The Texas Earlys and Out West with Pop Pop

We all went to Texas to see Pete, Steph and the kids in their beautiful new house. Pop Pop met us out there and he and Mike went from there on their 'Out West' adventure together! Here are the kids performing a show for us...

Pops at the Hoover Dam...

The crazy western terrain...

Jerome - the biggest ghost town in America...

The Grand Canyon....

Pete in Canab...

Bryce Canyon...

The boys had an amazing time (note - there were no photos of their night in Vegas - I guess it's true that "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" :)). I can't wait for us to go back and for me and Maddy to see for ourselves! One day...

Maddy and Tristan playing the backyard

Too cute!!

Uh oh...

First Day at School...

I found the whole 'first day at big school' thing completely traumatic :(. Mike took her on the big day and Maddy took it all in her stride!

Maddy's 5th Birthday Party!

After we got back from the UK, we had another petting zoo party at the house! We had ducks, rabbits, goats and a pony...

The birthday girl...

And the cake of course:)

The kids went nuts while Maddy was opening her gifts!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDY - WE LOVE YOU!!

Maddy and Mummy in the UK

It was such a perfect time of the year for a trip home. There is nothing quite like an English country garden. Here's Maddy with Eliza and Lucia...

Maddy was a goofball every time I got the camera out!

Then she refused to take pictures! Here are the girls with Gail and the gorgeous Sara...

Playing in the park...

Me and Maddy by Gail's tree...

We went to see Mary's beautiful new house and met Charlotte for the first time. She is such a mini-Mary!

In the conservatory with Mum and Dad and Jan!

Gail even taught Maddy how to do a spot of gardening...