Our mini vacation to the Dallas area

In November, I got a little bonus at work because our campus showed the most academic growth (as measured on state tests) out of all the thirty-something elementary campuses in Lubbock ISD.  Instead of paying a bill or saving it for a rainy day, we took the bonus cash and planned a little mini vacation before having to return to work for the spring semester...just the 3 of us.  Well, technically, it was 3.5 of us since we are just past the halfway point in growing Owen's little brother!!  Our schedule was packed and fun, yet allowed for some relaxation and rest.  Just for documentation purposes, our agenda was as follows:

Monday, Dec 30:  breakfast, drive from Shallowater to Grapevine, lunch at Steak and Shake, Grapevine Vintage Railroad, dinner at Subway, and check in at Great Wolf Lodge

Tuesday, Dec 31: donuts for breakfast, fun at Great Wolf Lodge, lunch at Rainforest Cafe, ICE! at the Gaylord Texan, Frozen (the movie), drive to Dallas to Uncle Lon and Aunt Kathy's house, Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner

Wednesday, Jan 1:  breakfast (Uncle Lon's pancakes!), Perot Museum, lunch at Subway, Dallas World Aquarium, dinner at Picasso's with Uncle Lon and Aunt Kathy

Thursday, Jan 2: McDonald's for breakfast, drive to Odessa   

Our vacation budget followed Dave Ramsey's envelope system.  (We followed Dave Ramsey's financial plan all of 2013 and are continuing it into 2014.)  A 'lodging' envelope was unnecessary because our night in Great Wolf Lodge was a gift from Aunt Bev to Owen and the other two nights of our vacation were spent with family.  :)    

On our way out of Lubbock with Puppy, his Thomas blanket, and a movie to pass the time.  

 Steak and Shake.  Yum!  We had never been before! 

The Grapevine Vintage Railroad -- nice train ride, but lots of time spent stopped on the tracks due to them sharing the railroad with industrial trains moving freight from place to place.  What was supposed to take a few hours from start to finish took about five.  :(   

 Notice how dark it was outside when we finally got off the train and could get on with our evening! 

Great Wolf Lodge -- such a NEAT place!  We were there several hours less than we expected, but the time spent there was fun.  Owen is still talking about it three weeks later! 

 

 About to check out after a night and morning of water park fun! 

 

Rainforest Cafe

Gaylord Texan -- ICE!!  Nutcracker theme with a New York exhibit

We were prepared with jackets and winter accessories but ended up being given their blue ones as well.  We were nice and warm! 

Owen loved the ice Turbo! 

 Still in the Gaylord Texan (walking back toward our car), we stopped to watch the electric trains 

Frozen on the big screen! 

The Perot Museum -- similar to Lubbock's Science Spectrum, but different in lots of ways.  It was fun, but much of it was too "over Owen's head."  We will return there in a few years and be able to enjoy more of the museum/learning part of the facility.  Overall a really great place! 

The Dallas World Aquarium -- lovely exhibits and awesome things to see.  There were many more pictures taken, but these were the ones I chose to include in the blog.  What a cute little guy! 

We sure had a fun time.  It will most likely be awhile before we have the money or chance to go on another vacation!  Thankfully we will have the memories from this three-day excursion as our days as a family of three come to a close.  Pretty soon, the memories will start including another little Billett!  Exciting times!

Thanks for stopping by,
Carianne