Takin' on Texas: Our first visitors from out of town

Before I get into this post, let me just say that while I enjoy this blog because I can look back on what we have done, I do not enjoy the actual blogging. I find that I am putting it off each week and soon I imagine I will be more than a week behind. UGH! It's becoming a pain to take the time (like I'm just so busy and can't fit it in, right?) and sit down and do it. It's much easier to put it off like I do with all my other "chores" like laundry, cleaning the bathroom, and ironing. :)

Last weekend, Peter's brother Alex came to visit. But he didn't come alone...since his daughter Lola was under two she could fly for free and came too! It was so fun to be around her and see how she has grown since our visit to Utah.

FRIDAY:
We picked up Alex and Lola at the airport on Friday afternoon. I figured Alex needed to experience some REAL Mexican food so we went to a restaurant called The Blue Goose. I have been there twice before but Peter hadn't gone yet. The food was so so so yummy and Alex loved it. (I, in fact, have been craving it all this week which is a bad thing since I'm trying to be good about what I eat until our trip to Mexico.) We spent the rest of the night hanging out and watching Lola be stinkin' cute.

Peter being a great uncle and playing with his niece.

SATURDAY:

We start out Saturday checking out the free pancake breakfast at our apartments but that just wasn't going to be enough so we went out to breakfast. Here is Lola enjoying a lemon. (She asked, i.e. pointed and grunted, for it so don't think I'm totally a mean aunt!)

We then headed to downtown Dallas. When we were talking with Alex about what we could do in town he was really interested when we suggested going to the Grassy Knoll. Until I one of my trips to Dallas for CROSSMARK, I never realized that JFK was shot in Dallas. He was part of our parents and grandparents generation and has always been just a note in a history book to me. We toured the 6th Floor Museum which was very interesting and I found myself getting somewhat emotional. I learned so much and feel so much compassion for those who lived through that tragedy. I want to go back again so that I can take the time to read each caption under each picture and watch each of the movies.

This is the former Texas School Book Depository building where Lee Harvey Oswald worked and this is the spot from which he shot President John F Kennedy.

This is the 6th floor window where Oswald was.

The window is permanently open.

Peter and Alex looking at the building and discussing whether there really was only one shooter...

The X on the road marks the exact spot of the President when he was shot.

Alex, Peter, and Lola

This is the Grassy Knoll.

It has remained basically the same since that day and has not been changed.

After the Grassy Knoll we walked to Reunion Tower but it was closed so Peter and I will have to hit that tourist site later. We also drove to the Stockyards in Ft. Worth but none of us were really that jazzed to check it out once we got there so instead we headed back home for some lunch. We hit up some true Texan BBQ at a place near our house. YUMMY. I am picky on my meats so the meat isn't always my favorite part of the meal but I won't turn down any of the sides that come with the meat. I can see how if you let it, the food in Texas can plump you right up! Plus, let me tell you, I really do love BBQ sauce. Put it on meat, veggies, mac-n-cheese, rolls...whatever - it works with everything.

After that heavy meal we all just wanted to take a nap, but thankfully Alex pushed us to get out of the house. So we went to the mall and walked around.

Here's a pic of Lola riding the carousel.

She was so cute and waved each time she went around.

After the baby went to sleep we played cards. Alex kicked our butts at Phase 10 and then Peter kicked his butt at Texas Hold 'Em.

SUNDAY:

Saturday was a FULL day, so on Sunday we were more lazy... We made breakfast at home and just hung out. We hit a restaurant for lunch before it was time to take them back to the airport. Overall it was a fantastic weekend and was a lot of fun. It sure is nice to have visitors come to see us. Hopefully next time Alex's whole family can come!

Here are a couple other cute pictures from the weekend.