Favorite Pictures

This is one of my favorite snapshots. Daddy & Andrew in the backyard...I think Andrew wanted Grandpa to go outside and watch for ducks (actually Canada geese, but Andrew hasn't taken Dr. Stangl's Zoology just yet).

Fourth of July

Have I told you how much I love July Fourth? It really is my favorite holiday & even more so at our new house, since we can relax and see the fireworks from the backyard! We had a few friends over and we did some very small fireworks with Andrew-he really had a blast throwing the poppers, but hated the chicken (too loud).

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More horses and some goodbyes

We heard about a local event, Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show, and despite the heat, we took Andrew out to see some historic re-enactments. He wasn't as appreciative of the Mansion tour, but did enjoy the AC! It took a fair amount of discussion, but we did finally get him on a horse-you can see how hot it was w/his blazing red face! We didn't stay for the rodeo, but I think we'll try next year. We also had to say goodbye to our good friend, Luke. Alas, he was finally able to move back with his wife (working out-of-state) after selling their house here in Stillwater. Now the Rogers are finally back together & we miss them both!

Family Vacation & Horse Rides

We went to Eureka Springs for a short vacation, but this was the first time to take Andrew. All of those parents of toddlers know what happened...no leisurely strolls along historic boulevards....gazing at unique art shops, staying in 200 year old hotels....instead, we went SWIMMING!! While it was a definite departure, we all had a blast! Danny & I learned our equilibrium didn't follow us into adulthood after we both were just dizzy after pushing Andrew on the merry-go-round. We took Andrew on his first carraige ride through downtown. He also got to see the classic cars-a yearly event where all the cars travel through town after the show...this car was staying at our hotel & he just had to get his picture taken!

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Mother's Day

This year, I wasn't feeling too well on Mother's Day...at least when we had planned to go to the Tulsa Zoo w/Danny's parents! Everyone still had a great time-Andrew rode the train...and crawled on everything else, I heard. Our other big event was Andrew's Class Art Exhibit. Each classroom had several art projects displayed in their 'gallery'...they served punch in the little plastic champange flutes-funny and yet disturbing to see Andrew holding one! What was even better-my parents, through happenstance, were able to attend!

Carnivals & baby showers...could be a great theme

A few of the shower pics-I'll have to track down Mona-she was on top of the photography! I only got a couple of Andrew at the carnival-the helicopter was 'the' ride! Watch out Aaron;)!!

What the heck....let's keep updating

We celebrated Spring Break this year-Jamie, Jason & E came to visit. It was our first sleepover for Andrew, but the boys did great! Ethan was such a good sport & showed Andrew how big boys did..well, everything! So much fun to see them playing together-wished everyone was closer. Andrew also spent a fair amount of time with his tent this winter. Aunt Flo gave him this & he's just now learned how terrific it is to drag all the pillows inside....especially the part where he makes Mom & Dad get inside the tent with him. Sardines have more room! We also aided in wildlife rehabilitation. Luke brought over a turtle to relocate in the pond behind our house-Andrew allowed that the turtle would talk with the fish & ducks to learn about his new home.

Someone needs to blog

I can't believe it's been 5 months since I posted...falling down on the job, most definitely! Let's see, to get updated would require at least a couple weekends sans Danny & Andrew....So, let's hit the highlights, shall we? Christmas was mild this year, weather that is! Andrew left the tree alone, which I think was most surprising to Danny & myself. Had a great time planning Kerri's baby shower with Jamie, Patti & Amanda-event went off smoothly & huge thanks to Momma & Daddy for letting us borrow all of Grandma Parker's punchbowl & glassware! Kerri looks fantastic & we're all very excited to see baby Bandy in a couple of weeks! We've finally managed some decorating in the living room..Those pics I will post-it only took 2 years;) Last weekend was a blast-we took Andrew to the carnival & much to my surprise, he rode several rides. I say to my surprise based on his initial strangle-hold on Danny's neck. After walking around a bit, he got curious & after $30 in tickets....he didn't want to leave!

Thanksgiving

We had a long Thanksgiving break this year (well, I did). Danny's parents came in Thursday & we, naturally, ate too much! Bob also managed to get about 4 pictures of us-I literally mean 4 pictures before Andrew was off & mowing! With cropping & such, I found one that looks great of Andrew, so he'll be on the Christmas card! Friday was Black Friday w/Jme in Tulsa-just so much fun to spend time with one of my best friends-the shopping is just a bonus! I stopped at the Salvation Army store before I left town & scored several candlesticks & a lamp base that I'm going to 'craft' into mercury glass-have I mentioned how much I love Pinterest? I never would've known about this technique otherwise! Danny put up the outdoor lights on Sunday while Andrew & I decorated the tree. There were a few 'agghh' moments (we were hanging Grandpa Parker's glass ornaments), but Andrew's been really good about not messing w/the tree since then.

I adore Pinterest-but I have no time

So, I'm a groupie. I love Pinterest-the online pinboard. I am able to see so many diverse things & save what I like-with pictures being the key component, I can select a catagory & immediately know if I 'like' or not! And since I make my own boards, no longer do I have thousands of random sites on my favorites tab-everything is organized *blissful sigh*. I've even managed a couple of the crafts w/little pain to myself! I had wanted to make this ornament wreath, but was afraid hanging it outside would just end in shattered glass everywhere....luckily, I'd already done a fall 'letter' for the door, so I just put together one for Christmas & shared the ribbon between the two (which also helps to anchor the ornament wreath-heavier than I expected)

Happy Birthday to me!

A bit self-centered, yes...but birthdays do come just once a year! Danny finally found a fire hydrant (we'd seen one in Eureka Springs, but decided to wait-mistake!) for the entry & on my last trip home, I saw the cabinet tucked in the folks garage. Since Momma & Daddy weren't using it, I asked if we could use it for the house. I love the way they look! Now to find some sort of art for the walls...I also had a special treat on Black Friday-Jme & I continued our tradition of early shopping. Early as in 7am, not the midnight madness experienced by some! It's always a great time to visit & also accomplish some Christmas shopping.

Andrew is two

I cannot believe that my boy is two. It's bittersweet being a parent-I love seeing Andrew face new challenges, but also wish he could just stay my baby. He gives the sweetest kisses now-I'm stocking up now so that I can manage those teenage years where I'll be lucky to get an eye roll;) He did great at his checkup-50% for height and 10% for weight. We worry about him being a little skinny, but the doctor says he looks great (as Andrew is running & climbing all over the exam room)! He's all of 34 inches and 25.5 pounds-our lean, mean, mowing & nekkid vacuuming machine (those pictures must, alas, remain offline;)

Boo!

Andrew did great trick-or-treating this year. We used the same outfit as last year-we weren't sure what Stillwater was doing since the holiday was on Monday & we had only gotten back from NYC Sunday...translation, "momma was tired!" He loved ringing doorbells and even said 'trick-or-treat' & 'thank you' a few times before turning bashful. He made Wilma go to our other neighbors house to ring the doorbell-he loves her!

Did I mention the Lego store? I think we need the dragon going through our house....I love their logo-they used the little Lego men to make it! We also strolled through Chinatown & Little Italy....Katz deli was yummy too! And Kerri...I know it's almost impossible to believe, but we had fried Mozzarella that was *gasp* better than Parkway! Cross my heart! I think what I will miss the most is the food quality & variety-everything was so fresh & flavorfull...and we weren't eating at anywhere terribly fancy-it was just all really great food!

The Big Apple

Well, Danny & I had an opportunity to celebrate our 5th anniversary in a big way-tickets to NYC-thanks to Mary Ellen & Bob! It was definitely NOT Oklahoma;) We didn't see a show, but we did just about everything else-including fireworks to celebrate Lady Liberty's 125th Birthday (of course none of the pics turned out-I was too twitchy!). We also met some of Danny's NY relatives, cousins Gwen & Marlene. They were kind enough to take us on a personal Brooklyn tour & gave us a taste of authentic family cuisine.....I loved the olives, breads & hammentosh (?) but (I'm sure to my Dad's total disbelief) I opted not to try the creamed herring. Gwen did say it was an acquired taste;) I got to cross two other items off my list-seeing the New York Public Library & the American Museum of Natural History. Can you say phenomenal specimen preparation? All in all, NYC was great, but I'm glad to be home.....especially since it started snowing our last day!

Boys of Fall

Jamie & I have been trying to get some pictures of the boys for quite a while now.....We both came in for Iowa Park's Homecoming last weekend & had planned for 'the shoot'. What I can say is that 1) Homecoming wasn't that much different from our highschool days (35-0, Decatur) and 2) Andrew is almost two & doesn't believe in pictures. Jamie managed a few shots of the boys together & I think half of those were blurred because Andrew decided to run off. In addition, I had forgotten about the library having a pond....it was like flies to honey! I think we still got some cute shots of both boys separate & together....maybe in 10 years we can bribe them;) At least the supercute shirts survived & may get another chance at photo glory when the Brown's have pictures with Teresa Berg (if you haven't seen her work, DO!)

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Science Museum...no to the planetarium!

In August, we took a Sunday trip to OKC to visit the OmniPlex. We attempted a planetarium show, but about 2 minutes after the 'if you child needs to leave speech'....we left. Suffice it to say, Andrew wanted to MOVE! He had a blast demonstrating the proper slide technique & we spent a while constructing train tracks before he found the water area. So much for the rubber aprons!! He was a little small to handle the treehouse area, but in a couple years I think he'll want to spend the night (3 stories up).

Summer chores

So Andrew has a love affair with mowing & mopping. He loves the mower, but it wasn't until he saw our neighbor Wilma mowing that he really started copying everyone. I have video of him running up & down the sidewalk, following Wilma. A few days later, he did the same thing while Danny mowed the backyard. It's hysterical & a little intimidating to see how quickly he mimics what adults do! As for the mopping, I can only hope his infatuation with cleaning lasts until he moves out;)