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!

Summer Road Trip Week 2

 The second part of our summer road trip was spent with family and friends in Tulsa.  It had been too long since we'd been back to Oklahoma as a family, and we were grateful for a string of days to enjoy time with Ryan's family and to catch up with some friends.  

Uncle Sean and G-Daddy are big fans and regular players of disc golf.  Rooke was happy to join the team and to learn about Kevin's disc collection.  The guys literally played at least one course every day!  Rooke and Kevin even played in a tournament together, bringing home some pretty cool swag =)

Grammy Deb hosted a beautiful tea party for the ladies, using her fine china and serving delicious treats from a local bakery.

We were excited to check out The Gathering Place - there were so many cool spots to explore

These sweet cousins had so much fun playing together.  Over the course of the week they enjoyed a two-night sleepover, put on a music show, a fashion show, AND a magic show!  They happily entertained one another with forts and legos, and whatever else they were doing that brought our laughter and smiles from everyone!

The sleepover living room pallet became the disc golf watching zone when the intensity of the tournament built to the very last hole

Our dear friend is a professional photographer and was kindly willing to take family photos

She also caught Ryan and I showing how awkward we can be!

At the end of the week, we took the kids to OBU.  We met up with a college friend who is now an OBU professor!  The kids were patient with our memories and stories as we walked around the campus.

My freshman dorm:

Ryan's junior and senior year apartment:

Go Bison!