August

August started with a camping trip to Spruce Knob, West Virginia.  This year Kaye K and Big Daddy drove ALL the way from Oklahoma with their trailer to join us for the week!  The weather was beautiful.  We love camping!

I tried something new this summer.  I've always wanted to learn how to row.  The Washington Rowing School at the waterfront park down the road from our neighborhood was offering a community class, complete with a regatta at the end of the month's practices.  Learning to row was challenging, but rewarding.  It was a great experience I hope to repeat next summer.

Surprise selfies on my phone =)

The month ended with a wonderful visit from my sister.  Aunt Auby is a total rock star in our home - we were thrilled that the travel restrictions lifted in time for Aubyn to visit before school started again.

Rooke grew just a little bit since the last time Aubyn had seen him!

I'm totally ok with the sister twinning 

A visit to the Bible Museum

Dad came to spend time with us also!  What a treat to share a special dinner with this group

Soaking up the last days of summer swimming

 

July

 

Last smile before braces

The beginnings of our garden harvest

Walking to a picnic lunch with our small group

Bridgette and Ruth set up a lemonade stand that raised enough money to put them through college.  I may be exaggerating, but they brought in more money than any two little girls should.  Our neighbors are generous!

Bridgette and Rooke joined the swim team this summer, but because of our road trip we were gone for a lot of the practices.  Bridgette bravely chose to participate in the last swim meet anyway and was glad for the experience.

We rode further on our local bike trail to get bagels for lunch (photo by Rooke, who was with us!)

Fun family nights at the pool

I've always wanted to try rowing and was able to join a community event this summer at the local waterfront rowing school.  One month of three practices a week with an informal regatta to culminate everyone's efforts.  This was my first view on my first morning - it was exciting!

Coffee date with my girls while Rooke was at lacrosse camp

We had fun!

Summer Road Trip Week 3

The third week of our road trip was spent visiting Angela's side of the family in Norman and Oklahoma City.  Kaye K and Big Daddy returned to their roots and moved back to Oklahoma this past year, along with Angela's brother and his family, and Nana.  So much fun to be had with so many people to visit!  Ryan had to fly home after a couple days (someone has to work!), but the rest of us stayed for a great week.

We took the kids around the OU campus on electric scooters - a fun way to see my parents' alma mater

Fun times with the cousins!  We took advantage of the morning $1 movie

Special treats with Kaye K

We spent an evening at a neighborhood pool with fun slides and a lazy river

Nana treated everyone to our favorite Oklahoma ice cream: Braums!

Even on vacation, I find surprise photos on my phone:

Family time under my parents' new deck patio - delicious homemade ice cream and a rousing game of Family

Big Daddy took the kids fishing at Uncle Bob's pond - Rooke caught the biggest fish!

We spent a day in Oklahoma City, starting with a visit to the OKC Bombing Memorial.  

The Cowboy Hall of Fame was beautiful and impressive

Fourth of July celebrations!  

Dear family friends joined us for a patriotic OKC Philharmonic outdoor performance

The redheads made a patriotic jello cake for our picnic

I want to be as cool as she is some day

The fireworks were great!! 

Everyone should have a Big Daddy

One last meal together: delicious breakfast at Cattleman's

We loaded up and left early for two long days of driving.  My dad drove every. single. minute.  The entire way home!  It was a gift beyond measure.

We love you, Big Daddy & Kaye K!  Thanks for making the last days of our road trip special!