The American Idol Concert

We went to the American Idol concert at the AAC this week and had such a good time. I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy it, but the company was great and the performers at the end of the concert did a great job. Adam was by far the most theatrical and I really enjoyed his performances. Fun night, but unfortunately I didn't take many pictures.

Brian and I with Vicki after the concert.

The JFK Museum and Founder's Plaza

One thing I love about having people visiting from out of town is that you end up doing things that you wouldn't do on your own. Tracey and Kaylan wanted to visit the 6th Floor Musueum while they were here, so on Friday we headed downtown. Brant had school that morning and my mom was supposed to keep the girls, but she got sick so Cate and Claire made the field trip with us. First we walked over and saw the Memorial in Dealy Plaza, grassy knoll and checked out Founder's Plaza. Then we headed inside. Unfortunately, it is really something that 2 year olds cannot enjoy, but Tracey, Brian and Kaylan listened to the audio tour while I corraled the girls. Then we headed over the pick up Brant from school and we ate lunch at Chuys. It was fun being back in the uptown area and seeing some of our old stomping grounds. I wanted to take the kid's over to Wild About Harrys for some custard after lunch, but I think by that time everyone was worn out and they were unenthused. They did enjoy Chuys and Brant thought the Elvis statue was pretty cool. Kaylan won the girls a ballerina bear stuffed animal on of the games inside and that was a huge hit and they had to share back and forth over lunch.


Tracey, Brian and Kayla in front of the Dealy Plaza Memorial



The Book Depository Building and 6th Floor Museum


Devlin's overlooking the "grassy knoll"


Founder's Plaza with the Red Courthouse in the background




Kaylan and Cate in the lobby of the 6th Floor Museum

Lunch at Chuys

Claire with the ballerina bear

Brian and Brant checking out Elvis

A Trip to Stonebriar Centre and Dinner at Five Sixty

On Tracey's actual birthday we decided to go to the mall and have a little fun out of the heat. Tracey wanted to shop with some of her gift cards and the kids always enjoy playing in the mall. The girls love to ride the carousel and Brant is mesmerized by the new Lego store. He had been dying for the Indiana Jones lego set, so he and daddy went to pick that out and then we spent a little time in the play area, which was busy as usual.

That night we went to eat at Five Sixty with Dale and Vicki Pierce. Recently, Wolf Gang Puck has opened a new concept at the top of Reunion Tower, so I thought it would be a good chance for Tracey to experience a Dallas landmark and hopefully have a good dinner. It was kind of neat because we got there while the sun was still out and go to see the sunset and experience the night time lights, as well. The views are really beautiful, the food was good and the company was great as always. We always have a good time with the Pierces'. Happy Birthday, Tracey!

Tracey and Kaylan's Visit to Dallas

Brian's sister, Tracey, and our niece, Kaylan, came to Dallas for a week long visit this summer and it was so great to see them. We really got a chance to just visit and do some things in Dallas we probably wouldn't have done if they had not come to town. Strangely, my mom and sister's birthdays are July 13 and 14th and Tracey's is the 15th (and Fermin's is the week prior) so we had a lot to celebrate. On the first Sunday after they arrived we had everyone over for a swim party and BBQ and it was so much FUN. We played with the kids, danced to the music and I even convinced most everyone to play a little badmitton in the pool. What a great day!

It was so hot, so on Monday we headed to the Hawaiian Falls water park. It was a little stressful for mom having all 3 kids around so much water, but everyone survived and the kids loved it! Brant gave us a heart attack in the first 5 minutes after our arrival by running off to get in line for a water slide and we couldn't find him. Luckily, it didn't take to long to locate him and everyone could breathe a sigh of relief. The girls loved the children's play area and slides and Aunt Tracey and Kaylan were so sweet to do the slides and play with them . . . they had a ball (and mommy actually got to capture a few moments on film with the extra hands). Brant showed us how brave he is getting and went on some of the bigger water slides with dad. He surprised us by wanting to go on the faster slide at the end. Considering last year he was not wanting to ride the carousel at the mall I thought it was awesome. The kids keep asking to go back, so I think everyone really had a fun day.

Super Blueberry!!!

Brant has had this raggedy, well-loved, blue bear since he was born and he still loves him so many years later. Lately, he has wanted to take the Superman cape off of his pajamas and put it on Blueberry to make him a super hero. I think it is so cute. Here is a picture of Brant, dad and Super Blueberry!

Water Fun!!!

It has been so darn hot this summer that it's really only comfortable when you are wet. The kids love playing in the water, so that has not been a problem. They love to jump and slide into the pool shouting "Cannonball"! Brant and Claire especially love jumping although Cate is slightly more cautious. The pool has really been great this summer because the kids can really enjoy it more independently. Another Devlin family favorite is the water hose. The kids love squirting each other and always want their turn at the helm. Squirting each other and any other objects that are around are great entertainment . . . just don't get mom--or else!

Fourth of July Weekend at Nana and Apa's House

We had a great fourth of July weekend at Nana and Apa's house. We drove up Friday night and were able to enjoy a relaxing day swimming and letting the kids play outside on Saturday. Nana painted the girl's toenails for the first time and Brant enjoyed exploring and checking out the longhorns and the dogs. That evening we headed over to the city hall in Seven Points for the fireworks display. It was quite an evening, as the firechief announced people could go ahead and shoot off their own fireworks while the city was shooting off the "official" ones. I guess I've never been in a place where it is legal to shoot your own fireworks and it was pretty funny. Everyone in the parking lot where we were parked was having their own little party, while we watched the city's display. They were going off on all sides of the car . . . I'm not sure the kids really knew where to look. Anyway, it was a great weekend and we had a wonderful time.