Goobie Returns: The Local Edition

When Tyler realized Glenna was going to visit us this year, he decided that she was clearly our favorite person. After all, no one else has come out twice since we've moved. I told him we couldn't play favorites, but it's true that we love Goobie an awful lot and were thrilled to have her in our home again!

Last year she came in August, and Ty and I were still figuring out so many things about the city. In fact, we did some of the tourist attractions for the first time with Glenna last year. (See posts from her that visit here: Part 1 & Part 2.) We decided this year to make her visit "The Local Edition." Yes, we love the perks of living in the metroplex, but to be honest, I love our neighborhood and all its amenities even more!

It just so happened that her visit fell on the Fourth, so there was lots to do locally! Our friends from church, the Buells, took us to the Lakewood (nearby neighborhood) parade! Attending the parade with them was great! Not only did we benefit from their local knowledge of great parking and viewing spots, but we profited from their great company! And we got to show them off to Glenna. And vice versa, of course!

Back: Ella, Jake, Mary Anna, Glenna, Ty, me, Paige
Front: Lucy & Maxine

The parade was everything a neighborhood parade should be. The local Boy Scouts, fire station, high school dance squad, politicians, dog rescue, and super heroes all made an appearance. As they went by, they all threw candy, too! It was like Halloween, but better, because you didn't have to walk anywhere. ;) I'm considering doing a float for next year...Weimaraner themed, of course!

And then there was the automotive pig. You know some dad and kid worked hours on this and were just beaming as they went! Santa and Mrs. Claus also walked by, in full costume. Ty commented on this to Santa, and he replied with a full, bearded smile, "I love my wife!" It was nearing 100 degrees as this point.

Earlier in the day...

Weekend long run!

Ty and I left Glenna sleeping soundly and hit up White Rock Lake for our weekend long run. I had to fit in a 16-miler before all the holiday shenanigans started, and these two kept me company for nine miles!

After the parade, we all hit up Liberty Burger (seemed appropriate, given the day), which is easily the best burger joint we've ever been to. Generally I can take or leave burgers, but I love these! Hot morning + burger bellies = movie time on the giant couch bed fort.

Brooklyn was happy about this.

And we watched Independence Day. You know, the one with Will Smith, where he saves the world from aliens? So patriotic.

Tacos and tats were on the late-afternoon agenda, and both were successful. Ty's famous chicken tacos just keep getting better and better!!

My "Ironman" tat

We finished off the evening with leftover sparklers from our wedding. Yes, we still have so many! We tried really hard to use them up, but even with each of us holding fistfuls (totally safe), we didn't come close. We'll have to remember to use them at New Year's, too!

Sunday was much less scheduled and much more relaxing. We went to church in the morning (and showed everyone off to one another yet again), and then hit up the movies in the afternoon. We've had a hard time finding a good mainstream theatre, but we sure did like this local one! There was a grand total of sixteen seats in our theatre.

Jurassic World, here we come!

Next it was time to prepare for our canoe trip! Ty was off on Monday, so we took advantage of that and planned a fun day!

Rehearsing the life jacket

It's no Wekiva, but we loved it!

At which point Brooklyn decides Glenna's kayak is too far away and she must rescue her!

Always checkin' on her pack.

Monday night we took Goobie to the Goose, a local favorite Mexican restaurant. Our pastor's family joined us, and we had the best time all together! It was a fantastic way to wrap up her visit. And I will say, they were quite impressed by all the local attractions we did!

Ty tried to convince Glenna (yet again) to stay in Dallas, live with us, and do all the cooking and cleaning. We'd let her stay free-of-charge, of course. ;) She does have a life in Florida after all, so our visit came to an end. The live-in offer still stands, Glenna, but you're welcome to visit anytime, too!