Weekend Get Away

This week is the girls spring break from school. Wes and I decided to take a couple of days off and have some family time. We spent the weekend in Glen Rose, TX seeing some of the sights there were to see. Saturday, we had fun hiking to find dinosaur tracks at the Dinosaur Valley State Park. To get to some of the tracks, we had to cross a stream of water by hopping across rocks. Lizzie loved it and said that was her favorite park of the whole trip. Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures from our trek.

After our dinosaur hunt, we went into Granbury for lunch and to see the downtown. After that, we decided to see what Cleburne had going. We learned, not much. We headed back to our hotel after that and took a nap. For dinner, we found a great BBQ place.

On Sunday, we headed to Stephenville on our way home (it's the opposite direction from home). We drove around Tarleton State University and a flea market. For lunch, we decided to have a picnic. We bought some sandwich fixings and search for a picnic table. The girls loved it!

Sweet girls

Waiting for dad to finish making lunch

 After lunch, we made our way back home. We took several detours to see whatever we wanted to see. We happened upon  a giant U, a motor track where cars were racing, and a different way to go home. Our trip was very laid back and relaxing. It was fun seeing the differences of the towns and what made them unique. The girls had fun and so did we.

On Monday, we continued our vacation with horseback riding. Wes had been waiting to take the girls on a ride for a long time. He found a place outside of town and we headed that way. The girls had a blast. They rode with us. Gracie said it was her favorite part of the vacation.

Getting ready to get our horses

Lizzie riding with me

Gracie with Wes

Today was the end of my vacation, which meant a trip to Oklahoma for the girls to spend time with Grandma and Papa. We met at the Chickasaw Cultural Center. Apparently, we chose just the right time because they were having special events, such as storytelling, dancing, throwing spears and traditional crafts.

The girls were excited to get their faces painted like a woodpecker. The woodpecker is important to the Chickasaw because the story goes, when he Creator flooded the earth, the woodpecker flew above the water and was brave. The Creator was so impressed that He made the woodpecker the guardian of the Chickasaw people.

After the face painting, the girls made a clay pot and got a corn husk doll. They loved the doll. Then, we toured the village, ate lunch and toured the museum. It was really fun and interesting.

Hanging out

My brave woodpecker

Making the woodpecker

Playing a game where you throw spears. Gracie is the smallest one out there.

Lizzie's turn

Grandma showing the girls something

Something about water attracts these girls

Grandma and Papa with the girls

Wes and I with the girls.

We had an excellent time on our vacation and much needed time away. We forgot about work, school, stress and focused on our family. It was all about family time and how to make the most of it. During part of the trip, I told the girls we were going on lots of adventures and that each day was a different one. At the end of the day, I would ask each person what their favorite part was. At the end of the vacation, I asked Wes what his favorite part was. He said the hiking and horseback riding. My favorite part? I can't say it was one thing, but I know it was the special time we had as a family.