Monday, February 13, 2012

Oklahoma Part 4: Leah's Blessing

Shawnee and James decided to have Leah blessed on New Year's Day so that I would be able to be there.  It was so nice.  I miss too many of these events, so I was so happy they waited til I could be there!
Here's a picture of Stirling.  He was just making funny faces for the camera, but I just loved this picture of him.  He's such a cutie.

And Leah.  She's so adorable.  I'm so glad I got to be there.  She's such a sweet baby! 


Here's most of the guys that were in her blessing circle.  I think we are only only missing David. 
And of course, the cute little family:
Karl and Kathy (James' parents) graciously held a little lucheon for everyone after church.  It was great to get together with everyone afterwards and celebrate.  Congrats Shawnee and James!  Leah is adorable!
I left to come back to Oklahoma the following Monday.  It was not an easy day.  My time in Oklahoma FLEW by.  It felt like I was only there for a few days.  I can't wait to go back home, whenever that will be.  Love you all!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Oklahoma Part 3: Christmas/New Years Party at Mom's

On New Year's Eve, everyone got together at my mom's house for our Christmas/New Year's Ever Party.  It was of course, a lot of fun.  There is never a dull moment in my family.  And we had a blast.  It was nice outside, so we played outside for a little while with all the kids.  Sorry, not that many pictures.  My camera stayed hidden most of the night.


My mom also moved her kitchen table and cleared a space for us to have some fun dancing.  All the kids LOVED it and had a blast.

Logan joined in on the fun dancing too...

Here's James!

Matthew:

Kylie:

Like I said, not that many pictures from this night.  But we did open presents and play games and just laugh together.  It was a great time!  Everyone enjoyed it!  I think we all stayed up til midnight to watch the ball drop, but I'm thinking that we may have actually missed it drop.  I had a great time with my family though!  Thank mom for a fun night!

Oklahoma Part 2: Christmas Party at Dad's

I know, it's sad that it is almost Valentine's Day and I am still catching up on my Christmas posts.  I'm almost done...hopefully.  While I was in Oklahoma, my siblings and their families all got together at my Dad and Nola's house.  We have delicious pizza and other junk food :)  and just had a great time like we always do when we get together.  Here are some pictures that I took while I was there.

Brayden.  I can't believe how old he is now and how big!  It seems like he was born just yesterday.


My Dad!  I love him so much.  He does so much for his kids and always makes sure we get to spend time together as a family.  He is giving someone the evil eye in the picture, but I can assure you, it wasn't meant for me :)

Matthew.  I love this kid.  He is just soo cute!  This was the first I got to see him in a long time.  It makes me sad that him and Kylie don't really know who I am.  It makes me want to definitely live closer.  I love my nephews and nieces!

Oh Kylie!  I just LOVE this picture of her.  She's so pretty!  She's really shy too.

Dad getting to be Grandpa for a little bit with Leah.

Nathan!  That's right, I got a picture of him smiling!  He never smiles; he also didn't know I was taking a picture :)

Emmi.  Always posing :) 

Matthew with his present from the grandparents

The kids all enjoyed opening their presents.  They all then went off to play while we played our annual White Elephant Bingo.  It was fun times.  And Kylie even warmed up to me after a little bit and snuggled with me.

I love spending time with my family.  We always have a blast when we get together.  Thanks Dad and Nola for everything!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Oklahoma: Part 1

My trip to Oklahoma started out waaay too earlier.  Logan had to be at the airport at like 5 in the morning.  I dropped him off then waited til about 630 to go to my friends who dropped my off at the airport then kept my car for the week.  Thanks Crystal!  Logan flew standby and we luckily both got into Oklahoma City within like 15 minutes of each other.  Both of us were on different flights, but it was nice that we both made it. 

My mom picked us up from the airport.  My first sight of my mom!


Our first stop was Braums', of course!  Yum!!  I was a little disappointed that they messed up my order but it was ok once I started eating :)  Then we got ice cream.  YUM!!  I miss that place like crazy!

Next we headed to Christine's house.  Shawnee and Leah were there waiting for us too.  It FINALLY got to meet Leah.  She's sooo cute and such a good, quiet baby!  I loved holding her.  She was a blast!



I had fun with Stirling and Emmi too.  They are such fun, cute kids.  Emmi LOVED having me take her pictures and loved posing for them.  She's so cute!


Stirling was fun.  He even let me play video games with him.  I can't believe how big he has gotten!  He's already 8!  That's just crazy.  I remember when he was born and that seems like it was yesterday.

Here's a few more pictures of Leah:


A few days after I arrived, Jared and Karri finally made it up from Dallas.  We met them at a park and had fun playing with Darcy.  The only problem was that I didn't have my camera with me.  But here are a few pictures of Darcy from some time during the week.  She's getting so big and more and more like a little girl.  She's so adorable and so sweet!


I spent the week pretty busy.  It seemed that we were always going somewhere and doing something, but it was great.  I got to see a couple movies that I really enjoyed (the new Sherlock Holmes movie and Mission Impossible).  I also went to all of my favorite restaurants in Oklahoma (Braums, El Valquero and Ted's).  And I got to spend lots of time with my family including all my nieces and nephews.  I already miss them all so very much.  I was definitely not ready to go when the time came. 

This trip was a little different then past trips back to Oklahoma. As my mom is now an empty nester and everyone else has their own place in Oklahoma.  So it was just me staying at my mom's, which was great!  I got to spend some great time with her and David just chillin and relaxing.  Hopefully I can go back soon.  Love you all!