they're kind of an annual thing...

...that's the thing about birthdays.

... and my lil sis coming to visit.

we noticed that she always manages to come either on or around my birthday. 

for my birthday, she gives me... her! 


and this time, we turned her cowgirl!

we went to a rodeo.  and walked in the hills of north-central Texas.  and tasted crazy water.  and tripped to the old stock yards.

  

we also went to visit a cute little German town with the largest waterpark in the world. it was really fun to see our brave little boy go on the biggest and fastest slides.  and the babe actually let us take him (drag him along) on a few of the tube rides (with a few whimpers along the way). we forgot to re-apply the sunscreen after a couple hours and got a bit red.  poor little sis forgot to put any on the top of her feet.   she couldn't wear shoes without severe discomfort for like 3 days or more.

and, of course, we made a visit to the beach.  she didn't get to make her usual hole in the sand that she loves to do, but still had a good time chasing waves with our little boy.

thanks for coming, sis.  you know we love you.