Texas Part 2 - Geo-Caches and a Temple

The next part of our Texas trip consisted of taking Parker and Valerie on their very first Geo-Caching adventure.  We explained to Parker that he needed to gather some items that he could trade for other items in the Geo-Cache's we find.  So Parker put together a backpack full of all kinds of things to trade.  He loved the idea of a treasure hunt and that he had to use stealth so non-muggles (people who don't Geo-cache) don't see us finding the location of the Geo-Caches.

This first stop was a Geo-Cache which was located in a park near Valerie's home.  We got out our GPS' and  the coordinates and began the search.  When we got to the general location where we were within a few yards of the cache, we explained to Parker that we were looking for an Ammo Can that could be hidden under bushes, rocks trees etc.   I may have had the GPS pointing the way, but Parker had the eyes.  He found that cache like he had been doing it forever.  He was so excited.

Here is a picture of Parker as he found his very first Geo-Cache.  So Happy!  

Valerie and Parker Enjoying Geo-Caching

On the way back to the car I saw this red cardinal.  I had never seen a cardinal in real life and I was very excited to get such a great close up. I have always loved this bird, even though I have never lived in places where they live.  

Seeing this bird brought back a memory from when I was in elementary school I had to do a report on a bird of my choice.  I chose the cardinal.  I don't remember much about the cardinal except that I had to do a bunch of research.  Back then there were no computers and it required actually going to the library and looking at books and also the encyclopedia.  I was also required to draw a picture of one. I remember the time I spent getting it just perfect.  I also remember that I received an A on this report and I was so happy.  Good memory!  

Beautiful Cardinal

Now back to the Geo-Caching!  

The second Geo-cache was located in a different park near a river bed.  And again Parker was the first one to spot it.  It happened to be located inside a hollowed out fallen tree.  In this picture you can see part of the  tree beside Parker.  Parker is an excellent locator.  He has great vision to spot  things others can't find.  

Parker's 2nd Geo-Cache

After this one we drove to Denton (about 30 minutes North) where we planned to locate two more Geo-Caches. This ended up being an interesting one because it ended up being on an LDS Church property.  It was in a beautiful wooded type location but boy it was a hard one mostly because we had to traipse through thickets, burs and thorny bushes.  Again, Parker found this one too, but he was not happy about all the thorns that was scratching us all up.  He didn't understand why someone would make it so hard to get to.  LOL.  I realize now that I didn't take one picture, and the only reason I can think of is because it was such thick bushes and trees we were in that once we found it we just wanted to get out of there.  Good memory though! And now I know where the LDS Church is in Denton, TX just in case I need to know that information in the future.  Ha!  

The next one is at a historical site in downtown Denton.  

This one was at the Firefighters Memorial and Museum.  In order to get the coordinates for this one you had to add the common names that was printed in the cement around the memorial and then add or subtract another number to it.   

Unfortunately, we spent about an hour searching and searching and never did locate this cache.  We found out later that others had not found it either.  They have been doing some construction on the property so we are thinking that this cache had been removed.  Parker did not want to give up, and was mad when we decided to give up.  

Firefighter Memorial

This next picture is one of my favorites.  It looks like Parker and Grandpa are in a deep discussion.  Cute!

Dad and Parker taking a break

Love this!

Big Smile Parker!

Later that day we took a drive over to Dallas to see the Dallas LDS Temple and to visit the LDS Bookstore.   For those that don't know what LDS means, it is an abbreviation for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

The next several pictures are ones taken on the temple grounds.  

Dallas LDS Temple

My beautiful sister Valerie

Us!

My beautiful and funny mommy.  

She might not be happy that I posted these pictures but I just had to.  

Sorry Mom!  

But you are a knockout!  

*Am accepting bribes for removal of picture LOL

Us again!

Dear Hubby - Cool Picture

I love to see the Temple

I'm going here some day.  

We had a really wonderful day!  Really great memories were made.  And I have created geo-cache monsters in Valerie and Parker.  Parker called me the other day to tell me that they have found a total of 21 cache's since we have been there.  Billy and I began two years ago and have only done 19.  So within a two week time period they have surpassed me.  Yup... they are Monsters!    

If you haven't done any Geo-caching, don't know what it is, or want more information go here

God Bless Texas!

I'm a little behind on my blog lately, but for good reason.  Besides my school, which has been taking up every waking moment I am not at work, we went on a vacation to Texas.  Dallas/Ft. Worth area to be exact.  

All of Billy's family live there, as well as my little sister, Valerie.  It was also Parker's (my nephew) baptism, and my parents would be there too.  So we figured it was a good time to go.  

We flew into DFW airport on Sunday, June 5th and Valerie picked us up.  The plan was to stay with Valerie that first night and visit with her family and my parents.  

For this post I am only detailing our first day there.  I took many photos so please bear with me as I tell the story by the photos I post.  

On Monday morning we got up bright and early, did a little shopping and then stopped by one of Valerie's and my parents favorite restaurant, The Prairie House, for lunch.  

Billy, Me, Dad, Parker, Mom

Here is all of us (except Valerie who is playing photographer) in front of The Prairie House Restaurant. We had an excellent lunch of 1/2 price steak (the Monday special).  

After lunch we drove into Ft. Worth to go to the Water Gardens and the Stock Yards.  After living in a small rural town for so long I forgot what a city's skyline can look like, so I had to capture it.  

Ft. Worth Skyline

Here is my cute sister, Valerie.  I am so blessed to have such a fun, creative and talented sister in my life.  She was the perfect hostess and I thank her for putting up with us during the week.  

Valerie

When we left Bozeman it was maybe 55 degrees.  When we got to Dallas it was around 100 degrees plus the humidity.  So as you can imagine I just about died of heat and sweat this first day. I did acclimate to the temps pretty quickly after the first day.  In fact I really began to enjoy the heat of the sun and the feeling of summer because we haven't even seen much of spring in Bozeman.  

Parker - My cute nephew

This would be "cool" me in my new sunhat.  

Moi

And here are the flags of the United States of America and of the United States of Texas! 

The flags

Dear Hubby

The hubs and I

Two of my favorite ladies -

Valerie and Mom

And Parker being silly!

Parker

Just us again!

Ohhhh It's my beautiful mommy!  

Mommy

And these are Cyprus trees.  I have never seen them before.  They grow interesting.

After the Water Gardens, we drove over to the Ft. Worth Stockyards to watch them drive a herd of Texas Long Horn cattle down the streets of town.  While waiting, we shopped and I took a bunch of photos.  

I just had to... sorry folks!

John & I

Again, I just had to because this one struck me as funny!

Rodeo Please!

Cow Boy and Girl

Live Stock Exchange Building

This is my favorite picture of the day.  Grandma and Parker sitting on the curb waiting for the Long Horns.  

Hmmm.. I wonder what they are talking about???

Here they come......

I don't know how they hold their heads up.  

Those horns have got to be heavy!

And they are gone...

C'Ya!

After our trip into Ft. Worth, Valerie drove Billy and I over to his parents home where we stayed for a couple days.  Thank you Valerie for the fun day we had today.  What wonderful memories made.

The rest of my Texas trip will be posted soon so stay tuned for that plus some BIG news I need to share with ya'll!

I hope you are all having a wonderful start to your summer.

To My Daddy

A Dad is a person

who is loving and kind,

And often he knows

what you have on your mind.

He's someone who listens,

suggests, and defends.

A dad can be one

of your very best friends!

He's proud of your triumphs,

but when things go wrong,
A dad can be patient

and helpful and strong

In all that you do, 

a dad's love plays a part.

There's always a place for him

deep in your heart.

And each year that passes,

you're even more glad,

More grateful and proud

just to call him your dad!

Thank you, Dad...

for listening and caring,

for giving and sharing,

but, especially, for just being you!

Happy Father's Day Daddy, I love You!