Our first beach adventure in 2003. Her eyes were the riptide that pulled me away.

The cure to my lonely heart is time spent with AJ.

Ashley is sending out her SOS in the big city! She needs more money for shopping—she always finds a good deal.

I’m deep in the mountains, crawling through trash, trying desperately to find our only debit card so we can make it back home. Luckily, yes—I found it.

I found PJ hiding in the woods. He conjured up a plan from a recent movie we watched together: rob from the rich and give to the poor. Needless to say, a talk soon ensued.

Next step—sky diving! Maybe. I enjoy staying rooted to the ground.

This is the longest outdoor slide PJ and I have ever played on. He definitely felt like he was living life on the edge. So much fun!

It took a few minutes to convince PJ and AJ that the dinosaur wasn’t real. They thought he broke out of his cage.

Sam’s first deer pelt! Way to go nephew!

Wing Loading calculation paused… Subject is consuming additional mass!

These three books are A LOT heavier than they look!

PJ and AJ learning to navigate through the darkness of space aboard their fancy new alien spaceship.

This is the exact moment when I remembered two things. (1) Pollen and I do not get along. (2) I forgot to take my allergy medication before diving into the flowers.

When you need a parka, you know it’s cold in Galveston, Texas. Look at those ice sculptures! Great artistry!

My great-great-grandfather Aiden James and his outlaws. Good looking group!

The year was 1987, and I was three years old. Life felt easy then. I had a lot of growing to do.

An almost fateful beach trip. Yikes! Kids love to bury things.

I wouldn’t dare challenge PJ, AJ and Nate at the renaissance festival. They have the home advantage!

Ashley, PJ and AJ are ready for another road trip! They’re always ready!

Our first family vacation together…there were moments… You travel with two small children-yikes! But we were back the next year. No regrets.