Dallas 2012

 We were able to make a trip to Dallas earlier this month to visit family. Needless to say, Zach was pretty excited to ride on an airplane. Here are some pictures of us taking off:

 All that excitement tired him out and it was smooth sailing the rest of the ride:)

 

The kids were especially excited to get to swim in September! We haven't been in a swimming pool all summer. Better late than never!

 Pops took the kids on rides on his sweet Gold Wing Bike. The kids had so much fun. I have to say, it really is a pretty awesome way to travel. Very comfortable.

 

We had a few windy days so we tried to embrace it by buying a kite. Tyler even came out to play, despite the wind- crazy kid. 

 

After dinner dance party

 Riding the horsey:

 

We took a trip to a children's museum and did some pretty fun things. It was educational AND fun! I remember Whitney pitching a fit when she was about 3 or 4 because I couldn't "put her in a bubble". I was happy that dad figured out how to do this and she could finally get what she wanted on this day. 

 Digging for dinosaur bones...

  

Getting sneezed out of a nose... This was my favorite part of the museum. Lots of anatomy and physiology lessons to be learned here. Sort of gross stuff, but the kids loved it.

 If only I had one of these suits to wear to the grocery store, or church, or anywhere. I sure hate germs.

 

I overheard this guy say "We've got a grabber" and I look down and see Zach squeezing this poor snake. 

 Playing in the water. Zach sure liked this duck:

 Whitney learning about centrifugal force, I think. I don't know. All I know is that you go faster when you put your arms close to your body. 

 Playing at the playground:

 We even had a date night at a yummy Brazilian grill sans kiddos. That was the most chaotic free dinner I've had in a long time!

 
Having a field day in the backyard. 

Poor Whitney struggling to pop the balloon:)

 
Tug of War

 
Jumping rope:

  

We had a great time in Dallas and if you can believe it, I don't even have any pictures of the main reason we went- for the baby blessing of the Hafen's baby Lucy. I'll have to post pictures of that later, when I steal some pictures from other family blogs;)

 Update: Here's one!

Anyway, it was nice to see family that we hardly ever see and the kids had such a great time getting to know their Texas and California cousins better.

On a side note, the kids' friends really missed them. This sweet note was given to Whitney when she got back. It was cute to see their friends tell them how much they were missed.