Melissa...

took some awesome pictures, as usual!

The family: Dad, Hank, Me, D, Ry, Bobby, Park, Mom, Chance, and Jessica

I love this picture of them. It is so much more a reflection of these two goofballs then the staged forced smile ones.

Like this one I had forced them to take a few minutes earlier.

Park and her Aunt Melissa

I love this one of D getting Uncle Mark. Wet Willy!

I wish I had remembered to bring my straight iron. It was one of the many things forgotten as we rushed to pack with NCIS waiting outside.

Another great picture of the family

Some more pictures of Park's birthday.

Poor Grandpa, I think the only time he got with D was when she was passed out.

Papa's Memorial

After a crazy day Thursday we finally made it to El Paso for Papa's Memorial. It was a really nice memorial and we were grateful to be there for it. We miss you Papa!

Parker loves her Grammy.

Lacy and D

Ry Mimi and Hank

The boys.

Chance and Jessica

El Paso

This has been a really crazy week. Hank's Grandfather passed away while we were in NY, and we needed to go to El Paso this past weekend for his memorial. Thursday morning we woke up to the house across the street on fire. We were evacuated in our pajamas and spent two hours on the corner watching the house burn and eventually finding out that the two young boys and the parents had gotten out but the 13 year old girl who lived there hadn't. It was really sad, and really hard to watch. After they got the fire under control the house became a crime scene and our cul-de-sac was taped off. Thankfully when Hank came home he knew one of the NCIS guys that was here and they moved the tape for us so we could grab our suitcases and the van and go. We ended up driving straight through and getting to El Paso at 4 am (who could sleep after all that anyways?)

Parker's birthday was Friday but we waited until Grammy was there on Saturday do celebrate.

Both girls were really happy to see Grammy.

Parker was thrilled that she finally got to open her presents!

She didn't let Grammy out of her sight the entire time.

It was a really short trip, under sad circumstances, but it was still nice to see everyone.

The trip home yesterday was long but good. Poor Dallas was bored, I swear I got out every toy we had in the van trying to entertain her.

Park, on the other hand, needed no entertainment.

Fish

It is amazing how much Parker has progressed this summer. When the season started she wanted her life jacket on at all times, and was content to swim like that. Since coming home from the lake she almost never has her life jacket on, can swim underwater, and can swim from one side of the pool to the other without assistance. She's a fish!

Poor Dallas got stung by a bee right after this. She picked it up before I realized what was happening. After a few minutes of crying she got in the pool and forgot all about it.

Parker Kneeboarded!

What we've been doing...

Not much of anything, mostly just getting everything set for Park for this fall.

She bought a huge barbie case of make-up with her birthday money from Grandma Betty.

Dallas has been driving Park crazy.

Grandma and Grandpa

And some of the littles.

The Canal

When I was little we use to take a ride down the canal at the end of the lake every year but for some reason we haven't done it in a few years. It was fun to take my own kids and watch them feed the ducks.