Everything's bigger in Texas...

Isn't that how the saying goes? Not to be outdone, this post is giving Texas a run for its money. Sit down, relax, and be prepared to look through a ridiculous amount of pictures. Probably my longest post yet, with pictures, that is.

When we found out that we were moving to Spokane, a certain panic set it. A need to complete a whole list of to-do's, as if we were getting ready to move to Egypt for a lifetime (though my mother would certainly argue that Spokane might as well be as far as Egypt). Knowing that I would be finished working in mid-July, I began making plans for trips to St. Louis and Dallas. Without juggling a work schedule, I would be fairly free to travel as I wished with the girls before making our big move when time and distance would hinder all of this. First up: our trip to Dallas.

We have not been to Dallas since last summer when I was pregnant with Emmersen. Normally we would have traveled there for some portion of Christmas break, but with Emme only being 6 weeks old we opted out of that traveling adventure. So here we are, an entire year later. Emmersen is 9 months old and has yet to meet her aunts and uncles. Avery is 3 and some change and has grown by leaps and bounds since our last trek down south. No time like the present.

With Aaron already living and working in Spokane, this endeavor was completely on me. Luckily, our little airport has a direct flight to Dallas that only takes about an 1:45 minutes. After packing for about 4 days and lining up a dog sitter, we were set. Fortunately, our family friend met me at the airport and assisted me from the car to the entrance of the airport. Without her help and extra hands, I'm not sure what I would have done. The rest was fairly smooth sailing. After checking our baggage, I strategically placed both car seats on the back of the double stroller, shoved the diaper bag in the bottom of it, wore my backpack, had Avery wear her's, and we were off. Have you any idea the number of stares, smiles, smirks, looks of disbelief and pity I received? I guess we did look quite comical. 

This was Emmersen's first airplane ride and she did great. Avery was a tremendous help! After a mostly smooth plane ride, we arrived, and didn't slow down once. For 8 days we swam, shopped, played, laughed, and enjoyed catching up. Our trip in pictures...

Ready to board the plane for Dallas

On the plane

Avery, Jack, and Luke turned the laundry room into their "clubhouse"

Enjoying the pool

Avery, Jack, and Luke

Horse ride! The girls couldn't get enough!

Avery and Poppy

Avery and Blaine

Sassy

Enjoying some of Blaine's original work

Aunt Pat, A&E, me, and Grammy

Thank you, Aunt Pat, for my gifts!

Aunt Tara loving on Emme

Jack and Emmersen

Emme, Aunt Tara, and Luke

Grammy and Emme

Me and my sweet girl enjoying the sun

T-R-O-U-B-L-E
(I mean, Jack, Luke, Tucker, and Ave)

Avery and Grammy

This next section of pictures is dedicated to our outing to the American Girl store. We had never been to an AG store so weren't entirely sure what to expect, but we had a blast, particularly Miss Avery Kate. She brought along her Bitty Baby who was able to partake in all the festivities with us.

We have arrived!

Bitty riding the horse

Bitty in the salon

Giving Bitty a bath

The cafe

Lunch at the American Girl cafe- yes, even Bitty Baby has her own high chair provided by the restaurant.

Testing out all the merchandise

Posing

I think she's happy. What do you think??

Just a day for the girls

Aunt Tara and Avery

Though Emme had fun, she was beyond done with this place and all the pictures

A happy girl leaving with her purchase

And in case you haven't had your fill of pictures, here are a few more to finish out the trip.

Avery and Jack- cousins, though they could be brother and sister

Grammy and Poppy with Avery and Emmersen

Luke and Emmersen

Cousins

A&E with Aunt Tara and Aunt Tami

Avery with Blaine and Bradleigh checking out the new car

Emme and Uncle John