Reunion time in Texas

A few weeks ago, I went to TX to celebrate a special birthday. Mandy & I have known each other since Junior High, but as usually happens w/geography, haven't seen each other in several years. Thanks to Facebook, we've been able to catch up a bit & that's also where our reunion plans originated. My parents watched Andrew & I met Mandy, Murphy and some other ladies for a night out. We had a blast reminiscing and talking about all the new things in our lives...Thank you ladies!

Success!

This is a rare post that doesn't have an accompanying picture! On Sunday, July 11th, Andrew used his potty for the first time! He's been sitting on it (with & without clothes) for a few months now, and is very interested in all things 'bathroom'. I never thought I could be that excited about my child going 'peepee', but this parenting stuff is full of surprises;) Just so we get the idea of how much A loves the bathroom, here's a shot of him & the 'shaving cream incident'. We decided to let him play w/the cream in the tub & he went crazy!

Mr. Newman

Mr. Newman (Uncle Bob's Dad) passed away a couple of weeks ago....What I remember most about Mr. Newman is William & I going to his woodshop when we were little kids. He always had a project going & didn't mind us being around-as long as we were careful. He made us each a table & chair set (like many of the grandkids) and it makes me so happy that I can pass it along to Andrew. In our current chaotic lifestyles, it's a rare legacy that's handmade and actually able to survive through generations. God Bless you Bill.

Vacation & rainbows

Out of everything I ever plant, the moss rose/portulaca sp. are my absolute favorite. There's just something about all the ruffled petals in such bright colors that just make me smile. This year I planted a hanging basket with these lovelies & they're doing great! Last week we had some showers & I looked out the kitchen window & saw a rarity-double rainbow. The last one I remember seeing was out at Grandma & Grandpa's house back in Texas, probably 15 years ago. I couldn't get far enough back to get the entire rainbow, but this was one side. Stormy weather can be frightening, but I love all of it....and finally-Somehow we managed absolutely zero pictures while we were on vacation, but we did bring home a kite! Andrew enjoys watching while Danny & I learn not to crash (Danny is much better than myself!)

Trailers Away!

On Monday, I finally purchased a bike trailer for myself..well, really for Andrew so that I can ride my bike when Danny isn't around to watch the little man. Danny & Andrew actually got the trailer attached to the bike & we went for a short ride that night and Andrew loved it! We've ridden every night, even in the rain.

That's Doctor Donelson! and Doctor Rogers!

This weekend we had two good friends, Sarah & Stephanie graduate with their respective PhD's at OSU. We didn't make it to the graduation ceremony (Friday night)...but apparently Garth Brooks did (he recieved his MBA) and was nice enough to take pictures w/just about everyone in attendance! Andrine hosted a party for Sarah on Saturday & I went over a little early to help set up-we met a lot of Sarah's family & had a really nice time visiting. We are so proud of each of these ladies & wish them all the best....as long as they don't leave Stillwater;)

Towels, playsets & trees!

A couple of weeks ago, Andrew & I went to Dallas to visit Jamie for her birthday....and she had the most fantastic towel in the guest bathroom. So, on a trip to Tulsa, I got a couple of the towels for our master bathroom as well! this week we managed to find a used playset for Andrew-he's been having so much fun at school w/the playground equipment and didn't have anything at home. He loves going down the slide-mostly backwards, but who really cares when you're having fun, right? The finale for the week was delivery of our trees! I'm so excited to have them in the ground & being 'finished' with the yard-now we can plan our yard-warming party this summer.

Birds have found us!

Well, we're not sure if it's because of the landscaping & adding all the plants or if it's because there's bird seed available-but we have all types of birds showing up in the yard. Last year we got a great feeder from Pam & Jerry as a housewarming gift-we put it out, but never saw anything other than hummingbirds. Last week, & I were at the table & a bird came up to the feeder. We were both sort of stunned & Danny said "well, maybe I should change out that seed". He put fresh seed out & today we've seen at least 20 birds all over the yard. While I was getting bed pictures, I saw this hummingbird fly in-he landed on the tomato cage & I managed a shot!

Finally! The yard is (almost) finished....

Well, I think the yard is 99% done. I still need to relocate the iris and peony plants....and the nursery still needs to deliver & plant our two trees-a lacebark elm & dwarf atlas cedar that go on either side of the hill. Four beds were added-the rock (center), two flanking the back gate & one along the back wall of the house. We really tried to incorporate plants with rich colored foliage & evergreens in these beds. It was a challenge passing up my usual favorites at the nurseries since our yard has a southern exposure, i.e. full sun all day long! Granted, once the elm gets a few years older, the yard will be more like the old house in terms of shade. We also put in a bed specifically for veggies-it's the one w/the large trellis & tomato cages-the plants don't really show up since they're still so small. I also tried to put some different sedums/rock plants in the wall-hopefully the rains won't wash out all the soil around them! You'll also notice the fences around all the beds....the pups think we put the beds in for them to dig around making 'puppy beds'.....I only threatened their lives a couple of times-mainly after I'd found Oscar 'fluffing' my mulch!

Lion King....IRL!

This Saturday, we went on a behind-the-scenes tour at the Tulsa Zoo with Danny's parents to see the big cat exhibit. Even though we were safely behind 'bars' (yep, I would have preferred a little less safe-no petting, bummer!) it didn't detract from the true wildness & majesty of these animals. There's just something about cats (and for anyone that knows me, that includes literally any kind of cat) that just gets to me-no matter the size, each one is so graceful, with all that intelligence & power....Oh well, I'll stop now;) Another huge highlight was the carousel *yippee*! It was Andrew's first time & he got a little nervous a couple of times (after we switched to the tiger-the giraffe didn't go up & down) but did great-as you can see by the smiles. We used his harness....and he persisted in walking himself-if we tried to hold the tail, he would whip around & take it away and start walking again. Ah, the independence of kids;) I hope to have the finished yard pictures soon, but this morning it started raining & hasn't stopped long enough for me to get outside.