Bad photos and Bethlehem Revisited in Waxahachie

The reason I like WORDS so much is that I take such BAD pictures. 

 

During the day, with plenty of sunshine, coming from just the right angle,

I can manage a few good shots. 

 

But at night, with bad lighting and moving subjects........ oh my!!!

Such was the case at Bethlehem Revisited in Waxahachie! 

I had all three strikes against me! 

Which is really a shame, because it's such a beautiful religious reenactment. 

From the beginning, while waiting in a field with the shepherds and their sheep.....

 

to watching as Joseph walks by, leading a donkey on which his wife, Mary, sits. 

 

It's beautiful!

 

 But my pictures aren't!  

 

I wish I could blame it all on my camera, but I can't.
For example... 

 After watching Joseph pay the tax collector...

and the tax collector asked the young boy standing next to me his occupation....

A little startled, he answered, "I mow the grass."

And the tax collector replies, "You mean you're a GOAT?"!

 

And I laughed out loud, right as I was clicking!    

Somehow my picture turns green! 

Green?  Like an alien....

 

And Joseph and Mary may have to lay their new baby down in a manger,

but from my pictures, they could be at Motel 6. 
 

Even the beautiful camels that came in with the 3 Wise Men,

appear in my pictures more appropriate in one of the Twilight movies! 

Just look at that eye!

  

The community of Waxahachie has done an amazing job of rebuilding a permanent, miniature town of Bethlehem, creating a wonderful living history event!   

And the local volunteers excellently portray the lives of the bakers, basket weavers, blacksmith...

and whatever this guy is suppose to do! 

The actors have alot of fun with it, too! 

With each picture, they ask in a frightful voice if I have captured a star in my little box.

And they really enjoy manipulating the language barrier,

as my daughter found out when the Roman guards apprehended her for being disrespectful. 

Of course, her mug shot is the only picture that came out..... 

Bethlehem Revisited runs November 30th, Dec. 1-2 and Dec. 7-9, from 6-9pm. 

The cost is FREE but donations are requested. 

It's really a magical experience, and a wonderful family outing. 

For more information visit their website;

http://waxahachiechamber.com/calendar/bethlehem.php

 

The camels are provided by Texas Camel Corp, which can be seen at many historical reenactments across the state.  Check out their calendar for more appearances during the year. 

 

Waxahachie is a beautiful town, filled with antique stores and beautiful gingerbread homes. 

Visit their website for more holiday events,

including the annual Candlelight Tour of Homes and the outdoor synthetic ice skating rink. 

 

We began the evening with a yummy dinner at Tuscan Slice in Waxahachie. 

The kids really enjoyed getting to make their own pizzas, 

and I enjoyed the kids being busy so I could eat!  

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

While I try to find a photography class....

Michelle

 

 

Black Friday at Buc-ees

I'm not sure why anyone would want to go to the mall,
superstore or toy store on Black Friday. 

Why would you wait, much less camp, for a store to open? 

Because you can buy everything you need at Buc-ees. 

And they are all open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

The Texas owned stores, which has 20 locations across the state,
and a giant beaver for a mascot,

are a MUST stop on all of our road trips! 

 I love their root beer, sweetened with real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup! 

They also have a deli, fudge counter and everything else you could ever need for road snacking! 

 

 

Our favorite are the Beaver Nuggets. 

Sweet little somethings. 

Not really sure what they are, but they sure get eaten quickly. 

 

 

My kids love their teeshirt selection. 

Because when isn't a beaver a fashion statement?

Yep, even beaver underwear.....

And they have a great selection of Texas Home Decor. 

Not everything at Buc-ees has a beaver on it. 

They also have a great toy selection, filled with fun stuff. 

But I wasn't able to get any pictures.

My arms were too full to hold my camera

And I was already getting some pretty strange looks

after the 10 minutes I spent taking pictures of
the fountain drinks and Beaver Nuggets.   

 

I have to also mention their amazing restrooms

although I didn't get pictures of them, either.  

Because can you imagine the looks I would have gotten,

taking pictures in there? 

 

For more information on Buc-ees, or to find a location near you,

visit their website;

http://www.bucees.com/

 

All opinions are my own, and I did not receive any compensation for this post,

except by my husband.

Although he doesn't know it.

And what he doesn't know won't hurt him. 

Because we bought alot of Beaver Nuggets. 

 

 

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

 

Texas ATV Adventures

With my backpack filled with leftover Thanksgiving Turkey sandwiches and bottles of water, we set off on an ATV adventure.....

We rode about 45 minutes, and enjoyed our lunch by a small creek, surrounded by the beautiful East Texas pine trees and fall foliage, before returning home. 
And taking a shower. 
Because we were covered in dirt, and mud.... and happiness.   

My husband usually complains about the 7 mile logging road we must travel to reach our farm, but he loves it when we get out our four wheelers. Surrounded by timber country, it's isolated and fun. 

We purchased our four wheelers when the big kids were still little, and would ride with us.  We added some dirt bikes as they got old enough to ride on their own.   It's a great family activity, and something we look forward to whenever we visit the farm.

 

 

Some top locations in Texas for riding ATVs;  

Bring Your Own

Rocky Ridge Ranch in Decatur, Tx.  Offers day riding, and camping facilities. 

Sam Houston National Forest  85 niles for OHVs, located in Montgomery, San Jacinto and Walker counties. 

The River Run in Jacksonville  ATV park offers daily rides, camping, cabins and even canoe rental on the Neches River!

 

ATV Rentals and Tours  

Big Bend Far Flung Adventures    Enjoy ATV tours, as well as jeep and river tours.


Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa offers 2 and 4 hour guided ATV trips, as well as horseback riding, skeet shooting and river tours through Big Bend.

South Padre Island Adventures riders enjoy private sand dunes. 

Cross Bar Ranch, Oklahoma  If you must, just must, leave Texas. 

*** Disclaimer ***
ATV riding is lots of fun, but can be dangerous. PLEASE always wear a helmet!

 

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

Sam's Restaurant in Fairfield

Listen to your Mother. 

Or in this case, Mother in Law. 

Well, my Mother in Law, not yours. 

Unless she has also recommended Sam's Restaurant in Fairfield. 

 

For a few months, my MIL (Mother in Law) has been raving about Sam's.  

And although I had a groceries packed in the ice chest for our weekend road trip, the allure of a good food find was too great as we drove through Fairfield. 

Since the parking lot was PACKED at 10:52 on a Saturday morning, I thought she might be onto something. 

Now, some people love buffets, and some don't. 
Usually, we are a family of the "don't" persuasion. 
But, one look at their buffet and we laid down our menus. 
And we THREW them across the room when our friendly waitress told us that the kid's buffet prices were staggered by their age! 

Okay, we didn't ACTUALLY throw them across the room, but we got rid of them pretty quick! 

The buffet is huge, filled with fried chicken, brisket, shrimp and catfish and everything we ate was good! 

My four year old ate 3 plates of food, and a chocolate ice cream cone for $2.99. 

And when you can fill up a 12 year old boy/bottomless pit for $6.99, it's a good day! 

Afterwards,  we visited their gift shop.  They carry a nice selection of Texas collegiate gifts, and Texas gifts, too.  Enough to make my husband groan, the way hubbys groan when they know you wanna go shopping!

And it was HIS mistake to take the four year old to the restroom, 'cause my daughter and I did some shopping! 

We loaded up on some yummy smellin' candles, and she got a new It's a Girl Thing Southern Girl teeshirt.  Have you seen those?  They are so cute, even if they are made in South Carolina!  We love them!  She also got her grandma (my MIL who gave us the tip) a new fat little pink winged piggy to add to her collection!  Shhh.. don't tell! 

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

P.S.  The view expressed above are completely my own. 
I wasn't compensated in any way for this endorsement, it's just good road food!

Our Thanksgiving Adventure

 

 

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!  

 

 

 Before we went to my inlaws for turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and pecan pie,
we spent Thanksgiving morning at the Dallas Zoo. 
 
We wandered around, watching monkeys swinging on bars, birds flying between branches and snakes sticking their tongues out at us. 

Lots of snakes and lots of tongues. 

And all the time I'm thinking how blessed we are. 

Blessed to be together. 

Blessed with our health and happiness.

Blessed to be a Texan, and live in America,  
and to know not ever to take that for granted.

Blessed to live in a world that sees a significance in having zoos. 

and appreciates snakes that stick out their tongues. 

 Blessed that I don't eat my food while it's still alive.

And Blessed with wonderful friends like you.  
That travel along with us on our sometimes crazy adventures,
and sometimes just to the zoo.

Blessed. Blessed. Blessed. 

 

 Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

Prayer Mountain, Dallas

How can you not love a place named "Prayer Mountain"? 

Especially with a view like this!!
Located in Dallas, (That's right, Dallas, didn't you know there was a mountain in Dallas?) on Mountain Creek Parkway at Eagle Ford.   

We just stumbled on it by accident. 

Well, not really accident.  We found it because I'm.... well, let's just say I'm curious.  While driving along, I saw a road heading up a hill, with open gates for a church at the top of the hill.  And I just had to have a look! 

And what an amazing look you get at the top! 

Okay, this is a crummy picture, but it's the best of the crummy pictures I took.  Blame the photographer and not the photo.  Trust me when I tell you that the view is amazing!  They say it's the highest point in Dallas County.   

Winding through the cedar and juniper trees are trails for mountain biking and hiking on the over 100 acres of the mountain.  Some are easy, some medium, and a few are much more treacherous and difficult.  We are anxious to return one afternoon for the Sunset Trail, along the west side of the mountain! 

D.O.R.B.A. (Dallas Off Road Biking Association) maintains the trails, and some of the "additions" are kinda crazy!  Look for it on their website as Big Cedar. 

The trails are open 7 days a week, from dawn to dusk.  Parking is near the electrical lines behind the church, which oversees the care of the mountain.  Access to the mountain is free, but if you visit, consider making a donation for work on the trails.  If you are riding, you must have a signed waiver.

After spending a morning exploring the trails, we had a picnic lunch at some picnic tables near the trailhead.  There is a fire pit, grill and even restrooms.  Camping is allowed with permission.

 It's a wonderful place for kids to go exploring, finding caterpillars, snail shells and all things .......kids! 

Although Joe Pool Lake is just a few minutes away, there is also a small, stocked lake for catch and release only fishing.   I love this picture, and the little butterfly I captured fluttering away on the top, left hand side. 

Mountain Creek Church

The property is owned by Mountain Creek Church, a non-denominational Christian Church.  They have services on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening.  It's a scenic location for weddings in their chapel or outside in their gazebo, near the overlook.  Visitors of all faiths are invited to enjoy their beautiful prayer grounds, also.

Texas History Trivia

If the name of the road, Eagle Ford, sounds familiar, it's because no matter where you live in Texas you have probably heard the term Eagle Ford Shale.  Probably the news.  Probably in a discussion about oil.  You might think that they named the road from this 90 million year old sedimentary rock formation, but you would be wrong.  The shale was first sighted in this West Dallas neighborhood of Eagle Ford, along the Cedar Hill escarpment.  Want to understand Texas Geology more?  I found this informative rendering on Wikipedia.

For a similar, interactive 3D example, visit the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) in Fort Worth.

 

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

Where do you go to recharge your batteries?

In the weeks before a school vacation, I spend countless hours planning where we will go and what we will do.  I feel that the minute the bell rings, it's like a starting gun.  I'm compelled to fit as many activities in as possible during that short time.  In my mind, like a mantra, I just keep repeating, "We will never have this time together again".  And we won't.  My kids are growing.  I know our family time will get more limited. Nothing is promised.  Each day is a blessing, and I want to make the most it.  I want the days to be perfect.      

But sometimes the days don't go perfect.  Sometimes we need to slow down....

....... and breathe. 

Where do you go to recharge your batteries?

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

Prairie Lights 5K, Grand Prairie

For more holiday seasons than I can remember, we have loaded up the car with our kids, and other people and their kids, along with blankets and hot chocolate, and set off to visit Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie!

 

Prairie Lights is a drive through light display.  We LOVE the lights! 

We love driving through the park, singing with the Christmas songs on the radio, assuring us that we will be bringing a new set of other people and their kids the following year. 

Because nobody wants to attend THAT concert twice!     

 

But this year, we came for the Sneak-A-Peak 5K,

 because even I have gotten tired of our singing. 

 

My daughter was hoping to get to speak with Santa before the race. 

She has alot of explaining to do. 

But Prairie Lights doesn't officially open until Thanksgiving Day,

 and runs thru New Year's Eve. 

There are over 4 million sets of lights, which is amazing when you consider how hard it is to just put lights on your Christmas tree. 

 

My children choose to run ahead, while I decided to walk and talk with friends.  Because that's why you do a 5K, right?  To walk and talk with friends.  It should be on the t-shirt.  

 

This is everyone's favorite, the world's largest light tunnel.  

The lights race up and down the tunnel, it's really terrific!   

 

 

Prairie Lights is set up in Lynn Creek Park, which sits on Joe Pool Lake.  A visit to Lynn Creek Marina and The Oasis Restaurant before or after your drive makes for a perfect evening.  From their patio, you can see the lights reflecting off the water, it's amazing! 

Don't forget to take some bread to feed the ducks and monster size fish that hang out there! 

 

 

There is more than just lights!  At Holiday Village, you can enjoy rides, gift shop, concessions, a visit with Santa, walk through the Holiday Magic Lighted Forest, or enjoy Holiday Magic Live, a brand new live show by Texas Family Musicals.   

 

 

When all my walking and talking (and picture taking) was done, I was proud of my time! 

And while it may seem like a long time, you will need to plan longer for your visit.  The average drive thru and stop at Holiday Village takes about an hour and a half, add an hour or more for weekends and holidays. 

 

 

My Mommy Tips:

• Make a potty stop every chance you get, especially with little kids.  The lines just to get into the park can be long, so visit the potty before you get to the park.  The only potty break is at Holiday Village.  There is a port-a-potty located at the gate, and if you can, stop and use it before going inside.  
• The lines can be long to get inside the park.  Bring something to keep kiddos busy in the car, and maybe some snacks. 

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

(or under the Texas stars)

Michelle

Fort Worth Nature Center

One Friday each month I pack up my little four year old, and we visit the Fort Worth Nature Center for their Preschool Discovery Class with his best buddy!  He loves learning about the animals that live in the refuge, listening to a story, and making a craft. 

But today he was a toot. 

Not his normal tootiness, but "extreme for even him" tootiness. 

He wouldn't listen to the story.  Then Mr. Michael told the children he would call out different animals, and asked that they go stand by either a happy face, an unsure face, or a sad face, depending on how they felt about the animal.   

The first animal was a pig.  With visions of cute pink little piglets, or maybe bacon, all the preschoolers scrambled over to the happy face.  Except my Little Leo.  He went to the sad face.  "You don't like pigs?" I asked.  He shook his head no.

The second animal was a cat.  The children all smiled and stayed firmly in place at the happy face.  Except mine.  Apparently he doesn't like cats.  Please don't tell our kitty, it would make her sad. 

The third animal was a butterfly.  My little guy stood alone.  When asked why he doesn't like butterflies, he replied that it makes him sad to see them struggling in spider webs. 

And on it went.  My baby, who is not a baby, is clearly defiant. 

But when Mr. Michael asked who likes bats, the children all ran over to the sad face, while my little one hurried over to the happy face, accompanied by a few others.  Curious, I asked him why he liked bats, and he replied to me, "I like it when you read me Stellaluna, (pronounced Sta-Luna), at night when you tuck me in." 

I love my defiant little guy. 

The Fort Worth Nature Center has lots of wonderful activities, including hay rides to feed the bison, canoe paddling excursions, birdwatching and much, much more!  Check out their calendar of events, or spend a day out walking their trails.  Take your camera, we always see plenty of deer and other wildlife around the refuge. 

I was also told some places to spot some wild turkeys, although I didn't see any.  Apparently, wild turkeys do not make photo appearances for loud, four year old boys.  Who knew?

My Mommy Tip: 

• Call early to reserve a spot for all activities, because they really fill up fast!

Click Here to read about another, less "tooty", visit to the Preschool Discovery Class.