On our final morning in Dallas we used the last of our tickets from the City Pass book we purchased and went to the George W Bush Library at Southern Methodist University.
After we finally found what door to enter in (if you saw my previous post you saw Madelyn knocking) we were surprised to learn that it was George W. Bush's birthday that day so we all got a hat!
The library turned out to be very interesting and was much bigger than we expected.
There was a whole section on education as it was a big push during the Bush presidency with No Child Left Behind.
The girls loved the school bus to play in.
And there was also a large section of the library dedicated to the events of 9/11. It was so interesting for Jarrett and I as we still remember the emotions of that day so clearly. But what I also found to my surprise is that the boys found that section moving as well.
Gabriel is touching the beams that were removed from the twin towers after they collapsed.
They told us they could touch them and as the kids reached out to put their fingerprints on them, I wondered how many others who are no longer with us were a part of the rubble of that tragic day.
Here Gabriel and I were reading the notes of the speech President Bush shared with the American people after the attack.
It was a very moving part of the museum.
Other aspects of the library that I enjoyed was seeing the gowns Laura wore
And this is when Gabriel took my phone. Can you guess why he took this picture?
This is one of 20 pictures of sports balls.
Another very cool part of the library was a room that is a replica of the oval office. It was SO neat to see as we've never been to Washington DC and will probably never see the actual oval office (I guess who knows, maybe and never say never, but maybe never)
So we decided we should take our picture behind the Resolute Desk.
Doesn't it look like the real thing?
Meanwhile, this is how Madelyn enjoyed the museum!
The brand on the ceiling in the oval office.
Michael was not afraid at all to jump in the seat. As I took his picture I thought, what if he actually sits in the real desk in 40 or so years? Wouldn't that be crazy?
Not sure who Michael was calling but so neat to get this shot!
Then there is a section that resembles the Rose Garden. This picture for some reason made me think of President Kennedy and what it must have been like for his family when he was in the White House.
On the opposite side of this view was the view below.
Gabriel started taking pictures and I love how these next ones came together.
First Jarrett and I with Madelyn just about ready to join us.
Then....
And then Isabelle joined in...
and then Michael
and Gabriel.
For some reason I just love that picture of him with us in the background. Makes me feel blessed with the family I have.
Before getting ready to leave the library we took a few final photos of some of our favorite things we saw...
Look at those cowboy boots!
I look at this and can't help but think those three are a part of our future...
So lucky to be their mom.
Before we left we had to take one final family photo to see if we could capture at least one picture where we were all looking.
How do you think we did?
Nope not that one. How about this one?
About as good as we got! Look at how perfect that sky is in this photo.
After we left we loaded up, ran through the gas station to fill up and started our 15 hour trip back home.
As we headed back toward home, we reflected on all the memories we had created. It was so nice to spend time as a family, to visit Darold and Barb and their family and to create moments that we
can cherish forever.
Here are a few of our favorite photos from all the fun we had.
Okay maybe we did get one good family picture. But it sure wasn't easy!
We look forward to our future vacations as this one was such a great time and a reminder that really it doesn't matter what we are doing, as long as we can be together, that is what makes the trip the most memorable.
Until next time,
Angie
