ArkanSas

It's been a while since we have done a little family road trip, and Dan hasn't left Texas since September. SEPTEMBER! Seriously!! For us that's a really really long time to not go anywhere, so it was obvious that a little mini vacation was due! We have been wanting to get out and explore the States around us, and since we have already been to Oklahoma, and Louisiana was too far for a weekend drive, we decided on Arkansas. People from Dan's work go out there all the time to the National Park, so we had some insight on how it would be and away we went. 

We had a massive snow storm here in Texas Wednesday night, and we are talking like snow, real snow! Not the crappy ice kind... But a blog post on that later. 

Our plan was to leave Thursday around lunch time once Dan got off work, well it kind of worked to our favor, the snow was melting but most people were staying home, so we were able to take off an hour or two sooner than expected. The roads were a bit slick, but we are from the North! We can handle a few slick patches here and there. 

The kids were so funny in the car. Anytime I opened a bag, or anything food related their little hands would reach as far as they could to try and get some. 

We planned to leave around lunch so we could feed the kids, Owen would fall asleep and June would happily watch her movie. We got her the New Tinker Bell movie (of course) for the drive. Ranger is pretending to be a super chill dog in this picture, but don't be fooled, he was up and about most of the drive, bouncing back and forth between Dan and I. 

My favorite of this might be June photobombing in the background. 

The drive went well enough. Owen didn't sleep as long as we were hoping but he was still happy. It took us a bit longer than planned just because of the roads, but we finally arrived!

We rented a house down by the lake in the National Park. Can I just say it's so much easier then getting a hotel. It's pretty much the same cost, you have WAY more space and you can put the kids to bed without having to go to bed yourself! It's definitely the way to go! 

We unpacked and let the kids stretch their legs, explore and play around for a bit. 

We took it easy too

After feeling settled enough, we went down to the lake to explore. It was really pretty. There is more of a view here in Arkansas then there is in Texas, I mean it's no mountains, but still really pretty. 

I love this age!! It has been so much fun lately with Owen. He's communicating a bit more with what he wants, he's more independent and can't talk back to you. I love it! 

I mean just look at that face! He wins! 

The location of the house was beautiful. We were able to sit out on our deck and just sight see. It was very calm and peaceful. Exactly what we wanted! 

Our house for the weekend! Plus the adorable family walking up to it. 

It hadn't crossed our minds to check if the place had any bathtubs... Well it didn't. So we compromised and made a tub out of the sink. We thought June would just want to shower, Oh have I mentioned that yet?! June is kinda loving the shower situation now days.

She saw that Owen was getting in the kitchen sink and wanted to try it. She's itsy bitsy still so we thought why not?! She fit and she LOVED IT! 

They actually both fit! They were squished in there pretty tight but totally got the job done and we didn't have to do two separate baths!

We called it an early night and got the kids to bed. I think the first night in any new place is a bit restless. June was still a little wired from the trip and Owen just really didn't want to go down. Even Dan and I slept a little weird. We mostly got sleep, but it ended up being a weird night all around. 

The next morning we woke up whenever we wanted. It was nice. We were still up early because of the kids, but nothing was rushed and we were pretty lazy all morning. After breakfast we decided to head over to the National park and walk around. 

We went to the aquarium and saw some fun animals. It's an aquarium thats a bit low budget... you would say!? hahaha but they had a big turtle and they let us pet it, so it was great fun watching June giggle at playing with the turtle. 

OD needed a little guidance. He basically wanted to pick the turtle up and carry it around. He's not the most gentle around bulk things, so Dan helped him out!

My Geologist in front of an open face hill. He looked at me and said "I could tell you all about that hill and what is happening" I chuckled and told him, I've known him for 9 years now... I wouldn't expect anything less then you telling me about this rock formation! Have I ever said how much I love that he's a geologist?! Like I really love it. Another day for that. 

We went and had lunch at a little 50's diner. It was good, the burgers were just another burger, BUT their hot dogs that we got for the kids were AMAZING!! I think Dan and I ended up eating most of the kids lunch. Hahaha they were so good! 

OD patiently waiting for his food with one of his beloved trucks. (ALL BOY MIGHT I ADD)

After lunch we went and walked around the town. We did some shopping and played at the natural hot springs. The water was really cool. They have taps of water for free that people just can go and fill up jugs of water whenever. 

In the hot springs, because of the hot water, obviously, they had Bath houses back in the day. They were like our Spa's now. They have whats called "Bath Row" where there are a bunch of different bath houses. Some are still operational. We went and took a tour in one of them to see what they used to be like. 

This elevator was kinda creepy/cool. It was the original interior elevator! They obviously have made it safe and secure, but still a little creepy riding in it. 

The male bath house. 

Dan taking a soak. Doesn't that tub look super uncomfortable?! These were the original tubs too. 

June wanted to take a soak as well. 

To help the "Larger" set people get into the tubs. I don't know why but Dan and I couldn't stop laughing at this. 

Bath Row. The buildings were all really pretty! 

National Park Rangers!

This cupcake shop has been on "Food Network" for their cupcakes (DUH) so we had to try it of course! They were REALLY REALLY GOOD! 

After an afternoon of exploring and shopping we headed home and let the kids play for a while. 

They both got new toys from a really fun toy store. We were in there for over an hour just playing with all the different toys. The Owner was an older man, and we were the only ones in the store, so he let the kids just play with whatever they wanted. It was tough making them leave, but were happy with getting to pick something out. June ended up with a cat and a carrying cage. She named her Ella, Cinderella. No not Ella for short, and not just Cinderella. It's Ella, Cinderella. Hahaha you have so say the whole thing. 

Owen got a truck that carries cars. He would pick that. 

After playing for a bit we headed back down to the lake to play a bit more and feed the ducks. The ducks wanted absolutely nothing to do with us, but as soon as we would walk away they would come eat the bread. 

Owen was getting a bit cranky so we went in and actually decided to just stay in for the night. We fed the kids dinner and then put Owen to bed. June was still happy and awake so we went and sat out on the deck and watched the sun go down. We talked, told Knock knock jokes, and just laughed. She is pretty darn close to perfect and I love this little lady with all my heart and Soul. She is definitely a special spirit. 

June love's taking selfies with our phones. She's getting better! 

After putting June into bed and getting her to sleep, Dan and I just sat out on the deck and talked. It's funny, because we know we could do the exact thing at home, but at home there is responsibilities, and constant interruption and just being worn out from the day. It was nice just talking to him about whatever and just feeling content and happy. It was a "Life is good" kind of moment. 

The next day was more of waking up at our own pace and getting out the door when we felt like it. We had a few things planned for the day but nothing set in stone. We took the kids to a little candy store full of all these fun different candies. We told June she could pick out whatever she wanted. Any candy! She picks zebra gum. The gum you can buy at any dollar store in America. Hahaha all this fun candy and that's what she chose. It was funny, but it's what she wanted. We may have also let her get some other candies too. 

We then went and signed up to do a duck tour. You know, those cars that turn into boats?! Well that's what it was. 

June holding on to dear life of her gum and waiting for the duck bus to start loading. 

The duck tour was fun. Mostly because we made it fun. The tour wasn't anything special, but June loved going from land to water. 

Owen... not so much. He was really tired and was slowly falling asleep on me. Hence the grumpy face. 

He eventually passed out and got a rather long nap on the duck tour. 

Once we got off the duck tour, we headed over to a really tall lookout point. You ride the elevator up and you have a view of the national park and surrounding areas. It was pretty cool. I didn't know Arkansas was so hilly. 

So this awesome local that we started chatting with, told us about this lookout point over in the national forrest where you drive up this dirt road and you can have a view over the lake and the different islands. He told us to stop at this smokehouse along the way, grab some sandwiches and go up there for lunch. We figured why not! So we did just what he told us to do. 

When we turned on the dirt road both Dan and I got a little worried... It was a little bit more off roading than we had anticipated, but we just kinda started going up this giant hill.. (sorry I can't call it a mountain, I just can't)

It was pretty wet and muddy from the snow and rain previous to us being there, but after holding our breath a lot of the time, we made up to the top. It was really cool up there.  

Dan and I carved our initials in the tree. It was a bit tricky since we had only a tiny little keychain pocket knife, but it got the job done! We left our mark. 

June kept telling everyone who's tree was who's. This was her tree, and she said "mom you have to take a picture of me and my tree!"

We ate lunch and we played up there until the sun started going down. 

Owen just sat next to Dan and kept saying "Whoa!" about everything! He might just be the cutest thing that has come to be. He is such a little mini Dan and I have a VERY VERY special place in my heart for my boys. 

The boy just poking his car with a stick. Doesn't get much more boy happy then that. 

The kids got one more bath in the kitchen sink and then it was to bed. Dan and I had a nice quiet dinner one last time in Arkansas, then called it a night ourselves. It was daylight savings, so we knew losing an hour of  sleep and having the time be off wouldn't help if we didn't get a good nights sleep. 

The next morning we woke up and pretty much just started packing up and straightening up the house. It was a fun stay and we loved the location. We want to head up there again in the summer when we can swim in the lake and play more in the backyard without freezing! Plus with Owen still getting over his sickness we were more cautious. 

It rained 90% of the way home. Surprisingly it didn't slow us down at all. Owen fell asleep pretty quick and slept most of the way home and June watched a movie and played games. The last hour Owen had had enough and wasn't too pleased being in the car anymore, but we attached a DVD player to his side of the car and seemed content watching a movie. So it all worked out. 

It was a well rested, chillaxed fun weekend away with my family. I very much live for these moments! My heart is so full after writing this blog post. I've said it before and I will continue to say it for as long as I can speak, write, or type... I'm completely consumed by this family of mine.