vacation extravaganza stop 1 stillwater...

Our first official stop was Stillwater, Oklahoma our old college stomping grounds, home of the Oklahoma State Cowboys and my best friend from age 13-college, Colbi! {She and I were inseparable. She even transferred to Union as a senior in high school just so we could graduate together. Our names went together like Beavis and Butthead or Bert and Ernie. Name a wild story about me and I guarantee she was included in the mischief. It was so great spend time together again.} It was homecoming weekend and we planned on staying at the Microtel, because it was the last hotel with vacancies, but when Colbi found that out she insisted we stay with her and Corby. Yes, Colbi and Corby are man and wife and the cutest little doctor couple you have ever seen.

Oh yeah, and they happen to have the cutest two boys you have ever seen as well. Jack and Ty met Shelby and Jesse when they were just tiny little things, but this time they got to seriously play and get to know each other.

In this series, their personalities really shine through, especially little Ty the class clown!

I wish I had some 14 year old pics of me and Colbi to upload with our skater bangs and attitudes to compare with these crazy kids!

I have a feeling they are going to give us just as much trouble as we gave our parents...scary! Although, Lucy seems quite intent on keeping Preslie in her place in all of these...maybe she will be the protector.

Holy cow, I cannot stop laughing at Ty! I mean, what other 6 year old has this great of a sense of humor? What a ham!!!

They are wet because they just couldn't stay out of the hot tub even after being warned a hundred times that they better keep dry if they knew what was good for them.

Their neighbors have horses, chickens and a couple of feisty dogs. The kids were in HEAVEN!

A last minute phone call created unforgettable memories for us and the kids! I am so grateful! James also got to see some of his close friends from high school and college. They got together at Walter's studio and jammed on guitar until the wee hours of the morning. He was walking on air! This vacation was his 40th birthday present afterall...I am so glad he had so much fun!

Embrace the Camera w/ Dad October 28, 2010

A few weeks ago Lucy was super sick with a high fever for a couple of days and she snuggled with Daddy and Momma at night. She would touch James' back and say, "Daddy, you are cold," because she was so hot. She snuggled in to him to cool herself down. Snuggling with our kids when they are sick is one of the most precious times. Pretty soon they will all be too big to snuggle.

Horseback riding for Shelby's birthday...

Last night, we took Shelby and Jesse horseback riding for Shelby's birthday gift. It was amazing and of course the kids want a horse and a farm now. The sweet woman who gave them an hour long lesson on the basics of horseback riding is a homeschooling Mom of 4. They have a ranch not far from our house where they also raise chickens (our new organic egg source!) pot belly pigs and a goat who thinks he is a pig. Their kids take care of the chickens and gathering and selling of the eggs and they get to keep the money. We are totally doing that if we ever have some land!

Here is Shelby puckering up to kiss Sprocket forward. They learned how to get the horses to walk and how to steer them. Tracy and her 10 year old daughter led them around for about 10 minutes and then they were free. They practiced turning and going around barrels. She even taught them how to trot for a few seconds. The wonder and excitement in their eyes was priceless. I am so thankful we had this opportunity. The kids say they want lessons. We'll see how they feel in a week or so.

Riding off into the sunset...

Jesse's horse was named Popcorn. He was super gentle. He was raised at a farm where he was ridden on by mostly mentally handicapped children so that shaped his temperament.

Tracy shared with me that they had to put a horse down this week and it was so difficult for their son. The way they chose to do it was so interesting. Usually when a horse has to be put down you have to pay someone almost $400 to take it away and it might go to a landfill to rot with the other garbage. Expensive and inhumane. Another option here in AZ is called the Circle of Life. There is a drive thru zoo here called Out of Africa that has lions and all kinds of wild life. They will accept horses that have to be put down and put them out in the wild to be food for the other animals. No cost and no waste...How it would happen in the wild. Their son went with them to take the horse and while he was sad, he was pleased with the choice they made. What an amazing learning experience!

Field trip to the fire station...

My good friend Stephanie set up a field trip to the Glendale fire station last week. We almost didn't get to go because of Lucy's virus, but the morning of she was feeling much better with no fever. We had a blast. They gave us a tour and let the kids spend a great deal of time inside the truck.



The kids got to take turns spraying the small hose from the truck. It was so hot I stood close by to get cooled off a little in the mist.


Jesse and Shelby want to check out every fire station in the area to see how they are different and alike. I am going to find out which one my neighbor works at and take them there soon. They are hoping to find a fireman pole at the next one.



Preslie felt like big stuff walking around the garage. She had no clue what was going on, but she enjoyed her freedom!

Ryan impressed the firemen with his vast knowledge about the equipment and truck radio. He is one smart little boy! Stephanie just started homeschooling him and Devon. She is such a natural born teacher. I love watching her interact with her kids. Everything is a learning experience and she is so patient. Maybe some of her patience will rub off on me!

Devon ran straight up to this gentleman and hoped into his arms. He has grandchildren her age, so he scooped her up and carried her around during the tour. It was very sweet.

Awesome belated b-day gift from Jeka...

Jeka brought me my birthday gift last weekend and it was well worth the wait. It is a beautiful & unique best friends necklace with her birthstone and mine. She got herself one as well so we could think of each other when we wear them. I LOVE it!!! She got it from dragonflytears etsy shop.

And now for the gifts...

It's a pillow, it's a pet...It's a Pillow Pet! The kids got Pillow Pets from Jeka and Matt and Matt. They are crazy about these things. Jesse offered to let Matt take his home with him to use on the plane and then mail it back to him. It would have been a huge sacrifice!





The theme for Shelby's 8th birthday was horses. We are taking her and Jesse horse back riding this weekend for her big gift at a local ranch. My parents got her a horse and riding outfit for her My Generation Doll and her very own real pink cowboy boots. We'll see how she likes horseback riding on Saturday. Maybe there will be lessons in her future.




And to continue with the "special spooky bond" my Dad has with Jesse, he opened the garage to reveal a brand new bike, with 'Demonica' riding on it. She is one of the ghouls my Dad is using in his haunted courtyard on Halloween. The kids are beside themselves with excitement. They love getting scared.




Of course he had to take it for a spin, so there he is...in the dark...barefooted...riding in the street without a helmet. Who are this kid's parents?



And now for the all time favorite gift (if the favorite is measured by the amount of time playing with it). FURRY FRENZIES!!!!! These things are AWESOME. The kids, all 4, have spent hours playing with these crazy critters. We highly recommend them!

October Birthday Celebration Weekend 2010

This year's October Birthdays Celebration fell on Shelby's 8th birthday. We had a lot of food and a lot of fun. We will showcase presents later, but this lovely outfit was a gift from Nene and Papa in Tulsa. She was fabulous in purple!



The kids were really hoping to smash the pinata themselves, so they wouldn't even let the men hit it. Lame! We let them finish it off after Jeka and I got it started.



Of course, they underestimated my he-woman strength, b/c I busted that thing right open.



We are using all of that candy for our trick-or-treaters in a few weeks. shhhh!



After it was demolished, we all took turns wearing it as a hat. Isn't that what everyone does with a smashed up pinata?










Poor little Lucy was sick all day and is still sick. She has a high fever and according to the doctor, a virus. She was miserable on Saturday and she is usually the life of the party. She sure did enjoy seeing her aunt and uncle though, and snuggling with Noni.



Preslie didn't seem to notice that we didn't celebrate her birthday. She just enjoyed the festivities.



For Shelby's birthday breakfast everyone joined us at IHOP. She was so surprised. When she saw uncle Matt she was so ecstatic that she ran and jumped into his arms.






I am so grateful that Matt and Jeka & Matt Price love the kids so much and enjoy just hanging out with them. They are their little shadows whenever they are around. Since Jeka got Baxter the dog, the kids are even more excited (if that's possible)for her to come into town.

More pics to come...

embracing the camera with my birthday girl oct 7

Shelby will be 8 years old on the 9th. 8 years old. In 8 more years she will be 16 and if the last 8 is any indication of how quickly that day will come, I need fasten my seatbelt. My beautiful, amazing, strong, passionate, smart, sassy, long prayed- for, long awaited first born daughter...The baby I was told I'd never have...I love this girl more than life! Stop the clock!