back-the kids played-etc. until it was time for the show! It was awesome! But,needless to say we were all pretty pooped after that-We got back to my brother in law's house and got ready for bed. I think I'm about ready for bed now- So,I'll tell you what all else we did-In part 3 coming up soon! But, for now enjoy a little part of the Lasershow Spectacular! :)

Back from Vacation!

Hey everybody-I'm back from our road trip/vacation! I have to say not too much mayhem to report it went fairly well. Even though we did fit in a 13 hr trip in 1 day. We went from here (Oklahoma) to Georgia and stayed in the Atlanta area. On the way there we went through about 5 states not counting OK- Arkansas, Tennesse, Mississippi (and yes I did just use that little poem to spell Mi-ss-i-ss-i-pp-i ;),Alabama,and Georgia. I tried to get a pic. of all the states signs but Alabama and Georgia eluded me -I think I was asleep when we hit Georgia =D.


The most mayhem that happened on the way was getting a little lost in Memphis and Birmingham but,not too bad. On the way we did pass through Conway,AR and Tupelo,Mississippi -2 hometowns of great singers-The newest American Idol-Kris Allen and of course The King of Rock n Roll-Elvis!

One day I hope to go back that way and do an Elvis tour-Graceland;Tupelo. But,being that we were already on a 13 hr. trip -we got to our destination late-Like about 1:30am after having a few stops to eat and all. By the time we got there we were ready to crash so, we did.

The next day (or later that day)-Sunday was pretty leisurely hanging out at my Brother in-Law's house. The kids had fun playing on their trampoline,going to the neighborhood park,swimming pool-etc.

I even got the shower situation figured out I used the shower upstairs and went down to the half bath to finish getting ready-I've figured out that it's not that I take all that long of a shower 15 minutes or so but, other things can take just as long. Brushing teeth about 2mins there,putting my contacts in a few min's there-depending how cooperative they are,other personal hygiene rituals a few minutes again. So,I do take a good 30-45mins in all. Which seems pretty normal to me-But, I'm glad we got that situation figured out. What I didn't expect is the lack of internet -They actually turn the internet off at their house most of the time-So you have to ask permission to have it on and then generally have a little while to use it-even though I took my laptop -I didn't use it much. So, I'm just getting halfway settled in back at our house and will tell you more about our vacation later- Stay tuned again!

Vacation!

Vacation Time! Vacation Time! -Woohoo!!! Oh! wait! I'm not going to some nice tropical beach?!


Oh yeah-That's right we're packing up our van and heading out for a road trip!


Oh and it's not just going to be our family of 4 but us + 3 more. My brother and sister in law and little nephew also from the in law's side are cramming into our van too. Hmmm-Well hopefully we'll have a nice time. We're going to be staying at my other brother in-law's and his family's house. It will be nice to see all of them- my kids get along with their kids ok. I just hope their not too much of a shower nazi-I've heard that before when people were staying with them they asked them to help pay the water bill. And I understand being health conscience but, I think they may run too much of tight ship for me-No junkfood,no pop,must go out and excercise everyday,Must take FAST showers-Ugh! I'm debating if I should just give them a $10 or $20 even and say here you go I'd like to take at least 15min-30min showers =P -What do you think?!

But,It will be nice to get out of state-This will be our 1st ever family trip out of state! I just hope there's not too much mayhem ;) I don't want it to be like the National Lampoons Vacation or anything =D I'll let you know -I'll be back in about a week or so -Stay Tuned!! ....