Portland-like

As you know from my previous post, my sister Monica and her family came to visit us just after Christmas. Last year, her family moved from Austin to Portland. It was quite a move for them. They came back to Texas to visit us and some of their friends. They were hoping for some warmer weather. While they were here in Dallas it was cold and rainy. Just like Portland.

Since we had bad weather, we spent most of our time indoors.

We went to the mall. It is one of my favorite places to shop.  Holly tried on a cowgirl hat and found a keychain that she really liked.

The kids loved making their own Lego figures in the Lego store.

This is Holly modeling my purchase from the Lego store. I bought them to use as object lessons in Primary. Do you know how hard it is to find a sword and shield these days?

Holly also loved the Carousel inside the mall.

Milo and Savanah just went along for the ride.Vanessa refused to even get on since they are only for babies  (and very kind older siblings).

Holly loved Candy World, It is one of Vanessa's favorite places to shop. You can see why.

We went to the local snowcone store. (Yes, we buy snowcones year round down here. Yes, there is an acutal snowcone establishment.) Monica liked it so much we went back later that night for a second time after we put the kids to bed.

Speaking of late night runs.....they were here during college football bowl season. We had to make at least one late night Taco Bell run.Vanessa LOVES Taco Bell now!

My favorite part of their trip was visiting our town museum. First of all, there was one thing that was a bit upsetting to me: Several exhibits included toys from my childhood. I am NOT that old! Cabbage Patch Kids and Pound Puppies are not museum relics!

It was fun for the kids though. Este gave the Atari a try. He told the others that when you moved the controller one way the pac man went the other way. They told him he was holding the controller up side down. I told them it's called a "joystick". Maybe it is a good thing these objects are museum relics.

Holly went in to the silent movie they had playing and sat down on the front row. She sat there talking to herself happy as can be. All of us soon joined her. I will admit I've never watched a silent movie. It really was quite entertaining. In fact, it was downright hilarious. Before long Monica and I were laughing so hard we had tears rolling down our faces. It was this silly little movie about a train and there is this one part when the train turns (I know it doesn't sound like much, but trust me, that's pure entertainment). The thought of it still makes me laugh. The problem is that nobody else in the rest of the theater was laughing. Just Monica and I and we couldn't stop laughing. Everybody with our group got up and walked out. Even to this day, when somebody is laughing on our home we say, " And the train turned." Then I laugh even harder. It was one of those moments where you-had-to-be-there but, I will always cherish. The moral of my story: Don't pass up watching a silent movie if given the chance and make the most of every day whatever the circumstances.Portland like weather is not such a bad thing after all. Sometimes rainy days are the best days.