Week 13 - Wichita Falls, Texas (Visiting Friends)

Hello Family and Friends,

We are taking a little break from searching for a new home and traveling for fun. We took a flight from BWI (Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport) to DFW (Dallas Fort Worth International Airport) to celebrate with some friends, Taryn and Julian, the coming of their first born, a baby boy! This is the first time Atlas was old enough to really enjoy looking out the window on the plane. We even convinced him to stay buckled in his seatbelt, for a little while.

Atlas staring out window before take off

The flight had a 2 hour delay, after we boarded, and we were stuck on the tarmac. It was a little rough, but we made it in one piece. Once touching down in Texas, the boys did some putt-putt and the girls had a baby shower. We did not forget that it was Easter weekend and Atlas participated in an egg hunt.

Atlas looking for all the green eggs

Atlas napping after his egg hunt excitement

Even though Wichita Falls doesn't have a ton to do, we were plenty busy enjoying the outdoors. The first day our friend Taryn took us to Lucy Park so that we could feed the ducks and look at the falls. The ducks were not very active but the geese were.

Brett convincing Atlas not to awaken the ducks from their nap.

A rare moment of Atlas sitting and watching the geese

Of course we could not get through the park unscathed. Atlas fell into a huge mud puddle by the swings and was not very happy. We ended up stripping him down to his diaper and just pushing him in the stroller for the remainder of the park time. Good thing it was a nice warm day. I have never had a child get this messy where he even ruined his shoes. Taryn had a worse case scenario of what she has to look forward to in being a boy mom.

Atlas very upset that he is muddy.

Even after Atlas' mud bath we did continue on to see the falls. They were a bit muddy, but a must see of Wichita Falls.

Danielle, Brett and Taryn in front of the falls at Lucy Park.

We then got a real special treat. We went to Julian's work, he is a fighter pilot instructor for the military, and got to see some fighter planes. It was such a neat experience. We were so happy for the opportunity!

Atlas doing a great job not tearing off his ear protection.

Brett asking Julian all the questions about the planes.

Julian told us about this tradition they have of dunking the pilots in this pool after their first solo flight. The water has never been changed. Julian said he remembers how years ago as a student he had to be dunked. The student became the sensei.

The first solo flight congratulations pool

While visiting with Taryn and Julian we learned to play a new game called Sequence. It is a perfect game for Brett and me. You see Brett likes board games and I like card games. This game was an amalgamation of both. Brett beat me twice, but I will get my revenge! I hate losing to him and I want to beat him so bad that I refuse to be on his team (I am aware that I may have a small problem).

It was so good to get some time to visit with our very good friends. We gave them and up close and personal preview of life with a boy. Hopefully we will be able to meet their little boy, Tomás, very soon, but not too soon (Tomás, you make sure that you are good and cooked).

Julian, Taryn, Danielle and Brett