Jack and I took a quick trip to Dallas last weekend for a few days. 

 

We had originally planned to fly to Houston to visit Ellen & Kate one weekend in April, but after a whirlwind couple of months, they ended up moving to Dallas.  This worked out perfect because I was planning on heading to Dallas for a wedding, too in April.  We flew into town on Wednesdsay & visited with Kate & Ellen, of course saw all the grandparents, did lots of shopping for baby girl, & had a blast catching up with everyone at the wedding.

Jack has either become a better flyer or I have become a smarter mother (I would like to think both are true).  Flying Southwest from Nashville to Dallas you have to land once so we have started booking a flight where you don't have to change planes.  There are lots of snacks, coloring, ipad, books, & new toys involved.  Luckily there has always been an open seat he was able to use until the second leg on the way to Dallas.  It was pretty much torture to have him in my lap with a large man next to me while I am 6 months pregnant.  Although I am not looking forward to spending the money, it secretly makes me happy that we'll have to purchase him a ticket when he turns two :)

My dad picked us up from the airport & we stopped by my mom's office to say hello.  Afterwards, we headed to a dinner of mexican food (my request) with the Bloomer's and great grandma Palmer.

Thursday morning we met Ellen & Kate at Willow Bend mall to play and catch up.  The last time I saw Kate she was only a few weeks old so I loved getting to spend time with the little girl I hear so much about from Ellen.  Aren't they cute?!  I can't wait to spend time with them when we're back in Dallas now.

I have heard so much about Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas so Friday we went to check it out.  Jack had a blast & of course I'm pretty sure his favorite thing was chasing the birds around (again).

We were very excited to see dad when he picked us up from the airport & when we got home Jack greeted Jake & then wanted to go outside to play & enjoy his swing. 

One thing I love about the blog is being able to easily look back at a year ago and see how we celebrated each holiday/event in our lives.

Sunday was the Masters & I remember last year on Masters day it was the first time that I got out Jack's golf club set that he stills plays with almost daily. He was a whole lot chunkier due to those steroids & the pictures are pretty funny to see how much he has changed.

He had fun with his golf clubs once again this year while dad was watching the end of the tournament.

Sunday we got dressed up a bit in celebration of Easter and headed to Middleton Place Plantation for an early lunch.  We missed that we weren't celebrating our first Easter at Brentwood Methodist, but when we requested Tyler's vacation back in mid 2012 we didn't realize Easter was so early this year!  It was a great meal with gorgeous views. Afterwards, we explored the grounds which were beautiful. The azaleas are in bloom for a few weeks & luckily it was while we were there. Jack literally walked the entire Plantation grounds with us & particularly loved the horses, cows, guineas, & sheep. 

We were exhausted by the end & hit the road around 3:30. We (tyler since he's the driver) decided to do the whole drive in one day & get back to Nashville late at night. Jack is a good sleeper in the car, so we were able to put him in his pj's after dinner in Columbia & he slept from about 8 until we got home about midnight. The drive was a bit scary because of rain & fog, but Tyler handled it like a champ and we were excited to get home & see Jake.

Vacations are hard when you're on a budget, but I know that the memories will outlast money. We had such a great time on our first real trip as a family and I can't wait to do it again for many years to come!