Winter in Weatherford

The kids get two weeks + off for winter break, so we took a few days off the week between Christmas and New Years to get a long stretch (with company holidays) off with them. To get a change of scenery and break out from our same old routines, we went to visit Uncle Ken and Aunt Chantelle in Weatherford, outside of DFW. Unfortunately, their girls are out of the house and working now, so we did not get to see them. We took it easy the first night, and the boys drove into Dallas the next day for the First Responder Bowl. I asked them to take a picture, so here it is:

 

While the boys were away, the girls went to the downtown area to peruse the shops and get pedicures. We found a neat shop with Star Wars stuff and a Harry Potter room in the back, which was a nice change from the antiques and vintage clothing stores.

The kids enjoyed some time with their dog, Cooper. Hadley even got to take him for a brisk walk one morning. They said that was probably the fastest paced walk that he's gotten to take in a while.

The next day we went to Holiday in the Park at Six Flags. I have been there a few times as a kid and during high school, I think, but it was remarkably the same in a lot of ways. We let Ken and Chantelle lead, since they used to go frequently, and it was nice to just be a passenger instead of the planner. 

Here we are, about to embark on our first ride, the Runaway Mine Train. Although it was a Wednesday, it seemed that most of the Metroplex felt like it was a good day for Six Flags, too. We averaged about an hour wait per ride, which made for not many rides.

I was observing the kids and taking notes on their ride tolerance for future note at DW! Our next ride was Texas Skyscreamer, which is basically swings that go up 400 feet and around at 35 mph. Chantelle and I weren't feeling it, but Owen hopped off the fence and decided to give it a try. He and Hadley are on the swing below, while Ken and John were a few seats ahead of them. I can't believe how high they got!

We also went in one of those fun houses that have the building oriented differently than the expected horizon and things seem to roll up hill. It was a little nausea-inducing, but hey, at least it was decorated for La Posada.

We rode a few more rides, but our last ride of the night was the Texas Giant, which had a very long wait. This wooden-steel hybrid roller coaster gets up to 65 mph and has an initial drop of 79 degrees! 4 of us were up for the challenge.

Owen and Aunt Chantelle said "No thanks!" and found a petting zoo and s'mores while they walked around some more.

As night settled in, the "Holiday" part of the park started to shine. Lights in the trees and this tunnel were fun additions to the scenery.

Alas, our time in DFW was done. On the way home, I insisted on a stop in Waco at the Magnolia silos, which is part of the Fixer Upper dynasty. We have driven through Waco several times and never stopped. H and I like to watch this show sometimes, so she came with me while the boys stayed at our lunch place, an easy walk away. It was a bit of a mad house - tons of people and not a ton of home goods. We got some hand pies and headed back, but at least now I know what the fuss it about.