really fun weekend and really big bummer

For Labor Day we decided to get out of town. And anything within a 3 hour radius is sort of our style.
So Dallas it was!
We’ve been here a couple times before but as the kids get older the outings get way more fun.
I spy lunch:
(Fingers crossed that In-N-Out, H&M, Trader Joes, and Del Taco really are making their way to Austin).

Next, the DWA–Dallas World Aquarium.
This place was really cool. And thankfully after walking through once with the crowds, we walked back at closing time and had the entire place to ourselves. It was dreamy! And much better for taking pictures. DWA is like a rain forest zoo/aquarium and the kids really loved it.
(sea spaghetti)
The highlight (aside from the huge manatee) had to be the shark tunnel. Have you been to one of these before? They’re so awesome.
And of course Lucy and I loved the Flamingos.
Trying to fit in….
I’m amazed when I make it in a photo!
Owen the goofball.We took the kids to Krispy Kreme one morning and watched donuts being made.
The glaze. The glaze! Casey and I enjoyed it as much as the kids.
We checked out the Frontiers of Flight Museum for Owen and Casey.
For the most part it was fun. But we wanted to actually sit in those cock pits!
And you couldn’t. Boo.
Shamu planes are cool though.
And Clara was a wonderful passenger, tagging along wherever we went.
How pretty is that logo?
Quilt?
We made a stop at the LDS temple but the grounds were closed.
Next thing I knew, this was happening…
To cool off we found amazing treats at Greenwood Shaved Ice. Tiger’s blood and Mango with vanilla ice cream on top and bottom?? We also had to try Pina Colada and a Root Beer cup. And of course everyone had to try everything.
Then we made one final (and slightly tragic) stop at our favorite fountain/statue/sculpture…the Mustangs of Las Colinas in Irving. It’s absolutely gorgeous and so serene. Perfect for sitting and eating treats.
The kids were so hot they kept asking if they could swim in the water….which we politely said no and explained the difference between fountains, art, and swimming pools. But then 5 minutes after taking Clara out of the stroller I heard the kids yelling, “Mom! Look!” and I turned back to find the entire stroller, my purse, and (ugh) my camera floating in the water. The ground near the water has a slight decline and I guess it just sort of rolled in (um, use brakes next time). Casey and I ran to scoop it out but it was too late for my camera. It was pretty loaded with water.
Ma-jor. Bum-Mer.
I’m thankful Clara wasn’t in the stroller when it rolled in.
But thanks to Instagram friends, many of you recommended I put the camera in a container with white rice to dry it out, which I’ve been doing for two days now. And though I’m skeptical of how well it will work on a huge DSLR (compared to an iPhone) I’ll be patient and see what happens.
Or I’ll be buying a new camera.

And on a brighter note…
On the drive back to Austin Casey introduced me to his favorite Czech Stop Bakery about 15 mins north of Waco. It was crazy inside and totally worth it. Delish!
(check out our new family body guard)
And the final moments of the holiday weekend were spent cutting grass, washing cars, playing on grass, and conquering the diving board.
Overall a fun filled time.
Hope you had a good one too!
And that your camera did not go swimming….

  1. We got a Trader Joe’s here in Houston the same day Dallas did. I tracked the progress for over a year, patiently waiting. It looks like Austin is getting one next year in the Seaholm development downtown! So sad about your camera. Best of luck with the rice, I’ve had friends who have saved ipod touches and iphones with the rice trick.

  2. Ugh, that’s so sad about your camera! Looks like aside from that though, you had a fabulous time! LOVE the pic of the kids slipping through the gates! Too funny!

  3. 3) Kristen

    If your camera really is a goner make sure to go through the canon loyalty department…you get great discounts and just have to send them the broken one. I did it earlier this year and it made the fact that my old dslr finally gave up the ghost less painful!

  4. oh man. what a fun weekend and major bummer too. I’m glad Clara wasn’t in the stroller either! I hope you can save your camera!

  5. 5) LeAnn

    We live in OKC and were planning on spending Labor Day weekend in DFW area. We were going to camp but when a friend mentioned that she took extension cords and fans on their last camping trip, I decided that we should just stay home. ha ha I’m a wimp. I’m glad that you posted about your trip, though, because it gives us some great ideas for a weekend trip. I’ll cross my fingers for a speedy recovery for your camera. XX

  6. Oh my goodness I just burst into laughter at the sight of your bodyguard. Hilarious.

  7. 7) Kelly

    What a great trip – and a bummer! My camera ended up in the water under a ride at Disney World 2 years ago. Super huge bummer because it was all I had to take pics that day and I was by myself with kiddo (hubby was at a work conference!) – the key is to not turn it on until it is 100% dry!! This has actually happened to our camera twice now and we are still using it (and two cell phones!) Just make sure it is super dry and then turn it back on and see what happens – it’s worked twice for us now, and we actually rescued all the pics on that card as well!

  8. 8) Jackie

    I think that logo would make a beautiful quilt. Sounds like a good time was had by all…well, except for the camera.

  9. 9) Alicia

    Oh my gosh. About 3 years ago, months after getting my Canon DSLR, I left it OUTSIDE near the grill and it rained all night (not downpour, but definitely rain). The next morning when I realized it I snatched it up (soaking wet), wrapped a towel around it and left it for hours. I about crapped my pants and my stomach hurt. Why? Because I was so stupid for doing that. When I walked back in and turned it on it worked! It still works. I swear by Canon after that. I can’t believe nothing happened.
    Good luck! Can’t wait to hear if yours is okay.

  10. 10) Scrappin' Aggie

    OMG! You were practically in my back yard for your trip! We L.O.V.E. the Czech Bakery – we stop there every time we go to College Station for a game – and yes, I think it gets a bit more crazy each time we go! Looks like y’all had a lot of fun πŸ™‚

  11. 11) Wren

    Dallas is ok, I grew up there, but Fort Worth is fantastic!!! You can go to the Stockyards and watch a live cattle drive-they just walk down the street past you while you stand on the sidewalk! There is at least a full day or stuff to do in the Stockyards—and the food…..yummy!

    The zoo is amazing, and while you are at the zoo, go across the street and ride the Forest Park train. It is a mini-train (but big enough for adults to be comfortable) that goes about 5 miles. It crosses the Trinity river twice, goes through a park, crosses some streets, all like a real train. My husband and I rode it when we were kids, his kids rode it, we’ve taken all of our grandkids on it, and we are just waiting to take our great-grandson on it.

    Then go across the other street to Log Cabin Village and watch demonstrations of the olden days.

    Go to Forest park and stroll along the Trinity River. Go to the Botanic Gardens and the Japanese Gardens for cool, lovely afternoons. Go to the Bureau of Engraving and watch them print money. Spend a day at Burger’s Lake (our grandkids’s personal favorite!). Take a tour of Cowboy’s Stadium (ok, that’s in Arlington, but not very far away). Oh, and the Museum of Science and History/Children’s Museum is absolutely fabulous!! The National Cowgirl Museum is a lot of fun. For the grown ups, Sister Wendy says the Kimbell is one of the best museums in the world, and I highly recommend the Amon Carter Western museum if anyone likes western art. If you take a tour of Bass Hall, be sure you look up at all of the ceilings. One is a domed ceiling painted like the West Texas sky at dusk, complete with a falling star. At least drive by it and wave at the limestone angels.

    Ok, I’ll stop. My family says that I’m a one person tourist board for Fort Worth. It’s the best place I ever lived!!

    I’m sorry about the camera. Let us know how that turns out.

  12. 13) Kirsten

    I live in DFW (the FW side) so this was an exciting post. πŸ™‚ The Czech Stop is amazing!! Worth a trip just for the kolaches. My family used to go to Westfest, which is in West on Labor Day weekend. It’s tons of fun, you guys should check it out sometime!

  13. Last Summer I had the kids at the pool and was talking to one of my Mommy Friends. My then 2 year old decided I was not paying him the proper attention. He trotted off, dug through our pool bag and next thing I see is my camera bag arcing, then floating in the pool … RRRRR! It was not my treasured and very old SLR but it was my main camera. My hubby insisted that it be replaced with a waterproof. The waterproof takes fabulous underwater and full sun photos, but the pits for indoor and speed shots. I am happy to say I got my “dreamt of” camera this Summer (after vacation and swim team), a Canon Digital T3i. Which does not got near the water. My old SLR was film and the shutter is now sticking, will be fix in some distant future. Just love the memories we carry around, photos in our head.

    • P.S. Thanks for giving me a few ideas for a day trip, or short overnight. We also hail from Austin. I have rarely done much in D&FW area except the airport.

  14. I’m so sorry about your camera! They are relatively simple devices, so hopefully the rice works. Glad you didn’t let it ruin your weekend!

  15. I am so glad you enjoyed Dallas! My wonderful hometown :] The aquarium is definitely one of my favorite places. In fifth grade, when my class went, we got to adopt a manatee! I don’t know how legitimate that was, but it happened πŸ˜›
    I’ve never been to Greenwood Shaved Ice (I always opt for Bahama Bucks) but that is right down the road from my home! And Las Colinas is where my senior prom was! Ah! I love it when other people go to Dallas and like it!
    I’m sorry about your camera, but hopefully the rice will work.
    I wish I could’ve run into y’all! I would have been fan-girling :]

  16. Oh no, what a bummer on your camera! That is no good. I love Dallas–my Dad lives there and we were there at the end of March this year. Fun, beautiful, and great food!

  17. i was taking laundry out of the washing machine and putting it in the dryer when i found my blackberry at the bottom… it’s been in rice for 2 weeks now and still nothing πŸ™ i hope you have better luck with your camera… at least it didn’t do a spin-cycle!

  18. 20) Melissa T.

    Love that Czech stop!!!

  19. 21) Melissa H

    What a fun post, so enjoyed hearing about your trip, but sorry to hear about your camera πŸ™
    If I ever make it down that way (never been to Texas) I’ll look up some of these stops.

  20. 22) Allison Hansen

    The bodyguard! I’m laughing so hard my tummy hurts.

  21. 23) Janna

    “Check out our new family bodyguard.” LOOOOOL!!!

  22. I love your pictures! Looks like fun except for your poor camera. Hope it dries out. Any chance it’s still under warranty?

  23. 25) Renata

    Hi Dana!
    I just wanted to say that I LOVE your blog! And I live in Irving, right near the Mustangs! We visit there often, I wish I could have et you in real life!
    Renata

  24. 27) Julie

    Sorry to hear about your camera! For someone who uses it daily, I’m sure you were super upset. It got some good mileage, huh πŸ˜‰ Hopefully it can be salvaged… Good luck with it!

  25. 28) Christy

    I used to live in Dallas, and I love that aquarium. I live in Seattle now, and I still think the Dallas aquarium is the best one I’ve ever been to. BTW, the next time you go to Dallas, you should try to steal some alone time and make a trip to Sam Moon.

  26. Oh, I can just imagine how you felt when you saw your camera in the water!!! I had a similar experience opening up my camera bag to find shattered glass everywhere. Luckily it was just the filter but still that heart-in-throat moment is breath-taking. I hope your camera is ok (or I hope it gives you a great excuse to upgrade! πŸ™‚ :))

  27. Ah no! So sorry about your camera! That happened to me once (sprinklers!) and it’s the worst. I hope it recovers πŸ™‚ hopeful thoughts. I feel the same way about being in pictures, there’s so few I’m in anymore it’s kind of fun again.

  28. I would die for an In n Out close by! Same goes for H&M and Del taco! Makes me miss my summers spent out west! Fingers crossed for the camera!

  29. 32) MBMeadows

    I love West’s Kolaches! We visit the Czech Stop every time we visit Waco!

  30. Great post! I love the picture of the kids climbing through the gate! Too funny! Then I came to the picture of your body guard and started laughing. That guy is huge and I love that Casey has kids all over him too. πŸ™‚

  31. 34) Gracie

    !!!Wow thanks for the trip never been there anywhere. great pictures lovely family. Ilove the seen where the horses are in the water. your babies are having so much fun Thank you…:)

  32. 35) JoJo

    It’s so cool to see my hometown of Irving actually known and recognized. Although I’m sorry your camera decided to swim in the one tourist attraction! Looks like you had a great weekend!

  33. I LOVE Del Taco. I’m not sure what I’d do without it. Have you tried their fish tacos? To die for! And sorry about your camera! So sad. πŸ™

  34. Looks like a fun trip! My Canon DSLR also went swimming recently. I took it to a local camera repair shop and they were able to fix it. They did say it’s better to take it in as soon as the water damage occurs to prevent corrosion. Good luck.

  35. I’m not sure which photo I like the best: Lucy playing the flamingo or the bodyguard one. I doubt I’ll ever have a chance to visit Dallas so thank you for sharing this trip with us.
    I am really sorry about your camera! I hope you’ll get it fixed. Mine got broken two years ago just before going away on vacation. I felt like i was half naked the whole time πŸ™‚

  36. Thanks for the post. We just moved from Fort Hood to Germany a month ago and it was nice to see some familiar places. I haven’t found better danish here then at the Czech Stop Bakery, even here. Thanks again!

  37. Oh, that is so sad! I hope it didn’t ruin your lovely day. πŸ™

  38. Oh no! I hope you have it on your insurance policy?? I can’t believe how big Clara is getting. Glad she didn’t get an unexpected swim with the ponies…especially since you just explained the difference between pools and fountains πŸ˜‰

  39. So fun! I love the pic of the underwater shark tunnel. So cool. And now I could really go for a Krispie Kream donut (or a Round Rock donut!!) And how cute the kids are sneaking into the temple grounds! haha!

    I’m on pins and needles about your poor camera! Ugh. Keep us posted!!

  40. 45) Bree

    Do you have hot water cupboards in the states? Try putting the camera in there after the rice and I agree with a comment above. DON’T try turn it on til completely dry! Good luck.

  41. Yay, I’m glad y’all had fun in Dallas. There are a lot of hidden treasures. πŸ™‚

    Dang, that really sucks about your camera. My bro-in-law found a neat trick to fully drying electronics. You know how the back of a fan sucks in air? Well he placed something in front of the intake part, and that way every bit of moisture was “pulled” out. I hope it fixes itself. Hopefully all you have to do is get your sensor cleaned or something.

  42. 48) Robyn

    Chris and I always stop at that Kolache place in West on the way to see his folks in Waco. How did you get these pics from the weekend if your camera got drenched. Did the card dry out? A new camera would be awesome too!

  43. 49) Simona

    Hello, I am Czech and it is interesting to hear of such place in Texas πŸ™‚ I can see there are a few traces that the Czechs made in US. By the way also have you ever heard of Moravian Brothers?
    Sorry, that was a bummer with the camera. My camera went swimming in ITaly with the help of my American friend πŸ™‚ But that was a cheaper camera.
    Anyway you are also making some trace in my life since I check your inspiring blog frequetly for any new sewing (or other) project. Thank you!

  44. 50) Michelle

    love the bodyguard !

  45. 51) Saunja

    Okay, so much to comment on! First, your Dallas trip reminded me of so many we did together as a family when we lived there also. So fun.
    SO SORRY about your camera. Glad Clara wasn’t in the stroller!
    LOVE that logo. Yes, quilt. It would be so beautiful.
    Nice bodyguard πŸ™‚

  46. Last summer my old compact Canon was in my purse when my water bottle leaked. I normally keep it in a case but it was loose and the water fried the flash. So I got a newer, bigger Canon (but not a DSLR). It’s been wonderful, till Monday when my husband dropped it on the concrete step while the lens was out. Now, I have an even newer Canon (went from 5megapixals to 14, LOL), but I was ticked cause I had to replace the camera myself last summer and I don’t work πŸ™ And with the cost of the TWO cameras, we could have bought something really nice.
    Anyway. I’m a staunch babywearer. I used the stroller once with #3 and when I went in the house to open the garage, my son had pushed it up to the garage door and it got hooked to the handle and she was dangling from about 5 ft up! I never used the stroller again! I watched once when an empty stroller nearly went off the end of a pier; so thankful it was empty, but all I could think was “get a mei tai!”. I hope your camera recovers, I totally understand how that feels!

  47. Last week Levi, my 5yr old, left his camera (my old one) AND my mom’s camera outside. Where they got hit with the sprinklers and rained on. Thank goodness it wasn’t my camera, which is a heck of a lot more expensive, but 2 cameras wrecked at once? Sheesh.

  48. 54) ohjennymae

    but you have taco cabana, free birds and central market, so i’d say it’s a fair trade!

  49. We lived in TX for 13 years, so your pictures brought back a lot of memories. I’m glad you had such a great time! Good luck with your camera!

  50. I’ve drove to Austin from Dallas once and we definitely stopped at that Czech bakery and it was A-mazing! There are these powdery cookies called cracklin or something like that but they might as well be called crack, they are so good and addicting.

  51. Sorry to hear about your camera. I have the same camera and dropped it (busted the switch off. Are you willing to sell your broken camera, i really need it for parts?

Leave a Comment