VBS 2009

WANTED: Children after God's Own Heart The girls completed their VBS week this evening, and enjoyed all the loot they came home with. It was a little hard to get them wound down for bed after such late evenings, but I know they learned a lot and had a great time. I am thankful for all the wonderful volunteers who helped coordinate and work to make this such a great week for the kids.

Oklahoma Aquarium

Monday we ventured to the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks. I haven't taken the girls since they've been old enough to remember, so they were quite excited. Thank goodness they got free passes in their coupon book from the summer reading program at the library, because I think admission for this place is ridiculous. The girls enjoyed their time there, and I was thrilled to find that their prior knowledge of most sea creatures came from Spongebob Squarepants. Who needs life experience when you have TV?

We got there as they were feeding the sharks, so this is Londyn as she caught a glimpse of the shark tank.

I couldn't believe how crowded it was for a Monday afternoon. I assumed we would leisurely stroll through the place, but was I ever wrong. It was nuts. There were several touch tanks, and things for kids to do, but it was so crowded, we didn't spend much time at those. It's hard to believe summer is winding down, and this is my last full week of summer vacation. Hopefully we can squeeze a few more outings in before school starts.

Wall Art

So, how cute are these pieces of wall art made by my friend Shannon? I saw some similar wall hangings on a website (that she found), and asked her if she could recreate them on something larger for the nursery. She had them done like two days later. I absolutely LOVE them! I can't wait to start getting the room ready for the baby so I can actually hang them up. Shannon, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I couldn't be happier with the way they turned out. You're awesome! (Please forgive my horrid photography, it doesn't do the pieces justice, but you get the idea. I thought I edited them and at least straightened it, but I apparently didn't save it correctly.)

Purple Glaze

We've had a bit of the blahs around here this week. Skylar started getting sick on Wednesday, Kevin has been out of town the last couple of days, and it's getting to the point in the summer where I feel that we're running out of things to do. However, today, we enjoyed our day with a little craft time. As I have mentioned many times before, Skylar LOVES doing anything artsy. I have heard of this little pottery studio, but had never taken the girls before but knew it would be right up their alley. So, we spent an hour or so at the Purple Glaze Studio painting little ceramic flowers. The girls were in heaven, and did a nice job working on the pieces they selected. Londyn being her happy self.

Diligently working to paint the red petals.

Waiting for their art to be sprayed so they could take it home with them.

At home with the finished product.

My take on the place as a parent was that it was a little pricey for what you get, but it would be worth a visit every once in a while. Just in case you are interested, studio fees are free on Mondays, and I think $2.00 per person most other days during the week, but $6.00 on the weekend. In addition, you buy the piece you choose to paint, and those prices vary greatly. Nonetheless, the girls enjoyed their time there, and came home with ceramic flowers that they were very proud of.

Sunday Goodbyes

Sunday concluded the Missouri summer adventures. On the way to church the girls were already asking why we have to go home on Sunday. It was an absolutely gorgeous weekend, and I can't believe how cool it was for the middle of July. Before heading home, the girls enjoyed a little time outside playing and saying goodbye to Anastyn.

True love:) The poor baby girl can't even breathe when these girls are around. They smother her with love. They just follow her around everywhere, wanting to hold her hand and take care of her.

Another meaning for the term Soccer Mom!

My beautiful sister and her sweet daughter Anastyn.

This is the third post this afternoon. See below for the Belle Fair fun!

Saturday Night at the Fair

We drove down late Friday night to pick up the girls and to go to the fair. Saturday night at the fair provided the girls one more opportunity to sport my favorite purchase of the season, red cowboy boots, and Kevin and I a chance to enjoy some fair food. You can't beat the Belle Fair smashed fish sandwich and a fountain SunDrop in a paper cup. Oh, we also got to see an outdoor concert featuring Jack Ingram. Getting ready to watch the show.

Skylar and Grammy Tammy

Grandma Del and Skylar

Jack Ingram...I did't really know much about him before the show, but he put on quite a good concert, and seemed like a really great guy. He was walking around the fairgrounds before his performance taking pics with people, and signing autographs.

The girls were promised they could play a game after the concert, so here they are giving it their best shot to win a prize.

And they were the proud winners of a princess crown! A fine ending to yet another Belle Fair.

I think I wrote the same thing last year, but I love all the concert pics because it reminds me so much of when I was little. Every year we would go to the fair, sit on my grandparents lap and enjoy the lawn chair concert. I love that the girls have a chance to do the same thing. I know they are making such great memories getting to spend so much time in Missouri during the summer with their grandparents, great-grandmas, aunts and uncles.

The Parade...

This is the first in a series of several posts to come I'm sure. Last week, I had a workshop I had to attend, so I got a taste of what it's going to be like to have to get up early and out of the house. It wasn't fun. I am beginning to wonder how in the world I am going to survive being back at work. Anyway, the girls on the other hand, spent the week with my parents and were of course spoiled a little. I left my camera with my mom to have her document a few of their happenings, so I'm posting what I got. However, pictures or not, they had a great time, and never want to come home. I'm so thankful for parents and grandparents that are willing to take care of the girls and I know that they are having the time of their lives.

I also wanted them to be in Belle last week because it was fair week, and my cousins from Ohio come and all the kids had such a fun time playing last year, they couldn't wait for "the kids" to get here. Below are a few pictures of them at the parade, waiting patiently to fill their bags with candy.

Londyn

And for the last of the photography posts.... It was virtually impossible to pick favorites, but here are few that I thought were good.

I just love how genuinely happy she is in this one. She is obviously hot and sweaty, her hair is a mess, but she couldn't be happier.

Skylar

These were a few of my favorites of Skylar. I know you are probably sick of seeing photographs of my posing children, so please forgive. I just think Sara has such a talent, and I'm so glad she's practicing on my girls:)

Photos by Sara

I am aware of the fact that I have pictures taken of the girls too often, but I just couldn't resist. When we went to Missouri to visit I had a friend of mine who is starting up a photography business take some pics of the girls. She took some large family pictures for us around Christmas time, and I've been admiring her work on facebook ever since. Anyway, these are some she took of both girls. The video would probably be more entertaining with music, but I was anxious to post them, and didn't have the patience to mess with it. I think she did an outstanding job! There were too many for me to choose my favorites, so I included most all of them. I am disappointed that the video is small and reduces the quality of the photos, but you get the idea. There will be more to come of each of the girls individually, but this is all I had time for tonight. You can check out some of her other beautiful photos at www.belovedphotobyslm.com or at the Beloved Photo link on the sidebar. Thanks again, Sara!

On the Farm

To conclude our first Missouri visit of the summer, we spent the evening at the farm. We checked out the cows, went on a little hayride, and roasted some hot dogs and marshmallows. We all had a great time just hanging out and enjoying the beautiful weather and each other's company. Thanks mom and dad for always making the time we spend with you so special. I know the girls have such a great time, and love coming to visit!

The girls looking at the work of a beaver that had cut down several trees and built a little dam.

Trent and the girls.

The gang hanging on the wagon. We missed you Erin, Nate and Anastyn it could only have been better if you were with us.

Londyn enjoying her roasted marshmallow. She's not much of a hot dog fan, but the marshmallows were right up her alley.

Skyal patiently roasting her hot dog.