dallas arboretum for $1.

When I found out that the Dallas Arboretum was hosting dollar days all of August-- I was ready to brave the 100+ temps and head out... the troops, not so much. But with a little convincing (Sonic happy hour run), quick thinking (bribery), and cooling morning rain shower (It knocked us down into the high 90's, cool for a Texas August)-- we were on our way. We saved well over $40 on admission, I was willing to brave the heat.

so, whaddaya do in Florida.

Florida was perfection!

The beach was empty! Everyone was afraid of the oil, I guess-- but we didn't even see a speck.

The sun was warm, and the water was cool-- we even managed to find a few small clams. We watched them scutter down into the sand after the waves would crash onto shore.
I was mesmerized by the aqua blue waves and white sand.
Rain was in the forecast, but it ended up being a:

This year, both of the boys have learned how to swim. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that they both are naturals in the water.
What is a beach vacay without a little tan?
Jeff taught the boys the ins and outs of the boogie board! THEY LOVED IT! We all walked away with a little sand rash, but what's a vacay without a few battle scars.

Every summer we are amazed by:
We all gawk and stare like it's the first time we've seen his golden summer skins. Gotta love those Mediterranean genes.
And OH! The sand. I love the sand!
It's so tempting to want to lick it off of your hands, they look like they have been rolled in pure sugar!

He's got the tan for it.
.
Jeff spent just as much time on the boogie board as the boys did!

New Orleans, Part II

The night in the haunted Hotel Provincial was creepy and long. The fire alarms went off two times (at midnight exactly, and at 3 am) and I kept waking up to check and see if the chandelier above our bed was swaying... it wasn't. I did however, feel like someone was watching my every move.

BUT--
We did survive and had enough energy to enjoy a breakfast in the courtyard and throw a few good luck pennies in the fountain! One of the boys threw one of their pennies a bit too vigorously and ended up just barely missing one of the other hotel guests, but that's another story!
Just a bit more shopping before we head east!

Vacation 2010 - New Orleans

Our first stop in Louisiana:

We parked here:

Then, we hiked down to one of my favorite spots ever:

On our way to the French Quarter!

Can I just take a moment right here to say how POLITE and FRIENDLY people in Louisiana are? I have never had the door opened for me so often in my life! Smiles around every corner!

Enjoying the sultry evening--

Dinner time in the French Quarter is a treat:

Jeff tries gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and dirty rice.

But, you just wait!

Ooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Catch the sign behind me-- and don't forget to "Please watch your valuables!"

The street performers that hung by the sides of the cafe made my oldest so nervous. Poor kid!

Off to the hotel!

I didn't find out that our hotel was haunted until AFTER I had already booked and paid for our room! While searching for opinions and suggestions on the internet-- I find out that mysterious building #5 is the MOST haunted building at the hotel. It use to be a Civil War hospital-- and legend has it that you can see Confederate soldier ghosts hanging around.

What building were we assigned to? Building 5 of course.

I grabbed my suitcase and walked wide eyed to building 5. I didn't even mutter a peep of this information to the boys-- I didn't want crying kids all night long... but I was so scared myself!

Did the ghosts come out to play?

Did I get any sleep?

Find out tomorrow!