Hangin' with Uncle Brennon & Aunt Angie

The day after Alyssa went back home, we got some more visitors--Brent's sister, Angie, and her hubby, Brennon.  We were so excited to have them here, and we had a ton of fun with them for three whole days!

They got in late Thursday night, and then we all stayed up entirely too late chatting, laughing, and catching up.  

On Friday morning, Brent took them and the girls to the Fort Worth Stockyards to enjoy the cattle drive and get out of the house for a while.

Riding on the merry-go-round.  If I had to guess, the girls probably suckered Angie and Brennon into forking over the quarters.  That, of course, is the role of aunts and uncles--spoiling and giving things that mommy and daddy would normally not.

 Tylie loves her uncle Brennon, and he obviously has the best shoulder to snuggle on.

 I love when the men take over kid duty!  It's nice to watch them hanging with the little ones, and it's even nicer to have a bit of a break!

 Love this cattle drive...only wish it was longer.

 We spent the majority of our time hanging out at the house, eating at restaurants, talking and laughing for hours, and just relaxing a little bit.  But, there was one more thing we just had to do before they left--group outing to Cabela's!

The guys were nice enough to buy Tylie some fish food so she could feed the fishies...I think they enjoyed it as much as she did!

 Angie pointing out the more exciting fish to a dazed Kaelisse.

 Apparently Kaelisse has expensive taste for big toys--just like her daddy!

 Another trip to the fish pond.  Tylie really can't seem to get enough of it!

 This was making the girls laugh so hard!  What a wonderful daddy they have to pack them around the house!  And, he couldn't have done it without his sidekick, Brennon, making sure Kaelisse didn't fall off the back.

 The boys headed out for a few minutes, and Angie and I stayed home to bathe the girls.  Apparently Kaelisse was anxious and excited for the bath....and apparently she forgot that we usually take her clothes off for the occasion!  I didn't even realize she could climb in by herself yet!!

 This is her picture face...every time she sees a camera, this is what I get.  So Funny!!

We had such a wonderful time during their visit, and always wish they lived closer!  Thanks Angie and Brennon!  We had a blast, and the girls had a blast!  Thanks for the visit!

Alyssa's Visit

I was the luckiest girl in the world this week when my good friend Alyssa came to stay with us for a few days.  She lives in Georgia, has twin toddlers, and her husband works at the University.  Needless to say, they are very busy, and I was so excited that she was able to take time off to come see us.  We fit in as much as we could for the 2-1/2 days that she was here:  went to a splash pad with the girls, hunted down cinnamon bears and covered them in chocolate (and we managed to eat them all), made a wooden Thanksgiving craft, eat a lot of food, talk for hours, make a felt Christmas craft for the kids, go to the pool....it was quite the visit!  Additionally, we did a few big activities.  

The first was a visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards.  Alyssa found out how she measures up to a real longhorn.

The girls rode the merry-go-round and the bucking bronco.  Actually, we were just letting them sit on the rides--didn't have any quarters to make them go.  Then, out of nowhere, this sweet girl about 5-6 years old runs by, sticks a quarter in, and runs off!  She was adorable, and very sweet, and my girls were excited for the ride her kindness provided.  Thank you, little girl!

We hit all the little shops, and my girls helped Alyssa pick out a gift for her boys.

They found all the them-sized furniture they could to sit and rest their weary feet.  :)

Of course, we stuck around for the actual cattle drive.  This always proves to be the highlight of the day for the girls.

Of course, tied for the winning experience was this adorable--and VERY friendly--pony that the girls stopped to pet.

The other big, exciting adventure we went on was planned and implemented by Alyssa---and she spoiled me rotten!!  We went on a much needed mom's night OUT!  Wahoo!
Alyssa treated me to a spa day complete with pedicures, a facial (for me), and a massage (for her).  Then we went out to eat at a fancy little restaurant near the Stockyards and ate some interesting and delicious food.  We had duck spring rolls, rattlesnake-rabbit sausage, crab on toast, beef tenderloin, pork chops....and then still ordered dessert!  Tasty pepper/chocolate cake and some Mexican donuts with dipping sauces.  We had a ton of laughs, lots of chatter, and walked out with very full tummies!  Thanks Alyssa for a wonderful night--it was very re-energizing!

Like I said---I am one lucky girl to have such a great friend.  It was wonderful to have her here, and a bummer to have her leave.  Maybe someday we'll live in the same state--or maybe we'll just have to plan mommy trips like this regularly!  

Independence Day Festivities

I absolutely love the 4th of July and always look forward to the festivities.  I think it is one of my favorite family holidays!  I have so many good memories from when I was a kid, and I look forward to many more memories for our little family!

This year, we headed downtown on Tuesday evening for the eventful Light Up Arlington.  We got there kind of late because we didn't know how long the girls would make it, and we wanted to stay for fireworks.  So, we only did a few fun things, but I think they left a lasting impression--at least for Tylie.  We started with a Duckie Derby, where Tylie won and picked out a hammer.

Next we went to the blow-up playground area--and forgot to take pictures--where there were bounce houses, huge slides, a long train, and other inflatable entertainment.

The most memorable moment of the night was the pony ride.  Tylie is still talking about the black horse she got to ride, and that Kaelisse got to ride a white one.  She had such a wonderful time, that we decided we need to plan a trip to Aunt Angie's house so we can ride some real horses!

After this, we spent a little while in the farm area where the girls got to pet and brush goats, sheep, a cow, bunnies, etc.  They always have a good time with animal interaction, so it was naturally a hit.  

That's all we really had time to do, and it felt like plenty with two little girls.  Then we went and found a spot for the fireworks. We weren't sure how well this was going to go.  Tylie has been increasingly sensitive to loud noises lately, and Kaelisse hasn't really experienced the boom of fireworks before.  Luckily, they both made it through the 25 minute display, and we all had a wonderful time!

 This is how Tylie spent the first half of the show.  Hehe.

 Kaelisse was in awe the whole time.  The noise didn't phase her.

 They both wanted to stay cuddled up to daddy the whole time.  I love watching the girls with Brent...they love him so much!

 The next morning, we went downtown again to enjoy the parade.  I look forward to the parade every year! I think I enjoy it almost more than most kids do.  I simply love the atmosphere of patriotism, and always enjoy all the local talent that comes out to participate. 

 Tylie standing for the flag as it passed.

 Such a precious moment!

 Kaelisse thought she wanted to be a part of the action...running out into the road!

Here are some of the more interesting items from our parade this year:

UTA--Go Mavericks!  Tylie likes to see Blaze anywhere she can.

 Approximately 30 Elvis impersonators...on mini motorcycles.

 An entire crew of belly dancers.

 A really large, spy-movie-looking fire truck.

 Um....??

 ???

 I think this one looked like a circus version of the character from Narnia...what was his name??

What a wonderful holiday and a wonderful couple of days full of entertainment.  As a family, we really had a great time!

Unfortunately...only a few hours after returning home from the parade, we ended up in the hospital with Kaelisse--what a way to spend a holiday!  Thankfully, this was her shortest stay yet, and she was hooked up to far fewer machines for the most part.  We're thankful she recovered quickly and is feeling so much better!

Hope all of you had a great holiday like we did!  And hopefully, amid all the excitement, we remembered to be grateful for this wonderful country we live in and the freedoms we enjoy!  

I'm proud to be an American!!!

Random pictures we have taken recently:

Hanging with my favorite two girls in the universe!  They make me smile all day long--most of the time!  :D

Reading together...I absolutely love watching them read books.  I'm glad they both seem to love them so much already!

 After we put swimsuits on, Kaelisse wastes no time grabbing her floatie and waiting at the door for the rest of us to catch up!  She and Tylie are such water babies!  They love swimming, and are frighteningly confident about their abilities in the water.  We're teaching them....but I think it may be time to bring in the professionals.  (Also, I LOVE her "cheese" face!)