Swimming

During Grandpa and Grandma's visit, we did a good amount of swimming - Sofia's very favorite thing to do. She's gotten very good as swimming and taking breaths and continues to be fearless with going down the slide, jumping into the water from the hot tub wall and now loves to climb the rocks and jump in. Here are a few pictures from their visit.

Sofia and her Papa


Swimming...


Taking a breath.....


Swimming


Reaching Grandma


Sofia and Grandma

Memorial Day Weekend with Grandma and Grandpa

Sofia's Grandma and Grandpa arrived on Friday afternoon - a day later than expected due to a cancelled flight. We planned on just relaxing on Friday, so they didn't miss much. On Saturday we took the Grapevine train to Ft Worth, something we've been wanting to do with our little train crazy girl for a long time. It was a full train, so we found good seats and enjoyed the breeze created as we headed out of Grapevine Station. Sofia loved it!

Shortly after we started off, our train was overtaken by bandits, but thankfully the sheriff was quick on their tails. Sofia got a 'temporary sheriff' sticker, $1,000 "phony dollar" bill and a real bullet casing. It was great excitement! After the sheriff ran the bandits off, we continued on our way to Ft Worth. Sofia enjoyed a big bag of popcorn (her very favorite treat), cold water and her brand new Thomas Train book given to her by Grandma and Grandpa. She hauled that book everywhere we went for the entire weekend and still loves to "read" it it herself and lift all the flaps. It was a nice way to travel to Ft. Worth and we enjoyed seeing a different view than the freeway.

Grandpa and Sofia at the Grapevine Train Station


All set to go!


Standing next to the engine. Puffy, the steam train was supposed to lead the trip, but CK was told that he was in the shop.


Sofia with everything she needs- Grandma, Green Beup Beup and her train ticket!


Cozy on the train!


Happy Girl!


The conductor punching Sofia's ticket


One of the bandits


The hold up!


Sheriff to the rescue!


Reading Thomas as we chug toward Ft. Worth


Enjoying some popcorn


A view of the rest of the train

Ft Worth

Once we arrived in Ft Worth, we had the perfect amount of time to walk around, grab lunch, watch the cattle drive and slowly head back to the train. I think every time we've been to Ft. Worth it's been well into the 90s and this was no different. A few of my local friends suggested we go to Love Shack for outstanding burgers, however, we realized the entire place is outside and it was just too hot to enjoy a meal, even in the shade. So, we headed across the street to another recommendation, H3 which was outstanding! First, it was air conditioned which felt like heaven after the hot train trip and their food was delicious. Despite the entire bag of popcorn eaten by Sofia, she still managed to gobble down her grilled cheese.

After our meal, we headed back toward the train depot and Sofia went for a pony ride. She really loves it and it was great to watch how much she enjoyed it. Green Beup Beup went with her, probably because she was so tired that she could hardly see straight! Just after her pony ride, we watched the longhorns getting "driven" down the road. These longhorns looked a lot healthier and younger than in our previous visits. They slowly walked down the street as if they'd done it a million times already, but it's still fun to watch and think of how Ft. Worth was back in that time.

We headed for the shaded train depot and relaxed while we waited for our train. Sofia wanted to ride on EVERY one of the mechanical horses (she did ride most of them thanks to Grandma's quarters). We tried to get her to "shoot her guns" like she did when we visited the previous time (over a year earlier). After the additional pony rides, we found some seats out of the sun and enjoyed our hour-plus ride home. It was a great day and we were ready for some pool time. As soon a we were on the train home, Sofia feel right to sleep and she slept for nearly the entire trip.

Walking around, heading to H3 for lunch (and some much needed A/C)


Sofia on her pony ride


Waving to her fans


Keeping an eye on Grandpa and Grandma


Another wave


The cattle drive


Sofia on the mechanical pony


Sofia and Mommy


Our little sleeper


So peaceful


The griller! CK getting dinner ready -we had grilled veggies, steak, corn (CK grilled and seasoned them to perfection) followed by ice cream. Yum!

Visiting Old Town Denton

On Memorial Day we decided to go for a road trip to visit one of the many cute Texas towns that are an easy drive from us. So, we headed north for about an hour and arrived at Gainesville, which has the old Courthouse surrounded by cute shops and restaurants. However, the whole place was closed! So, we turned toward home and stopped in old town Denton, which also has a beautiful courthouse surrounded by cute shops and it was open and busy. We walked around the grounds of the courthouse and then headed into an old time soda fountain/ice cream shop that we almost never left. First, it was like stepping back in time and also it was well into the 90s outside! After a few sodas and a recharge of our spirits, we headed out to the car and drove to one of the best places for friend chicken - Babe's. Along the way, our little girl fell asleep, which was surprising she'd lasted so long. She still naps about two hours starting around 2 or 2:30 and it was after 4, so she was exhausted. Unfortunately the nap was short since we made it to Babe's in about 40 minutes.

Babe's is one of those places that should be visited about once or twice a year - it really has delicious and HOT fried chicken (which I hardly ever eat, but love from Babe's). They serve either fried chicken or chicken fried steak and it all comes with salad, biscuits, mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn -as much as you can and want to eat. It's overwhelming and delicious! Sofia's Grandpa, who is a bit of a fried chicken coneussieur, said it was the best fried chicken in ages. After we finished, we rolled out of the restaurant and headed for home to relax and digest our meal.

Grandpa, Grandma and Sofia in front of the Court House in Denton


Sofia smelling the flowers


Mommy, Sofia and Papa




Papa and Sofia at the soda fountain


All of their ice creams are homemade and sounded very original - we'll have to make another trip up to check it out!


Catching a few more minutes of sleep as Grandpa cares her into Babe's


The one and only!


CK, post Babe's

The Big Cedar Slide!

Below are two videos of Sofia going down the slide at Big Cedar Lodge. She LOVED it! I think the first time we visited the slide she went down at least twenty times before we convinced her to try out the other pool with a little slide. After a quick dip in the pool and hot tub, she decided to return to the slide and we filmed the following videos. The first one she waits for the lifeguard to give her the "thumbs up" sign so she can start. Obviously, no one is there so she ended up going down it over and over without having to wait.

The second video is of Sofia going down from the bottom and was her last slide of our visit! I know she can't wait to go back.