OH Howdy!

There are ALOT of pictures in this post....just be prepared.  :)  And there are a TON more that I didn't choose!  

We took our annual summer trip to Texas and drove - yes, we drove 16 hours with two small children.  They did GREAT though!  We drove to Ft. Smith in one day and had a fabulous dinner at mom's house.  Nana and Grand Bob came over too!  It was a short visit but so great to see them:

We made it to Dallas and of course our first stop, seeing Bobby Jett and Brooks!

Onto Waco, we visited cousin Tyler who's there all summer for Football at BU.  Michael LOVED his scooter that he rides to practice.

Once we made it to Houston, one of the first things we did was find a pool!  Michael had so much fun at Noah's Ark with Corin, Jamesyn and Kendall.  He could have stayed there all day.

Carson took to the big pool for the first time and he loved it.  He's a big splasher!

Michael swam really well with his floaties.

Carson loved getting up in the morning, sitting in Grandmommy's lap and "talking":

Of course, Michael won't miss an opportunity to mow the lawn...

The boys loved going to Papa's house and seeing the dogs:

8 is ENOUGH!

Back in Dallas, we went to Brooks' 3rd ROCK OUT birthday party.  It was a BLAST!  The boys had so much fun jammin' out on their guitars and pretending to be rock stars:

The birthday boy DEFINITELY had the most fun:

Uncle Andy and Aunt Heather dropped by the condo for a quick visit.  Carson was happy to see em'!
One of the highlights of the trip was we took Michael to his first Circus.  We recruited Brooks, Luke Lary and Luke Goldmeyer to come with us.  The boys loved everything about it - the popcorn, cotton candy, the tigers - even the goofy ring master.  Thanks Mom and David for watching Carson while we had an outing with Michael!

We went to Boomerangs one day with Sarah and Luke.  They had such fun.  Here's Michael....when in Texas.....
After Grandpa spent many dollars on ski ball, and 65 tickets later, the boys had matching sweat bands to remember the visit. 

The next day, Mom and I went to the Galleria to get out for a bit.  Carson had yet another blowout and I was yet again, unprepared.  You'd think I'd learn!  Even though we were at the mall, I decided I wasn't going to buy another outfit.  So he strolled around the mall, and went over to Emily's naked before he was clothed again.  Mom was right though, he was the only one who was dressed appropriately!  It was HOT!

While at Emily's, Carson discovered his love of music...

Before we headed back to Chicago, we went to the Children's Museum with Sarah and Emily.  Yet again, the boys had such fun.  I feel like I've said that a million times in this blog!  Here they are in a fire truck...

....and at the water tables.  These boys get along so well....and are so darn cute!
Before we loaded up the car to head back to Ft. Smith, we had to feed the ducks AGAIN.  It was a daily ritual for Michael. 

Such a cutie:

Back at Grammie's and Grandpa's, we settled down with a good book.  Grandpa is a great story teller.  
We had a blast - it's always a good time in Texas!