We had a nice trip down to McAllen TX this MLK weekend.  The family went over the Progreso bridge to Mexico for the day where we ate and walked around Progreso, a small town built right up to the river banks.  The children were impressed with the difference in appearance of the city and the sights and sounds that are so different than in America.  It was a good introduction to what it looks like outside the US.  Even though McAllen is in the same state as Dallas, the trip is 10 hours one way so that was really something.  And whenever you drive ten hours south you should expect a climate change and it was quite a bit warmer there than in Big D.  Unfortunately Big D was only 20 degrees, so it was only 49 degrees down there, but hey, it was in the mid 60's and sunny the day we went to Mexico and for a northern boy you can ask for much better in the middle of January,  I took a picture of some palm trees in the neighborhood of my aunt and uncle's house where we stayed.  I LOVE palm trees.  They say, "relax" to me.  Hope you're all enjoying your holiday week.