(Warning: Lots of pictures) We had planned a "little" trip. We didn't go anywhere big this summer and I was just itching to go "somewhere." I talked with my Mom and I talked to Summer and we couldn't really agree on a destination. Soooo we settled on a quick trip to Dallas. BUT less than 24 hours until departure, the weather people were predicting an "artic blast" with flurries and ice and all kinds of crazy cold things. Well, we South Texas folks (especially my DAD) don't do that and we almost canceled the whole thing!!! BUT I am so glad we didn't!!!!
I did some research and we started our trip with a trip to Palestine, Texas for a ride on the legendary Polar Express. We were going to start the Christmas season with a BANG!!! We caravanned up to P-town and were so happy when we got there! Cold but happy!!!
There was an awesome train waiting for us and Rocco was in train heaven!
EVERYBODY was wearing their Christmas pajamas but I did not plan for 32 degree weather so the girls were FREEZING in their nightgowns. (But they looked cute and they were troopers!)
ALL Aboard!!!
We were served delicious hot chocolate and cookies!!! There was singing and dancing and the story of Polar Express was read to the children. The train rode through the East Texas countryside and it was a perfect night.
The train rode through the North Pole and we were told that Santa himself had boarded the train. Can you tell my kids were waiting with baited breath? They could not take their eyes off of the door.
He's here!!! He gave each child a beautiful bell! It was wonderful and I may or may not have shed some tears over the perfect evening!!
On to our hotel in Dallas......seriously, this is all my kids care about......staying in a hotel. They LOVE a hotel.
In the morning, we literally walked 20 steps across the street and visited the Dallas World Aquarium.
It was an AWESOME facility. All kinds of animals not just fish. Birds, monkeys, reptiles, jaguars, sloths, manatees, sharks. Uh-ma-zing!
Mommy doesn't always get in the pictures so we stopped and took our picture under the shark tank!
The jaguar was the most beautiful cat I have ever seen!!!
This girl falls for the flamingos every time!! These were electric pink so even better!!!
When we left the aquarium, it was freeeezing and we ducted into a Subway for lunch and it was so warm. The kids were so excited to not be outside. Ha!! It made the food taste yummy!!!
My dad had never seen Dealey Plaza so we walked a couple of blocks in the freeeeeezing cold to tour the TX Book Depository and the grassy knoll. There was a ton of people since it was the 50th anniversary.
By this time, Jillian had had ENOUGH. Ha!! She was crying that it was sooooooo cold!!!!
We woke up the next morning and walked another couple of blocks to the Ross Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Again another FAB-U-LOUS museum with levels of different exhibits with space, dinosaurs, weather ( a cool simulation of earthquakes), the human body and MORE!!!
A person could spend days looking at everything. We barely touched the surface of all the different exhibit halls. My favorite was the rock and mineral exhibit. They were all super cool. Rocco loved this giant geode. You got to "crack" the geode open and open it by rotating the wheel.
I am so glad we didn't cancel this trip. It was great! I am sad that the weather was so cold and the icy conditions kept Shanna and Payton from meeting up with us but that just means we will have to go back!!!
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