texas sized fun

ok so this was supposed to be at the end but i accidentally erased it and now i can't get it back down at the bottom so i'm leaving it here! anyway this pic was taken on sunday after our night out where somehow we managed to have enough energy (or should i say kelly n kev had enough energy) to throw kenzie a 2yr old bday party and the kids actually cooperated for a cousin pic!
now for the real story!.......

in early sept we made (what will be our last trip till the twins are born) a family trip to texas to celebrate my 30th and spend some quality family time! the week was full of great adventures planned to a t by the chances! we started off with some down time at the chances and a little outside time before the tropical storm dumped all kinds of rain on us...

uncle dave chilln with klayton and kenzie

deuce playing ball

klayton and deuce chasing a cricket

here's a case of monkey see monkey do...deuce would never bite into the corn until he had lunch with kenzie and klayton and realized they were doin it...his quote was "yummy"

uncle dave coloring with klayton and kenzie (the $2 purchase made great entertainment during the rain)

on wednesday (my actual bday) the ellis made it in and we took the whole gang to chewy's for a little bday dinner...the wait was ridiculous but we survived with a little uncle kevin entertainment and snacks!

deuce showing off his "chewy's grin"

friday morning we were supposed to all head out to sea world but much to our surprise it was closed so instead we made a day of austin fun....we went to the park first and then for a ride on the zilker train and then the kiddos cooled off in the fountains and last we stuffed our faces with some salt lick where the kids proceeded to melt but i'm pretty sure we were all ok with it do to the happiness in our tummys!

all the kids venturing out at the playground

climbing up!

on the move!

wee!

once on the train it was serious business

it took deuce a little while to join in on the fun at the fountains but eventually he was full throttle

i think the quote when we left there was "that was fun...what's next?" by austin saturday was set aside for some family time and dancing...aunt linda and uncle lary made it in for some visiting before we all headed out to dallas night club for some good ol dancing (per my bday request)

deuce and nate dog playing together

aunt kelly reading before bed time....our plan was to get all the kids in bed by 8 so we could be out the door by 8:30 but during the bathing phase kenzie decided to leave a floater so kevin had to take emergency action and send nathan and kenzie downstairs with aunt marla while he sanitized the tub and then deuce got in...remarkably we walked out the door pretty much on time!

aunt marla and me at dallas

everyone got in on the dancing fun...yes i even got dave out there!

kelly n kev cuttn a rug

richard and carrie taking a few spins

the girls!

tammy n james even made it out....thanks a bunch!

i even got to swing dance with master himself....minus a few run ins!

thanks to my wonderful husband for taking me out dancing for my bday...it was a great night!

the trip was awesome and my bday turned out great...thanks to everyone for all you did! as for the twins i'm sure most of you know by now that we are having one boy Dax Eugene Charles Rakes and one girl Mila Michelle Rakes! we are really excited and busy getting everything in order!

luv mel, dave, deuce, dax and mila!