{Texas Proud} Ft. Worth Stockyards

Hola.  Not long ago I told you all that we went and spent some time in the DFW area (okay it was really Arlington and Ft. Worth) to attend our very first Texas Rangers game.  That was a blast even though they lost and lost again after that game and the next game and the next.  The losing streak went on for a few games.  Whoops.

Anywho, our plan was to head back home the next day but first we made a stop at the Ft. Worth Stockyards.  Another first for us on our little road trip.  Dayum, we are born and bred native Texans and we had never been to a Rangers game or the stockyards?  Tsk, tsk.

Right away we noticed the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze that was featured on The Amazing Race.  We are huge fans of the show so my boy was excited to do the maze and of course my hubby joined in on the sweaty fun.

It cost $5 a person to do the maze but there is a free viewing tower for those that choose not to partake like moi.  My tot and I stood in the shaded viewing tower with an ice cold water.  :)

It took them about 15 minutes or so to complete the race.  The hubs did not expect it to be as challenging as it was (he was just ready to get out of the sun).  Our boy thought it was the neatest thing ever.  You know, to do a maze with your body instead of a pencil and an activity sheet.  He enjoyed getting lost and coming to dead ends even though he wanted to finish it as soon as possible to prove he and his dad were fast.  He was so cute running alongside his dad.  :)

After the maze we HAD to go say hi to the cows.  Yep, 'cause my daughter thinks they are awesome and she wants us to have a big house so a cow can live with us.  True story. (Yes, I know they aren't cows but that's what my baby girl calls them so the title stands just for her)

She totally had a conversation with each one.  Asking them what they were doing, did they want water, are they tired, etc.  It was too friggin cute I tell ya.  Oh you see the sign on the above picture?  Here's a closer look.

Um, I kinda didn't notice the sign because I was not paying attention because I was snapping away at my tot having a convo with her cows.  Obviously it was all good, nothing happened and a cowboy hat wearing sheriff did not scold us while chewing on some hay.  Hey I'm Texan therefore I can totally stereotype.  teehee.

After the cow visit we saw these ponies that made me a little sad.  I wasn't sure but it looked like they were hungry.  Their pretty little heads kept peaking out and their eyes were begging for something.  Aww.

After feeling sorry for the ponies we decided to go eat 'cause we were hangry! Wow that is bad segway into the next part of this post.  Whoopsie.  We took about an hour long break at Risky's bbq restaurant and it was pretty darn good.  Great customer service too.  Sorry I have no pics of their nicely air conditioend restaurant or their yummy food.  Mama needed a break to chillax a while.  I recommend you making a pit stop there if you are ever in the area.

On to some more random photos of our day.

Check out the longhorn crossing sign.  Only in Texas.

A poster of Mr. George Strait himself at a cowboy hat shop.  The man is a legend here.  Great music, great man.

Ah and I just love this quote by Teddy Roosevelt.  And lucky for me that I have the best of both worlds.  Being Tex-Mex that is, no way no how do I know anything about hard cowboy work.  But my beloved grandpa does and he was awesome when he did it back in 'ol Mexico.

We had about 30 minutes to spare before the infamous cattle drive so we treated the kids to some candy binging over at The Candy Barrel.  Oh my goodness.  The kids were in heaven.  I have been to candy stores before but this place  was over the top!

They even had some old school candy! But check out the price on the Pop Rocks. $2 for lil bag.  Eeesh.  But your bottom dollar the hubs and I grabbed a couple of bags. Memories of the 3rd grade. :)

Candy cigarettes, anyone?

Oh jeez I could go on with the candy photos but this is getting to be one looooong post.  On to the cattle drive, people!  Okay so we already knew about the steers walking down the street just like how they did way long ago but we did not know it would be over in a New York minute.  Nonetheless, it was pretty neat to see the beautiful animals and their very respectful longhorns.  And I've never been so close so I admit that I was a bit timid as they walked passed us just inches away.

And just like that it was over.  My son gave us quite the laugh when he stood up and said, "That's it!  We waited to see that.  What's the big deal?"  Haha.  Yes, it was short and sweet but oh well when in Rome or whatever.  But in case you are wondering there was a guide there to see the span of a longhorn. All the kids were standing in front of it stretching out their arms to compare.

Oh and there was a Cowboy Church.  Of course.

There ye have it.  Sorry for the long post but sometimes you just gotta tell the story in pictures.  See y'all laters!

{Texas Proud} Texas Rangers Baseball

Two weeks ago the family and I took a little road trip up north to Arlington to see our very first Texas Rangers Baseball game.  We did a little Texas staycation just like last year.  We were all excited but my very own lil slugger was over the moon excited.  Baseball is his passion.  Not a day goes by when baseball is not part of his day, thoughts or dreams.  He always asks if I'll be at his games once he's a pro.  Big dreams and optimism.  I love it.  Of course I'll be there; I'll be that mom that is annoyingly proud and cheering like no one is sitting next to me.  :)

After one too many pit stops along the way we finally made it to our hotel.  We stayed at the Marriott Townelace Suites right across the street from Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.  I love Marriott hotels.  I always check with a Marriott hotel before anywhere else.  We checked in, checked out the place, got ready and jumped back in the car.  Although we weren't quite ready because we didn't have any Rangers gear.  Well being the cheapies that we are and already knowing that there was a Wal-Mart across the street from the Cowboys stadium we made a bee line to Wally Mart.  Sixty bucks later we had our Rangers gear, changed in the car and a hop, skip and a jump later we were parked again and walking towards the stadium.

Upon entering, buying some good 'ol ballpark food and finding our seats this was our view.

In my mind I was a little disappointed but my boy wasn't because he was just ecstatic to be there so I stayed mum.  No, really I wasn't going to say anything to the hubs.  It was a last minute purchase after all.  We each had a "wow" moment when we walked in and saw the field, the people, the signs, the players warming up, everything.  It was kewl!!  There is a BUT in this family field trip.  The sun!  Our seats were facing the sun so this was in our faces for about 2 1/2 hours.

Oh yes we got our vitamin D this sunny Texas day.  Oy.  The Texas sun is not forgiving and we got lucky because it had rained earlier in the day.  The rain kept the temperature in the 90s instead of the triple digits.  Yep, 90+ temperatures is a breeze for us native Texans.  :)

After the sun went down we took our first family Rangers picture.

Yep, that's my girl wearing a pink Rangers hat.  She had to be fly and make Mama proud.  :)
Everyone had a great time at the game.  My girl enjoyed some pink cotton candy to go with her outfit and my boy had his glove ready to catch a ball.

Ooh and this guy here is Josh Hamilton.  Nice toosh.  :)

Oh and I have to share this one of the flag girls 'cause this is what I did my freshman year in high school.  I'm sure I can still totally do a triple aerial and not whack myself in the face. Bet. (yeah right)

And in the end we of course had to make a stop at the souvenir shop.  My girl knew right away what she wanted once she spotted it.  She wants to play ball like her brother.  :)

My boy on the other hand wanted one of everything and could not make up his mind.  :)

   

It turned out to be a late night and we went back to our hotel room and crashed; after showering of course 'cause we were one stanky, sweaty family!  Day 2 was all about the Ft.Worth Stockyards.  I'll tell you all about it in my next post.

Even though they lost it was still a grand night and a beautiful sight at the Texas Rangers Ballpark.  :)

Texas Proud {Dallas Cowboys Stadium}

Good day, fabulous people.  Today I am going to kick off my new little series I like to call Texas Proud.  I am a native Texan loud and proud.  I say y'all instead of you all and most times my multi-word sentences sound like one word.  Jueat?  = Did you eat?  Yacomin? = Are y'all coming?  I never knew "we" spoke that way until it was jokingly pointed to me one day.  Heehee.

So today I am going to brag about the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.  Ah, yes that was one tough loss this past weekend but we still root for them.  :)

Oh this place that good 'ol Jerry built is grand and to sum up my reaction when we first walked in - WOW.  First, let me begin by saying that the mister, kids and I visited Cowboys Stadium for the very first time on November 4-5, 2011 for a Scout Sleepover and Rally Day.  Personally, I have never been to a Dallas Cowboys football game.  I have whined plenty about never going to one but I have yet to attend an actual game.  Still waiting to go to a game.  Waiting, waiting, waiting.  Until then, I continue to watch them from my 'ol tube.  Okay, enough about moi on to the real stuff.  My son is a Cub Scout and Cowboys Stadium was having their second annual Scout Sleepover.  Sleepover as in all Scouts and their guests got to sleep on the field.  My boy and the mister were over the moon excited! Here is all that they go to do on Friday night.

• Guided Tour of Cowboys Stadium
• Movie (Despicable Me) on the HD Video Board & popcorn
• Football drills on the field
• Fitness activities lead by NIKE Fit Club
• Dinner and a light breakfast
• Commemorative photo
• Scout patch for the brag vest

Here is the Friday night action:

Amanda Guerra with DFW's NBC5 was there to do a live report during the 10 p.m. broadcast.  My boy was able to squeeze in for a little bit of camera time. 

While the mister and our boy were having their fun filled evening inside Jerry's place, my girl had quite the meltdown because she wanted to join in on the fun.  I had already made previous plans to stay with my cousin until we joined them the following morning.  So what did I do to cheer her up?  I took her over to the pro shop after saying our goodbyes in hopes of finding something pink in the kids section.  Well duh how could I forget about a cheerleader unfiorm?  I found a supa dupa cute DCC uniform with pom poms and she was once again a happy little princess.  I too was giddy and could not wait to put it on her the next morning.

I suited her up and she was too adorbs.  See for ya self. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were very, very nice and professional.  One of the reasons they are the best!  :)

A good day was had by all at Cowboys Stadium.  We had fun playing and running around the field.  I can actually say that I got to play catch with my boy on the same field Tony Romo throws touchdown passes. I think that is what my husband enjoyed the most- playing football with our son in Cowboys Stadium.  Too cool.  I was impressed with that big-o facility and the entire staff was Texas friendly and very professional.  We were asked a few times if we were having a good time by different staff members.  Oh yes, we will be back next year.  Maybe my girl and I will camp out with the boys... um not!  I heard it was a little chilly in there. 

I love this last picture.  The football player in front (my boy), followed by his number one fan and cheerleader (my girl) with the head coach (my hubby) behind them.  Love!  :)