{Texas} End of Summer Vacation 2011

Brookie & I spent the last week of our summer vacation visiting my sister and her family in the Lone Star State (thus all the family portrait posts this last week). I often talk about how much I love living here in SoCal...but if there were ever something to take me away from here, it would be my family. I enjoy our annual trips to visit one another but the months are long in between. Especially since our children are growing and changing so much between visits. I'm so thankful for Facebook and Skype to keep us connected during those long months apart. But I'm especially thankful for this time together.

Here are a few informal snapshots from our week together.

I have to thank my nieces for getting Brookie hooked on her daily Starbucks (don't worry, it's not coffee....just a fruit smoothie).

Cousins!

Everybody talks about how miserable the heat is in Texas. Give me a pool and I can tolerate the high temperatures, no problem. While Brookie was napping inside, I even snuck in some ZZZZs lounging in the pool. I can't even remember the last time I was able to sleep laying out. It was a little piece of heaven for me and officially completed my summer. During our stay there, B began jumping into the water and going totally under without anyone catching her. That was a first for her and I couldn't believe how brave she is becoming.

Maddy assisted me on a couple of shoots. Here she is sporting my Shootsac lens bag...

If we're friends on Facebook, you might remember me complaining about their dog shredding $80 (that I mistakenly left sitting out on my computer). Here it is taped back together....

The girls even made some Lemon Bars and let Brookie assist.

Oh ya, did I mention that my sister potty trained Brookie too? Yeah, that pretty much rocked! Thanks sis! Brookie and I tend to have some control issues...so what a relief to have my sister take me out of the equation. She's doing great now that we're back at home (but still battling with the #2 issue...advice anyone?).