Texas Roadtrip

Oh how we heart Texas!  It’s been on our mind A LOT this summer.  Starting from the very moment Tanner got out of school, “So when are we going to Texas!” [remember last year’s roadtrip] and continued all summer “Mom, I want to have my birthday party in TEXAS!”

So yes, summer would not be complete without a trip to Dallas.

And in order to experience summer, Texas style, we waited until the very hottest, most miserable time to go…AUGUST!

Mostly on vacations, I try to GO as many places as possible. 

But this trip was different…it was all about the people!!!

FAMILY

Getting to see ALL of Anthony’s family - It’s pretty fun cause when we come into town, Austin and Kenneth make a special trip up from Houston too.  And now that Casey and Crystal moved back to Dallas…it means the whole family is together!  All 7 siblings and spouses…nieces and nephews…all in one house :) 

The cousins got plenty of playtime in.  It was loud, crazy, and fun!!! 

We also got to meet the newest member of the Callison clan, baby Adam.  We were fortunate to also be a part of his baby blessing, a very beautiful day and the spirit was so strong.  And I really really wanted to share my testimony and didn’t…but am hoping to write down those same impressions and share them…one day!

One night Melinda invited everyone over – we had pizza, ice cream, and kids went wild over the sprinklers and water balloons!

And by kids we mean even the grown-up ones :)

The water balloon fight lasted only a few minutes, despite taking forever to fill up 100+ balloons.  But oh so worth it.

Brooke was NOT a fan of uncontrollable water flying everyone. 

These cuties were smart…tucked away in the sun!

And baby Adam LOVES to smile.  Seriously, he wins the best baby ever contest by far!!!

 

And by the look Brooke gave these two Uncles, she was trying to understand why they looked so much like her Daddy!

Waiting…impatiently…for ICE CREAM!  Seeing these pics…almost makes me want to be a kid again!

 

And since when did Emma, Merriam, and Cassidy turn into teenagers?

 

Aunt Melinda invited us to her house for a swim and the kids loved it.  And shortly after our swim, Rylee fell asleep in my arms!

And being on vacation with 3 little kids, including an infant [who doesn’t really nap and should] and Brooke who could nap 3+ hours each day [if it weren’t for the fact she learned how to climb out of the pack n play]…meant we spent lots of downtime at Grammy’s and Grandpa’s house. 

Tanner got to play a few games of Sorry! with them…and loved it!  I still think a re-match is in order for the next visit :)

We attempted to take a few pics…and this is what we got…

Rylee’s ill-placed hand

Brooke hamming it up and trying to be the star of the show  

And finally…multiple pics later…ONE acceptable photo!

FRIENDS

The other best part of Dallas…my Friends! My most awesome, amazing, lifetime friends.  Friends I look up to, who I admire for all their whit and intelligence,  where I can can beat them at any game (haha!),

Where you can be your authentic self.  Stay for dinner uninvited.  Stay past midnight (kiddos and all) cause your husband took your keys and ran off to a movie.  Where you can chat for hours and still feels like we never moved away.  And you actually can CHAT cause your kiddos are happily busily playing and leave you alone (yes, ALONE!).  

I mean, true friends.  Love them! Wow, I miss these friends.  And yes, I’m talking about you!  Even if the last picture I have is me 8 months pregnant!

I remember one of the first books I read in our LH bookclub was Crossing to Safely – a story about 2 couples that were lifelong friends.  And while I was reading it, I thought –Ruth  and Gavin are definitely friends like that!  Now if she only invites us on her next beach vacation, it’ll seal the deal :)

We went out to eat at our favorite restaurant, we started a game of Settlers, the kids had a dance party…

We went to the pool together (and camera and phone both in car, so sorry no pics!).  Tanner shocked me when he went down the big slides all by himself and kept going back for more.  Brooke went down once with me and was SO mad afterwards, but it was nothing the zero entry pool couldn’t fix.  Tanner was everywhere, swimming in the deep end, going off the slides, and had no problem keeping up with Caden and Brynlee – both 2 little fishes in water. 

And to top it off…Tanner got to have a sleep over!  His very first one, in which he probably stayed up way too late – and woke up way too early.  The kid doesn’t know how to sleep in!  The next morning he told Ruth that they all sleep too late :)

And we got to spend a day the Dallas Zoo together.   With it being so hot, we had the whole zoo to ourselves!

And even the cheetah was smiling for a picture!

The BEST part was getting to see these elephants splishing and splashing in the water. 

 

And this one, kept rolling over and playing in the water.  I’ve never seen an elephant look so HAPPY!

And they got to ask an expert all their questions!

Ruth had brought yummy Krispy Kreme donuts to share – and when I wasn’t looking – this girl just helped herself.  She LOVED it!

We also went to the Children’s Zoo where they got to pet a few animals and their favorite – run around on the playground and splash in the water.  Of course – my kids were ALL soaked afterwards – including Ms Rylee pants.

   

I can’t go to the Dallas Zoo without having a trip down memory lane.  When Tanner was just 2, we had a membership and we’d come all the time on my days off.  Just look at how much he’s changed!

Now…    

And then…

Feeding the giraffes a favorite! 

And while we’re on the subject of throwbacks, here’s some more of Brynlee and Tanner when they were just 3.  They were inseparable…at school, at church, at play :)

 

And I had a fun filled afternoon of getting to see Marilouise.  Tanner has known Johnners his whole life!  And even later, we seem to be on the same birthing cycle with offspring similar ages –  except hers all a few months later.  Hence she’s become my go-to friend for awesome advice and always a good laugh.   She’s amazing!!!  And despite multiple moves – the friendship has always stayed alive – and thrived!

Our social calendar was pretty full.

Playdate with Easton and Stockton whom Tanner adores

Now…

and then…

Growing up, Anthony had a group of guy friends that were inseparable.  They did everything together.  And years later, we all got married, and we’re all still inseparable.  Their wives became my best friends…instantly.  And we love to play games, eat awesome food, and just hang out.  Man there’s so many good memories with these folks.  Except I never never take pictures of us together.  Cause we’re just hanging around chatting, playing a board game or two, and chowing down on junk food.  Nothing extravagant, but always one of my absolute favorite things in the world is spending time with them. 

Talita was a dear old co-worker at Deloitte.  We were both expecting a few months apart. During busy season, these two were BFFs in utero and spent countless hours together.  And if we only lived closer, pretty sure they’d still be BFFs. 

These kiddos were being so cute and silly outside the restaurant! 

I could talk to Talita FOREVER and so grateful for her friendship.  And so grateful we were able to catch up and see her before baby Elloitt made his big debut just a few days later.

And sadly, there’s still plenty of friends we didn’t get to see.  Ones that have moved away, or just ran out of time!  The hardest part is trying to squeeze as much as possible into a few days!

FOOD

And food --thank you scale, for letting me know how I gained 10 pounds in one week! Well, I don’t really know cause I never weight myself, but it sure did feel like it! This may have been why…

And a trip to Dallas wouldn’t be complete with at LEAST one stop to In and Out.  Yummy!!!

   

And multiple, dear I say, trips to Chuy’s!  Where I probably ate my weight in queso, salsa, and fajitas.  and if i could, I’d do it all over again!

I got to see my brother, Brendan, who had just moved up to Dallas from Austin a few days prior.  And my cousin Ryan right before he accepted a job with Google and moved away.  Perfect timing!

Home again, Home again

I LOVE my TEXAS friends and family.  I’d drive across the United States to go see them.  Turns out when you have an infant, you can triple the length of any car trip.  Or at least that’s what it feels like.

I do NOT miss the traffic.  I LOATHE Dallas traffic.  Leaving town, in the middle of the afternoon, it was a mad house.  I had purposely worn out both girls and kept them up until naptime, in hopes they’d sleep.  Turns out I had 2 wide awake girls, but Tanner was conked.  Of course, just as it was clearing up an hour later, Rylee wanted to eat again.  And drive, for that matter :)

The best was around 10 o’clock.  Finally…a blissful car full of sleeping kiddos.  We’ve still got a good 3 hours to go.  Just as I pull a ticket to enter the Turnpike, Tanner wakes up and declares, I’VE GOT TO GO PEE!  Well, the speed limit is 80 MPH, it’s pitch dark outside, and all the exits are like 40 miles apart.  Pulling over was NOT an option.  He didn’t like any of my suggestions – peeing in a cup, in a diaper – that’s just gross mom!  So he held it.  He kicked his legs in detestation.  But we made it.  It may have been the longest 30 minutes of the car ride…but thankfully…he held it!!! 

But don’t worry, it wasn’t so bad.  I’ll be doing it again…but not until next summer.  Until then…I heart TEXAS!

Shatto Dairy Farm Tour

We got to tour Shatto Dairy Farm - a real, live working Dairy Farm located on the outskirts of KC.  

We’ve had a LOT of fun this summer, but going to Shatto Dairy ranks high on my list.  I think it’s one of the few things that captivated my attention just as much as the kids.

By the kids reactions, I think it was a success!  The next day, Tanner decided he wanted to be a dairy farmer when he grew up.   Brooke kept telling anyone and everyone she saw “I see COWS!” and then asking, “Let’s go see the cows!” with all the excitement only a 2  year old can relinquish.

Shatto Dairy Farm isn’t like most dairy farms.  Not only do they raise the cows and milk them, they process the milk, package in glass bottles, and send out on a delivery truck.  If you want milk any fresher, you’d have to have a cow in your backyard.  At least that’s what their posters say :)

And we got to see it ALL!

First up, the cows! These baby calves were only a few months old. 

 

 

 

 

 

You could pet them if you liked.  But none of my kids were adventurous as Quincy.

Tanner was completely mesmerized.  He was in a solid gaze, taking in each part and asking a million questions. 

But HE DID NOT want to touch them :)

After learning the cows, and how they keep them happy in the hot summer (spraying them with COLD water!), we each got a chance to milk the cow.

My nephew Jared was one of the bravest, first one to give it a shot.  And I think we were all surprised at how hard it it was!

My brother Brendan was in town visiting and must have created his own mini-documentary about the EPIC milking with all the videos and pictures taken :)

 

Tanner was very skeptical and first – he tried just touching the utter and expected milk to come out.  But with each attempt, he squeezed and pulled a little harder, and viola…MILK!

 

Brittany, along with most of the kids, was of the squeeze-and-run variety.  No looking back. 

Unfortunately, I took a million pictures -- not many turned out :(

Next up, milking the cows…using modern technology. 

We learned the average cow produces 7 gallons of milk a day!  And with 400 cows producing milk anywhere from ages 2 to 13, that’s a LOT of milk. 

 

After detailed explanations, he squirted some milk, just for good measure!  

Everyone got to feel like the suction cup that attaches to each utter feels like when it’s on.  Not nearly as much pressure as I would have thought.

  

The way the cow stared at me, pretty sure she felt violated…just by me snapping a picture :)

And having a nursing baby myself, I could totally relate!

Brooke was equally terrified by the noises, machinery, and cows;   “I hold you!” she kept asking!  It was nothing being held by her Uncle Brendan couldn’t solve. 

Next up, the milk travels next door for processing.  First they heat the milk to pasteurize it (which kills any harmful bacteria), and then they spin/mix it to homogenize it (to keep it from separating when it’s refrigerated).  And depending on the type of milk, they add/subtract fat or flavorings.  We got to seem them as they went down the conveyor belt – milk poured into the glass, lids squared on tight, and sell by date stamped on top. 

From there, it goes right into the cooler and then the truck…ready for delivery!  

And of course, a tour wouldn’t be complete without getting to TASTE all the yummy milk…in all 6 flavors…banana, cotton candy, strawberry, cookies N cream, root beer, and chocolate.  And of all the flavors, can you guess the most popular!  It’s still CHOCOLATE!

Our clan – including Kristan, baby Jett, and Brendan

Chelsea, Avery, and baby Benson

Brittany (my BRITTANY – according to Brooke!) and Avery – our best taste-testers.

And Tanner, refusing each flavor.  When it comes to milk, he’s a purest, only likes it one way – WHITE!  And Brooke, why, she was too busy playing. 

And Rylee, savoring each last drop!  Just like her momma, she LOVED them all!

After the tour was completed, we had a picnic lunch. 

And because it happened to be the HOTTEST day of the summer, water balloon fight was definitely a neccessity!

And just a few more pics…just for fun!

Pure happiness!

Friends!

  

And if the cows weren’t enough, these baby kittens were captivated our attention with their super soft fur!

 

And before we headed home, we loaded up on some milk and of course, just HAD TO try the ice cream too!