Visiting Family -- Rowletts

Now that Tim and I had a camera to play with, we documented our trip down to Manassas this past Sunday. All three of us had such a good time. Especially this one:

At the Rowlett house, we played Croquet. A civilized game of good sport and finesse. Those in competition were Grandma Debbie:Yours truly:
These two rivals:The undefeated and powerful:
And sometimes this one:

One rule in particular helped move the game along. Anytime Chloe or Lizzie picked up the croquet balls, you had to play where ever it may lay. Exhibit A:


One player in particular really took advantage of this rule.
Just when Jen had reached the end and became poison, one touch from her ball onto anyone elses could destroy them! After Grandma Debbie and I had been poisoned and kicked out of the game, Tim used his influential powers over Chloe to pick up Jen's poisoned ball and drop it way in the corner of the yard, where she would have to pass jutting roots and hit the ball with more force than ever before in order to get back to where Tim's ball was.

While this was going on, these two cohorts were destroying the snack area:


That's right. Lizzie's plan had worked. Mommy was taking all her shots and Lizzie won the game first without having to lift a finger. In the meantime, Lizzie would dig around someone else's water cup, pull out a piece of ice, and give it to Chloe. Exhibit A:


Exhibit B: Chloe crunching and Lizzie lifting.
But by the end of the game, everyone was still friends, and Grandma Debbie gave Chloe her water. Chloe was very grateful.

The next best part of the visit were these:
Lizzie's dancing shoes. Her first pair of high heels given to her by Brooklyn. She walked around in them like a pro, and it was darling to watch her dance. Here is a little video for you to see, but I'm sorry my wiggly shoulder blocks the view at points.


All in all, it was a really great visit. Especially when these guys joined us:
One last note, Lizzie loves Chloe. From a distance, though. Get too close without a treat in her hand, and Lizzie runs to me or Jen saying, "hold me, ____, hold me." But still, when Chloe was kept outside and we were all having fun in the basement, this was happening: