Brookshire's World of Wildlife Museum

One of our favorite places to visit in Tyler is their regional store's museum.

The Brookshire's would go on Safari in Africa, and obtained special permits to return with animals for educational purposes.

They felt it important to share with others what might not otherwise be possible.

Their park outside is fun for the kids, although probably not as popular during their HOT summers.

Holiday in Texas!

We drove to Tyler, Texas to spend our holiday with Jarrod's sisters.

THIS made us smile...a r.v. pulling a truck, pulling a boat, hauling bikes.

16 hours straight...we tend to get a little goofy

We stopped twice. After six hours straight, the legs are a little stiff, the bladder ready to pop, but we made great time.

With four nieces, Breyer had plenty of attention and love, and was a favorite walk partner.

Tanner was not the only one to play catch-up after a few late nights.

Visiting the bamboo forest is a favorite tradition.

Getting home their bamboo treasures is another matter.

Cooper's panda bear imitation

All the cousins,fifteen strong!

The weather was beautiful, enough so to visit a Lake Tyler with very low water levels and look for treasures! (The ladder is used for beginning swimmers!)

The boys were SO cooperative 

The lake bottom

Digging for treasure found by a metal detector is always exciting for boys!

There was also bowling fun...

White elephant gift fun...

Touch football fun...

Visiting family on holiday is so worth long car rides!

Princess Wings

Wings go great with a new sweater dress from Grammy!

Christmas Day

There are a million ways to wrap and unwrap a present,

and even more kinds of presents to wrap,

and to unwrap.

But of all the wrappings and trappings of Christmas,

 remembering

 those who have returned, 

 those who aren't around very often,

and those who are no longer here

are the real gifts of Christmas.