What a week!

We were invaded!

The Briles family arrived early on August 12, Ben and Garrett's birthday. They came in on the redeye. Before they were here 5 minutes, the kids wanted a fort made from dining room chairs and blankets. Of course Grandpa said sure!

That night we had dinner at Texas Roadhouse, and the birthday boys were serenaded and Garrett sat in the saddle.

Wednesday night we had cake at Heather and Ed's house to celebrate again! By then Steph and Dan had also arrived.

Saturday we had a big family get together at Heather's. Since we are very rarely all together, I demanded pix!

Garrett and Joey are fish!

Our lovely hostess!

Mike and Donna, Steph and Dan with Honey Rose.

Samantha

Bobby Lemoine

Mike was feeding potato chips to the chickens!

Honey Rose, best dog!

It was such a nice day, all just visiting, people in and out of the pool. Lots of food, laughter, and some tears. All too soon the day was over, and Steph and Dan left for the hotel- they had a 6 a.m. flight Sunday. Manda, Ben and the kids came back to our house to organize and pack. 

Sunday morning the kids curled up on the couch to watch a video before we went to lunch. They joined us at our weekly lunch with Frank and Charlotte, then left to get water ice one more time. They stopped at the cemetery to pay their respects to Joseph, as had Steph and Dan earlier in the week. Then they stopped here to use the bathroom and download videos for the kids for the plane. 

Now everyone is at their homes, except for Steph who had to go directly to Denver for a meeting. The fort is down, the house is quiet again, and we're back to our routine of no routine. We miss them all so much, but they have their own lives to lead, and so do we. When the lives intersect, it's wonderful!