Bad Boys

"Bad boys, bad boys
Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do
When they come for you...

Bad boys, bad boys
Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do
When they come for you"
- Inner Circle





While experiencing this unpredictable Texas weather, today's field trip lead us to the Coppell Police Department. Thanks to a wonderful Uncle, Big and Little were able to sit in a squad car and on a motorcycle while listening to the sirens and watching the flashing lights.


After a tour of the departmental offices and jail, we saw the 9-1-1 dispatchers and their computers. Before leaving, the boys were given a goodie bag filled with toys, stickers, and educational material on safety.

Feed Jake

"Now I lay me down to sleep.
And pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I die before I wake,feed Jake.
He's been a good dog.
My best friend right through it all.
If I die before I wake,feed Jake."
- Pirates Of The Mississippi




In memory of Roscoe P.
Feb 1995 - 05 January 2007

Colder Than Winter

"It's colder than winter
Right here in my heart...

It's colder than winter
Since you closed the door."
- Vince Gill









Another holiday attraction completed. Tonight we visited the Gaylord Texan for their Lone Star Christmas celebration. The already elaborate hotel was decorated in over 1 million sparkling lights, dozens of Christmas tress, 14 electric trains, Santa in his workshop, and holiday music.






We then proceeded to ICE! After being provided with over-sized parkas we entered a 14,000 square foot structure, kept at 9 degrees, filled with two million pounds of hand-carved ICE!


Fun Facts About ICE!

2,000,000 pounds: the amount of ice it takes to create ICE!

5,000: the number of ICE! blocks hand-carved and transformed into our winter wonderland

40: the number of artisans from the City of Harbin (China) Tourism and Development Commission, who sculpt the attraction by hand

34: the approximate number of days needed to hand-carve the ICE! display

14,000: the total square footage of the unique structure that houses ICE!

9 degrees: the temperature setting for the ICE! structure. A winter coat is provided to keep you warm!

1,400+: the number of LED lights frozen within ICE!

3: the number of types of ice used in the construction of ICE!
~ Clear “glass-like” crystal ice – so flawless that it is compared to Waterford Crystal – makes up 80 percent of the sculptures
~ “White ice” blocks, which are more like compacted snow, make up 15 percent of the sculptures
~ Colored ice, which is dyed brilliant colors, is used for highlighting and accenting the remaining 5 percent of the sculptures

52: the number of days you can visit this famous attraction before it melts away

2: the number of other destinations in the United States that are as cool as ICE! Sister properties Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee and Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida also host annual ICE! events.

Pump Up The Volume

"Pump up the volume.
Pump up the volume.
Pump up the volume.
Dance, Dance."
- M.A.R.R.S.








During our stay in Texas, we are trying to see all of our friends and family while we visit our favorite spots. Today we met a friend at Pump It Up in Grapevine. They offer a 'pop in and play' time each week for a small fee. As Big ran from bounce house to obstacle course, Little showed his timid side as the size of the castles intimidated him. The indoor play ground is definitely designed for older children ages 3 and up. There were still a few structures & walls Big found difficult climbing over. After 1 hour of jumping and climbing, they were both ready for a quiet lunch.


We headed east of DFW airport to picnic at Founder's Plaza. Located next to runways, the Plaza provides picnic benches and grassy areas to relax on while you watch dozens of planes take off and land right over your head. There is even an air traffic control tower radio which airs actual FAA communications that can be easily heard.


While picnicking, we found out it was the last day of Founder's Plaza. A photographer from the FW Star Telegram was taking pics for the article and informed us of the 04 January close date. They plan on extending and adding some runways. They hope to relocate the Plaza in another area in the near future. We hope the sight is just as good as this one.

Catch That Train

"I don’t mind the station.
I don’t mind going underground.
I kind of like the symphony
Of a thousand different sounds.
In another 20 minutes
We’ll all be country bound...

So catch that train.
Come on out and catch it,
Catch that train."
- Dan Zane


During the holidays, North Park in Dallas offers a variety of Christmas events for the entire family. Our favorite and one we visit annually is The Trains at North Park. I highly recommend this exhibit for any train lover, small child, or young at heart. Get there when the doors open at 10:00am and I would suggest going on a weekday only. The narrow walkway can get quite crowded with eager kids chasing the trains and their parents trying to follow.


With over 40 Lionel-type-O-Gauge trains chugging along 2,500 feet of track, the trains pass through famous landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore, the Mississippi River, Dallas' Reunion Tower, a 20-foot high Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the White House. The trains also travel through a winter wonderland, desert, Indian Reservation, with views of a circus and Mississippi Paddle boat.


100% of the ticket proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, a home-away-from-home for families of hospitalized children. Because of the popularity of the Exhibit, it now provides approximately 1/2 of the annual operating budget for the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.