Texas

Autie and Max got to go to Texas for a couple of weeks, and we had such a whirlwind trip (meaning it went extremely fast as always), that it's hard to recalculate everything we did...we went to visit Max's new twin cousins Clara and Carter who are the stinkin' cutest and sweetest babies. Max adored both of them sooo much and couldn't get enough of saying hi to them. He also loved the doggy Abby a little too much. Now that we're home, I'm sure Abby doesn't miss Max! One of the first things we did was we went to a birthday party for Molly who was turning one. We surprised her mommy (who actually set Jeff and I up) by Max and I stopping in to her party...felt a little funny showing up un-invited to a birthday party, but it was no big deal, and the party was so fun for Max. It was a cowboy/western theme, so we got Max all dude-ed up in some cowboy boots and a hanky...here's my little wrangler. They had a feather hunt, and a boot-legged race and a fun pinata...and Autie's favorite: Cupcakes!!!! Max had never met Molly, so it was fun for them to play. She was so cute!! So glad we could come, meg! We'll see what becomes of their first little wagon ride. :) Just kidding. So fun to see My friend from BYU, even though it was only for a minute! We also got to see my cousin Sherry while we were down there and spend a little time with her. She spent part of her quick trip with Megan, and part of the time with us. The big event with Sherry was that we went to a favorite little shop called Sprinkles...They just got one in PHX, by-the-way, and Lisa and I stood in line for 45 minutes for our sweet treats, but they were soooo worth it...did you think, Lisa?? Anyway, back to TX, we went to Sprinkles, as is sort of a started tradition with Brandy and I and of course, I let Max have some...for all of you who think he never gets treats...I'm not a total witch...:) These pictures are of Sherry and Max...and Max and Autie at Sprinkles!!! Woo hoo!!!

It was hard to get out and about and do the things that Brandy and I were used to doing with three little guys who never slept at the same time, but we managed a few fun outings... We got to go out to eat to some fun places that we'd never been to like the Grand Luxe...is that what it's called? Where we had stinking yummy some kind of chicken (Sherry, Jeff, Brandy and I all ordered the exact same thing...that's weird, right?) And the Dowdles gave in to my hints that I REALLY wanted to eat at Texas Road house even though we have that here in AZ...I LOVE that place! After we were done eating at TX Roadhouse, Max and I went outside early because he was getting a little antsy and there were a couple of tractors outside. Max is crazy about tractors...and it just so happened that there was a guy out in his field moving his tractor around. When he noticed us standing there watching, I asked if Max could come inside the fence and look at his tractor up close (max calls them digdumps). The Farmer guy said of course, I'll give him a ride if he wants, and max just about jumped into his arms...a total stranger, but he was so excited to sit in that big digdump and swing the big barrel around...and of course he found the horn and was honking it. Jeff and Brandy came out of the restaraunt looking for us, and couldn't figure out where Max was and what all the honking was for. Soooo fun!!!

Max Loved to play with Jeff...my brother-in-law...Jeff Mousser wasn't able to come with us this trip. And I think Jeff D got a kick out of Max talking...all of his funny words that he randomly says...and his dancing to handy manny. I think the dowdles will be watching playhouse disney as a staple in their TV watching from now on...Jeff has a special love for Handy Manny and the Safety patrol. ha. Anywas, Max loved being with Jeff (fun that he started saying his name) and here's a picture of them hanging together, working in the yard. Jeff was showing him the June bugs and digging out big rocks, and max was helping dig..ha ha, and throwing the weeds away in the garbage can. Woo hoo! They had snakes in the garage and Jeff even caught a mouse while we were there, which was so fun for Max to see. Max wanted to keep running in and looking at the snakes. He knew he wasn't supposed to touch them, so he just ran over saying: sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. He's so fun right now. Well, it turns out that I don't have as many fun pictures on my camera as I thought...Brandy has more on hers, but oh well. Anyways, Clara and Carter and Max...Cute Kids!! we can't wait to see our whole family in August for our family reunion. Probably a boring post for most people reading, but we had such a fun time in Texas... we always love going there, and can't wait to go back. thanks for letting us come, Dowdles, we love you!!!