Everything Really Is Bigger in Texas

After leaving West Monroe, we made the short four-hour drive to Dallas, Texas. (At this point in our road trip, four hours honestly felt like nothing. That’s basically a quick trip to the grocery store for us now.) We stayed in Grapevine, just outside of Dallas, but everything about the area still felt huge. People always say, “everything is bigger in Texas” — and let me tell you, they weren’t exaggerating.

The Gaylord Texan Resort

This stop ended up being one of our favorites. We stayed at the Gaylord Texan Resort, and it was jaw-dropping. The whole place is built under a massive glass atrium with shops, restaurants, fountains, and gardens. Our room overlooked the atrium, so every night we got a front row seat to the light show from our balcony.

The room had a rustic, western feel with longhorn pictures and cozy beds. As a family of six, sleeping arrangements are always a bit of a puzzle. We’ve got it down to a science now: double beds, maybe a pull-out couch, and our trusty twin-size air mattress that rotates between kids. And honestly? After full days of adventure, the kids could’ve slept on a pile of towels and been perfectly happy.

A Day at the Water Park

The resort’s water park was definitely a highlight. We took an open-air shuttle (which the kids thought was half the fun) and spent the day floating the lazy river, zipping down slides, and swimming. Since most kids were already back in school, the place was pretty empty — homeschool win!

Dinner & Exploring

That night, we treated ourselves to the Italian restaurant inside the resort. It was on the fancier side, but the kids did great. We’ve always believed in taking them along to nice places so they can learn manners and how to behave — plus, it’s fun watching them rise to the occasion. The food was incredible, especially the goat cheese rolls (I will never say no to goat cheese). After dinner, we strolled the garden paths, found fountains, and even a little Build-a-Bear pop-up. Annie, our only child who can actually save money, used her birthday money to make the sweetest kitty cat.

Dallas Highlights

The next morning, we grabbed donuts and coffee downstairs, then set off exploring. Since Asher is a Dallas Cowboys fan, we had to swing by the stadium for a photo op. (He’s still holding out hope that the Cowboys will one day win the Super Bowl again — bless him.)

From there, we visited the George W. Bush Presidential Library. It was really moving, especially the exhibits on 9/11. Seeing the bullhorn Bush used at Ground Zero, a piece of the Twin Towers, and the memorial wall of names was powerful. The replica Oval Office was also pretty neat — though I’m not sure the kids cared as much as Josh did!

A Sweet Surprise at Dude Perfect HQ

The last stop was Frisco to see the Dude Perfect Headquarters. The kids have watched every stereotype video and every Overtime episode probably a hundred times, so just getting a picture outside was enough. Before we got out of the car, we prayed a simple prayer: if it was possible to get even a small peek inside, God would make a way.

And wouldn’t you know it, He did.

While we were taking pictures, a kind lady came out and invited us in to see the lobby. The kids were ecstatic. Then, through a family connection, we actually got to meet someone who works there — and he gave us a little tour of the filming spaces. The basketball court, the putting green, the soccer field… everything they’d only ever seen on YouTube. The kids could hardly believe it, and honestly, neither could we. It was such a sweet reminder that God even cares about the little things we pray for.

Texas Memories

This stop in Texas was just plain special — full of fun, surprises, and blessings. From water slides and goat cheese rolls to answered prayers at Dude Perfect, it’s one we’ll never forget.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from trips like this, it’s that traveling with kids doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Pack a little creativity (and maybe an air mattress), stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to pray over even the smallest things. God delights in showing up in ways that remind us He’s with us — whether it’s in a big city, a water park, or even outside Dude Perfect HQ.