Saturday, July 4, 2015

Oklahoma {part 1}


Last month, the kids and I had the privilege of taking a trip to see family in Oklahoma!  
This was a momentous trip for me.  My first flight as a mom with kids and  NO STROLLER!  
Who am I?!  And who are these big kids I'm traveling with?!

Rooke and I tried to convince them we'd be just fine in the cockpit.  The pilot let Rooke talk over the intercom, but decided he should be the one to fly us to Oklahoma. =)

Mousie wanted to watch our plane take off.

I bought them each new headphones (that actually work/fit/don't fall out of their ears!) for our travels this summer . . . hands down the best $50 I've spent in a really long time.

The first week we stayed with Uncle Sean, Aunt Jessica, and Phoebe!  They were incredibly gracious hosts: welcoming our rambunctious crew into their home with open arms, sharing toys, feeding us, enduring our noise during nap time, letting us spread out all over the house so sleeping could be more smooth, not begrudging the amount of times they had to get the Bissel out to clean up our messes . . . we felt loved and welcomed. 

The kids loved the backyard pools!  



Gretchen and I got to go on a snow cone date - she chose Rainbow flavor, and I loved the way she carefully tasted each color to figure out which flavors the "rainbow" was made with. 

Grammy Deb came over one night to read a story before bed.

The splash pad!  I'm pretty sure Rooke was supposed to be under that bucket with Uncle Sean!




We went to the zoo one morning . . . 

As hot as it was that morning, we should have all crammed into this Arctic Blast with Aunt Jessica and Phoebe! 


Look at those rosy cheeks waiting for the zoo train to take us back to the front gate. 

Aunt Jessica and Uncle Sean know how to do the zoo . . . with train snacks included. =) 

We love cousin Phoebe!

Towards the end of our first week, we took a quick trip to see some more special people. . . 

Bob Wallis is one of Big Daddy's dearest friends.  It was great to join he and his wife for burgers and fishing in their pond.

Uncle Bob taught Rooke how to fish for the first time. . . 

. . .  and he caught some!  

We stayed the night with my Aunt Sara and Bill.  They had this special sign set up to welcome us! 

Aunt Sara makes everything fun!  We stopped off at the dollar store for some goodies before heading to the pool.  Rooke chose goggles, and the girls picked out some fashionable "headband hair"!

I loved getting to take the kids to OBU!  They thought the golden bison was very cool.

One of our good friends from college works at the university.  Michael and his family had lunch with us and then gave us the "royal tour" of campus.  We all thought it was great! =)
 

Standing in front of the apartment where Michael and Ryan lived together.




Thursday, July 2, 2015

Practicing the Discipline of Gratitude {June}

In June, I was thankful for:


1.  some days I take courage in knowing this age won't last forever.  But on this day, I was thankful that she is still very good at being three!

2.  selfies from my husband =)


3.  we made it to the last day of school! 


4.  I had experienced travel buddies for our most recent trip

5.  finding the shady spots 


6.  a snow cone date with my big girl! 

7.  the way Uncle Sean patiently and lovingly interacts with my kids 

8.  watching cousins become friends 


9.  an unusual moment by myself warranted a special drink, only to pull up and hear that it had already been paid for! 

10.  success with his first time fishing! 

11.  making memories with Aunt Sara 

12.  Aunt Jessica's professional reading skills . . . which would keep any kid captive


13.  a simply game of catch 


14.  a quiet afternoon tea 


15.  a fresh stack of library books 

16.  the way a slow after-dinner walk can become an adventure with these three 

17.  I don't choose to join in as often as I should.  I never regret it when I do. 

18.  watching my son patiently and gently love his cousin


19.  sisters happily playing together 

20.  healthy and strength for a morning nature walk 

21.  enjoying beautiful gardens on a warm day


22.  Uncle Sean is such a good sport! 

23.  the way she freely and confidently san about her dream to be a bride 

24.  the love of family

25.  we never question if we'll have food for our next meal, and have the means to quickly replenish empty refrigerator shelves 

26.  reunited with last summer's love - the base pool! 

27.  getting to join in on a girls' night with plenty of laughter to celebrate a friend's birthday


28.  my man loves a good adventure 

29.  the library had the next book in one of his favorite series (Recipe for Adventure).  "Just come get me when lunch is ready, please". =)