a great week

last week was a great week. we spent a portion of it in tyler with my family. the kids were there all week and russ and i had a few days away together.

sam does the underbite smile all the time now.

also he does a lot of impromptu dances where he makes jibberish noises and silly motions. this kid is hilarious.

always a plus to see my brother. thoroughly enjoyed all the conversation and quality time we could grab with he and his girlfriend. i miss him pretty much always. we love uncle joe!

before russ and i left town we got to be with my dad on his 60th birthday. his office staff along with all the families did a surprise party for him. 

dad you are so special and so loved. cherished by many.

another special time for the girls in tyler is that my mom has them help with a lot of little things in the kitchen. she is ever patient and kind with them - much less short tempered than i. they banged up some peppermints with a hammer and helped make peppermint ice cream this day.

the kids were in my parents pool the first morning after we got there at 7:30. i woke up to find my sweet dad had gotten in with them. they were just so excited. they spend pretty much all day in the pool or on the golf course at my parents. 

sam and i were watching the girls jump off the diving board at the country club pool.

we think tyler ranks up there with disneyworld in emma and abby's minds. nonstop fun, plus family they love so much. and a heck of a lot less expensive.