Time To Leave!

Well it is about the 19th day of 100 degree temps here in Tulsa this month.  Things are starting to get pretty dry.  We have tolerated it okay, lots of water and ice-pops but even the kids are getting a little tired of the heat.  Last night our air kicked off for about 30min and I started to get a little panicky- the house temp zoomed up to 85 and seemed to take forever to cool back down.  Good thing our yearly summer escape is coming.  We are headed out of town to escape the heat.  Ron and I hope to accomplish the elusive 100mile bike ride...something that is basically impossible for Ron here in OK-I am hoping MI weather is much more conducive to some longer rides. 

YEAH!!  WE ARE READY TO BE OUT OF HERE!!  FAMILY AND COOLER WEATHER HERE WE   COME!

Twelve Years Full Of Blessings

I realize that I have not posted in a couple days missing our anniversary.  I didn't forget this special date but did miss getting a picture of Ron and I together.  We actually did get a shot of us printed from the sketch a picture game at Chucky Cheese-quite cute, ha ha.  It has been Becca's request all summer...and all school year, so we finally decided to make the yearly outing.  Surprisingly it was a fun evening-a little crazy/hectic but not as bad as previous visits.  The  highlight of the evening was seeing tickets flying in the air and then the kids making a mad scrabble to gather up as many as they could.  Turned out it was the game machine fixit man who for some reason would throw out tickets by the handful after fixing a machine.  I think we doubled our total tickets within a minute.
   Ron and I did enjoy a nice adult evening out on Saturday-our anniversary day.  It is hard to believe it has been 15 years since we first met, and how we have both grown since those dating years.  After receiving some devastating news this weekend,(a child taken back to our heavenly father-seemingly too soon.) I am reminded once again every moment I have with my husband and family is truly a gift from God and no matter what I do or plan he is always in control-with the good and the bad.  I treasure the daily memory's with my kids and husband, from time spent over dinners, exercising, traveling, to the mundane of teeth brushing and dishwasher emptying-complete with dog and kid helpers.  A good friend/mentor reminded me that these kid years pass all too quickly and to take each day in for what it is worth-with the good and the bad.  I love and cherish my life/family and thank the Lord that he has so graciously given me this experience called family.
  So, we are on to another year; with continuing work of communication, parenting, daily living...it all takes time and dedication.  All the schooling we both did dims compared to the work it takes to run and maintain a healthy marriage and family. But it is all worth it-so we embark on another year, ready to see what God has in store for us as we move forward in our life together.

A Summer Afternoon

GIRLS

Ron is busy working in Houston for most of the week so we are doing our best to stay busy.  One of our projects is for the girls.  They seem to have a ton of doll clothes that are scattered all over their room.  We decided to head to a local resale shop looking for an old suitcase.  Instead of a suitcase we came home with a cute little chest-a little smaller than I wanted but the  girls were in love and no convincing could change their minds.  They are full of ideas on how to decorate their chest-most involved, glitter, jewels and lots of pink paint.  I am doing my best to humor their ideas....but I do have my girly limit!  I decided that a nice picture of them would look nice on the top-this is the shot we got-in their PJ's but it will have to do.  We ran out of pink spray paint-should have gotten the big can, Becca went to bed tonight asking if I remembered where we bought it....we were just at Hobby Lobby this morning!  Guess we will be heading back tomorrow morning.

Fun Weekend

With Summer in full swing and Temperatures soaring we decided to head out of Tulsa for another weekend adventure. We figured since we would be unable to drive someplace cool to find some activities not outdoors. OK City was our destination, we left Saturday afternoon. It was a sizzling afternoon-yes my skin actually felt like it was sizzling anytime we got out of the car. Our first stop was to see some horses-our one activity outside. They were the Clydesdale horses at The Express Ranch-supposedly prince William and Kate rode them while in Canada. They were IMPRESSIVE to say the least! the first two we saw were so big I could walk under their belly without ducking. I would have been scared to go anywhere near these horses if they took them out of their stalls!

 They let these two guys stick out their heads-I think they were quite old and super sweet.  They were not as big as most of the others but the kids were still a little leery about getting too close.  Becca loved touching this guys soft nose and giggled when he would nudge her head.

 James cracks me up in this picture, I think he was a little hot.

 James thought it was pretty neat until the big horses would swing their heads around towards the bars....his happy face would get a look of panic.

There was a zebra out behind the barn with an old stage coach.  The kids didn't spend a lot of time looking as it was actually cooler in the barn than outside in the sun.

We checked into out hotel and the kids headed to the pool.  They all love to swim and splash! After a yummy dinner we were off to the mall (of all places!)  to see the Lego store.  Brayden was sooo excited-did you know that you can design your own Lego man.  All three kids made a Lego character and Brayden decided to spend his summer reading money on a Lego set, which he has literally not stopped talking about.  Becca, Andrea and I got lost in the build a bear store.  Sad to say but Becca has inherited Ron's indecisiveness.  The poor girls wanted to spend her money on a new outfit for blackie but for the life of her could not make a decision.  Never take her shopping and tell her to pick out whatever she wants....this is not a gift to her!  She was visibly stressed by the whole ordeal.  Thankfully in the end she was able to make a decision....with a little sutle help from mommy.

I think Ron and I got the most sleep in a long time-all in bed by 8:30 and I think Ron was sleeping by 9:30....There is something to be said about an early bedtime, even for us adults.  Sunday was spent almost the entire day at the Science Museum.  It  was a total blast-although James was totally freaked out by the science show, actually shaking he was so scared.  We were at the museum from around noon till 5pm and I think the kids could have stayed longer, it was a ton of fun!

 Yes, we did stop at the capital...were were the only one's there besides for the AT&T man.  It was 104 today, we climbed the steps and headed out.

 Okay, Ron won again..... balancing for around 17seconds, me...barely 2!

 One of the favorite things- build your own Lego car and race it.  Brayden's was pretty elaborate.  

 I think I should start wearing a little more make-up, I am not quite sure what Becca sees right now when I get ready.   I spotted Becca added her own personal touches after I head put some flower pedals around her eyes. Becca also loved the magnetic sand, I also thought it was pretty neat.

James loved the water and the bubbles.

More Summer Fun

Our Church has organized some activities these past couple of months for the kids during the day.  It has been nice and helps keep the week moving.  This morning we were up early with the sun....and heat to head out to the Blue Bell Creamery to learn about ice-cream.  To all our MI family, we are not forgetting about our wonderful Hudsonville ice-cream, but Blue Bell is a pretty good substitute for us here in Tulsa.  The kids were able to watch them fill up ice-cream containers full of sherbet and cookie-n-cream ice-cream.  They ended the tour with, what else? ice-cream, my chocolate covered cherry flavor was delicious.  The girls were all about the sherbet and Brayden loved chocolate.  James loved any that was put anywhere near his mouth!  We spent the rest of the day, swimming in out little pool....which finally got a hole (surprising that this has not happened sooner) jumping on the tramp and playing Wii with friends-lots of activity made for a fun filled day... and yes it was 104 today!
    Tonight we headed out to the library so the kids could claim their prizes from their summer reading program.  Each kids had twenty books on their lists and were very proud to turn them in.  Brayden's books were all ones he had read.  Becca's were a combination but she had written the titles on her list.  It is so fun to see them grow and being slowly able to do some things themselves.  They are at great ages, still loving the little things in life and able to take direction with out too much complaining or eye rolling!

Wonderful Summer Days

We have been just loving summer and I find it hard to believe that the time for school is quickly creeping back into our life.  The joys of having a routine just focused on the kids and family have been so refreshing.  The  kids love hanging out and thankfully play together enough that I have not heard the phrase, "I'm board" hardly at all.  We love making breakfasts and not having to be out the door with the rising of the sun.  The kids are falling into routine of chores and actually enjoy a little school work each day.  I love spending time with them and playing, I realize this phase of life is short and find it hard to believe how fast the baby years just flew by.  Yes, it is not all rosy....there are fights, whining, complaining, rudeness, messes and just general meanness.  But today was one of those days that I was able to look past the things that drive me crazy and realize how blessed our days truly are!

We went to the starlight Band concert the other night.  I realized for all the classical training I grew up with I am not doing a good job in surrounding my children to all types of music.  They were quite confused when they arrived and saw a bunch of people sitting in chair playing instruments.  After the first two numbers Brayden looked over at me and asked...."soooo, when are they going to sing"  it was pretty funny.  Anyway, they were all off to play in the grass while I enjoyed a little culture-better than veggie tails sing- a-long!

It rained last night making today some what bearable outside.  We have missed playing at the parks and the kids loved hanging out by this crick.  It was so fun to just sit and watch them play, amazingly we left with only one muddy foot....can you guess who?

The best daddy came home today!  Yes, he is around a bunch but the past month or so his schedule has been a little crazy with drilling.  The kids, and I love having him home!

Record Heat...Now Rain???

At least we could get out with the heat, as long as water and Popsicles were involved.  Rain would be refreshing if the temps would cool.  This afternoon we are stuck in the house, so what else to do....crafts!  The kids are thrilled...me, not so much.  Anyway, play dough is first on the list of things to do and they are all still hard at work.  It is hard for me to watch as little bits of play dough migrate all over the kitchen.

I keep seeing kitty laying around the house all curled up, content and sleeping.  I don't really need to sleep but curled up with a good book might be nice, this is not the time in my life for book reading!

Michigan

It was a picture perfect weekend in Holland Michigan over the fourth.  I think I have sorted through most the pictures and these are some of the better ones.

Pictures from Fourth of July MI Vacation

Family

The Fourth of July weekend was filled with family fun time and lots of sun.  Our time in MI was spent watching the kids play on the beach, cooking campfire pies and hot dogs on the beach, eating lots of watermelon, playing kickball with the family, shooting off fireworks every night, bike riding to Grand Haven, eating donuts on the Pier path.  Most of all the kids had lots of fun playing with their cousins-it was a full couple days but lots of fun spending time with family.