Every year, Matt and I try to get away for a trip just the two of us. We struggled this year with finding the time and a good idea of where to visit. I guess it's hard to top our cruise from last year. Matt recently won a big award at work and as part of the award, we both get to travel to Columbus, OH in April for the ceremony. Since we already had that on the calendar as a getaway, we decided to just plan a long weekend in Dallas in lieu of a big vacation.
I had set my expectations pretty low I guess, but we had such a wonderful time away. We're definitely in a busy season with kids' activities and Matt's work, so to get away from all the distractions and focus on our marriage is just what we needed.
We drove into Dallas on Friday morning and stopped at Ikea to browse for a bit. Then we checked into our hotel. We packed some board games, so we played a couple of rounds of Everdell before heading to a delicious Italian restaurant for dinner.
Saturday, we spent the day shopping at a couple of different malls. We also went to Scheels and to peruse around. We found a few things, but mostly just strolled and browsed around.
We came back to the hotel, played another board game and then headed to dinner at the most delicious steakhouse that was next door to our hotel. It was the number one ranked steakhouse in the suburb we were staying in, and it did not disappoint.
Matt even claimed it was the best steak he's ever had in his life.
Sunday morning we visited Meow Wolf, a weird art/walk through exhibit some friends had told us about. It was well... weird... and different, and a neat activity to do once.
I don't even really know how to describe it. There was a mystery you're trying to solve and different rooms and portals that lead to weird, artistic rooms.
We enjoyed exploring and are glad we went, but I don't think we need to go back anytime soon.
The refrigerator room was probably the best part. Each refrigerator was a portal to a different area.
Meow Wolf was located inside Grapevine mall, so we spent the rest of the day shopping. We found some great deals and some great stuff. Matt was probably tired of shopping by the end of the day, but we both found some necessary and unnecessary things :) and a few things for the kids.
We grabbed a quick Mexican dinner that night, found a place with liquid nitrogen ice cream, played some more games and fell asleep to a movie.
Monday morning we played one final game, checked out of the hotel, and stopped at a half priced bookstore we stumbled upon on our first day in Dallas. We spent a lot of time there. Matt found some new games. I found lots of books for the kids for their summer reading assignments and for a book club I'm teaching next year at co-op. There was such a great selection and the prices were so good! I could have stayed longer. That store was definitely an unexpected highlight of our trip.
We drove home that afternoon, thankful for some quality time to have real uninterrupted conversations and with our love tanks filled to the brim ready to jump right back into our crazy life!
Our March included visits from some of our favorite people.
The Flamings stopped in for a couple of days of their Spring Break. The kids were so excited to spend two days with their cousins.
Of course we played lots of games- the kids included.
Samuel played Minecraft with his siblings and cousins and made Honey in his world.
The adults played lots of games as well. It's our favorite thing to do together.
During one of our visits the Flamings introduced us to JackBox, and it's become a favorite tradition. The kids play together a lot, and the adults joined in for some playing this trip. We all end up laughing during the games.
Like uncle, like nephew
Papa spoiled all the grandkids with ice cream one afternoon. It was such a treat to have everyone together for a few days.
We have our next visit on the calendar, and we're all looking forward to it!
A few days after they left, we welcomed our next set of visitors, the Evetts! They also came and spent a few days of their Spring Break with us.
My kiddos had recently seen the Sound of Music, so they led some of the other kids in a musical performance of Do Re Mi. It was super cute!
Katherine and Laura even got to have a sleepover at our house during the Evetts visit. We've realized that living across the street from the Millers has some big perks, especially when the Evetts are in town.
We realized during this visit how quickly our kids are growing up. There were many moments during the visit when the kids were all at one of our houses and the adults were across the street at the other house. I can't believe they're all so big and responsible! We moms even snuck out for an afternoon of shopping and pedicures. Living life alongside these families and spurring each other on as we raise our children is one of the greatest blessings. We can't wait to see them again soon!
Our Samuel Jacob turned 11 this month! He had a week full of celebrating.
Since his birthday fell on a Thursday this year, Matt brought his lunch of choice and joined us at co-op.
All the kids sang Happy Birthday to him during lunch. He's my quiet, doesn't like to be the center of attention kid, so of course his siblings made sure EVERYONE knew it was his birthday.
That evening he requested ravioli and homemade sourdough bread for dinner and cherry dump cake for dessert.
After dinner he opened his presents from us. He got a new Lego set, a silly rabbit sign, a preorder copy of the new Dog Man book, and a whiffle ball set and bases.
Elisabeth had acquired a 2x2 Rubiks cube at co-op, and Samuel desperately wanted it. Elisabeth sweetly gifted it to him for his birthday. He was very excited.
Instead of a birthday party, Samuel asked to go to Airtopia with his siblings and the Pashkovets, so we all did that on Friday morning.
Everyone had such a fun time jumping and playing.
These kiddos and friendships are a precious, precious gift. I continually thank God for the way he ordained the sweetest neighbors who have turned into dear, dear friends. Elena and I were talking that these kids are growing up like cousins not just friends, and it's so true! And I'm so thankful!
After two hours at the trampoline park, we all came back to our house for pizza and apple pie (Birthday Boy's choice)
Then they all had to try out Samuel's birthday presents!
We had such a special time celebrating our favorite eleven year old!
