Michigan Vacation pt2

Monday we all loaded up and went to Frankenmuth, which is a little German town in Michigan. They have a Christmas store called Bronners, it's known as the World's Largest Christmas Store...and it's pretty big!! Whew! We spent over an hour there then headed into town to eat at Zehnder's. Oh wow, is the food ever good there!! It's German style food fed family style. They bring out huge plates of food that's unlimited! It is SO good! Uncle Ken told us about the last time he ate there...ate so much he was sick afterward. That's not that hard of a thing to do! Luckily we were able to walk some of it off at a huge outlet mall in Birch Run on our way home. One can never get too much shopping in!!
Walking into Bronner's

The kids standing in front of a Gingerbread House

Phil and the boys couldn't resist the giant Christmas balls


Okay, so I feel this is the best time as any to talk about the pets. They were definitely a huge highlight to the trip. The kids had heard about them for a long time and have been asking to visit Ken and Coeta in Michigan. They were very excited when we told them that's where we were going on vacation this year. They have four birds: Packer, Buddah, Mojo & Scooter and one dog, Ramsey. Today I'll share Ramsey with you. He is a really good and fun dog. The kids would play hide-n-seek with him and throw toys for him to get. Ramsey would go down every night to the basement to check on them before bed. Too cute!!
Parker with Ramsey

Watch for more Michigan Vacation posts...

E if for...

Easton - Our 2nd born. Easton was born on Dec 15, 2001. He was a bit of a surprise for us because with this pregnancy we didn't find out what we were having. He's a very strong willed, independent kid. I like that he's his own person; walks to the beat of his own drum. I just pray that as he gets older he will use his personality for doing good and being a positive example and leader to those around him. He is definitely a little lover and still enjoys hugs and kisses. Easton plays baseball and enjoys school, he started the 3rd grade this year. He also takes after his dad and is very electronic-savvy. I think if we'd let him he'd play an instrument (we just don't have time for everything!) I took this pic of him while we were in Michigan, I love it!

**ABCs disclaimer - As I move through this I realize things I've forgotten and that bothers me. I may have to do a "Version II" next year!!

Michigan Vacation pt1

A couple of weeks ago we set off on our summer vacation to Michigan...let me rephrase that, we 'drove' to Michigan for our summer vacation. Yes, it was a LONG drive but thankfully I was able to sleep most of the way; already looking like a great vaca. I was a little anxious about being in the car with all 3 kids for that long but they did much better than expected, except for the arguing of who was going to sit where. Once that was all decided all was well!! We left OKC at exactly 4am and arrived in East Lansing, Michigan at 9:30pm (I think). Phil has an aunt and uncle that live there so that's where we stayed. Aunt Coeta, otherwise known as Aunt Diva, had some dinner waiting for us but the kids could hardly wait to get their hands on the birds. Well, that's not entirely true. They were a little skittish of them at first but they did want to hear them talk...and talk they did! I can say with pride that their house is louder than ours with 4 birds and 1 dog.

On Sunday the guys played golf early that morning and the rest of us took a day of rest...Aaaahhh!! I desperately needed that since I'd had a headache for two days...not a fun way to start vaca. Later that evening we visited some friends of Gary and Nancy's for dinner. They had a pool and large basement that was filled with pool, pinball, air hockey, a slot machine and TV. That's where Phil and I and the kids spent the whole evening! We've decided we REALLY need a basement like that!! Ha!!

The Start of Another Year

Today was 'another' First Day of School for my kiddos. They all look so grown up; I can't believe how much they've grown over the summer. Everyone was excited to start and we couldn't have asked (actually we did ask, hehe!) for better teachers. We have been so blessed by God putting great people in our childrens lives. We will be praying for you all!!
Parker, the big 7th grader...first day of Junior High!

On the 'Brink'...

Livie going into 2nd & Easton into 3rd

Livie with Mrs. Glasgow

Easton with Ms. Tumblson


This is going to be a great year!!

The Letter...

Daisy - This is our dog Daisy. A lot of people are shocked to find out we even have a dog...that's pretty sad! Anyway, while we were on vacation my dad took her to be groomed and she looks like a million bucks. She's actually a very sweet dog, just VERY excitable. I like her coloring and she's very loyal. Any takers?? Ha!! No, seriously!!!



So, that's all I have for the letter "D". We've been away on vaca so I'm behind on my posts. I'll be working to catch up and post vaca pics...we have a lot!!! Whew!!

A Glimpse Into the Future

Last Saturday Livie was in Taryn & Blake's wedding as the flower girl. She looked so beautiful. I got a little vaclempt when I watched her walk the isle. She's just getting so grown-up. One of these days it will be her in the wedding dress, and I'm sure that time will get here a lot sooner then I'll want. Anyway, she was beautiful, Taryn was beautiful, Blake was beautiful ;), and the wedding was beautiful. Made for a GREAT wedding!!

The Letter C...

Christ...We are a family of Christ believers and followers. We believe that Jesus was born, died, and resurrected to save all believers from the eternal doom of hell. Giving them an eternity in Heaven with Him. This is a HUGE part of who we are and what we teach our children. John 14:6 says, Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Church...Phil and I have grown up in the Church, even met there. Both of our parents go to the same church we do. Church has always been a big part of our life. Most of our friends go to church with us. We have been given so many blessings from our church family, I can't imagine not going.

Cheerleader...I was a cheerleader in HS and JR. I really enjoyed it. I would even say it changed my life. Cheerleading gave me a lot of my self-confidence, probably giving me my outgoing personality. So, everyone can thank cheerleading for who I am today. Hehe! On a side note, a judge in Connecticut recently ruled cheerleading was NOT a sport. As a former cheerleader and knowing the time and energy it takes to cheer, I am very upset by this ruling. I hope all the people fighting this get this overturned!

B is for...

Brothers...Phil and I both have a brother. My brother is Jace and Phil's is Brad...which also happens to start with the letter "B".

My brother lives in NOKC. He's 22 and works at Cattlemen's Steakhouse in the Historic Stockyards. He has the rare job of cleaning the cow fries and putting together the salads, two very important jobs at Cattlemen's.

Jace & Me

Brad lives in Frisco, TX, is 35 yrs old and owns his own business, Thompson Performance Solutions. He manages automobile inventory for dealerships. He is also married to Catherine and has two beautiful girls, Amelia and Ella.
Phil & Brad, Summer 1990

Buzz Consulting Company...This is Phil's business that he and Ellen operate. They have the skills and abilities to do pretty much anything pertaining to computers, sound systems and phone systems. He is AMAZING behind a computer!! Hehehe!!! You can check out there website HERE.


Books...I love books. Reading has become my favorite hobby, which I grew into. I think having kids has helped out with this new found passion. If I'm reading it usually means there's peace...ahhhhh!!!! Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors. If you haven't been blessed by one of her books you need to read one.

The Letter...

AST...
Aerospace Support Technologies is the company I work for. It's actually a division of the previous job I had at Logistic Specialties. If you didn't notice by the name, the company focuses most of it's attention on the Air Force. AST is a contractor at TinkerAFB. I've only had this job since February but I have definitely been able to increase the skill set on my resume. That's always a good thing. We are a machine shop that does repairs on anything you might put on an airplane, including A/C's and airplane jacks, just to name a couple. This is a much different atmosphere than I'm used to working but I enjoy it and everyone (most everyone) really looks out for me...probably because I do their payroll. Hehe!! The building we work in is set to be demolished so the government is working on getting another shop prepared for us to work in...new digs!! Well, new in government terms, ha!! Hopefully before the end of the year we will be moved. I'm excited!! The building we work in now is probably one of the original buildings on Tinker...which was started in the 1940s. When we're up and running I'll post pics of my new office area!! Woohoo!!

A-Z

I am going to challenge myself, again. The A-Z's of me (and my fam). That's right, 26 straight days of posts!! My creativity better start flowing! If ya got any ideas for any of the days post me a comment!! Wish me luck! Whew!!!

Why Do I Love You So???

Dear Mr. Gummi Bear,
I can't get you off my mind. Why do you continue to torment me? Your soft, chewy sweetness is more than I can resist. I think of you often, trying to fill my time with things that are healthier for me when you are away! My mouth desires you but the rest of me is suffering from what you do to me. Please find someone else to tempt. I long to be with you but know nothing good can come from us being together. You need to go...go and never look back. I will miss you greatly but know it's for the best. I love you more than you know!
With Deepest Regrets,
Kelly

Nothin'

I got nothin'!! Ha!! I just feel like I haven't posted anything in awhile and I needed to.

Parker has started running track, cross-country. He enjoys it so far and I'm sure when school starts it'll pick up! He goes to practice Mon, Wed and Fri in the mornings right now! That's probably the hardest part since he IS NOT a morning person. Next year junior high will start at 7:30 so he better get used to it! Hehe!!

Easton and Liv are pretty much just hanging out, waiting on the next ball season to start. They both seem to enjoy playing and we enjoy watching! Both are also in a math camp this week. A girl that goes to church with us who is a teacher is holding it and they both seem to enjoy it. Yeah Math...I love math! I hope they get that quirk from my genes. Livie will also be in her first wedding in a couple weeks, you can only imagine how much she's looking forward to that.

I'm still trucking away with my job at TinkerAFB. They're good to me so I can't really complain. I LOVE reading, which is odd since I didn't really enjoy it when I was younger. I think my favorites are historical fiction...but I'll take a stab at almost anything! My 'to read' reading list is long. Something that makes me just as happy is Phil has even picked up reading. Even though we don't necessarily read the same things it's still fun to end the night together with a good book!

Phil's business is still moving along but any new business is ALWAYS welcome. ;) Send all referrals his way!! He also plays softball on Mondays with our church league. He really has a good time and we like to watch him and our friends play!! They're like a bunch of little kids!

We're excited to visit family in a few weeks in Michigan and Arkansas. It'll be a lot of fun and I'm sure I'll have things to post from that!!

Happy Blogging!!

Feathered Friends

This summer we've had two bird nests around our house. One was in the tree in our front yard and the other was built onto our brick by our front door. The nest by the door has become somewhat of a mess. There is a lot of little white splatter that is less than appealing right in the doorway...but whad'ya do?! Parker got up on the ladder for me yesterday and took a pic of our little peeps. Truth be told, I was a little skittish to get that close!! I know, I know!!! Maybe it's because I've been dive-bombed by the momma bird! Ha!!

One Man's Trash...

Is MY treasure. Ok, I have NEVER taken someones trash off the curb...until now!! This weekend I was on my way to the grocery store when around the corner from my house I spot two great chairs on someones curb. I called Easton and told him to run over there and ask the people if the chairs were trash, not fully believing he would. Then I made him get Parker on the phone so I could tell him also, it would take both of them. Easton left the house before Parker and had already asked the people if they were trash!! Yippee!! So Easton and Parker carried them home. I was SO proud of my boys...especially Easton who braved up for me!! What a sweetie. Anyway, we have two great new chairs and the kids love them!! I would like to get new cushions, even though these don't have a spot on them. Might see if my m-i-l thinks she could whip me up a couple...she's pretty amazing like that!! ;)

I think I'll be watching peoples trash more often!! SCORE!!!!

Cow Appreciation Day 2010

Today is National Cow Appreciation Day!! If you dress-up like a cow and go to Chick-fil-a you'll get a FREE Chick-fil-a meal!! Man, that just might be worth it!! You may see our 'cow' pics posted shortly!! I wanna see your pics!! Ha!! Who's brave enough??

OK Cubs

Easton's ball team had their pics taken a couple of weeks ago at the Bricktown Ballpark...I took a few with my camera, but I can't wait to see the official pics.
I love this one (minus the coach in the corner...ha!)

Only half the team...but you get the point!!

Eclipse...The Movie

Me and my fellow TwiHard friends enjoyed the latest of the Twilight Saga, Eclipse, this past Friday. We always have a good time...and the movie was GREAT!! Plenty of Werewolf action...WOOT!! WOOT!! Can't wait for the next TWO. That's right, for those of you that don't know the last book, Breaking Dawn, will be a 2-part movie. I'm SO pumped...but I will admit I'm a little nervous about how they'll catch the intensity between Edward and Bella in this one.
Enjoying some girl time before the movie...

Me & Natalie

Thanks to Becky & Nicole for standing in the rain for our tickets...you girls ROCK!!

Allison & Nicole (Allison got a lot of comments on her shirt...too funny)

Happy 4th 2010

This is more fireworks then we saw all weekend. We had so much rain on Saturday and Sunday that most of the firework shows around our house were cancelled...bummer. But we didn't let that get us down. We had a GREAT time letting off some fireworks of our own. My kids love fireworks and I think the 4th of July is one of my top fav holidays. We had friends and family over and did a lot of fun things this weekend!! I hope you had a fabulous 4th and remember that our freedom came from our Heavenly Father...
Can't even wait for it to get dark...Ha!

Looking good...ha!

Wade, Phil & Jason

Jeana, Misty, Tina & me

Aubree, Livie & Theresa

The On-Lookers...

Abby & Lainey

Me and my 'sweet' girl

Parker & Jake...guilty!! Ha!!!

Clean up, clean up!!


I'm not sure how Easton always manages to evade pictures...Urgh!!!