Dallas World Aquarium

The Dallas World Aquarium is an awesome place that is actually a rainforest up top and an aquarium down below. The paths descend gradually allowing you to explore the various habitats at all the levels. Since we visited this place on my birthday last year, I have tried to avoid any duplicates and the strictly animal pictures have been kept to a minimum. Oliver and I were so fortunate to have Riley & Livia (Oliver has referred to her as Livia this entire vacation) with us on this trip, we had a great time.

Do they look excited?

Watching the River Otters

Still watching

Oliver is at an exhibit computer display -- he loved these touchscreen computers and wanted to use them every time we went to a new exhibit

Watch this cool bird fight!

Riley showing Oliver the snakes and frogs

The Rainforest waterfall

check out the jellyfish and the green frog!

are there really piranhas in there?

the shark tank from above and below

walking hand in hand

some really cute kids!

I loved this picture! Check out how huge that catfish is!

Oliver loved this guy!

another exhibit touchscreen computer

check out Riley sitting there so cool while this Jaguar runs past him!

Chocolate

At our house, nothing brings smiles to tears in the time it takes to snap 9 pictures like chocolate, or the lack thereof that is.

1. So happy, what is in these eggs?

2. I wonder if Mommy will let me have one of the kisses

3. What if I give her this cute little smile?

4. I'll coyly take the chocolate out of the egg

5. Unwrap the sweet morsel

6. Shove the entire thing in my mouth

7. start to open another one...what, I can't have anymore because it is almost dinner time?

8. But Mommy, I want it!

9. Doesn't he look heart broken? Every time I see this picture I want to go back and say, okay, you can have one more.

Happy Easter through the years!

Oliver's first Easter spent in SLC, with my family (look at how small Riley & Olivia were)

Oliver's second Easter

Oliver's third Easter

Unfortunately, I wasn't thinking this year and I was using the video camera while Oliver unpacked his basket instead of my still shot camera and I don't have anything of him with his basket. Next year I'll remember! :)

Oliver woke on Easter morning to find eggs hidden in his room. And you know what was inside them? Chocolate. Mommy liked it better last year when Oliver was excited about there being Cheerios in the plastic eggs! :) Watch the video to see Oliver's take on how the eggs got there.

Entertainment, Medieval Times style

On Saturday afternoon, we took Riley and Olivia to Medieval Times and it was so much fun. This was my second time to the Dallas castle and I would for sure go again. As you arrive at the castle, it is decided what section you are sitting in which dictates the knight for which you will cheer. We sat in the green knight's section who was from another kingdom and was actually the "evil" knight which made it all the more fun. There is jousting, sword fighting, horse tricks and even a yummy dinner that is to be eaten without the assistance of utensils. This is a definite to do when you come to Dallas!

the castle in all its glory!

my guys!

waiting for the tournament to begin!

this may be my favorite picture I took of Olivia & Riley while they were here

the red knight after missing his mark while jousting

our evil green knight, hooray!

Six Flags, baby!

Originally, we had planned to go to Six Flags as a family on Friday morning. Unfortunately, Oliver was still too sick and had a difficult day without a nap on Thursday, so we decided it might be best for Oliver to stay home with his Daddy. Instead, we spent the morning playing with Oliver and coloring Easter eggs and then I took Riley and Olivia to Six Flags Over Texas after lunch.

The day started off slow, but we ended up riding quite a few rides including the world's largest wooden roller coaster, The Texas Giant, and also the Shock Wave. I love, love, love amusement parks and Riley and Olivia were great sports! We all had a great time!

Look at my hands!

Oliver loved his first time coloring Easter eggs and I think having his cousins here to share in the experience made it all the more fun. As you will see in the pictures, I think his hands may have been more painted than the eggs!

I had to stick this one in: Olivia loved this chair!

Riley & Olivia's first day in Texas

My nephew and niece, Riley & Olivia, arrived this afternoon from Salt Lake City, Utah to spend six days with us and we are all so excited. After collecting their luggage, we headed over to the Rainforest Cafe in the Grapevine Mills Mall right by the airport. The cafe was a bit too much volume wise for Oliver, but Riley and Olivia really seemed to enjoy it. I have been to one in Denver with my Aunt Jerry before, but I had forgotten how lush and beautiful it was. The food was good and ample. When we had finished, we headed to the gift shop and picked out some souvenirs and then we did some birthday shopping for Riley at Tommy Hilfiger. We then collected our purchases and made the hour long trip from the airport to Plano in rush hour traffic. No one seemed to mind the extra time we spent in traffic as we were all enjoying each others company in the car. Riley and Olivia brought Oliver a special gift in their suitcase that Oliver just loved: it was a huge fire truck that even has sound effects. Oliver has played with the truck every day since then. We had a light dinner and after we got Oliver in bed and the dishes were done, the kids played some games. That marked the end of our first day, here are some pictures we took of the day:

The pictures on the left of the collage were taken while we were waiting for the plane to arrive. Since Rye and Liv were unescorted minors, we were able to go through security to the gate to accept guardianship of them and Oliver had no problem passing the time watching airplanes, tractors, police cars, etc. Oliver warmed right up to his cousins and let Riley hold him without any questions.

I loved this picture of him snuggling into Riley

waiting for our food

some of the scenery at the Cafe

reading the instruction book for a strategy game -- Riley's favorite type of game

Riley & Olivia playing Go

Oliver's Easter Basket from Grammy & Gramps

Earlier this month, while I was in Salt Lake, Oliver's Grammy & Gramps gave me something to take home to him for Easter. I finally was able to go to the store to get fabric stiffener to finish the basket, and....voila! Oliver's very own basket made from a doily. My mom finds the cutest ideas! I gave him this basket a few days before Easter so he could enjoy it as well as what the Easter Bunny would bring him on Easter.