While heading over to meet with my Aunty Cindy and her clan of kids and family, we made a sudden and quick stop to my cousin Suan Whiddon's house. I love my cuz. She is actually my mom's first cousin, but she is something. A highly sucessful all state track coach and disciplinarian at school. She's almost my height (I'm 6'3") and we have the same shoulder width. She raises cattle and for years rode and raised horses. She survived the beginning affects of Polio and is getting older, but she is built to last. She is also one of the nicest and friendliest people you'll ever meet.
I love her accent (one of the best East Texas accents you can find--lots of the fun stuff of the accent and none of the annoying qualities).
Here is Lt. General Orren Ray Whiddon. He's also my cousin (susan brother--see how that works), but we all call him 'Cotton'. This is because when he was born, my Aunt Cynthia said his hair was soft and white as cotton--the name stuck. (Just in case you are curious, a Lt. General is a 3-Star General--big brass).
This is his wife Harriet. I've rarely gotten to talk to her. I've always seen her from a distance for years, but she hasn't changed in style. I have heard fun stories of her and when I met with her this time, she again reminded of gentleness.
This is a picture of Crystal Lake. This was owned by my uncle and was ran for years. I got to go a couple of times, but it closed when I was young. Susan still owns the lake, but all of the water rides have been removed.
Continuing on our way we reached my Aunt Cindy's house.
The grandkids arrived to search for Easter Eggs
They're full of money?!!! If I had only known!! I would've take them before the kids all arrived... I mean... (ahem)... That's great! Good for them!
My cousin Joel is about to cook the crawfish.
My cousin Josh is the head on the right.
This is my cousin Holly with the youngest of the new generation (well that is until the one she is carrying right now is born)
Her husband Derek, he's in the air force and is just a great guy--a real badass with a gentle demeanor.
More kids...
My mom can't wait to be a grandmother and have a granddaughter. She wanted a daughter originally, but life handed her a lemons, so did the best with it and made lemonaid.
The cows don't know what the hell is going on... or do they?
Well, like all good things, this day had to come to close. Sorry I didn't get photos of the crawfish. I started eating crawfish before I thought of taking pictures, and by that time things get too messy to handle nice equipment. Till next time when turn our attention more to the nature around us in Texas at springtime.
These cats were like children of the corn/the birds. Everytime we kept peering out the window, they seemed to double in number.
The lady in pink is my mother, the other is her sister Barbara. Then the youngest looking one is Ashley.
Aunt Barbara's house is full of amazing and beautiful treasures from all over the world.
Isn't this just an awkward moment to capture someone.
I managed to get in a picture.
We all headed back to the house to take a nap from relaxing.
And woke up in time to go eat.
The gentleman driving is Jim. He's one of my mom's close friends and he offered to take us out to barbeque, his treat--who am I to say no to a free meal.
You know it is good when it has a statue of what you'll be eating out front...
Mmmm... my plate of yummies...
...five minutes later. No joke, I eat fast. (On a side note, I love how the sun was setting at just a fast enough speed to make the two photos have that slight time lapse to it).
Now I turn my attention to that deer...mmmm.... deer....
...Whoa! I left nothing but bones, how did I do that?
It's always important to have your standard issue indian stereotype at any cowboy based restaraunt.
My mom staying up late to do nurses notes.
The cats sit uneasy knowing that we had good barbeque and they didn't.
Alot of these photos were shot through windows. It helped the highlights at times to have that romantic softness, but all in all because the birds were so skiddish, it was down right annoying and limiting.
This cat was just calm admist the bustle of humans, cats, and two large dogs running around and playing (truly the eye of the hurricane).
These two geese decided to walk up to the house and act like they owned the place, then walked away. (Notice how you can see still a few of the structures from when Crystal Lake was a public water park.
Turkey Vultures swooping in on some carrion.
More cows.
Another goose.
I love her accent (one of the best East Texas accents you can find--lots of the fun stuff of the accent and none of the annoying qualities).
Here is Lt. General Orren Ray Whiddon. He's also my cousin (susan brother--see how that works), but we all call him 'Cotton'. This is because when he was born, my Aunt Cynthia said his hair was soft and white as cotton--the name stuck. (Just in case you are curious, a Lt. General is a 3-Star General--big brass).
This is his wife Harriet. I've rarely gotten to talk to her. I've always seen her from a distance for years, but she hasn't changed in style. I have heard fun stories of her and when I met with her this time, she again reminded of gentleness.
This is a picture of Crystal Lake. This was owned by my uncle and was ran for years. I got to go a couple of times, but it closed when I was young. Susan still owns the lake, but all of the water rides have been removed.
Continuing on our way we reached my Aunt Cindy's house.
The grandkids arrived to search for Easter Eggs
They're full of money?!!! If I had only known!! I would've take them before the kids all arrived... I mean... (ahem)... That's great! Good for them!
My cousin Joel is about to cook the crawfish.
My cousin Josh is the head on the right.
Her husband Derek, he's in the air force and is just a great guy--a real badass with a gentle demeanor.
My mom can't wait to be a grandmother and have a granddaughter. She wanted a daughter originally, but life handed her a lemons, so did the best with it and made lemonaid.
The cows don't know what the hell is going on... or do they?
Walking up to the nursing home.
Trash can for your cigarettes.
When we arrive, my Aunt Martha has beaten us to the punch by already visiting and grooming Granny.
Getting her hair shampooed....
Putting lotion on her skin to keep it soft and comfortable...
Getting powder to smell nice...
Don't forget some lipstick to look extra pretty.
But most importantly, you aren't dressed till you put on a smile and have someone make you wear some oversized jewelry.
Everyone fauning over Granny to make sure she sees everyone and is well kept.
Sometime during all of these events, Aunt Martha went by and picked up my cousing Charmian.
This is amazing, she goes to hug one person... and ends up hugging another--how did she do that?!
With alot of her babies around her (children, grandchildren, and a future granddaugther), Granny starts to fall asleep enjoying the company and togetherness of the family she has helped create and raise.
We landed in Houston, and it looks like nobody is coming to greet us.
Then suddenly the calvary arrives--group photo (look closely).
Most of my family is several hours away from really any major cities so there is alot driving that must be done to get home, and also to see everyone.
Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail, and those caissons go rolling along...
Local farm type buildings.
Spring is very green down in the south.
Now where would a trip to Texas be without a photo of a cow. 
Local color...
Also local color
Wave goodbye, there she goes...
As we neared the end of our migration we were greeted...
...by this thing...
... and this thing...
and finally by this... the signs that a nice home cooked meal was waiting to be eaten.
