fourth part of our trip...

SO, the fourth leg of our trip landed us in dallas, texas.  i have to admit that this was the most exciting and nerve racking part of our trip.  nerve racking only the first day.  you see, we were staying with my brother and his family and while they are always so great and accommodating, it's me that freaks out. i don't want to get in anyone's way, make a huge mess, bother people with my crazy eating habits/behaviors. i reminded myself over and over just to relax and that's exactly what i did.   we all had such a great time that it flew by so quickly.  

my kids, especially my girls spent most of the time up stairs playing with there cousins.  we swam nearly everyday, traveled to the central market, went to the dollar theater to see a crappy movie, took just elise and her best cousin to see 'monte carlo' (such a cute movie), watched movies in my brothers VERY OWN MOVIE ROOM, my sister in law and i went and toured {south fork} (which by the way was A.MAZ.ING.) and we talked and talked and talked.  

i always forget what a soul sister i have in my SIL.  she is the most amazing person and i never feel ashamed or self conscience in any way while i'm around her.  i had fun teaching her how to use her pressure cooker and even felt like a 'sister wife' one sunday while we were trying to get a jammed lid off the dang canner.  my brother didn't appreciate that term so much so my sister in law and i.  we laughed pretty hard at that one.  

it's times like these that i am grateful my kids can experience and gain memories of.  it's also times like this that i realize some my family isn't so bad.  there is family out there willing to let me, be me.  i'm truly grateful for  the time i spent there.

now on to the obligatory pictures...

 the dallas temple.  different architecture than any other temple i've seen.

all the cousins.  we just had so much fun together.

 south fork.  i know you have the dallas song in your head now. oh, and i still have no idea who shot j.r.

having a blast on the tour.

i got to spend the day with an amazing friend from my formative years. she was one of my bridesmaids and an incredible women.  i miss her.

elise and her bestest cousin.  i took just the two of them out.  it was fun to see them have fun being together.  elise sure misses her.  thank goodness for skype.