Jungle Boogie

"Get Down, Get Down.
Get Down, Get Down...

Jungle Boogie.
Jungle Boogie...

Get Down, Get Down.
Get Down, Get Down..."
- Kool & The Gang






Today's field trip was to the Dallas World Aquarium. Confused on why they call it an aquarium rather than a rain forest or jungle, it is still one of my favorite attractions in Dallas. The path begins in the tree tops so you are level with the Toucans and monkeys as they live freely in their man-made environment. After winding through the forest you are surprised with a variety of birds, turtles, otters, spiders, crocks, snakes, and even a bat cage.



Only then do you enter the tanks, or aquarium. Sting rays, manatees, sea turtles, and sharks eagerly wait your arrival. Next is ten 2,000-gallon tanks that display present marine life from around the world - Palau, Southern Australia, Lord Howe Island, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Bahamas, British Columbia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Japan. Finally, escape outside to the penguin exhibit or to the Yucatan's gulf coast to see milk snakes, tree frogs, and owls.

Today's photos!

Big Balls In Cowtown

"Workin' on the railroad
Sleepin' on the ground
Eatin' saltine crackers
Ten cents a pound
Big Ball's in Cowtown
We'll all go down
Big Ball's in Cowtown
We'll dance around."
- George Strait






We have been busy this past week with our good friends visiting us from Finland. Fossil Rim to Hall's Pumpkin Patch, we have revisited some of our favorite places trying to give them a taste of Texas and the autumn spirit. Since this is their first trip to the Lone Star State, we had to truck it down to the Fort Worth Stockyards for some Texas bling, cowboy hats, and belt buckles.




At 1130 and 1600 daily, the Stockyard's host a cattle drive. Not quite the stampede I was expecting, 10 longhorn slowly walked the brick streets as they were guided by real cowboys on horses. The kids were in awe so the trip was well worth it. Then we ended the afternoon with REAL Mexican food at one of our favorite restaurants El Asadero.

The Pumpkin on the Vine

"The pumpkin on the vine,
The pumpkin on the vine.
I picked the one that weighed a ton
And that's the one that's mine.
I carved two funny eyes,
A mouth that's oversized.
The other gook,
My mother took,
For making pumpkin pie."








Just like most families in America, visiting any pumpkin patch during the month of October is mandatory. And if you are lucky enough to visit the same patch year after year, the collage of pictures collected is a great way to watch your children grow. We headed about 2 miles down the road to Hall's Pumpkin Farm. Between the corn maze, hayrides, slides, picture taking, hay house, animal feeding, tractor riding, and of course pumpkin shopping...a few hours passes before your eyes. We were blessed with a tease of fall-like weather initially. Then the Texas sun heated up the day.




In the DFW area, quite a few pumpkin farms reside. The cities of Frisco, Mansfield, Gainesville, and Flower Mound all claim to have the best "patch" in the area. Just as long as you make your way to one annually and sit with the gourds, your duty is done. Pack a picnic lunch, make sure your camera battery is full, and enjoy your day!

Today's photos!

Deep in the Heart of Texas

"The stars at night, are big and bright,
deep in the heart of Texas,
The prairie sky is wide and high,
deep in the heart of Texas.
The sage in bloom is like perfume,
deep in the heart of Texas,
Reminds me of, the one I love,
deep in the heart of Texas."
- Gene Autry







We were brave enough today to fight the crowds at the Texas State Fair. Even though it is a Monday, Dallas ISD along with many other school districts in the area, had 'fair day' today so the crowds were comparable to any weekend. What used to be a yearly outing for less than $100 has all changed with the age of my boys. Money is no longer spent on cold beer and a Fletcher's Corn Dog.




Today our tickets disappeared in the Kids Midway as the boys rode the smallest of roller coasters. Airplanes, trains, fire trucks, whales, cars, and motorcycles were the themes of the smaller rides (36 inches in height). At an average of $4 a ride per child, we were at the ticket booth again cashing in a few more bills. The boys kept a smile on thier face so I guess it was all worth it. Maybe they only need to think the fair is every other year :)



And the main reason many visitors fight the crowds at the Fair are for the latest and greatest comings from the deep fried grease! We stopped at the first place winner's booth to taste 'Mama's Fried Sweet Potato Pie,' but they were all out (at 1130 in the morning)! So our only sample from the debuts this year was the 'Deep Fried Latte.' It was good but nothing to write home about. Here is the complete list from this year:


Deep Fried Latte - Fried pastry, cappuccino ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream, and instant coffee powder.
Fried Cookie Dough - Chilled cookie dough, battered and fried.
Fried Guacamole Bites. Scoop of guacamole, breaded and fried, served with ranch dressing or salsa.
Country Pride Peach Cobbler on a Stick - Peach cobbler with dumplings rolled in pastry dough and fried, covered in brown sugar and cinnamon, and skewered.
Fernie's Fried Chili Frito Burrito - Chili and Fritos inside flour tortilla, fried and topped with choice of cheese sauce, shredded cheddar, jalapeños, sour cream, hot sauce, and onions.
B.W.'s Original Fried Banana Pudding - Banana pudding inside fried tortilla, topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar or cinnamon.
Mama's Fried Sweet Potato Pie - Pie filling inside flour tortilla, fried and topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Today's photos!

A Wink And A Smile

"I remember the days
Of just keeping time
Of hanging around
In sleepy towns forever.
Back roads empty for miles.

Well, you can't have a dream
And cut it to fit
But when I saw you, I knew
We'd go together
Like a wink and a smile."
- Harry Connick Jr.





Today we headed north on I-35 to visit a great friend in Oklahoma and to meet Baby Jack. After the boys played with tractors and cars, got dirty in the sand box, and satisfied their appetite with pizza, we visited the Arbuckle Wilderness. Much like Fossil Rim, hungry animals rush to your window in search of food. The 5 mile safari ride takes you through the habitats of deer, cows, zebras, camels, ostriches, etc. The Arbuckle Wilderness offers much more during the summer months (Memorial to Labor Day weekend) including Go carts, Bumper Boats, camel rides, and Paddle boats for additional fees. It is located 2 hours north of DFW.




I think we were just as excited to share our outing with someone else as we were to visit the safari. After all the invites I have sent out the past 10 weeks, someone finally took us up on the offer. Our 3 boys hung out the back window throwing feed at the 'distant' animals, until their snouts came within reaching distance from the tiny fingers. Then they all rushed towards my lap screaming! All we could do is laugh.

Today's photos!